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An Overview of the Breeds

© Caroline Anderson

Cat breeding has come a long way. There are now more than 100 breeds of the domestic cat. For the most part, the vast majority of breed origination has been during the 20th century. Prior to this century, there were only a few recognized breeds such as: the Siamese, the Persian, the Manx, the Turkish Van and Turkish Angora, and domestic short and long hairs. Early identified breeds were simply called "Russian", "French" or "Chinese".

The Oriental group has many popular breeds of cat: Birman, Burmese, Bombay, Siamese, Tonkinese, Javanese, Japanese Bobtail, Ragamuffin/Ragdoll, Singapura, and of course, Oriental Short and Long hair.

Some similar characteristics of this group include: Light bones, lithe body style, very few color mutations within each specific breed. Eyes are usually almond shaped and slant outward towards their large ears. The nose is usually long with no "break" and the head should have a slight "apple" shape, long and narrow. Coats vary, but usually the hair is fine and close-lying, excluding the long haired versions of course.

The Asian category (which includes the group "Foreign") has many sub groups and different breed types, some of which are: Abyssinian, Bengals, Egyptian Mau, Korat, Russian Blue, Siberian, Snowshoe, Somali, Tiffanie, and the Turkish Van and Turkish Angora.

Their shared characteristics include: Usually small to medium stocky body style with more rounded faces and flatter noses. Eyes are almost always very round. Ears are small and set high on the head.

The somewhat smaller European group includes: British Shorthair, Chartreux/Tiffany, European Shorthair, Manx/Cymric, Norwegian Forest Cat, Persian (a.k.a. Kashmir), Scottish Fold, and the Rexes. Stocky body style with rounded faces and flatter noses. The nose usually has a "break" but not in all the breeds. Eyes are almost always very round. Ears are small and set wide apart. The coats varies, but is usually distinguished by dense hairs, especially on the "ruff" of the shoulders and neck. The Rexes are a different story altogether!

Finally there is the New World group, which has most of the newest introductions including: American Bobtail, American Curl, American (or Domestic) Shorthair/Longhair, American Wirehair, Australian Mist, Brazilian Shorthair, LaPerm, Maine Coon, Munchkins, Ocicat, Pixie-Bob, California Star Spangled, Sphynx.

Typical of the "New World melting pot", this group has a wide variety of attributes and can't be narrowed into singular categories. Each new breed is quite unique, usually focusing on one or two aspects and making it into its own breed. Some New World cats, such as the Maine Coon and Domestics have existed in the Americas for so long they are considered nearly native.

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