This rare breed, an all-white variant of the Turkish Van, is friendly and needs little encouragement to play. This cat has its origins in the same region of Turkey as the Turkish Van, and it is distinguished from that breed only by the lack of …
Sweet and easy-to-keep, this cat is very gentle, active, and a good jumper, despite having very short legs. This little-known hybrid dwarf cat is a cross between the short-legged Munchkin and the curly-coated Selkirk Rex. It is sometimes known as the Nanus (meaning “dwarf”) Rex. …
This quiet and companionable breed with unique folded ears is very loyal and gets along well with children. Due to a rare genetic mutation, the ears of this breed fold forward to fit like a cap over the skull, producing a unique round-headed look. The …
This dainty, aristocratic cat with a sparkling white coat is very loving, making it an active and loyal companion. Development of this breed began in the 1950s, with crosses between the Siamese and white shorthaired cats. In the UK the first of these hybrids had …
Adaptable and confident, the Ocicat is a curious and playful breed that responds well to training. Despite its name, this spotted beauty is not a cross between the domestic cat and the ocelot—the native jungle cat of South and Central America—but it looks as though …
This delicately patterned cat with an unusual beauty is a natural entertainer, full of energy and enthusiasm. The chance mating between a chocolate- point Siamese (see pp. 104–05) and a Persian Chinchilla produced a litter that included two kittens with shaded silver coats. This aroused …
A fine domestic cat with an air of quality, this breed is calm and reserved and is said to be easy to train. At first glance, the European Shorthair looks very much like a typical house cat. Very popular in Scandinavia, it was developed in …
This new and rare breed is said to be intelligent and playful, and it enjoys an owner’s lap. A designer dwarf cat, the Kinkalow was deliberately created in the 1990s by crossing the Munchkin with the American Curl. This still-experimental breed ideally should have the …
This breed may look delicately built, but it has a strong character and enjoys lots of family interaction. Records indicate that this native Turkish breed probably reached France and the UK some time around the 17th century. Widely used in the development of other longhaired …
Despite its fierce looks, this hefty and muscular cat has a sweet temperament and is very affectionate and social. Like the mountain bobcat from which it derives its name, the Pixiebob has a thick coat, tufted ears, a pointed face, and a powerful body, and …