Cat Breeds

Also aboard the ships of the first European settlers in America were four-legged passengers. The cats who travelled with them were prized because of their hunting ability. During long voyages, they kept the mice and rats at bay. They were popular on land too, since they made sure there were no pesky nibblers in the grain storages. It has emerged that these cats are the ancestors of the well known and loved breed that goes by the name of “American Shorthair”.

The American Shorthair and Longhair cats are well known, but who has heard of the “American Wirehair cat”? This breed is very rare in America and almost unheard of in Europe. The American Wirehair remains an intriguing cat, which, like countless other breeds, was the result of a random genetic mutation. Read on to find out about this mysterious cat breed from New York!

The Australian Mist is the only cat breed from the Australian continent. Bred from the Burmese, Abyssinian and domestic cats, this gentle and trusting cat breed is ideally suited as a domestic cat. The name of these Australian felines is inspired by their typical fur markings, which look as if the cat had been covered by a light fog.

The Balinese cat soon catches the eye of fans of the Siamese and Birman: this breed has a striking point pattern, but with semi-long fur.

The Bengal is a truly unique cat breed. Initially they were a cross between Asian Leopard cats and domestic cats. However, fertility issues of male cats in the first to third generation led to first generation females being mated with domestic cats again.

Are you looking for a long-haired cat capable of adapting comfortably to life in a human household? The British Longhair is just such a cat, often known as the “Highlander”, and the semi long-haired variety of the British Shorthair. It has a friendly, balanced nature and a fairly low activity drive. The history of the British Longhair is intrinsically linked to that of the British Shorthair. Both varieties follow the same breed standard, the only difference between them being that the British Longhair has long, soft fur as a result of being crossed with Persian cats.

The Cymric cat originally comes from the Isle of Man, a British island. It is closely related to the Manx cat but has longer fur. Its most striking characteristic is its lack of a tail.

The Devon Rex is a rare cat breed that can easily be distinguished from others thanks to its appearance. It was bred to have a flat skull shape with extremely large protruding ears and very big eyes. Whilst initial reaction to the Devon Rex was lukewarm, it later gained approval due to its very special physical features. Since 1968, these special cats with an unusual appearance have been recognised by the “Féderation Internationale Féline” (FiFe). Because of its pleasant character, the Devon Rex is a typical family cat and is also very well suited for being kept in an apartment. Perhaps you will soon make one part of your own home? 

It's hard to believe but it's true: the European Shorthair is a cat breed too. However, not every farm cat of unknown origin is one. This breed has to follow specific standards if considered for breeding purposes.

Do you love Garfield? Then the Exotic Shorthair is just the right cat for you. After all, it is a recreation of this snuggly, lazy but very loving TV tomcat with short, stocky legs and a large, short-nosed head.

The German Longhair is an extremely rare cat breed. This is actually unfair, because these attractive cats love the company of people and are straightforward to keep. As the name states, the breed originates from Germany. Special features are its long shiny fur and a harmonious physique.

The cuddly Himalayan came about through pairing Siamese and Persian cats. The striking point colouration in the face has given it the name “Persian in disguise”. In addition, the term “Colourpoint Persian” is occasionally used. Some class the Himalayan as an independent breed, whilst others sees it as a special variation on the Persian.

The Javanese is a semi-longhaired cat and is also known as the Oriental Longhair (OLH) or Mandarin. A slender body, wedge-shaped head with large ears and silky fur are typical of this cat breed. Javanese cats are very cuddly and playful.

The cat with a perm: Still a young cat breed, the LaPerm resulted from an accidental genetic mutation and is primarily characterised by its unique curly coat. Not just its soft curls, but its people-focused and affectionate character make it a perfect cat for cuddling.

The Lykoi (lykos means “wolf” in ancient Greek) may appear like the Hollywood version of a werewolf upon first glance. However, it isn't an invention of the film industry and is in fact a natural mutation of a native short-haired cat.

The Mekong Bobtail is a relatively rare cat breed that originally comes from Asia. Its short stumpy tail and point marking are typical features of the Mekong Bobtail.

With its silver-blue fur and shimmering green eyes, the Nebelung is a unique sight to behold and appreciated by many cat lovers. However, breeding is still in its infancy.

Things certainly won't be boring with an Oriental Shorthair, also known as the OSH. These intelligent, lively cats with big ears need plenty of attention and don't like being alone. In return, they reward their human family with lots of affection.

The fluffy Persian is one of the most popular cat breeds in existence. It is surprising that these cats called “Gorbe-ye irāni” (Iranian cat) in Persian are one of the oldest cat breeds, although the Persian as we know it today doesn't even come from the Orient.

Furless cats trigger very different reactions. But the Peterbald, a cat breed also found in a hairless variety, cares little about this: with its friendly nature, it effortlessly wins over cat lovers across the world.

The Serengeti cat is a cross between the Bengal and Oriental Shorthair cat. Large ears and long legs are typical of this still young cat breed. Its spotted fur is reminiscent of the markings of an exotic predatory cat. Serengeti cats are very temperamental and should only be in the hands of experienced owners. 

Along with the Persian, the Siamese is one of the oldest and most famous cat breeds. It originates from Southeast Asia, specifically from Siam, which nowadays belongs to Thailand, where it was worshipped as a temple cat. Towards the end of the 19^th century, the first Siamese cats came to Britain and were bred there as pedigree cats. In 1882, the first breed standard for the Siamese was established. Since 1927, Siamese cats have been officially bred in Germany too. Breeding began all over the world not much later.

Originally from the US, the Snowshoe certainly has lots of fans thanks to its interesting appearance and unique character. There are always sweet surprises with a litter of Snowshoe kittens: at the time of their birth, they are still entirely white and only show different colouration as they develop. The first colours are visible around ten days after these beautiful creatures are born.

Despite its famous progenitors, the Burmese and Siamese, the Tonkinese is a relatively rare cat breed. With their slim, muscular body and short fur, these attractive cats combine many positive characteristics of their ancestors. Affectionate, sociable and curious, they are excellent for families that wish to spend a lot of time with their pet.

The Turkish Angora is described by its many fans as 'the world's oldest pedigree cat'. What's the story behind this assertion – and just why do these long-haired cats leave animal lovers all over the world spellbound? Genetic tests confirm that the Turkish Angora really is one of the world's oldest pedigree cats. The long fur came about through natural mutation rather than targeted selection by humans – this makes the breeding history of the Turkish Angora stand out in contrast to other pedigree cats!