This sweet and loving cat makes an excellent hunter outdoors—quick and sure, it enjoys the chase and hunt. The founding female of the York Chocolate breed came from New York State and was a dark chocolate brown, hence the breed’s name. When kittens born to this cat had the same rich coloring, their owner developed …
This inquisitive, athletic cat has a curled coat that extends from the whiskers to the tail, and is a lively and energetic pet. The founder member of this striking breed was a male cat named Kallibunker, born on a Cornish farm in the UK in 1950. Unlike his siblings, he had the now-classic wavy coat, …
This rare breed with a ticked tabby pattern has a peaceful nature but can be possessive of home and family. A native of the coastal Arabuko Sokoke Forest in Kenya, this spectacular tabby was discovered in the late 1970s, when a British Kenyan resident adopted two feral kittens with distinctive markings and used them for …
This large, laid-back cat is remarkably well-behaved and amenable, making it perfect for people with busy lifestyles. The name is well chosen, since few cats are easier to handle or more ready to sit on a lap than a Ragdoll. One of the largest of all cat breeds, this cat has a confused history—supposedly, the …
This wildcat look-alike has a home-loving personality, is affectionate and loving, but not too demanding on its owner. According to a widely accepted opinion, the origins of this true native American cat can be traced to the naturally shorttailed, feral cats found free-roaming in various US states. The breed also has a short-coated cousin. The …
This pint-sized “black panther” has glossy fur and striking copper eyes; it is not as vocal as other Asian cats. Created specifically for its appearance, the Bombay is a cross between a sable American Burmese and a black American Shorthair. Sleek and glossy, this breed comes only in black, with large, gold or copper-colored eyes. …
A lively, energetic, overtly loving, and outgoing cat, this breed is not for owners who prefer a quiet life. This comparatively new breed, not yet recognized worldwide, was specially created in the UK to resemble the distinctively patterned cats found in the Seychelles. The first crosses were between a Siamese and a calico Persian; later, …
This little-known breed is affectionate and easygoing with people, especially if socialized from an early age. The history of the Turkish Shorthair is uncertain, but this cat occurs naturally in various regions of Turkey and has probably existed there for a considerable time. Also known as the Anatolian or Anatoli and the Anadolu Kedisi in …
These rare and sought-after Persians come in a wonderful palette of colors, but they can be difficult to breed. Tortoiseshell cats—frequently called torties—have a coat of two colors, traditionally black and red, forming a pattern of striking patches or more subtle mottling. A more recent variation is the Chocolate Tortie, with brown and red coloring. …
Although undemanding and gentle, this elegant cat may be intolerant of being handled. Black-and-white British Shorthairs were much valued in the 19th century when this breed had its beginnings, but they were never common. The Bicolor as it is today, which comes in several combinations of white and another color, was not fully developed until …