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Siberian
2008-02-08 23:22:00
DescriptionSiberian cats have long been both Russia's national cat and national secret. The thick-coated Siberian cat breed has only recently made a splash in the West.Head: medium-sized or large, modified wedge-shape, broad at the top and narrowing to a rounded muzzleEars: medium-large, tilted slightly forward, rounded and broad-basedEyes: medium-sized or large, round except for an angular cornerBody: medium-longLegs: medium-long, back legs slightly longer than frontPaws: rounded and largeTail: a little less long than the body and taperedCoat: moderate long to longhair coat with three layers in a variety of colors and patternsPersonalitySiberians are often said to be dog-like: they follow around their human family members loyally and often greet them at the door. They are also known as high-jumpers and quite agile cats.HistorySiberians have been recorded as far back as a thousand years, easily making them one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. Yet they are relatively recent ar...

Siamese
2008-02-08 17:45:00
DescriptionThe Siamese cat breed hardly needs an introduction, since it is one of the most famous and instantly recognizable of all cat breeds. It is also one of the oldest cat breeds, having been around since roughly the beginning of modern cat shows in the nineteenth century, and presumably having been around even longer before that in Asian countries.Head: medium-sized, long, tapered wedge-shapeEars: quite large with a wide base and pointed at the tipsEyes: medium-sized and almond-shapedBody: medium-sized, long, slenderLegs: long, slender, with the back legs higher than the frontPaws: small and oval-shaped with five toes in front and four in backTail: long, thin and tapered to a pointCoat: short and glossy; pointed colors with a dark "mask" over the face; outside the US, there is a generally a wider variety of colors allowedPersonalityPerhaps the most famous personality quirk of Siamese cats is their distinctive call, which can be quite loud and haunting, like a baby crying. Siam...

Scottish Fold
2008-02-08 17:44:00
DescriptionThe Scottish Fold is a relatively recent breed of cat known for distinctive folded ears.Head: roundEars: folded forward and downEyes: large and roundBody: medium-sized and roundedLegs: medium-bonedPaws: round; five toes in front, four in backTail: medium-long and flexibleCoat: both shorthair and longhair varietiesPersonalityScottish Folds are generally considered laid-back cats, except that they are very attached to their human families and may follow people around the house, hating to be left alone.HistoryEvery single Scottish Fold cat today can trace his or her ancestry (or pedigree) back to a single ancestor. That's highly unusual in the world of cat breeds, where each breed's origins are usually either murky, or the confluence of several foundation breeding cats.The single many-times-great grandmother of all Scottish Folds today was named Susie. Susie was a barn cat. She was found by the MacRae family in the Tayside region of Scotland. In the 1960s, two breeders of ...

Selkirk Rex
2008-02-08 17:44:00
DescriptionTrue to the name, "rex," which in animals means curly, the Selkirk Rex cat breed is a race of teddy-bear-like curly-furred cats.Head: round and broadEars: medium-sized, broad-based and taperedEyes: large and rounded but not oval or almond-shapedBody: medium-sized or largeLegs: medium or longPaws: large and roundTail: medium-longCoat: either short or long, curly in either casePersonalitySelkirk Rexes may require some brushing, but should not be brushed too often if the curly fur is to be maintained.HistoryThe first Selkirk Rex was born in 1987, to a cat named Miss DePesto and a Persian cat. The breed is a "natural" breed, based originally on naturally occurring traits rather than traits that resulted directly from selective breeding. In fact, Miss DePesto was found in an animal shelter.In this case, the natural trait was the curly coat, a result of a mutated gene. Unlike other rex breeds ("rex" meaning curly), the relevant gene is dominant. These means both that outcrosses...

Savannah
2008-02-08 17:43:00
DescriptionThe Savannah cat breed is a domestic-wild hybrid. To create Savannahs, cat breeders cross domestic cats of a variety of breeds with an African Serval, and usually then further cross the offspring with other domestic cats. The Serval is a wild animal common in sub-Saharan Africa, but it is sometimes also kept as a pet, and the Savannah breed is known as being very companionable with humans despite its wild ancestry.Head: longer than wideEars: spottedBody: large, up to 32 pounds, smaller for femalesLegs: longTail: short, about three-fourths as long as other cats' tailsCoat: usually spotted, though there is a variety of coat patterns, as well as colorsPersonalityThough Savannahs have so much wild ancestry, they are remarkably loyal to their human companions. They tend to be energetically active, and also to get along well with other pets. Some people have also managed to train Savannah cats to do tricks.HistoryThe Savannah cat breed is a relatively new and rare cat breed. T...

Russian Blue
2008-02-08 17:42:00
DescriptionThe Russian Blue Cat breed is one of the oldest cat breeds, having actually originated in Russia in the nineteenth century or earlier. Today, Russian Blues are widely considered easy to get along with and loving animals to have in the home.Head: medium-sized wedgeEars: large and wide at the base with fairly pointed tipsEyes: wide-setBody: long, muscularLegs: longPaws: small and a bit roundedTail: long and taperedCoat: short and thick; the traditional Russian coat color is blue; some breeder groups (not the Cat Fanciers Association) have allowed other colors as wellPersonalityRussian Blue cats are generally known as quiet but affectionate. They are also known to get along well with children and other pets. In short, they tend not to be terribly demanding are easy to get along with.HistoryThe Russian Blue cat breed is apparently a very old cat breed, originating naturally rather than though selectively breeding-though for most of the twentieth century the breed was develope...

Ragdoll
2008-02-08 17:41:00
DescriptionThe Ragdoll Cat breed is one of the oldest cat breeds, having actually originated in Russia in the nineteenth century or earlier. Today, Ragdolls are widely considered easy to get along with and loving animals to have in the home.Head: triangle-shapedEars: medium-sizeEyes: large, oval-shaped and bright blueBody: large, long, broadLegs: heavy-boned and fairly long, with the back legs longer than the frontPaws: large, round, and featheryTail: long, plumedCoat: moderately long, flowingPersonalityThe Ragdoll cat breed is yet another breed developed in the United States in the latter decades of the twentieth century, as breeders found a non-pedigree cat they found attractive and perpetuated the desired qualities through selective breeding.HistoryRagdoll cats were developed in the 1960s in California by the breeder Ann Baker. The breed began with a cross between Josephine, a longhaired white Siamese-marked female cat, and other longhair cats with white Siamese cat markings. Ann...

Ragamuffin
2008-02-08 13:33:00
DescriptionDespite its name, the Ragamuffin cat breed is a beloved, beautiful purebred. The Ragamuffins are also one of the newest breeds of cat. They were first bred in the 1960s, but they did not achieve Cat Fanciers Association recognition until the 1990s.Head: broad, wedge-shaped, with a round muzzleEars: medium-sized and roundedEyes: big and walnut-shaped,Body: large, from 10-20 pounds (toward the light end for females and significantly heavier for males)Legs: heavy-bonedPaws: large and roundTail: longCoat: longhaired, with the same color patterns as the Ragdoll breed; the fur is soft but doesn't matPersonalityRagamuffins are generally known as playful and gentle. They are, in fact, gentle to the point that many people think they should be kept indoors for their own safety.HistoryThe Ragamuffin is one of the newest cat breeds.It was developed in the United States by cat breeders seeking to perpetuate traits that developed accidentally in a non-pedigree cat. The first Ragamuffi...

Persian
2008-02-08 13:18:00
DescriptionThe Persian cat breed, also known, especially in Britain, as the longhair Persian, is instantly recognizable for the characteristic short muzzle and long, usually light-colored fur. The fur takes a little work to keep groomed, but Persian fans think it's worth it.Head: round and big with a very broad skull, and a broad snub noseEars: small and round-tippedEyes: bright and roundBody: large or medium-sizedLegs: short and thickPaws: large and round, with five toes in front and four in backTail: short and curvedCoat: long and thick, fine, glossy; there are a variety of colorsPersonalityWhile it's not exactly a behavior, one of the most important things to keep in mind if you're going to share your home with a Persian cat is the animal's high-maintenance fur. Persian cats need regular brushing and also need to be bathed.HistoryAs the name, Persian, would imply, it's widely believed that the Persian cat breed originated in Iran. Modern Iran roughly corresponds with the loc...

Oriental
2008-02-08 13:17:00
DescriptionThe Oriental cat breed comes in a dazzling variety of coats: longhair, shorthair, and over 300 combinations of colors and patterns.Head: flat skull, with a long straight line from the back of head to the nose, which is long and straightEars: large and pointed, very broad at the baseEyes: medium-sized, almond-shapedBody: long, slender, with fine bones but a somewhat muscular appearanceLegs: long, slender, with the back legs higher than the front legsPaws: small, oval-shapedTail: long, with a thin base and taperedCoat: either shorthair or longhair, with a very large variety of colors and patternsPersonalityOriental breed cats are known for being unusually attached to their human families. It is often said they like to follow people around, and can become resentful after any significant separation. In addition, the Oriental cat likes to be playful with people and things, swatting around stray scraps of paper and other objects.HistoryThe Oriental cat breed was one of many cat...

Ocicat
2008-02-08 13:15:00
DescriptionThe Ocicat breed is known for the unique spotted fur coat. It's one of the new breeds that have originated in the US in the last few decades. Ocicats are named for the ocelot, an endangered species they supposedly resemble with their spotted coats.Head: modified wedge showing a slight curve from muzzle to cheekEars: moderately largeEyes: large, almond shapedBody: solid, hard, longLegs: well-muscled, medium-longPaws: oval, five toes in front and four in backTail: fairly long, medium-slim with only a slight taper and with a dark tipCoat: short, smoothPersonalityOcelots are generally said both to enjoy the company of humans and to be remarkably good at learning tricks.HistoryLike most cat breeds, the Ocicat breed is relatively recent, having started out in the US in the1960s. The first Ocicat, Tonga, resulted accidentally while the breeder Virginia Daly was engaging in experimental breeding to produce an Aby-point Siamese cat. Tonga, with ivory fur and golden spots, was a s...

Norwegian Forest
2008-02-08 13:14:00
DescriptionThe Norwegian Forest cat is a European breed of great, furry cats. Norwegian Forest Cats generally resemble Maine Coon Cats on the other side of the Atlantic. In North America, the breed is also known by the nickname, "Wegie."Head: equilateral triangleEars: medium to large, rounded at the tip, broad at baseEyes: large, almond shapedBody: solidly muscled, moderate in lengthLegs: medium, hind legs longer than frontlegsPaws: large, roundTail: long and bushy.Coat: distinguishing double coat, consisting of a dense undercoat, covered by long, glossy and smooth water-resistant guard hairs hanging down the sidesPersonalityNorwegian Forest Cats are generally said to be intelligent and playful, and to enjoy being around humans.HistoryThe Norwegian Forest Cat is another European breed of cats with a very long history as a common house cat breed of its native country, before finally being selectively bred and exported in the 20th century.Presumably, Norway's housecats evolved thicke...

Nebelung
2008-02-08 13:13:00
DescriptionThe Nebel ung cat breed is a new cat breed that essentially resembles a longhair version of the Russian Blue cat breed.Head: wedge-shapedEars: large and pointedEyes: medium-sized and slightly oval-shapedBody: longLegs: longPaws: medium-sized and oval-shapedTail: roughly as long as the body and plume-likeCoat: blue, shiny, medium-longPersonalityIn general, Nebelungs resemble Russian Blue cats.HistoryThe Nebelung cat breed is one of the new breeds of cat developed in the US in the 1980s. The first breeder of Nebelungs was Cora Cobb. She started the breed with Elsa, a black domestic shorthair cat, and a blue domestic shorthair whose name we do not have. Siegfried, a kitten with "blue" medium-long hairs was born to the first litter and Brunhilde, another "blue" medium-longhair kitten was born into the subsequent litter. Siegfried and Brunhilde were bred together, and their offspring were bred with Russian Blue cats.The result was the Nebelung cat breed, which strongly resemble...

Manx
2008-02-08 13:12:00
DescriptionThe Manx cat breed is known for the strikingly short tail-some would even say that these cats are tailless. True to their name, these cats originated on the Isle of Man and have been around for at least two to three hundred years. The gene for taillessness, which is dominant, likely resulted from a mutation, which then spread to other cats on the Isle of Man.Head: round, medium in lengthEars: wide at the base, tapering gradually to a rounded tip, medium sizeEyes: large, roundBody: solidly muscled, medium in sizeLegs: Hind legs much longer than forelegs, shortPaws: round with five toes in front and four behindTail: short, taillessCoat: Shorthair: double coat is short and dense, hard, glossy; Longhair: the double coat is of medium length, dense, soft and silkyPersonalityManx cats are generally said to be easier to train than most cats, and may even be comfortable around water.HistoryThe Manx cat breed is a very old breed hailing from the Isle of Man, where it is called kayt...

Maine Coon
2008-02-08 13:09:00
DescriptionMaine Coon Cats have bushy tails, long coats, and distinctive brown, black, and white coats that make them resemble raccoons. The long coats of Maine Coon Cats also resemble those of the Norwegian Forest Cat breed in Europe. Yet this is definitely an All-American breed, whose origins likely go back to the earliest colonial settlers of New England.Head: medium in width and slightly longer in length than widthEars: large, wide at base, tapering to appear pointedEyes: large, wide setBody: medium to large in size, muscular, broad-chestedLegs: wide set, of medium length, and in proportion to the bodyPaws: large, round, five toes in front; four in backTail: long, wide at base, and taperingCoat: heavy and shaggy, silkyPersonalityMaine Coon Cats are known for their dexterous paws, with which many Maine Coons can open doors and turn on faucets. They tend to be rather large and active, so they are not always the best lap cats.HistoryThe Main Coon cat is an American original cat bre...

LaPerm
2008-02-07 23:41:00
DescriptionThe LaPerm cat breed is one of a crop of new cat breeds that originated in the US in the last decade of the twentieth century, as breeders and fanciers sought out new genetic mutations with interesting physical features.Head: modified wedge, slightly rounded, gentle contoursEars: medium to large in size, slightly flared and cuppedEyes: medium large, almond shapeBody: medium in sizeLegs: medium long, forelegs may be slightly shorter than hind legsTail: in proportion to body, tapering from base to tipCoat: Longhair: medium-long to long, curly or wavy; Shorthair: short to approximately medium-long, curly or wavy, springyPersonalityThe LaPerm cat breed is known as active, gentle, affectionate, and also a good lap cat.HistoryThe first LaPerm cats were curly-furred barn cats in Oregon in 1982. The cats roamed free around the area of the farm and interbred with other cats from the neighborhood. Over the next ten years, the farm's owner noticed that in successive litters of kitt...

Javanese
2008-02-07 23:39:00
DescriptionThe Javanese cat breed was one of numerous cat breeds developed in the United States in the mid-twentieth century.It is essentially a colorpoint shorthair offshoot of the Balinese breed, which in turn was an offshoot of the Siamese breed.Head: long, tapered wedge, medium sizeEars: large, pointed, wide at baseEyes: almond shaped, medium sizeBody: medium size, longLegs: long, slim, hind legs longer than the forelegsPaws: small, oval, Toes: five in front and four behindTail: long, thin, tapered to a fine pointCoat: colorpoint shorthair PersonalityJavanese cats are generally considered easy to care for, and friendly. They often seem to enjoy using their paws as hands, opening doors, quite literally-at least, for cabinet doors.HistoryThe history of the Javanese cat breed is fairly straightforward. The breed is one of the relatively new cat breeds to appear toward the middle of the twentieth century, developed by cat fanciers. The Javanese breed is an offshoot from the Balinese...

Japanese Bobtail
2008-02-07 23:38:00
DescriptionThe Japanese Bobtail cat breed is the quintessentially Japanese cat breed and one of the oldest breeds of cat on earth. Japanese Bobtails are immortalized in the Japanese statues of the cat with one paw raised, gracing the entrances of innumerable Japanese businesses.Head: equilateral triangle with gentle curving linesEars: large, upright, set wide apartEyes: large, ovalBody: medium in length, long and leanLegs: straight, high, hind legs longer than the forelegsPaws: oval, Toes: five in front and four behindTail: shortCoat: Shorthair: medium length, soft, silky. Longhair: medium-long to long, soft, silky, noticeable undercoatPersonalityJapanese Bobtails are widely considered active and intelligent. They also actively seek out the company of human beings. Fun fact: they tend to like to carry things in their mouths. No divas, they are generally thought to travel well and get along well with children, dogs, and other animals.HistoryThe Japanese Bobtail is one of the oldest b...

Highlander
2008-02-07 23:35:00
DescriptionThe Highlander is the complete package, beautiful, domestic yet it has a distinctly different and wild look, it is loving, entertaining, physically sound, and is so much fun.Highlander ears is tall, open, and with a slight backwards flare, they bring to mind the large tufted ears of the Canadian Lynx. The dominant curl gene in the Highlander breed makes the ears more noticeable and exotic in appearance. The Highlander's ears have more of a vertical crimp than a horizontal one.The ears should not fold back into a tight curl. This breed's chin and muzzle are also very noticeable. The muzzle, long and squared-off with large whisker pads and resting on top of a well-defined deep chin, evokes the image of a wild cat.This breed has substantial body structure and is a large cat. Watching a Highlander move is pure beauty as their long hind legs flex and the heavy, pronounced muscles ripple between their shoulder blades, reminiscent of the wild cat. The Highlander's feet are mo...

Havana Brown
2008-02-07 12:59:00
DescriptionWhile many cat breeds are as precious as they can be, some cat breeds are more like the workhorses of the cat fancy. The Havana Brown breed not only has a simple brown coat; these cats are so eager to please they are almost dog-like-in a nice, thoroughly cat-like way, of course.Head: head is longer than it is wide when viewed from above, narrow muzzleEars: large, round-tippedEyes: oval in shape, medium sized, set wide apartBody: medium in length, firm and muscularLegs: straight, highPaws: oval, Toes: five in front and four behindTail: medium in length and in proportion to the bodyCoat: short to medium in length, smoothPersonalityThe Havana Brown breed is thought of as being very intelligent. That is, they are generally more easily trained to fetch than other cats and respond well to praise. Most Havana Browns make excellent show cats.HistorySelf-brown cats were documented in cat shows in Europe as early as the 1890s. These self-brown cats went under names such as "Swiss M...

Exotic Shorthair
2008-02-07 12:54:00
DescriptionThe Exotic Shorthair cat breed, also simply known as the Exotic cat breed, is an offshoot of the Persian cat breed. The first Exotic Shorthairs were the result of interbreeding between Persians and American Shorthairs. With the denser, shorter coat, the Exotic Shorthair breed is less of a grooming challenge than the Persian, hence the nickname, "Persians for lazy people."Head: round, largeEars: small, round tipped, set far apartEyes: large, roundBody: Large or medium in sizeLegs: short, thick, and strongPaws: large, roundTail: short, proportion in lengthCoat: dense, soft, medium in lengthPersonalityThe Exotic Shorthair breed is generally known for a gentle and calm personality. Known as quiet cats who rarely meow, Exotic Shorthairs tend to show more affection than most breeds. They are also known to make excellent lap cats.HistoryIn around 1960, breeders crossed the American Shorthair with the Persian in the United States, creating shorthaired Persians. The new breed of s...

European Shorthair
2008-02-06 13:17:00
DescriptionEach color is recognized as its own breed because of the different genes that go into producing each. The European Shorthair gave us the term "tabby," in a round-about fashion. Weavers in Iraq duplicated the colors and patterns of the cat's coat in the silks they exported to Europe, dubbing the fabrics with the name.There are many breeds of the European Shorthair: Black, which is extremely widespread and has a glossy black coat with yellow, orange, or copper eyes; White, with snow white coat with yellow or copper eyes; Albino, with white coat with light blue eyes and pupils that reflect red; Cream, which is extremely rare and has a uniform cream coat with copper or hazel eyes. Red, with red-brown coat with orange eyes; Gray, with gray coat with orange or copper eyes; Tabby, tiger-striped; Marbled, see Classic Tabby pattern under American Shorthair; Tortie, with black, red, and cream coat with copper, orange, or hazel eyes; Tortie-with-White, with black, red, and cream co...

Egyptian Mau
2008-02-06 13:15:00
Description The Egyptian Mau cat breed is an ancient, rare breed of cat known for the distinctive spotted coat as well as being the fastest running housecat breed.The Egyptian Mau cat breed is the only spotted-fur officially recognized cat breed to have developed in the wild rather than due to selective breeding. The spots extend beneath the fur: shaved cats also have spots on their skin. They are also the fastest of the housecat breeds; the fastest Maus have been clocked at 36 miles/hour (this is also the speed at which giraffes run!). Their hind legs are longer than their forelegs, which is largely the reason for their impressive speed. Their lower abdomens have a loose skin flap which also allows them to run faster, since it permits a longer stride.There are five fur coat colors for Egyptian Maus: silver, smoke, bronze, blue, and black. The last two colors are not considered "show" colors, though cats with these coats may still breed. Adult Maus all have green eyes.PersonalityThe...

Cymrics
2008-02-05 13:08:00
Description A long-haired version of the Manx, the Cymric first appeared in Canada in the 1960s in litters of strictly pedigreed cats that had no long-haired animals in their ancestry. The new cats were bred together, and the new breed held true.All colors and patterns are acceptable in the Cymric, which has a medium to long coat with a thick undercoat and shiny, smooth top hairs. The body has a stocky, muscular build. In the true breed standard the end of the thumb should fit into the hollow that marks the spot where the tail should start.The overall body generally has an arched appearance, due to shorter than normal vertebrae. The legs are short and thick, with the hindlegs longer than the forelegs. The paws are round and large. The head is round, with a short nose, strong chin, large, round eyes, and medium ears that are rounded at the tips.The coat requires regular brushing, but it is easily groomed and very rarely mars.PersonalityCymrics are affectionate, intelligent cats, happ...

Cornish Rex
2008-02-05 13:07:00
Description Cornish Rex cats owe their unique short-fur to a genetic mutation that occurred in a cat in a Cornish barn litter in the 1950s.Perhaps the most striking physical feature of the Cornish Rex cat breed is that the cats have no fur but down, which would be the undercoat in most cats. As in most other cats, this down fur is very short, only about one centimeter long. This coat is also quite fine and soft.The Cornish Rex breed is also said to have a distinctive smell: a mild cheese-like smell resulting from scent glands in the cats' paws.PersonalityCornish Rexes are said to love adventure, enjoying exploring and climbing on everything. However, because of their very light fur coats, they cannot tolerate the cold.Otherwise, Cornish Rex cats are generally thought to be companionable animals and good with children.Note that Cornish Rexes are not exactly hypo-allergenic, since they still have some cat dander, though perhaps they do not shed as much as other breeds.HistoryThe Corn...

Colorpoint Shorthair
2008-02-05 13:06:00
Description The Colorpoint Shorthair cat breed is a brightly-coated offshot of the Siamese cat breed. In fact, while in the United States the Colorpoint Shorthair's status as a separate breed is well recognized, in the UK these cats are treated as just a variety of the Siamese cat breed.Colorpoint Shorthairs look much like Siamese cats except for their coats. They have long, tube-shaped bodies, wedge-shaped heads and big ears, just like Siamese. Their coats come in a wider variety of colors and patterns than the Siamese cats, however: for instance, red point, cream point, lynx point, and tortie point.PersonalityColorpoint Shorthairs generally share many traits in common with their Siamese breed cousins. Generally speaking, in terms of compatibility, they are perhaps best known as being relatively less trying for people who are allergic to cats, since they do not have as much dander as most other cats. Likewise, they do not require as much grooming as cats of many other breeds.Histo...

Chausie
2008-02-05 13:05:00
DescriptionThe Chausie is a tall, statuesque cat, upright in stance, medium to large in size, and retains a strong resemblance to its ancestor the Jungle Cat.The Chausie's body is large, with heavy boning, full broad chest and strong musculature, with moderately long legs. Colors include black, black smoke to shade of silver, black with silver ticking, ticked golden to reddish fawn with darker markings on ears, legs and tail. Otherwise the body is virtually free of markings.PersonalityDo you hunger for a touch of the wild in your cat? The Chausie may be the breed for you. Picture if you can, the grace, size, and exotic aura of a wild jungle cat, combined with the temperament of a domestic cat, and you have something resembling the Chausie. The ideal Chausie has been described as "fearless, but not aggressive."HistoryThe first Chausies were Jungle Cat hybrids, and were bred in the late 60's and early 70's. These early hybrids were created to offer those interested in exotic cats a...

Chartreux
2008-02-05 13:04:00
DescriptionThe Chartreux breed is one of the oldest European cat breed: the ancestors of the breed, all French, are said to go back to the 13th century.Chartreux cats are known for being large and muscular. Their legs are short but strong and finish off with large paws. They have blue (gray) double coats. Their eyes are the color of gold or copper. Their distinctive faces are said to be in a smile: their heads are long and their muzzles tapered, forming this shape.PersonalityChartreux-breed cats are generally thought to be quiet, not mewing or crying as much as other cats; some make no sound at all. They are also generally considered to be good-natured and playful even well into maturity.HistoryThe Chartreux cat breed is an old breed of cats from France. There's quite a story behind this breed. As the story goes, the cats were breed by monks of the Carthusian Order, or the Order of St. Bruno, at the monastery in Grenoble. The monks bred the cats to be excellent mice-catchers, as th...

Chantilly/Tiffany
2008-02-05 13:02:00
DescriptionThe breed is very healthy, not given to any particular problems. The Chantilly /Tiffany is a semi-foreign medium-sized cat of striking appearance. Its rich colour and full, silky semi-long coat, plumed tail, contrasting neck ruff and ear streamers make it distinctive and showy. The medium-sized head has a gently sloped nose and short, broad muzzle that is softly squared with gentle contours and a break. The chin is firm. The cheekbones are broad and high.The preferred eye colour is gold-yellow-amber. The eyes are a modified oval shape, with an expressive look. The ears are broad at the base and medium sized, with rounded tips tilting forward and outward.PersonalityThe Chantilly/Tiffany is a breed of loyalty, and easily becomes a close, affectionate companion that is not overly demanding or mischievous. They are not as placid as Persians, nor as active as Orientals, and are best described as moderate. Usually, they develop particular affinity to one person in the home, with...

Burmilla
2008-02-05 13:00:00
DescriptionThe Burmilla cat breed, a cross between Burmese and Chinchilla Persian, is a new breed of cat with roots in the UK, which has also taken root in Australia and Canada.Head: rounded wedge-shapeEars: medium-sized or large, rounded at the tipEyes: large, greenBody: medium-sizeLegs: slim, with back legs longer than frontPaws: oval-shapedTail: medium-long, tapered, with a rounded tipCoat: black, blue, champagne, chocolate, cream, lilac, platinum or red; or tortoiseshell with a variety of colors; shorthair or longhairPersonalityThe Burmilla has elements of both the Burmese and Chinchilla Persian cat breeds.HistoryThe Burmilla breed is a relatively new cat breed originating in the UK in the 1980s. True to its name, the Burmilla cat breed is a cross between the Burmese and the Chinchilla Persian cat breeds. In fact, the breed originated accidentally, when a purebred Burmese and a purebred Chinchilla Persian found each other and produced a litter of kittens. Rather than cry over th...