Cat Breeds

The American Curl is a cat breed that draws attention: its curved ears could also pass as an eye-catching headdress conceptualised by a modern designer. In terms of character, the American Curl's domestic cat heritage wins through: it is unspoiled, active and drawn to people.

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 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 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. Big cat hybrids could be found in the zoos of Europe at the beginning of the 19^th century. This ultimately didn't prove practical for zoos, but transferred well to the world of small cats. Wild cat hybrids proved to be extremely popular as pets. The most well-known example is the Bengal. They are the result of crossing a tame black domestic cat with a wild Asian leopard cat. This breed reached great popularity due to its elongated body and extraordinary fur colouring. However, its proximity to its wild relatives sometimes requires an experienced hand.

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!

The “Good Luck Cat” – this description of the Burmese cat from its original Thai homeland describes the breed perfectly! These chatterboxes love humans and spend their lives playing and frolicking!

This playful and still new British cat breed came about through a chance crossing of a Chinchilla Persian cat and a Burmese. There are several myths surrounding the origin of the breed, of which one is cuter and more heart-warming than the other – just like the Burmilla itself. This beautiful cat with shimmering silver fur is in principle also well suited to being kept in an apartment with limited space. However, the Burmilla also appreciates being able to have a few outdoor adventures and happily integrates itself with a family.

The Chausie is a hybrid breed with a cross between domestic and jungle cats. It is said to combine the proud appearance of wild cats with the loyal and people-focused nature of domestic cats. The rare Chausie has well-defined cheekbones and has maintained its ancestors' desire for exercise and freedom to this day.

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 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 Maine Coon has become one of the most popular cat breeds in the world and enjoys increasing popularity in the United Kingdom. This is probably due to its wild appearance, robust nature and great character.

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.

Neva Masquerade – a mysterious name for a mysterious thing of beauty! The Neva Masquerade is the point variation on the Siberian cat and shares many characteristics with this breed.

The Norwegian Forest cat emerged in its land of origin, Norway, free of human influence and wins hearts with its wild looks and genuine character. The Norwegian is original in more than just its appearance!

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.

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 Siberian cat is the epitome of a native breed – a medium-sized cat with an original appearance, powerful build and semi-long fur that must have come about entirely free of human influence is its homeland Russia. It has only been specifically bred from the 1980s.

If you love Abyssinian cats but would prefer a feline friend slightly longer hair, then the Somali cat could be right up your street!

Sphynx are polarising hairless cats. Whilst some animal lovers view this Canadian breed critically and talk of torture breeding, others enthuse over these unusual felines. If a Sphynx cat has no tactile hairs, it is classed as torture breeding. You can form your own impression of the Sphynx cat in this article.

The Thai cat breed is closely related to the more well-known Siamese. As the Siamese cat breed developed more towards a graceful build, the more robust looking, original Siamese cat type was recognized as an independent breed, which is how the Thai came to be recognised.

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.

A cat that can swim? Turns out, there really is such a thing! Unlike all other cats, the Turkish Van loves the water and will venture out into the deep when it gets the chance. Be careful not to get the Turkish Van confused with the Turkish Angora. If you look closely, you will quickly see their differences. Read on to find out more about this extraordinary cat from Turkey!