We see cats everywhere and all the time. It could be a stray that has declared your block as its territory. Maybe it is that neighbor’s cat you always see perched on the window surveying the street. While we do see a lot of them, not many people know the individual breeds and their special quirks. That is why we have compiled this list of common cat breeds you may have come across but know very little about.
One of the most common breeds is the Maine Coon best recognized by its large frame and thick, fluffy coat. Other common cat breeds are the American Shorthair and the Exotic Shorthair.
23. Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is one of the most recognizable cat breeds there is. This is mainly due to its massive size and extra thick and fluffy coat.
These cats kind of look like little lions with their head shape and thick, neck ruff that looks a lot like a lion’s mane.
These gentle giants make for fantastic pets with their affectionate and social nature. They are also very intelligent and in tune with their close human companions’ emotions.
22. American Shorthair
Like the European Shorthair, this pedigreed breed is frequently confused for the more commonly found domestic shorthair cats.
They are generally smaller in build than both the domestic shorthair and the European shorthair cats. They also have a stockier frame which is accentuated by their dense coats.
This stocky build is more muscle than fluff and fat. The cats are therefore quite athletic and very happy outdoors where they can run around and climb anything in their way.
21. German Rex
This is one of the lesser known Rex cat breeds. Generally speaking, they are closest in genetics and temperament to the Cornish Rex. They have similar fur curling genes which give their fluffy coats their signature appearance. The main difference is that the German variety has a bit of a longer and more erect coat.
These cats are cuddle bugs who love to spend time with their human companion. They are also quite playful and adventurous and may be found exploring odd nooks around the neighborhood.
20. Havana Brown
This is one of those cats you can never fail to identify with its very unique features. It is one of the only pure brown cat breeds. There is more of a reddish brown coat than wood-brown hues. Their coats also tend to be short, against the skin, and very glossy.
Another very important identifying feature are their green eyes. This is a very rare trait among cats which just makes the Havana Brown a lot more special.
19. Burmilla
The Burmilla is a hybrid developed by mixing Burmese and Chinchilla Persian cats. It gets the Burmese cat’s darker coat colors and markings as well as its facial features. The chinchilla on the other hand gives the semi-long to long coat.
They are very independent and love to explore outdoor spaces and can thus be found roaming around neighborhoods. They are also quite friendly especially with familiar individuals and will always try to bait you into playtime.
18. LaPerm
The LaPerm is another cat breed you will not easily miss with their very unique aesthetic. These cats look like they got actual perm hairstyles with their coiled fur especially around the neck and belly area.
Something else that makes them special is how social and affectionate they are. A well-socialized LaPerm is very likely to walk up to strangers for petting and cuddles. They also get along very well with children.
17. American Wirehair
This cat breed is fairly recent in development having gained recognition as an independent breed in the late 60s. This unique kitty is very similar in build and facial features as its American Shorthair relatives.
It appeared initially as a result of a random mutation that gave some kittens in a litter a wirehaired fur consistency. Through selective breeding, they have become relatively more common and stand out with their unique coats.
16. Somali cat
The Somali cat is sometimes referred to as the fox cat. One look at this beauty and it is not so hard to see why. They have thick, bushy tails like the canine as well as long, perky ears. The resemblance is even more pronounced in Somali cats with red or rudder coat colors.
Fortunately, their personalities are not wild like their lookalikes. Instead, these cats are quite social and loving.
15. American Bobtail
The American Bobtail gets its name from its naturally short tail. It may be a stub about 1/3 the size of a normal tail or may appear completely absent. This combined with the stocky build and fluffy coat gives the American Bobtail a very cute and cuddly look.
They are relatively lazy and love nothing more than naps and cuddle time. They are also quite independent and are not big fans of confinement into cages or single rooms.
14. Singapura cat
The Singapura cat is one of the smallest cat breeds there is. They weigh about 4 to 8 pounds and only grow up to 6 to 8 inches in height. This is about half the size of most domestic cat breeds of the same age and is their key, distinguishing feature.
Furthermore, they stand out with their unique ticked tabby coat pattern. This features alternating dark and light bands on individual fur strands.
13. Korat
At first glance, it may be a little difficult to tell the Korat apart from other blue coated cat breeds including the Russian Blue, Chartreaux, and the British Shorthair. The key difference is that their fur features dark bases and silver tips giving them a more glistening appearance.
Korats also have more of a medium, stocky build than the lean Russian blue and the heavier British Shorthair.
12. Ocicat
No, this has nothing to do with the ocelot. They just happen to have spotted coat markings that make it very similar in appearance to the wild cat. It is actually a hybrid domestic cat developed from the Abyssinian, Siamese, and American Shorthair.
The cats are typically social and have been known to be very welcoming of contact even from strangers. They are also very intelligent and almost dog-like in behavior being comfortable with leashes and quite obedient to commands.
11. Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is very similar to the Ocicat in terms of appearance. This is due to the relatively similar build and the presence of spotted coat markings.
The main difference is the fact that the ears on an Egyptian Mau are more upright than the slightly sideways tilted pair on an Ocicat.
Egyptian Maus are also a bit more independent and reserved. The incredibly athletic cats prefer to spend most of their time outdoors and are excellent runners and climbers.
10. Bombay cat
The Bombay cat is one of the most common black cat breeds. While not all black cats are Bombays, most that you may have come across in your neighborhood probably are. You can tell it is a Bombay cat by their short, black, and glossy coat complemented by the perfectly contrasting yellow or amber eyes.
Bombay cats also do a fantastic job of demystifying black cats and discrediting myths that suggest black cats are evil. With their sweet personalities and ability to get along with everyone, these cats are the furthest thing from evil.
9. Manx cat
The Manx is quite similar to the American Bobtail cat in that they are also born with no tail. What makes them different from their American counterparts is the fact that their tails are completely absent and at most exist as very short stubs.
Manx cats are also significantly smaller than the American Bobtail. This makes them more agile which is perfect for their playful, outdoorsy personalities
8. European shorthair
The European Shorthair is a pedigree cat breed very often mistaken for domestic shorthair breeds that are very common in Europe. These Swedish kitties have a medium build with very muscular legs and a dense coat.
These features made them great vermin hunters in cold European countryside areas. Today, they make the European a popular pick for cat lovers who want a simple, fluffy, cat without any exaggerated features.
7. Himalayan cat
The Himalayan is another cat breed that is very easy to pick out in your neighborhood. These fluffy beauties are a cross between Persian cats and Siamese cats. They get their long, fluffy coats and flat faces from the Persian parents and the point markings from the Siamese.
These large, fluffy babies are not the most outdoorsy but they do not mind lounging on patios or yards outside homes. They are also quite friendly but may be moody especially if you interrupt their naps.
6. Birman
The Birman is very similar to the Snowshoe with is white “socks” pattern on all 4 paws. Unlike the Snowshoe which is essentially a variation of the Siamese, the Birman is a completely independent breed.
These cats have similar point markings to the Siamese with black or dark brown ears, face “masks” and tails. These cats also have beautiful, blue eyes.
However, unlike the Siamese the Birman is a little more reserved especially towards strangers. On the other hand, they are quite loyal and affectionate with their human families especially with children.
5. Burmese cat
There are two types of Burmese with different physical appearances. The American Burmese is a stockier cat that may be blue, sable, or even black in color. They have rounder features including their rounded heads, eyes, and paws.
On the other hand, the European Burmese is more slender and athletic in build. Their head is more of a wedged shape with almond eyes. They are also among the few cat breeds with oval-shaped paws.
4. Abyssinian cat
Abyssinian cats are another cat breed with ticked, tabby coat markings. What sets them apart from cat breeds like the Singapura is their medium size and slender build.
These beauties are also very loyal and affectionate. They are often described as being dog-like in personality. This is because they actively seek out human interaction and are the type to walk up to strangers or jump onto their owners’ laps for a nice cuddle.
3. Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is a short haired variation of the Persian and is arguably one of the cutest cats there is. They are easy to spot with their flat, Persian cat-like facial features and their short, dense coats. They are also known for their big, round, beautiful eyes.
These cats are just as friendly and affectionate as the Persians. However, they tend to be a lot livelier and goofier than their more laid back relatives.
2. Australian Mist
This cat is a hybrid of the Abyssinian and Burmese cats. While most of these little fur balls have spotted coat markings, there are a few with faint, greyish marbled patterns.
The Australian Mist cat is an ideal starter pet especially for homes with children. They especially get along well with kids as they are very patient and tolerant of handling. They are also not known to scratch or bite even when they are being playful.
1. Asian Semi-longhair
These fluffy beauties are a longer-haired variation of the Asian short haired cats. They are developed as a hybrid with Burmese cats for the long coat and beautiful faint coat markings.
These cats are generally very independent and curious and thrive from a lot of outdoor time. They are quite reserved and take a while to warm up to strangers. They are also quite territorial and need socialization to coexist with other pets in the home.
Related Questions
What Is The Most Popular Cat Breed 2020? The Ragdoll is arguably the most popular cat breed in 2020 according to the Cat Fancier’s Association. It surpassed seasoned list-toppers like the Maine Coon, Siamese, and the Persian in 2019 and has been riding the wave since. What makes them so popular is their sweet and affectionate personality and their lap cat predisposition.
What Is The Most Common Cat? Domestic Short-haired cats are the most common cats in most parts of the world. Unlike other popular cat breeds, these fur babies are non-pedigreed and are instead an unregulated mix of a number of different breeds. These cats are known for their short coats with tabby marking patterns.
What’s The Most Common Eye Color In Cats? Yellow and Amber are two of the most common eye colors in most cat breeds. In cats with point markings or pure white fur as the standard, blue eyes are a lot more common. On the other end of the spectrum, green eyes and heterochromia are the rarest color traits among cat breeds.
