Kittens to You

I was aware that there were a few different cat breeds out there, particularly because the more exotic ones make the news. Most people aren’t aware how many breeds of cats exist. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the length of the list I discovered after doing some quick research on the subject. There are more than 85 breeds of cats commonly found in homes all over the world.

Here are some of the most popular:

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair traces its lineage to the cats brought by the Roman empire to Britain. The Shorthair was bred with native cats of the area, and later with Persians resulting in it’s distinctly plush coat and square body shape and face. They are strongly muscled for a domestic cat, much akin to the bulldog of the canine world. Their rounded cheek and whisker areas give them a squirrel or chipmunk look.

Maine Coon

Main Coons are also known for their very distinctive appearance. AS their name suggests, they are native to the state of Maine, and are one of the oldest breeds native to North America. Their most distinctive feature is their longing flowing fur. Maine Coons are known as an intelligent and sensitive breed. They are one of the most popular breeds the world over now. A Maine Coon holds the record at Guinness for the longest cat at slightly over 4 feet long!

Siamese

The Siamese is a distinct sub-breed of the Oriental Cat. The breeds origin is thought to be from Southeast Asia as a cat of temples located in present day Thailand. They are most often very thin and shorthaired with a head that is triangular in shape. Despite the public conception, Siamese are generally affectionate by nature, with the nervous cats be an exception rather than the rule. The Siamese breed has appeared in famous works of literature for hundreds of years.

American Shorthair

A very popular breed in the U.S., this breed is believed to be descended from the previously mentioned British Shorthair. They are more athletic, being larger yet leaner than their ancestors.Chances are good that standard cats purchased at pet stores, or adopted at animal shelters in the U.S. will be of this breed or the related Longhair.

American Longhair

Like the monks discovering wine, the American Longhair is the result of an experiment that didn’t quite work out as expected. There were attempts to modify the American Shorthair, so that it possessed Persian traits such as the green eyes and shimmering coat. The result actually produced a Persian-style breed with a shorter coat and leaner body. Though a Longhair, their fur is somewhat thinner and shorter than many other breeds attributed with that trait.