Domestic Cat Breeds.
How To Choose The Right One

There are many domestic 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...

Nope! 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!

If you're thinking of getting a cat, the choice of breed is extremely important. Choose well and you and Kitty stand the best chance of developing a long and happy relationship.

On this web page, I've listed some of the most popular domestic 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 breed. 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 breeds below, please click on the text link or the picture of the cat you're interested in.

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



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




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




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


The domestic cat breeds here are some of the most popular, and there are gorgeous, affectionate, healthy moggies in rescue centers all anxiously waiting for good homes.

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