:: The Cornish Rex Site Cat Facts SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF VARIOUS CAT BREEDS ::

CAT FACTS: SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF VARIOUS CAT BREEDS

Abyssinian-slender, shorthair that is distinguished by its ticked tabby coat pattern. It is athletic, lithe and very active. While ruddy is the color most associated with this breed, they also come in blue, fawn and red. A playful and intelligent cat that makes a loyal companion.

American Bobtail-medium to large cat with an overall "chunky" appearance. This experimental breed has a naturally shortened tail (about half the length of a "normal" tail) The breed is not widely recognized or generally available.

American Curl-(comes in both long and shorthair) this breed has ears that curl gently backwards as a result of a natural mutation found in a domestic litter in California in 1981. A medium sized cat, which comes in all colors and patterns, this relatively new breed is rapidly gaining popularity for unique looks and steady, friendly disposition.

American Shorthair-sturdy medium to large breed with laid back charm, often seen in the classic "tabby" pattern and recognized as an all-American cat which is often mistaken for the traditional domestic shorthair

American Wirehair-One of the newest breeds to be recognized, it was developed about 30 years ago from a litter of unusual kittens born in upstate New York. Its coat, as a result of natural mutation, has every hair crimped and springy, including the whiskers. Wirehairs may be either long or short haired and come in a large variety of patterns and colors. They have a quiet, loving personality and resemble their cousins, American Shorthairs, in appearance and body type.

Asian Shorthair-a generic term which refers to an entire group of cats, all of Burmese type, but of varying colors and patterns. This breed was developed primarily in Britain and is not currently recognized by any U.S. registries.

Bengal- relatively new breed which resembles its wild forebearers. It is descended from a cross between wild Asian Leopard Cats (Lesser Leopard) and domestic shorthairs. A large spotted cat with a short, glossy coat in several colors and eye-catching patterns. An active, intelligent pet, but buyers are advised to use caution as some still exhibit the wild temperament of their ancestors. Bengal's are not accepted by all associations.

Bombay-the sleek, glossy black coat and copper eyes of this breed make it resemble a miniature black panther. It was developed from the Burmese breed and has a muscular body type and affectionate, playful temperament. In Britain, the Bombay is a specific type of Asian Shorthair and not a separate breed.

British Shorthair-resembling a teddy bear, this breed exhibits an overall "roundness" and plushness of coat texture. The color most associated is blue, but these cats are found in a number of other colors and patterns. A calm, quiet companion.

Burmese-an affectionate, even-tempered cat with a sleek, glossy coat. Mischievous and intelligent, its traditional color is sable, but it also comes in blue, champagne and platinum.

Burmilla-specific type of Asian Shorthair and not a separate breed. Developed from a cross between the chinchilla Persian and Burmese, it is known for its shaded patterns and short, sleek coat. This is a relatively new variety, that is virtually unknown in the U.S.

California Spangled Cat-medium sized spotted "designer cat" which was featured in the Neiman Marcus catalog in the early 90's. Never developed as a legitimate breed, it is unrecognized and virtually unknown outside of California where this "fad" cat began.

Chartreux-breed of French origin which is said to have been originally raised as a companion by the Carthusian monks. This breed has one of the most luxurious coats of any cat. A sturdy cat known from its thick blue coat, brilliant orange eyes,"smiling" expression and quiet, sweet temperament.

Chausie- new hybrid breed of domestic cats and the wild African jungle cat. A large cat, generally twice as tall and 2-3 times as heavy as a domestic cat. Experimental breeders are striving to maintain the look and coloration of the jungle cat, including the large size, tufted ears and golden, solid black or black and silver coloring. Work with this breed is limited to a few breeders and it is not widely recognized in the U.S.

Colorpoint Shorthair (also known as Oriental)-this breed, first developed from Siamese stock in Great Britain during the late 1940's, remains a close off-shoot of the Siamese. It matches the Siamese in size, conformation and personality and is still cross-bred to Siamese today. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Cornish Rex-leggy, slender cat with a marcel-waved coat, curly whiskers and huge ears, which resembles no other breed. One of the few breeds which is considered to be "hypoallergenic" as they have only one coat, which feels like crushed velvet to the touch, and do not shed. They come in almost any color and pattern, have a very distinctive personality, are inquisitive, very intelligent and devoted companions. They are the result of a natural mutation in a litter of barn cats found in Cornwall, England in the 1940's and are an entirely separate breed from the Devon Rex.

Devon Rex-the Devon is a "moderate" version of the more exotic Cornish Rex, though an entirely separate breed. The coat is less wavy and "fluffy", with a heavier, medium body, but still shed very little. Another breed that is considered "hypoallergenic" and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. They are friendly, curious and interactive with their households.

Egyptian Mau-One of the oldest cat breeds, which originated in ancient Egypt, this is the only "naturally-spotted" domestic cat. A medium cat which is fairly rare, they are sweet and loyal companions. They come in such colors as bronze spotted, silver spotted and black smoke.

Exotic Shorthair-this breed was developed from crossing Persians with various types of Shorthairs, including the American, but it retains much of its Persian lineage. The breed has the body and head type of the Persian, but has a short, plush coat. They come in the same rainbow of colors and patterns as the Persian and temperamentally they are also similar to Persians, quiet, calm and affectionate. This breed is jokingly called "a Persian in pajamas".

Havana Brown-this breed was developed in the late 1940's in Great Britain. It is a medium-sized cat with a lustrous chocolate coat. It has rather large ears, a distinctive "corn cob" muzzle and glistening green eyes. The Havana is quiet but playful and a definite member of the household.

Japanese Bobtail-this breed has existed in Japan for over 1000 years. It is distinguished by a naturally short "corkscrew" tail, tufted with hair to resemble a bunny tail. The most common color patter is the tri-color, or mi-ke (white with red and black) which is considered a good luck pattern, but other colors and patterns are also acceptable. This breed is a lively companion, usually quite "talkative" and is recognized in both semi-longhair and shorthair varieties.

Korat-this breed hails from Thailand where it is known as a "good luck charm" among the natives. It is a strikingly handsome cat that has a shimmering dark silvery-blue color, with piercing gold-green eyes. This breed usually develops a very close bond with its family, but often does not like intrusions or interruptions by outsiders.

LaPerm--result of a natural mutation in a domestic shorthair cat, this breed is distinguished by a strongly curled coat (like a tight permanent). This medium sized cat can be either longhair or shorthair and is available in a variety colors and patterns.

Manx-very old English breed, distinguished by its stub tail, or in some cases, no tail at all. This natural mutation originated on the Isle of Man, hence the name "Manx". They are stocky and rounded in appearance, with short backs and long hind legs that make them appear rabbit-like. The thick coat can be either shorthair or semi-long, where they are known as Cymrics. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns and is a quiet, sedentary cat, which is rarely vocal. Unfortunately, a number of genetic and physical problems have become associated with this breed due to in-breeding.

Munchkin-this breed is short-legged (like a Dachshund dog) resulting from a natural mutation of domestic cats. It is considered a provisional breed and is not widely recognized by feline associations, although it is more widely available than many other experimental breeds in the U.S.

Ocicat- although the coat pattern resembles the Mexican and Central American ocelot, the Ocicat is not related to this wild cat. The spots were achieved through selective breeding of Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair stock. The Ocicat makes a fine pet and is quite outgoing and friendly. They are available in various patterns and in several different colors.