| There are numerous breeds of cat that are rare and | | | | from Highland Lynx. It is one of the most recent |
| exotic. Some breeds are rare, but not so exotic, for | | | | breeds, first introduced in 2004. Due to its wild |
| example the British Shorthair, which may be difficult | | | | ancestry, the Highlander is typically larger than a |
| for a lover of the breed to find. | | | | standard domestic cat, but it is also known for its |
| Of course, there are some things that any | | | | friendliness and affection. In fact, many owners |
| prospective owner should consider before purchasing | | | | choose a Highlander, because its temperament is |
| a rare breed. Not least of which is the cost. Rare | | | | more akin to a dog's than an average cat's. |
| breeds are, unsurprisingly, expensive, but you should | | | | |
| not be tempted to buy one cheaply from a | | | | Kinkalow |
| disreputable source. | | | | The Kinkalow is another breed that has been |
| With that in mind, if you love cats and are | | | | introduced recently. It is a dwarf breed and was |
| considering welcoming an unusual breed into your life, | | | | created by crossbreeding the Munchkin with an |
| then here are just a few of the breeds that you | | | | American Curl. Subsequently, it has features of both. |
| may like to consider: | | | | The Kinkalow has a curled back similar to that of the |
| Abyssinian Bobtail | | | | American Curl, but it has the short legs of a |
| Aegean | | | | Munchkin. |
| American Keuda | | | | |
| American Miniature | | | | Lambkin Dwarf Cat |
| Black Bengal | | | | Like the Kinkalow, the Lambkin is a dwarf breed and |
| Brooklyn Rex | | | | it is also related to the Munchkin. However, the |
| Burmilla | | | | Lambkin Dwarf was developed by breeding the |
| California Spangled | | | | Munchkin with the Selkirk Rex. The Lambkin Dwarf, |
| Caracat | | | | which is also known as Nanus Rex, was introduced in |
| Cheetoh | | | | 1987. Owners find the quirky look of a Lambkin |
| Cheub | | | | appealing. It has short legs and a long body, which |
| Dragon Li | | | | means that it is visually similar to a Dachshund. |
| Elf Cat | | | | Another winning feature of the Lambkin is its eyes, |
| Kurilian Bobtail | | | | which, in many cats of the breed, are blue. |
| Minskin | | | | |
| Sokoke | | | | Serengeti |
| The above cats are among some of the very rarest | | | | Another relatively new feline is the Serengeti, which |
| breeds, but there are many more rare and exotic | | | | first immerged in 1994. Although the Serengeti looks |
| breeds. For any cat lover interested in rare breeds, it | | | | very similar to the Serval, it is bred from |
| is worth bearing in mind that new breeds are being | | | | domesticated cats. The Serengeti can be seen in |
| discovered or created all the time. Some of the more | | | | black, tabby or ebony (smoke) colors and is spotted |
| popular rare breeds include: | | | | in pattern, making it an aesthetically pleasing animal. |
| | | | This is by no means an exhaustive list of rare and |
| American Wirehair | | | | exotic breeds of cat, but it does detail some of the |
| The American Wirehair was not bred, but discovered | | | | most popular and some of the rarest of breeds. As |
| in New York, in 1966. Around this time, several barn | | | | mentioned above, when thinking about purchasing a |
| cats had been born with a mutation of the fur, which | | | | rare breed it is impetrative to visit a reputable |
| made it wiry and coarse. Now, the American Wirehair | | | | breeder. |
| can be found in many colors and is often seen as a | | | | Equally, it is important for potential owners to realize |
| genuinely American cat. | | | | that owning a cat is a commitment for the lifetime of |
| | | | the animal, so be sure to research the breed to |
| Highlander | | | | ensure that you can offer your cat a happy, healthy |
| As its name suggests, the Highlander was created | | | | home. |