| Although there are many breeds of cats, this article | | | | long haired cat that comes in many colors. It's long |
| briefly discusses the more well known breeds. Each | | | | fur is water resistance and the shape of it's toes |
| breed has distinct markings and many times is easily | | | | allows it to walk on snow. The Maine Coon is one of |
| recognizable. Cats have been crossbred for many | | | | the larger breed of domestic cats weighing up to 18 |
| years, but the cats shown below are still bred as a | | | | pounds. It is intelligent, gentile but cautious with |
| pure breed. | | | | strangers. |
| The Russian Blue is a silver-blue coated cat originally | | | | The Manx is a tailless cat with a sturdy body despite |
| from Russia. The outer coat is coarse while the | | | | it's mutated spine. The mutated spine accounts for it |
| undercoat is soft and downy. The body is lean and | | | | being tailless. The Manx originated on the Isle of Man. |
| elongated and the eyes are usually dark green. The | | | | It has a long, coarse outer coat and thick undercoat. |
| breed is very intelligent and playful but can be timid | | | | Having longer front legs gives it the appearance of |
| among strangers. The breed is very loyal to it's | | | | being rounded. The Manx has a sweet disposition and |
| owners. | | | | is a strong hunter. |
| Another breed is the Abyssinian. The breed is | | | | Another long hair cat is the Persian. The Persian has a |
| believed to have originated from Egypt. This breed is | | | | thick coat, short legs, wide head with large eyes and |
| active, colorful and muscular. It is a medium in size | | | | an an appearance of a "pushed in" face. It requires |
| with a soft, silky and dense coat. It's eyes are | | | | daily cleaning and brushing to avoid health problems. It |
| almond shaped and can be gold, hazel, copper or | | | | has a good temperament and makes a good |
| green in color. The breed requires a lot of attention | | | | companion. |
| and is timid toward strangers. | | | | The Devon Rex origins date back to 1960 in England. |
| Burmese originally came from Thailand. It is medium | | | | The Devon Rex has a short curly soft coat, large |
| sized and very muscular. It's eyes are gold or yellow. | | | | ears, wide head and an upturned nose. It's whiskers |
| The Burmase was brown but selective breeding has | | | | are short and curled. It can leap very well due to it's |
| made it available in many colors. It's coat is short | | | | long legs and large toes. It cannot tolerate extreme |
| haired with a satin-like finish. A Burmese is intelligent, | | | | temperatures. The Devon Rex is intelligent, very |
| playful and has an even temperament. | | | | friendly and likes high places. |
| One of the oldest breeds is the Egyptian Mau. The | | | | Last but not least is the Siamese. The Siamese cat |
| Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted and fastest | | | | originated from Siam(Thailand). The Siamese has a |
| breed of domestic cat. Although the Mau is smaller | | | | slim, long, well muscled body, triangular shaped head, |
| than some cats, it's body shape and hind legs give it | | | | almond shaped eyes and a long, thin neck. It's hair is |
| greater agility and speed. The Mau likes warm | | | | short, glossy and soft and has a pointed color |
| temperatures. The Mau is very loyal to it's owner but | | | | scheme. The Siamese is the most vocal of all breeds |
| doesn't take well to strangers. | | | | and can jump with ease. The Siamese is intelligent |
| The Himalayan is a Persian-type cat. It is a long haired | | | | and very social. |
| cat that requires daily brushing. It's vivid blue eyes | | | | Each breed has it's own unique look and behavior. As |
| and color points are that of a Siamese which | | | | an owner, you have to decide which features are |
| distinguish it from the Persian. It's legs are short | | | | important to you. Whether you chose a cat like the |
| limiting it's jumping ability. It's temperament is sweet | | | | ones mentioned above, a stray or a cat from an |
| and it makes a good companion. It is intelligent and | | | | animal shelter, a cat makes a loyal house pet when |
| very active. | | | | treated with love and kindness. If you decide on a |
| One of the larger breed of cats is the Maine Coon. It | | | | pure breed cat, make sure the cat conforms to the |
| is native to Maine where it is the state cat. It is a | | | | Cat Fanciers' Association standards for authenticity. |