Different Cat Breeds.
How To Choose The Best Breed For You!

There are many different cat breeds available for you to choose from. If you're relatively new to the world of cats, you may think a cat's a cat, and there can't be too many differences between breeds... Oh no!

Some domestic cat breeds have very different personalities to others. Some are more mentally demanding, some more physically demanding. Some are more pre-disposed to certain diseases. The amount they meow even varies a lot - the Siamese cat, for example, is well-known for its vocal talents!

On this web page, I've listed some of the most popular different cat breeds, and given a quick overview of their personalities, the type of home they'd be suited to and other information specific to each of the different cat breeds. This will hopefully help you make your choice. However, a word of caution...

I believe every cat, in one way or another, is a law unto him or herself. Certain breeds tend to have certain characteristics, but there are always exceptions. A good example is Priscilla, my Persian cat. Persians are meant to have quiet, melodic voices, and allegedly don't vocalize often. Priscilla meows loudly, a lot, and is about as melodic as a pneumatic drill. So when you read this, bear in mind it's a general guideline only. OK, here we go...

For more detailed information on any of the different cat breeds below, please click on the text link or the picture of the cat you're interested in.

Click here for information on (almost!) non shedding cat breeds.

Abyssinian Cats
Personality: Active, curious, intelligent, affectionate
Suits: Lively families, experienced cat owners
Other: Love climbing, very agile, quite vocal, need lots of mental and physical stimulation



American Shorthair Cat
Personality: Gentle, good with children, quiet
Suits: Families, first time cat owners, singles
Other: Healthy, long lived breed





Bengal Cat
Personality: Very intelligent, demanding, active, agile
Suits: Lively families, experienced cat owners
Other: Very vocal, need lots of attention and stimulation



British Blue Cat
Personality: Clever, trusting, loyal, quite shy
Suits: Singles, quieter homes, first time cat owners
Other: Loves curling up on your lap, hardy, sometimes frightened of young children and often avoid them

Cornish Rex Cat
Personality: People orientated, loving, playful
Suits: Lively families, busy households with children and other pets
Other: Want to be the centre of attention, need stimulation and lots of space to run around and play, have short curly fur which sheds very little



Devon Rex Cat
Personality: Love people, energetic, playful, very clever
Suits: Lively families with children, families and singles with other pets
Other: Need lots of attention, need to play and be active, best kept indoors



Himalayan Cat
Personality: Affectionate, calm, easy going, gentle
Suits: Families with older children, experienced cat owners
Other: Coat needs grooming daily, face needs washing regularly. Flat face may give rise to breathing problems and watery eyes. Not very vocal


Maine Coon Cat
Personality: Very friendly, love people, easy going, intelligent
Suits: Families, singles, first time cat owners
Other: Quite vocal, large cat




Manx Cat
Personality: Calm, love people, friendly, easy-going
Suits: Families, first time cat owners, singles
Other: Love climbing, very fast, good with other pets




Munchkin Cats
Personality: Generally sociable and outgoing, playful, clever
Suits: Singles, first time cat owners, families
Other: Love attention, active and very resourceful when they want to get on high surfaces (will use anything available as a climbing frame!)

Norwegian Forest Cat
Personality: Friendly, intelligent, good with other animals and children
Suits: Families, first time cat owners, homes with other pets
Other: Love climbing, grow quite large



Persian Cat
Personality: Affectionate, easy going, docile, very adaptable, need attention
Suits: Families, experienced cat owners
Other: Coat needs grooming daily, face needs washing regularly. Flat face may give rise to breathing problems and watery eyes. Not very vocal


Ragdoll Cat
Personality: Gentle, easy going, relaxed, love people
Suits: Families, singles, first time cat owners
Other: Fascinated by water and very trusting, so should never go outside without supervision

Here's an article on Character Traits of Ragdoll Cats, written by Jenny Dean, owner of Floppycats.com


Russian Blue Cat
Personality: Affectionate, gentle, intelligent, playful
Suits: Singles, first time cat owners, families with older children
Other: Not very vocal, shy with strangers




Scottish Fold Cat
Personality: Calm, love people, lovely temperament, not very active or demanding
Suits: Families with other pets, first time cat owners, singles
Other: Good with children, adaptable



Siamese Cats
Personality: Very outgoing, sociable, highly intelligent, people orientated
Suits: Lively families, experienced cat owners
Other: Need lots of attention and stimulation. Very vocal - loud, penetrating meow which they tend to use excessively


Sphynx Cat
Personality: Very affectionate, playful, curious, intelligent
Suits: Families, singles, experienced cat owners
Other: Skin needs sponging almost daily, ears need regular cleaning, don't tolerate cold well so need to be kept in warm conditions

Moggies Need Good Homes Too!

The different cat breeds here are some of the most popular, and there are many more to choose from. Maybe you're not particularly bothered about owning a pedigree cat, or can't decide on which of the different cat breeds you'd like? As an alternative, there are thousands of gorgeous, affectionate, healthy moggies in rescue centers all anxiously waiting for good homes.

For more detailed information and advice on the different cat breeds, here's a great site:
Different Cat Breeds

Click on this link for more information on black cats.


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