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Cat Breeds
The Abyssinian is a natural breed
of domesticated cat believed to
originate from one Egyptian female
kitten called Zula that was taken from a
port in Alexandria, Egypt, by a British
soldier and brought to England where the
breed was developed when Zula was bred
with an English tabby, and the most
'Abyssinian' looking kitten of her
litter being bred with its mother to
splice the Abby gene. It is believed all
Abyssinians in Europe, the Americas, and
Australia
are descended from Zula, but there has
been at least one and possibly as many
as three Abyssinians introduced from
Libya (or less likely Egypt) into the
existing Abyssinian gene pool in the
USA. The Abyssinian has become one of
the most popular shorthair breed of cats
in the USA. There are said to be still
wild Abyssinians in some parts of North
Africa. The Abyssinian has a
distinctly ticked, tawny coat. The tail
and paws may show tabby markings, but
the body must not. It has large
almond-shaped green or gold eyes with a
fine dark line around them, and large
ears. The coat is generally a warm
golden color, but "Abys" can also be
blue, fawn, cinnamon and red. There is
also a Silver Abyssinian variant whose
coat shows shades of white, cream and
grey.
Abyssinians are very active,
friendly, curious and playful, but are
usually not "lap cats"; they are too
preoccupied exploring and playing; they
are "busy" cats, and can get bored and
depressed without daily activity and
attention. Many Abyssinians enjoy
heights, and will explore their
surroundings in three dimensions, from
the floor to their owner's shoulders to
the top of the highest furniture. They
are highly intelligent, and probably the
most independent of any domestic breed.
There is a long haired version of the
Abyssinian, called the Somali.
The American Bobtail is a medium to large, naturally occurring, bobtailed
cat. It is a noticeably athletic animal, well muscled, with the look and feel of
power. It possesses a unique natural hunting gaze that combines with the breed's
body type and natural bobtail to give the American Bobtail a distinctive wild
appearance. The breeds expression is one of intelligence and alertness. Females
are generally proportionately smaller than males with type a more important
aspect of the breed than size or tail characteristics
 The
American Curl is a breed of cat characterized by its unusual
ears, which curl back from the face toward the center of the
back of the skull. The breed originated in Lakewood, California
as the result of a spontaneous mutation. In June, 1981, two
stray kittens were found and taken in by the Ruga family. The
kittens were both longhaired, one black and the other black and
white. The family named them Shulamith and Panda respectively,
but Panda disappeared several weeks later, making Shulamith the
foundation female of the American Curl breed.
American Shorthairs are medium to large sized cats, with
powerful legs and strong paws. Their muzzle is squarish. Their
coat is short, with the fur being
thick, dense, and stiff to protect them from cold, moisture, and
superficial skin injuries. Their coat thickens up in the winter
and sheds in the spring but still remains lighter and slimmer
than its close cousin, the British Shorthair. American
Shorthairs are very affectionate, long-living, and disinclined
to behavioral problems; they get along well with other family
members, including dogs. The American Shorthair is also an
excellent hunter, but its sunny and gentle disposition make it
ideal for families with small children. Shorthairs tend to get
overweight very easily.
The American Wirehair is
a breed of domestic cat
that originated in
upstate New York. As of
2003, though the breed
is well known, they are
ranked as the most rare
of the 41 CFA breeds,
with only 22 registered,
down from 39 in 2002.
The unique wirehair coat is genetically dominant over a normal coat,
unlike the gene that creates rex fur.
The fur is springy, dense and coarse,
and even their whiskers are often
curled. Many find it pleasant to the
touch. It is unusual in that this coat
has not appeared among other cats (most
mutations occur in various places), and
all wirehairs can trace their ancestry
back to Adam. Apart from the wiry coat,
they are strong, muscular cats, built
similarly to American Shorthairs. They
come in a variety of colors.
The Balinese is a breed of oriental cat with long hair and
Siamese-style markings, or points. They resemble a Siamese with a medium-length
silky coat and a plumed tail, but not nearly as fluffy as a Himalayan, and they
require much less grooming. Balinese are extremely intelligent cats, although
less talkative than their Siamese ancestors.
The Bengal cat is a relatively new hybrid breed of cat developed to have a
gentle and friendly temperament, while exhibiting the markings (such as spots,
rosettes, and a light/white belly), and body structure reminiscent of the wild
Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). In other words, a Bengal cat has a
desirable "wild" appearance with a gentle domestic cat temperament.
Points of Sacred Birman are: Seal-point, Blue-point, Chocolate-point,
Lilac-point, Seal Tortie-point, Cream-point, Blue Cream point, Chocolate Tortie
point, Lilac Tortie point. The same colors in Tabby version (Lynx): Seal Tabby
point, Blue Tabby point, Chocolate Tabby point, Lilac Tabby point, Red Tabby,
Cream point, Tortie Tabby point, Lynx or Red Factor colors on the legs, tail and
face. Birmans differ from conventional color-point cats by their white paws
called gloves. The coat is medium-length, not as long and thick as a Persian's,
and does not mat.
Their most striking feature is their clear blue eyes, which remain blue
throughout their life. Some have described their eyes as 'Twin Pools Of
Serenity'.
Birmans are mostly known thanks to their stunning features. The
long, silky hair, the cobby body and cute little ears make them
very pleasing to look at. The most beautiful about Birman is,
however, its coloring. All Birmans are all born white (as other
color point kittens are) and they start developing their colors
at the age of 14 days. The Birman's coat is unusual due to the
white 'gloves' on each paw. The Birman's body ought to be of an
eggshell color or golden, depending on the intensity of the
markings color. The markings can be pure seal, chocolate, blue,
red, lilac or cream. Tabby variations are also allowed. Tortie
cats can be seal, chocolate, blue or lilac. The white paws are
what makes Birmans so special. They are the only cat breed in
the color point coat that has fingers and toes in pure white
color. The genetics of this feature is still unclear. What is
also interesting about the Birmans is their Sapphire eyes. Big,
round and deep blue eyes of Birman never cease to look at you
with the greatest interest.
British Bombay
The British Bombay cat is the name given to black cats of the Asian group. It is
a cat of Burmese type with a black coat, toes, nose, and copper to greenish
eyes.
American Bombay
The American breed called Bombay was created in 1958 in Louisville, Kentucky,
when Nikki Horner of Shawnee Cattery deliberately bred an American Shorthair
with a Burmese for the purpose of creating a domesticated cat that resembled a
wild panther (also known as baby panther). The offspring of this breeding did
indeed resemble the black leopard of India. The name came from the Indian city
of Bombay (now Mumbai). Horner called her creation the "patent leather kid with
the new penny eyes."
The Bombay is a muscular yet agile cat with a black coat. The
heads of Bombay
 cats
are rounded and wide with a short tapered muzzle. The eyes,
which are of golden or copper color, are rounded and set wide,
and their ears are broad, slightly rounded and medium sized and,
like the eyes, set wide. The Bombay has a coat that is short,
satiny and tight to the body. Bombay cats do not require
grooming, although petting the cat will keep their coat shiny
and will also remove dead hair. A rubber brush can help when the
cat sheds larger amounts of fur (uncommon). If the cat is fed a
balanced diet, the coat will shine and the cat's naturally
energetic personality will become evident.
British Shorthairs have very dense, plush coats that are often
described as crisp or cracking which refers to the way the coat breaks over the
cat's body contours. Eyes are large, round and copper in color. Domesticated
Shorthairs have round heads with full, chubby cheeks. Most have a body that is
rounded and sturdy. The
breed has a broad chest, shoulders and hips with short legs, round paws and a
plush but not fluffy tail.
The males of this breed are larger than the females, and the size difference
between them is more easily noticed compared to other breeds.
The British Shorthair may be any color or pattern including all solid colors,
dilutes, tabby patterns, bi-colors and color points. For many years the more
popular blue variant was common enough to have a breed name of its own: the
'British Blue'. However now a large variety of other color and pattern
variations appear and are accepted in most breed registry standards.
The Burmese is a breed of domesticated cats split into two
subgroups: the American Burmese and the British Burmese. The Burmese was first
recognized as a distinct breed in America in 1936 by the Cat Fanciers'
Association. Owing to the extensive breeding with Siamese cats that had been
used to increase the population, the original type was overwhelmed and
registration was temporarily dissolved during the 1940s. The breed was
recognized by the UK Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1952. In 1953, after
years of selective breeding, Burmese cats in America once again conformed to
type and were recognized.
 Originally,
Burmese cats were exclusively brown (sable), but years of selective breeding
have produced a wide variety of colors. Different associations have different
rules about which of these count as Burmese.
Burmese cats are known for being sociable and friendly with humans, as well as
intelligent. They are very vocal, and often call to their owners.
Throughout the modern history of Burmese, there has been much breeding with
Siamese leading to such give-away as blue or green eyes in the normally
yellow-eyed breed. In fact, the Tonkinese cat is a now-recognized cross between
Burmese and Siamese.
The
Chartreux is large and muscular, with short fine-boned
limbs, big paws,
 and very fast reflexes. They have been
described as "potatoes on toothpicks". They are known
for their blue (grey) water-resistant short hair
double-coats and gold- or copper-colored eyes. Chartreux
cats are also known for their "smile"; due to
the
structure of their heads and their long, tapered muzzle,
they often appear to be smiling. Chartreux are
exceptional hunters and were highly prized by farmers.
Patellar luxation is a common weakness in the breed
which responsible breeders screen for.
Colorpoint Shorthair is the name the Cat Fanciers Association
(CFA), a United States breed association, uses to refer to
pointed cats of Siamese ancestry and type in colors other than
the four "traditional" Siamese colors (seal, chocolate, blue,
and lilac point). This name is also given to cats of Siamese
ancestry in the four recognized colors whose eight generation
pedigree show ancestors with other colors. In registries of
other countries, however, "Colorpoint (or "Colourpoint") is the
name given to cats of Persian type and pointed coloring, as in
Himalayans.
A Cornish Rex is a breed of domestic cat. The Cornish Rex has no
hair except for down. Most breeds of cat have three different types of hair in
their coats: the outer fur or "guard hairs", which is about 5 cm long in
shorthairs and 10cm+ long in longhairs; a middle layer called the "awn hair";
and the down hair or undercoat, which is very fine and about 1 cm long. Cornish
Rexes only have the undercoat and thus
only lose a few of very fine hairs at a time like humans and do not shed like
other cats.
The coat of a Cornish Rex is extremely fine and is the softest of any cat breed.
However, their light coat means that they are best suited for indoor living in
warm and dry conditions. Consequently, these cats tend to hang around light
bulbs, the tops of computer monitors, and other warm places. Some Cornish Rexes
also have a mild cheesy smell peculiar to the breed; this odor comes from scent
glands in the paws.
Often the breed referred to as the Greyhound of the cats, because of the sleek
appearance and the galloping run characteristic of the breed. Some Cornish rexes
like to play fetch, race other pets, or do acrobatic jumps. The Cornish Rex is
an adventurous cat and is very intelligent. It can readily adapt to new
situations and will explore wherever it can go, jumping into refrigerators,
examining washing machines, etc. Some humans consider its antics to be
deliberately mischievous. The Rex is extremely curious, seeks out the company of
people and is friendly towards other companion animals. It is a suitable pet for
timid children.
The Cymric (pronounced KIM-rick or KUM-rick) is a breed of cat. Some cat
registries consider the Cymric a long-haired variety of the manx, rather than a
separate breed. The name comes from Cymru (pronounced KUM-ree), the indigenous
Welsh name of Wales.
The Devon Rex is a breed of cat that emerged in England during
the 1960s. Known for their odd, striking appearance and playful,
companionable nature, the Devon is a favorite among pet owners.
They are often featured in Cat Fancy, a monthly magazine about
cats. A very rare and select breed, the average Devon Rex sells
for $500 to $750 USD and $500 to $800 AU. This price is compared
to that of the early 1990s, when they sold for around $300 USD.
Egyptian Maus are a medium-sized short-haired cat breed. They
are the only naturally spotted breed of domesticated cat. The spots on an
Egyptian Mau are not just on the coat; a shaved Mau has spots on its skin. The
Ocicat is very similar in appearance to the Egyptian Mau, but was the product of
selective
breeding which led to its spots. Another similar looking breed is the Bengal
cat, but this breed tends to be considerably larger.
Egyptian Maus are the fastest breed of domestic cat, capable of running at 36
mph. The next fastest breed is the American Shorthair which has a top speed of
31 mph. For comparison, giraffes also run at 36 mph. Maus are powerful cats for
their size, alert and active. Males are usually somewhat larger than females.
Breeders crossed the American Shorthair with the Persian in the
United States around 1960. Thus were born shorthaired Persians, called Exotic
Shorthairs and
 recognized
by the C.F.A in 1966. During the breeding program, crosses were also made with
the Russian Blue and the Burmese. Since 1987, the only allowable outcross breed
is the Persian. The F.I.Fe. recognized the Exotic Shorthair in 1986. They have
nearly the same body as the Persian, but a thick, dense short coat. They appeal
to people who like the personality of a Persian but do not want the hassle of
grooming a long-haired cat. They are also known as "The Lazy Man's Persian"
The Havana Brown, also known as the Swiss Mountain cat, is a
breed of cat well known and shown in England in the 1890s. Similar to the
oriental shorthair, full color cats, also known as non-blue eyed Siamese, were
known to interbreed with the pointed cats of Siam.
 The
Havana Brown is an intelligent cat that often uses its paws both to examine
objects and to communicate with its owners. The most likely explanation of the
breed's name is that its coat color is very similar to that of Havana cigars.
The Himalayan, also called color point Persian, is a breed of
cat with extremely long, fluffy fur, and the blue eyes and the points of a
Siamese. Himalayan is the American term, while in Europe they are referred to as
color point Persians.
They were bred from Siamese (for the markings) and Persians (for coat-length and
temperament), and share the characteristics of both breeds. Himalayans are now
considered the same breed for cat registries (CFA), (TICA) as the modern Persian
show cat since they have the exact same conformation with a pointed coat.
The body of a Himalyan is white, but the points come in many different colors:
blue, brown, lilac, chocolate, flame, red and cream. The points can also be
tabby or tortie-patterned.
These cats are sweet-tempered, intelligent, very social and good companions.
Because of their heritage from the Siamese cats they tend to be more active than
ordinary Persians. Their coat needs daily attention and grooming, because, like
many long-haired cats, they have an abundance of fur.
Known for their rarity and fluffy fur, Himalayans range from $100-$200 in price
for a cross-bred cat. The purebred's price range from $300-$2500. The less
expensive ones are pet quality; the more expensive ones are show quality. The
mixed points (such as seal-tortie point) are more rare than the single points
alone.
The Japanese Bobtail is a breed of cat with an unusual 'bobbed'
tail more closely resembling the tail of a rabbit than that of an ordinary
feline. The short tail is
 caused
by the expression of a recessive gene. Thus, so long as both parents are
bobtails, all kittens born to a litter will have bobtails as well. Unlike the
Manx and other cat breeds, where genetic disorders are common to tailless or
stumpy-tails, no such problem exists with the Japanese Bobtail.
The Japanese Bobtail is a small domestic cat native to Japan and Southeast Asia.
The breed has been known in Japan for centuries, and there are many legends and
myths, as well as pieces of ancient art, featuring it.
The Javanese is a recognized breed of cat. Javanese have a long,
silky coat, that comes in a variety of colors. These cats are highly
intelligent, and resemble the Balinese.
Javanese are very social cats which will become depressed if they are left alone
too often. They are generally very playful pets, and are markedly good at
jumping. However, they do have a tendency to become overweight if they do not
receive adequate exercise. Javanese are also quite vocal, and most will "talk"
for no particular reason.
 The
Korat is one of the oldest stable breeds of cat.
Originating in Thailand, it is named after the Nakhon
Ratchasima province, although in Thailand it is often
known as Si-Sawat, which means good fortune. In fact
they are often known colloquially as the "Good Luck Cat"
and are given in pairs to newlyweds or people of high
esteem as a wish for good luck.
 The
Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its
intelligence and playfulness as well as its distinctive physical appearance. The
breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and originated from
New England, making it America's first indigenous show cat. The Maine Coon Cat
is known as "the gentle giant." In the 17th and 18th centuries, domestic cats
brought over from Europe faced very severe winters in New England, where only
the strongest and most adaptable cats survived. Through natural selection (as
opposed to selective breeding), the Maine Coon developed into a large, rugged
cat with a water-resistant, thick coat and a hardy constitution.
The Manx is a breed of cats with a naturally occurring mutation
of the spine. This mutation shortens the tail, resulting in a range of tail
lengths from normal to tailless. Many Manx have a small 'stub' of a tail, but
Manx cats are best known as being entirely tailless and it is the distinguishing
characteristic of the breed.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed of domestic cat native to
Northern Europe, and adapted to a very cold climate. In Norway they are known as
Skogkatter or Skaukatter (skog and skau being forms of the word for 'forest' in
different Norwegian dialects) or more properly, the Norsk Skogkatt (literally,
Norwegian Forest Cat).
The breed is very old, and occurred as a natural adaptation to the cold climate
of the region, but it was not regarded as anything other than a standard
house-cat until the late 1930s, when a small number of 'Skaukatts' were shown in
Germany and received very favorably by the judges. World War II brought an
abrupt end to the fledgling Norwegian show cat industry, and the breed was
forgotten until the 1970s. The cats are now being bred and shown in several
countries including the United States. The first international association to
accept the breed was FIFe, in 1977. They are rumored to be the early ancestors
of the Maine Coon and the long-haired Manx.
Norwegian Forest Cats have a thick fluffy double-layered coat, tufted ears and a
long bushy tail to protect them against the cold. Their coat is essentially
waterproof due to its coarse outer layer and dense underlay. They are very large
cats with adult males weighing 6 to 10 kg (13 to 22 lb), while females are
approximately half that size. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs.
They are very intelligent, playful cats that enjoy human company. The nickname
of "Wegie" began in the United States and is a shortened version of the word
Norwegian.
The Ocicat is a new and still-rare breed of cat which has spots
resembling a 'wild' cat and the temperament of a domestic animal, named for its
resemblance to the ocelot.
 Ocicats
are a very outgoing breed. They are often considered to have the spirit of a
dog-in a cat's body. Most can easily be trained to fetch, walk on a leash and
harness, come when called, speak, sit, lie down on command and a large array of
other dog-related tricks. Some even take readily to the water. Ocicats are also
very friendly.
Oriental Shorthairs are intelligent, social animals who bond
closely to their people. They are inquisitive, friendly,
emotional, demanding and often quite
 vocal.
Oriental Shorthairs have been likened to a Greyhound or a
Chihuahua in appearance. Some people say they are 'dog-like' in
personality, particularly because they become so attached to
people.
The Oriental Shorthair is a self-colored (non-pointed) member
of the Siamese Family. They can be found in solid colors (white, red, cream,
ebony, blue, chestnut, lavender, cinnamon, or fawn), smoke (white undercoat to
any of the above except white), shaded (only the hair tips colored), parti-color
(red or cream splashes on any of the above), tabby (mackerel/striped, ticked,
spotted, and blotched/classic), and bi-colored (any of the above, with white).
The Persian cat is one of the oldest breeds of
 cat.
In Britain, it is called the "Longhair" or "Persian Longhair". A Persian cat
without an established and registered pedigree is classed as a domestic longhair
cat. The cat originates from Persia (Iran), but interbreeding of Angoras with
native British domestic longhairs in the 19th Century makes the true origin of
the breed unclear. The Persian's European debut is credited to Pietro Della
Valle, an Italian traveler.
 The
Ragdoll is a breed of medium longhaired cat. It is best known for its docile and
placid temperament and affectionate nature. It is perhaps the gentlest and most
easy-going of breeds. They are non-aggressive to the point that many cats cannot
or should not be let outside for prolonged periods as many will not defend
themselves and most do not hunt. The name "Ragdoll" derived from the fact that
many of these cats go completely limp and relax when picked up. Ragdolls have a
sturdy body, short legs, and a thick coat with Siamese-style points.
The Russian Blue is a rare breed of cat. It has a lean
medium-sized body and a short, plush, blue coat. The colour is a blueish-gray
that is the dilute expression of the black gene. The coat is unique to the
breed as it is a double coat, with the
 undercoat
being soft and downy, and the longer guard hairs an even blue with silver
tips. This "tipping" gives the coat a shimmering appearance. Its eyes are
green and ideally should be dark and vivid. Common imperfections include
yellow eyes, white patches on the underside and dark banding on the tail.
These cats are highly intelligent and playful but tend to be shy around
strangers. They also develop a close bond with their human companions.
The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat with a natural mutation
to its ears. The ear cartilage contains a fold so the ears bend forward and
down towards the front of their head.
The original Scottish Fold was a long-haired white-haired barn cat named
Susie, who was found at a farm near Coupar Angus in Perthshire, Scotland in
1961. Susie's ears had an unusual fold in their middle, making her resemble
an owl. When Susie had kittens, two of them were born with folded ears, and
one of the siblings was acquired by William Ross, a neighboring farmer and
cat-fancier. Ross registered the breed with the Governing Council of the Cat
Fancy in Great Britain and started to breed Scottish Fold kittens with the
help of geneticist Pat Turner. The breeding program produced 76 kittens in
the first three years - 42 with folded ears and 34 with straight ears. The
conclusion from this was that the ear mutation is due to a simple dominant
gene. If one parent provides the gene for straight ears, and one parent
provides the gene for folded ears, the kittens will be Folds.
The Siamese is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds
of Oriental cat. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it is
believed to be from Southeast Asia, and is said to be descended from the
sacred temple cats of Siam (now Thailand). In Thailand, where they are one
of several native breeds, they are called Wichien-maat (a name meaning "Moon
diamond"). In the twentieth century the cats became one of the most popular
breeds in Europe and North America.
Siamese have almond-shaped, bright blue eyes and short, flat-lying coats.
Many Siamese cats from Thailand had a kink in their tails but over the years
this trait has been considered to be a flaw and breeders have largely
eradicated it, although it persists among street cats in Thailand. Many
early Siamese were cross-eyed to compensate for the abnormal uncrossed
wiring of the optic chiasm, which is produced by the same albino allele that
produces colored points. Like the kinked tails, the crossed eyes have been
seen as a fault and through selective breeding, the trait is far less common
today.
 Siberian
Cats are known to be an exceptionally high jumper, the Siberian is a strong
and powerfully built cat, with well proportioned characteristics that
include strong hindquarters and large stomachs. They typically weigh between
15-20 (6.8-9.1 kg) pounds for the males, or 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg) for
females. They are shorter and stockier than Maine Coon cats and Norwegian
Forest Cats even though they can attain approximately the same weight. Also,
Siberians typically attain their full growth more slowly, over their first 5
years.
 The
Singapura has noticeably large eyes and ears. Eyes are large, set not less
than an eye width apart, held wide open, but showing slant when closed or
partially closed. A dark outline to the eyes is desirable. Eye color hazel,
green or yellow only. Ears are large, wide open at base, and deep cupped.
The outer line of the ears extends upwards to an angle slightly wide of
parallel. The head is gently rounded with a definite whisker break and a
medium short, broad muzzle with a blunt nose. In profile, the Singapura has
a rounded skull with a slight stop just below eye level. There must be
evidence of dark pigment outline on the nose. ‘Cheetah’ lines from the inner
corner of the eye towards just behind the whisker pad should be present.
 The
Snowshoe is a breed of cat. The first Snowshoes appeared in the 1960s in
America, as a result of cross-breeding between a Siamese and a bi-colored
American Shorthair producing a sturdy, pointed cat with white markings on
the face, chest and feet. The Snowshoe is a relatively small cat with a lean
and muscular stature. It gives the appearance of great power and agility,
yet has the look of a runner rather than a weight lifter.
The Somali is a long-haired Abyssinian. The breed appeared
spontaneously in the 1950s from Abyssinian breeding programs when a number
of Abyssinian
kittens were born with bottle-brush tails and long fluffy coats. Abyssinians
and Somalis share the same personality (active, intelligent, playful,
curious) and appearance. The only difference between them is the fur length
and therefore the amount of grooming required. Unlike most long-haired cats,
Somalis shed very little excess hair. Their coat is generally shed en masse,
or "blown", once or twice a year, rather than constantly shedding like a
Persian or other long-haired cat.
The Sphynx (aka Canadian Hairless) is a rare breed of cat
with extremely little
fur, or at most a short fuzz over its body, and no, or very short and stiff
whiskers (vibrissae). Their skin is the color their fur would be, and all
the usual cat marking patterns (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc) may
be found in Sphynx too. They are sometimes mistaken for Chihuahuas because
of their extremely unusual and, some say, uncatlike appearance. They are
extremely intelligent, extroverted, and affectionate, often cuddling with
their owners, other humans, and each other.
Tonkinese are a medium-sized short-haired cat breed
distinguished by points as with Siamese and Himalayans. They are lively, but
are happy apartment cats if have some exercise opportunity. They are
commonly referred to as 'Tonks'. As
with many cat breeds, the exact history of the Tonkinese varies to some
degree depending on the historian.
Tonkinese cats are a recent cross between the Siamese and Burmese cat
breeds, although some assert that Tonkinese-like cats have existed since at
least the early 1800s, and the founding cat of the Burmese breed was
probably a mink hybrid-colored cat named "Wong Mau."
 The
Turkish Angora cats mostly have a white, silky, medium-long
length coat, no undercoat and fine bone structure. There
seems to be a connection between Ankara Cats and Persians
(see below), and the Turkish Angora is also a distant cousin
of the Turkish Van. Although they are known for their
shimmery white coat, currently there are more than twenty
varieties including black, blue, reddish fur. They come in
tabby and tabby and white, along with smoke varieties, and
are in every color other than pointed, lavender, and
cinnamon (all of which would indicate breeding to an
outcross).
The Turkish Van (Turkish: Van Kedisi, Armenian: Վանա կատու) is a rare,
naturally occurring breed of cat from the Lake Van region of present-day Turkey.
For Turkish Vans, the word van refers to their color pattern, where the color is
restricted to the head and the tail, and the rest of the cat is white. It is the
maximum expression of the piebald white spotting gene that makes the van
pattern. The spotting gene appears in many different species (like the horse and
ball python). It also shows up in the common house cat, so a cat that shows this
color pattern but is not registered or from the Van region, is called a "Vanalike".
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