Discover cat breeds from around the world, from beloved classics to rare gems. Learn about their history, personality, care needs, and what makes each breed unique.
This clever, captivating cat is gentle and affectionate and adores human company, making it an ideal family pet. An ordinary farm cat in Oregon in 1982 produced the original curly-coated kitten that led to the development of the LaPerm. This cat bred naturally with other cats on the farm, and more curly-coated offspring appeared. Cat … Read more
This short, round cat has a luxurious fur coat and is gentle, very affectionate, and well-suited for family life. A sturdy, low-to-the-ground cat, the Napoleon longhair is a hybrid specially bred to combine the very short legs of the Munchkin with the luxuriant fur of the Persian, including versions with a colorpointed coat. There is … Read more
A newcomer on the pedigree cat scene, this rare and enigmatic cat is active, friendly, and easy to maintain. First discovered in New Mexico in 1984, the Ojos Azules (the name means “blue eyes” in Spanish) is one of the rarest cats in the world. The stunning eye color is particularly unusual in that it … Read more
This active, energetic, and playful breed loves to be the center of attention and provides plenty of entertainment. This recently developed breed, which also comes in a longhaired version, is still extremely rare. It has distinctive looks, with a big body, short tail, and dense coat. Most noticeable of all are the Highlander’s large, curled … Read more
The Blue- and Odd-Eyed Bicolor Persian is a showstopper. With a blend of old-world elegance and rare beauty, these cats turn heads wherever they go. Their plush coats and mesmerizing eyes offer more than just good looks. They bring calm companionship, a touch of feline magic, and a story worth telling. These Persians stand out … Read more
A relatively rare breed with a soft, full, richly colored coat, this loyal, easygoing cat is not overly demanding. The history of the Chantilly/Tiffany starts with a litter of chocolate-brown kittens born to two longhaired cats of unknown origin. A once widespread belief that the Burmese was included in the breed’s ancestry has now been … Read more
Highly intelligent and curious, this talkative breed loves people and requires a lot of attention from its owner. Lithe and elegant, with points that come in many colors, the Thai was bred to resemble the traditional Siamese cat of the 1950s, before it began to develop a more extreme, elongated appearance. The defining feature of … Read more
This little-known breed with an attractive Siamese-pointed coat is active and affectionate, and it makes a good pet. Named after the great Mekong River that flows through China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, this short-tailed cat occurs naturally over a wide area of Southeast Asia. The Mekong Bobtail was developed as an experimental breed in Russia … Read more
An affectionate breed that likes a secure routine, this cat prefers the company of its family and is shy with strangers. Developed in Denver, Colorado, in the late 20th century, the Nebelung is an outcross from the Russian Blue, deliberately bred to re-create the longhaired blue cats that were popular in the Victorian era. The … Read more
The American Wirehair Cat is a true American original—quirky, rare, and incredibly lovable. Known for its unique springy coat that feels like steel wool (but way more cuddly), this breed is a spontaneous natural mutation of the classic American Shorthair. But don’t let the rugged fur fool you—these cats are gentle, affectionate companions with easygoing … Read more