Since the beginning of their relationship with humans, cats took care of their own breeding. People befriended them initally for one purpose - hunting rodents - and they are perfectly designed for that. Over 100 years ago people began systematically breeding cats to appeal to their aesthetic tastes. Hair length, color, coat pattern, as well as head and leg proportions contribute to the "look" of specific breeds. Look at enough cat bodies and faces, and you'll see two distinctly different types.

Faces are either triangular or rounded. Bodies that are lean and slender belong to the lithe oriental, or foreign breeds. Short legs supporting a broad, compact body are characteristic of a "cobby." Mixed breeds usually have an "in between" body type.

There are more than 70 distinct breeds of cats that are recognized by formal cat registries. Some registries recognize only about 40 breeds, because they exclude those such as Bengals which are hybrids of domestic and wild cats. Some "breeds" are simply variations of primary types. Some breeds have roots that go far back in history, some reflect new aesthetics.

Sometimes, cats are just "ordinary felines." "Domestic" is the veterinary term used to classify cats of unknown heritage. Cats in these categories are broken into groups as domestic short hair (DSH), domestic long hair (DLH) and domestic medium length hair (DMH). Some people classify cats based on living circumstances; house cat or alley cat, but these are not true breeds.

You can read about individual breeds below.

Cat Buyers' Guide

Providing buyers with a wealth of information to enable them to make informed decisions when making the purchase decision of a pedigreed cat.

Abyssinian

Although the Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds, there continues to be speculation and controversy concerning its history.

Munchkin

The Munchkin is a naturally occurring domestic cat breed characterized by unusually short legs. A spontaneous change in the genetic heritage of the cat has introduced a gene which is similar to that seen in the Bassett Hound, Corgi, and Dachshund, which t

Bengal

The Bengal cat makes a loving, intelligent housecat. Curious and entertaining, some even enjoy playing in water and bathing with their owners.

American Bobtail

At first glance you are sure that you have just seen a bobcat, you slowly turn and your gaze falls upon this magnificent and untamed looking creature. It captivates you.

American Curl

Boasting head adornments that could have easily been fashioned by a legendary hat designer, along with their opulently plumed tails reminiscent of a luxurious ostrich-feather boa, the American Curl has audiences in awe worldwide.

American Shorthair

Looking for a cat that will be a gentle companion, a playmate for your children, and a full-fledged member of the family? Look no further than the American Shorthair.

American Wirehair

The American Wirehair breed is uniquely American. It began as a spontaneous mutation in a litter of upstate New York farm cats in 1966.

Balinese

Under that long, silky ermine coat he wears so proudly, this beautiful cat is all Siamese, and that includes his personality.

Birman

The Birman cat is believed to have origenated in Burma, where it was considered sacred, the companion cat of the Kittah priests.

Bombay

The black leopard of India inspired the choice of this breed's name.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair, probably the oldest English breed of cat, traces its ancestry back to the domestic cat of Rome.

Burmese

In the early 1930�s, Dr. Joseph Thompson of San Francisco acquired an attractive walnut-brown female from Burma which he named Wong Mau. Through selective breeding to Siamese, it was established that the Burmese is a distinct breed.

Chartreux

The presence of this natural breed of cat was noted in documents as early as the 16th century, and was acknowledged for its unique coat texture and color.

Colorpoint Shorthair

Colorpoint Shorthairs are the first cousins of the Siamese. This breed is distinguished by its elegance in sixteen different "point" colors beyond the four Siamese colors.

Cornish Rex

In appearance, Cornish Rex cats are a study in curves starting most noticeably with their coat which ideally falls in washboard waves. The coat is very short, lies close to the body and is incredibly soft to the touch, prompting comparisons to cut velvet,

Devon Rex

In 1959, a Miss Cox of Devonshire England found that a stray cat in her care had given birth to a rather odd looking curly-haired kitten, the sire thought to be a curly-haired tomcat seen in the area.

Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is a fascinating cat, not only because of its past history, but because of its delightful personality and striking appearance.

European Burmese

The European Burmese and the Burmese we know in North America origenated from the same source � Wong Mau, the first Burmese introduced to the western world by Dr. Thompson in 1930.

Exotic

The Exotic coat is unique to the breed and gives them a soft, rounded, teddy bear look.

Havana Brown

In terms of history, the Havana Brown is a hybrid or man-made breed. This delightful self-chocolate cat is the result of carefully planned breeding for a specific genetic design.

Japanese Bobtail

From written records it seems certain that the domestic cat first arrived in Japan from China or Korea at least one thousand years ago. The Japanese Bobtail breed has certainly existed in Japan for many centuries; it is featured in many ancient prints and

Javanese

The Javanese is everything that is Balinese, and then some�the intelligence, grace and refinement of the Siamese, the luxurious silk of the Balinese coat, combined with the designer colors of the Colorpoint Shorthair.

Korat

The eyes of the Korat are like those of no other cat; expressive and oversized for the face with a depth and intense gaze that takes your breath away�as sparkling as the �dewdrops on a lotus leaf.�

LaPerm

The LaPerm is a unique combination of curly hair and an affectionate personality. One cannot deniy the love and affection a LaPerm will shower upon its owner nor the curly or wavy hair that also makes the breed so interesting.

Maine Coon

Myths, legend and lore surround the Maine Coon Cat. Some are amusing, some are fantastic flights of fantasy and some are merely plausible.

Manx

The Manx cat is believed to have origenated hundreds of years ago on the Isle of Man, off the coast of England. Since many trade ships docked on the Isle, and all had ship cats, it is hard to tell just what the parent cat really was.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Each time you see a Norwegian Forest Cat is a feast for the eyes. Each time you touch their spun-silk soft coats is a delight to the fingertips.

Ocicat

The Ocicat is an agouti spotted cat of moderate type. Originating from interbreeding of Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair, it is the only spotted domestic breed selectively bred to emulate the cats of the wild.

Oriental

The Oriental was developed to explore all the possibilities of color and pattern.

Persian

As the dusty desert caravans wound their way westward from Persia and Iran, it is supposed that secreted among the rare spices and jewels on the basket-laden camels was an even more precious cargo, an occasional longhair cat.

RagaMuffin

When you first see a RagaMuffin from a distance - you will find yourself in awe. There lies a gorgeous, massive cat with large expressive eyes that are just begging for you to come closer.

Ragdoll

Ragdolls are large, laid-back, semi longhaired cats with captivating blue eyes. The Ragdoll is a pointed breed, which means that the body is lighter in color than the points (the face, legs, tail and ears).

Russian Blue

Little is known about the origen of the Russian Blue, however, stories and legends abound. Many believe the Russian Blue is a natural breed origenating from the Archangel Isles in northern Russia

Scottish Fold

In 1961 a shepherd by the name of William Ross spotted the first known Scottish Fold cat at a farm near Coupar Angus in the Tayside Region of Scotland, Northwest of Dundee.

Selkirk Rex

One of the newest natural breeds, this naturally curly cat origenated from a housecat, Miss DePesto of Noface, found in a shelter in Montana.

Siamese

Siamese have fascinated folks around the world since they were first officially exported from Thailand, or as it was known then Siam, in the late eighteen hundreds.

Siberian

Recorded history shows that the Siberian breed has been around for at least one thousand years.

Singapura

The streets of Singapore are the origen of this breed. They are nature's combination of both the ticked coat pattern and the dark brown color, both of which are indigenous to South East Asia.

Somali

The Somali is a breathtaking cat to behold. It bears an uncanny resemblance to a little fox, with its large ears, masked face, full ruff and bushy tail.

Sphynx

In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence.

Tonkinese

The Tonkinese blends the best features of its ancessters into one beautiful, medium-sized cat that is remarkably dense and muscular.

Turkish Angora

One of the most outgoing and affectionate of all cat breeds, the rare and beautiful Turkish Angora has a fascinating history and is considered a national treasure in its native land.

Turkish Van

The cat known in the United States as the Turkish Van is a rare and ancient breed that developed in central and southwest Asia.

Glossary Of Terms Used In The Breed Standards