Cat Breeds... A Guide for Cat Lovers

The feline form takes many shapes, sizes, and color variations, even within the same species.

No type of cat has more variation, however, than that of the domestic cat, or house cat.

Why? Because people had a hand in it, of course!

For about 2,000 years, people have been "creating" different breeds. As time has gone on, existing breeds have been refined to bring out certainly qualities considered desirable.

Even today, new breeds are being developed. Old breeds are being further refined, and in some cases, mixed with wild cats to form yet another breed (commonly known as hybrids).

In addition, people have transported cats to places far from their original homelands. In some cases, these cats adapted over time to hot sun, or harsh winters that they weren't used to in their native lands. This has brought further changes to the physical nature and appearance of certain breeds.

Siamese Seal Point
Original Photo by Seamus Kearney
CC BY-SA 3.0

Pay close attention to personality traits of each breed and how your future cat might fit into your lifestyle and your household.

Every cat is an individual, that's for sure, but you may be able to get a general idea of what the breed is like.

If you are looking for just the right feline companion for you, you may find it in the description on one of these pages.

You may want to start by looking at the most popular breeds or with this breed list page.

Attention cat breeders. Add your listing to the site with photo or video as well.

Would you like to share a picture of a cat of a particular breed with us? You can. It's easy. First, enter a description and a story about the picture. Enter some basic information, such as the name of the cat in the photo, and anything else you'd like us to know.

Important! Make sure you tell us what breed the cat is, and include the coat color and pattern. You can also tell us when the pic was taken and where, how old the cat is, or something interesting about the cat as well. People love to read cat stories! Then, upload the picture below.

Click the links below to see the current photo contributions so far or add your own here...

Cute Cat Big Felix Picture 
Felix is our beautiful cat we got from a rescue house in Westfield, Indiana. I had been looking for a cat for about 3 years and saw him on their website....

Cute Calico Tabby Cleopatra 
Well I was dressing her up and she made such a cute face I had to get a picture! Her name is Cleopatra, AKA: Patra, shes a year old and she is a calico/...

The Cat Breed List

1. Abyssinian
   The Abyssinian Cat is affectionate and loyal.
2. American Bobtail
   The American Bobtail is a wild looking but friendly cat.
3. American Curl
   The American Curl is a unique looking cat.
4. American Shorthair
   The American Shorthair is not just an alley cat!
5. American Wirehair
   The American Wirehair is a barn cat turned champion.
6. Balinese
   The Balinese began as a Siamese longhair.
7. Birman
   The Birman cat breed has both Siamese and Persian ancestry.
8. Bombay
   Ever wanted to live with a miniature panther? The Bombay cat breed looks like a wild black panther.
9. British Shorthair
   The British Shorthair is a laid back cat, but not cuddly.
10. Burmese
    The Burmese Cat is a quieter cousin to the noisy Siamese.
11. Calico Cat
    The calico is not a breed, but a coat color pattern!
12. Chartreux
    The Chartreux cat breed is a sweet, interactive, quick learner.
13. Colorpoint Shorthair
    The Colorpoint Shorthair is an allergy friendly active cat.
14. Cornish Rex
    The Cornish Rex is sociable, playful, and allergy friendly.
15. Devon Rex
    The Devon Rex is a playful cuddler.
16. Egyptian Mau
    The Egyptian Mau is an ancient breed for modern times.
17. European Burmese
    The European Burmese is a lap loving breed.
18. Exotic
    The Exotic cat is a like a Persian for lazy people.
19. Foreign White
    The Foreign White cat breed is essentially a white colored unpointed variant of the Siamese.
20. Havana Brown
    The Havana Brown is a big treat in a small package.
21. Japanese Bobtail
    The rare Japanese Bobtail.
22. Javanese
    The Javanese is a lap cat.
23. Korat
    The lucky Korat cat breed (known as the Si-Sawat in its native Thailand).
24. La Perm
    The unique and intelligent La Perm.
25. Maine Coon Cat
    The large and intelligent Maine Coon Cat.
26. Manx Cat
    The Manx cat is a quiet but playful treat.
27. Norwegian Forest Cat
    The beautiful Norwegian Forest Cat.
28. Ocicat
    The wild looking but very tame ocicat.
29. Persian
    The gentle and beautiful Persian has a luxurious long coat.
30. Pixie Bob Cats
    Pixie Bob Cats are smart, wild looking, and loving.
31. Raggamufin
    The ragamuffin is a large, lovable cat that is very tolerant of children and other pets.
32. Ragdoll
    The Ragdoll is the ultimate lap cat.
33. Siamese Cat
    The devoted, smart, and chatty Siamese Cat.
    • Learn more about Siamese cat behavior.
    • Siamese cat videos.
34. Siberian
    The large and muscular Siberian has thick fur, yet is low allergy.
35. Singapura
    The intelligent Singapura is a perpetual kitten.
36. Snowshoe Cat
    The intelligent, affectionate, and rare Snowshoe cat was developed by crossing a bicolor American Shorthair with a Siamese.
37. Somali Cat
    The striking, intelligent, and playful Somali cat.
38. Sphynx Cat
    The loving and mischievous Sphynx cat.
39. Tonkinese
    the Tonkinese is a great mix between Siamese and Burmese.
40. Turkish Angora
    The beautiful and intelligent Turkish Angora.
41. Turkish Van
    The Turkish Van is a water loving cat!

White Maine Coon cat close-up
Original photo by Colleen Ryan

Coat Colors And Patterns

Cats are designated and differentiated in various ways, including breed, color, and coat pattern. Sometimes the only true distinguishing factor between two cats of different breeds is the length, color, or pattern of coat.

Below we'll look at cats of various coat and color patterns, regardless of breed.

Black cats
While not a breed, black cats are certainly treated differently. But are they bad luck, or good?

Black and white cats
Black and white cats are in demand.

Tabby cats
Tabby cats are very common (actually, all domestic cats are tabbies, but some don't show it). Here's more about this very common coat pattern.

Tuxedo cat
A tuxedo cat is a specific bicolor black and white coat pattern.

More Information on Cat Breeds:

If you can handle dishing out all the attention these cats need, here are 8 affectionate feline breeds from which to choose

Have a look at this collection of feline breed facts

Cat breed list

Most popular cat breed

The governing bodies of the cat fancy and the origin of cat shows

What is the largest domestic cat breed?

The list of breeds recognized by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA)

Books about cats with breed information

Looking to adopt a kitten of a specific breed? Check the worldwide cat breeders directory. The breeders directory connects breeders with people looking to adopt cats of a specific breed.