Shorthair
Abyssinian
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Egypt
Characteristics
regal appearance; lithe body with long, slender legs
Comments
resembles the sacred cat of ancient Egypt
American Shorthair
Group
Shorthair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
broad, muscular body; thick, dense fur
Comments
hardy; natural hunter
American Wirehair
Group
Shorthair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
medium to large in size; curly coat
Comments
rare outside the U.S.
Bengal
Group
Shorthair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
spotted coat; hind legs shorter than forelegs
Comments
cross between Asian leopard cat and American Shorthair tabby
Bombay
Group
Shorthair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
elegant appearance; resembles Indian black leopard
Comments
cross between Burmese and black American Shorthair
British Shorthair
Group
Shorthair
Origin
England
Characteristics
broad body with short legs; short, thick tail
Comments
oldest natural English breed; many varieties
Burmese
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Burma
Characteristics
medium-sized; glossy, thick coat
Comments
related to the Siamese
Chartreux
Group
Shorthair
Origin
France
Characteristics
robust; all shades of blue-grey
Comments
one of the oldest natural breeds
Cornish Rex
Group
Shorthair
Origin
England
Characteristics
curly, short coat; large ears
Comments
named after the Rex rabbit
Devon Rex
Group
Shorthair
Origin
England
Characteristics
coat slightly coarser than Cornish Rex; pixie face
Comments
nicknamed "poodle cat"
Egyptian Mau
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Egypt
Characteristics
graceful body; distinct spot pattern and banded tail
Comments
mau is Egyptian for "cat"
Japanese Bobtail
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Japan
Characteristics
triangular head with large ears; rabbitlike tail
Comments
symbol of good luck
Korat
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Thailand
Characteristics
silver-blue coat; heart-shaped face
Comments
native name Si-Sawat; considered to be good luck
Manx
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Isle of Man
Characteristics
tailless or with stump; double coat
Comments
tailless gene can cause skeletal defects and stillbirths if not bred with a tailed cat
Ocicat
Group
Shorthair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
typically cream coat with dark or light brown spots and markings
Comments
cross between Abyssinian and Siamese
Oriental Shorthair
Group
Shorthair
Origin
U.S., U.K.
Characteristics
long, lithe body; vivid green eyes
Comments
numerous colours unique to the breed
Russian Blue
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Russia
Characteristics
blue with silver tipping; plush, double coat; fine-boned, but muscular
Comments
considered omens of good luck
Scottish Fold
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Scotland
Characteristics
typically folded ears; short, round, well-padded body
Comments
folded ear gene can cause crippling when two such types are mated
Siamese
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Asia
Characteristics
sapphire-blue eyes; long, lean body
Comments
noted for its intelligence and unpredictable behaviour
Sphynx
Group
Shorthair
Origin
Canada
Characteristics
hairless; large ears
Comments
rare outside North America
Tonkinese
Group
Shorthair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
blue-green eyes; medium-sized
Comments
cross between Siamese and Burmese
Longhair
Balinese
Group
Longhair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
long, svelte body; sapphire-blue eyes
Comments
mutation of Siamese; tail sways when walking, resembling Balinese dancers
Birman
Group
Longhair
Origin
Burma
Characteristics
deep blue eyes; bushy tail; white-gloved paws
Comments
known as the "Sacred Cat of Burma"
Cymric
Group
Longhair
Origin
Canada
Characteristics
stout with heavy chest; tailless
Comments
a longhair Manx
Himalayan, or Colourpoint Longhair
Group
Longhair
Origin
U.S., Europe
Characteristics
cobby body; short, full tail; sapphire-blue eyes
Comments
cross between Siamese and Persian
Javanese
Group
Longhair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
graceful with long, lithe body; silky coat
Comments
cross between Balinese and Colourpoint Shorthaired
Maine Coon Cat
Group
Longhair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
large and well-muscled; shaggy coat
Comments
oldest American breed
Norwegian Forest Cat
Group
Longhair
Origin
Norway
Characteristics
robust, muscular body; double coat
Comments
featured prominently in Nordic fables of the mid-1800s
Persian
Group
Longhair
Origin
exact origin unknown, possibly Iran
Characteristics
cobby body; massive head
Comments
one of the oldest and most popular breeds; many varieties
Ragdoll
Group
Longhair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
heavy and powerful build; blue eyes
Comments
relaxes muscles when picked up, resembling a floppy ragdoll
Somali
Group
Longhair
Origin
U.S.
Characteristics
lithe and muscular body; green or golden eyes; full brush tail
Comments
a longhair Abyssinian
Turkish Angora
Group
Longhair
Origin
Turkey
Characteristics
long, plumed tail; large, pointed ears
Comments
one of the first longhair cats in Europe
