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 name 'Sacred Cat of Burma' causes real confusion, therefore this cat breed is known as the 'Birman' in English. However, don't confuse it with the Burmese! In fact, the Birman cat comes from a French breeding programme that was carried out in the 20^th century. Here you can find out more about the breed that combines the best of the Persian and Siamese cat!

Are you looking for an adaptable cat for domestic life, if possible with a long coat? Also commonly referred to as the Highlander, the British Longhair is the semi-longhaired alternative to the British Shorthair, sharing its friendly, even-tempered manner but with a lesser urge for activity.

Are you looking for a cat that perfectly complements your family with its calm, well-balanced nature, and that will happily live indoors? Chances are the “British Shorthair” will have been recommended to you as the ideal breed! No cat-lover will be able to resist the plush coat and big eyes of the British Shorthair, and its character is equally lovable. But what else do you need to know about this breed? Our breed portrait will introduce you in detail to these lovable felines, as well as offering tips on purchasing and keeping your cat, alongside good nutrition and health care.

The Chartreux cat breed is one of the most well-loved in Europe and yet there are lots of questions around the origins of the breed and whether they should be recognized as a distinct breed at all. They are sometimes incorrectly referred to as Maltese or Korat cats.

When we talk about cats, we often refer to them as short-haired or long-haired, but you might be surprised to learn that there are cat breeds with curly hair and even no hair at all. One of these rarer cat breeds is the Cornish Rex, which has a very distinctive coat formation.

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.

Hairless, wrinkly, and with curled ears: the playful and cuddly Elf Cat looks quite different from your average feline friend. This rare breed is one of the hairless variety and only emerged at the start of the 21st century in the USA – to some, it is considered a product of controversial breeding practices. In this article, we'll share everything there is to know about this unique breed.

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 German Rex is on the of the few cat breeds with wavy fur. The breed is considered friendly, people-focused and has a calm nature. However, its breeding history is problematic.

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.

16 Feb 2024 | 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.

This unique-looking breed of cat comes from the US and is still rare elsewhere. Its characteristic short legs are the result of a random genetic defect. Together with its distinctive nature, this exact characteristic makes the Munchkin cat so special in the eyes of its breeders and fans.

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 plush Persian cat is one of the most popular cat breeds. It is little wonder, given that the Persian, known as “Gorbe-ye irāni” or the “Iranian cat”, belongs to the oldest breed of cats in the world – although the Persians we know today are not 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 RagaMuffin, descended from the Ragdoll, is a gentle giant among cats and, alongside the Norwegian Forest Cat, ranks among the largest cat breeds in the world. Characterised as affectionate, cuddly, and sweet-natured, the RagaMuffin makes the perfect feline companion for families.

Is this a cat that resembles a ragdoll? Not at all! The Ragdoll is an ideal cat breed for lovers of Siamese, Colourpoint and other pointed cat breeds. These gentle giants will win you over not only with their beautiful coat, extraordinary colour and bright blue eyes…

At first sight you could mistake the Russian Blue for a Chartreux or British Shorthair, but a second look will tell you that the Russian Blue is a very distinct breed

The Selkirk Rex is one of the few cat breeds with curly hair. Its unusual look and gentle character has led to it conquering the hearts of cat lovers.

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. Breeding began all over the world not much later.

The sweet Singapura is a real rarity, since the number of responsible breeders is still very low. As a result, it isn't at all easy to procure a cat belonging to this exotic breed. However, whoever is fortunate enough to give a Singapura a home can count themselves all the luckier, since these cats have a unique character that is both delightful and fascinating – just as your life alongside a Singapura will be.

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.

Originating from the US, the exclusive Toyger “designer cat” is a domestic cat bred with the aim of resembling a tiger in cat form. Hence, the name is made up of “toy” and the ending of “tiger”. Although the Toyger's name may suggest so, a pet should of course not be treated as a toy, but rather as a beloved animal with which you can enjoy plenty of fun and games.

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?