Are There Different Cat Species Breeds?


cat species breeds featured image

Answering your question whether there are a variety of cat species breeds: Yes, there are.

Even though your beloved feline is clearly one of a kind, but they will sport certain features that are common to their dominant ancestors. Those adorable little black paws of Vanta (my and my husbands’ cat) are most likely inherited from a Bombay cat ancestor. Her younger brother Ozpin makes clicking noises whenever he is looking out the window at something. Even though we believed hey may have been a part of some alien species it turns out that this action is called chattering, and can indicate frustration or excitement when on the hunt. So learning about the different cat species breeds that exist can be very enlightening.

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Number of cat species breeds

Currently, The International Cat Association, the world’s largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats, recognizes 71 different kinds. That is a much higher number than Encyclopedia Britannica, which only registers 15 cat species breeds.

There are obviously other recognized registries whose numbers fall somewhere in between. One of those is The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), which is the largest American cat registration body and as of 2018 recognizes 44 official different cat species breeds.

The other cat association is, Fédération Internationale Féline, which recognizes 48 breeds that are then divided into four cat(e)gories.

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cat species breeds cuddling
Cuddles are important.

Are any new cat species breeds added?

One of the oldest cat species breeds around is the Egyptian Mau. Its ancestry can be traced back all the way to the “Golden” Ancient Egyptian times where they were kept around to ward off evil.

Even though new cat species are added under certain circumstances, it is not, by all means, the standard. In 2018, only two new cat species breeds were recognized by The Cat Fanciers Association: the Lykoi and the Khao Manee.

If you have never heard from these cat breeds, dont worry as most people havent.

This is why in this article I will be mostly talking about domestic short-hair, long-haired cats as well as a hairless cat breed.

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Long-haired cat breeds

These elegant felines never cease to amaze. Their silken long-hair, their striking eyes, their extra cuddly cuddles…. a dream.

For the longest time, Long haired cat breeds have always been a staple of royalty in the ancient world. From the far east Asian countries, the Persian Peninsula, or the cold Scandinavian countries. Their long, luxurious fur simply emits elegance and compels one to stroke them.

Nowadays, long-haired cat breeds are thankfully a bit more available for the average cat lover. Otherwise, you and I probably wouldn’t have some of our favourite felines by our side.



1.Maine Coon

Long haired cat breeds Maine Coon
A black and white Maine Coon relaxing

Starting our list off with the largest long-haired cat breed, this gentle giant definitely deserves this spot on the list. An all-around talent and a huge hugger with thick, long fur? Sounds pretty awesome to me.

Additionally, they are one of the largest cat breeds in the world, which are well-known for their unique facial structure.

They live well with dogs and other pets. Whether this is mainly because of their calm nature or their large sizes, I am not sure.

This type of long-haired cat breeds has a water repellent coat, so if the kids are on your mind once more… I got you.

Last but not least, Maine coons are intelligent cats. They have even made it into the Guinness World Records book.



2. Ragdoll

Long haired cat breeds Ragdoll
A stunning Ragdoll cat.

Like many other large cat breeds on this list, Ragdolls are a stunning long-haired cat breed. White and creme or grey fur, as well as crystal blue eyes, are the standard for this beautiful breed.

Ragdolls are affectionate, intelligent, gentle, and an easy-to-handle lap cats that love following you from room to room.

As their name may suggest,Ragdoll cats go completely limp when picked up. While many people may find this adorable, I dont exactly.

However, there is good news! In recent years, breeders in the UK have tried to “breed out” the limpness of Ragdolls, as they say, it may not be in the best interest of the cats.



Short-haired domestic cats

Short-haired domestic cats are some of my favourite cat species breeds. They have way less shedding and are often very active companions.

3.Bombay

Best Cat Breeds Bombay cat
Adorable Bombay cat

This little black panther loves games. Being one of the most loyal cat breeds, they often like exploring their home on their owners shoulders. This vantage point allows them to see things they couldnt have seen from the ground level before.

So, it comes with no surprise that Bombay cats enjoy sitting in high places or finding out new tricks to move around their territory.

Last but not least, this cat is also 100% good at giving cuddles and being a loyal companion.

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4.Tonkinese

Best Cat Breeds Tonkinese
A stunning Tokinese cat

This example of cat species breeds is a cross breed between a Burmese and a Siamese.

Furthermore, they enjoy heights and do love a good game of fetch. They are described as having “dog-like” characters and a gentle purr, similar to that of their Burmese relatives.

Tonkinese cats always have different coat patterns,. This is thanks to their genetic variation. Additionally, it also means this beautiful breed comes in all stunning colours that a Burmese or Siamese would.

Last but not least, they are intelligent and people-oriented and a great choice for active families.



Hairless cats

Even though there are several hairless cat species, I will be writing only about the Sphinx cat.

5. Sphinx cat

big cat breeds Sphinx cat

This cat breed is awesome. Not only can people suffering from cat allergies finally own cats problem free, but they also have some of the most intense eyes I have ever seen. They are only considered hypoallergenic if you are allergic to the hair and not the saliva or dander. So, before adopting a cat consult with a veterinarian first.

The only thing bigger than the sphinx’s eyes ( and heart of course) is their ears. However, their ears are super sensitive-just like most other cats- so please take care around them.

They pretty much capture you in their golden disks and dont stop loving you anymore.



Thoughts

Well, this was my take on a few different cat species breeds. Obviously, there are way, way more out there, so why don’t you try to find your favourite and let me know in the comments? I can give you a little head start if you feel like reading this white and grey cat breeds article! Read you next time.

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