The Russian Blue

The Russian Blue is a blue shorthaired cat that is sometimes confused with other breeds, such as the Charteux and the Korat. However, the Russian Blue has a very distinctive look that goes beyond the color of its fur. The eyes are always a vivid green, the body is always lean and svelte, the ears are always wide at the base, and the face is slightly wedge-shaped. Their short fur has a unique plush quality. The coat has a nearly metallic appearance thanks to the silver-tipped guard hairs.

The Russian Blue really does come from Russia. Its appearance isn’t the result of selective breeding: The Russian Blue was bred by Mother Nature, though people have subsequently refined its traits and characteristics. This is a sturdy, healthy cat that doesn’t suffer from genetic defects.

Russian Blues are friendly but shy creatures who hide when there are strangers around. They prefer to watch from afar and make sure all is well before they will approach someone new. Although they can get along with everyone in the family, they usually bond to one special person. Because of their cautious natures, not all Russian Blues are suited for cat shows.

Although they are reserved with strangers, they are very agile and clever cats that can learn tricks. There are stories about Russian Blue cats learning how to open doors by hanging on to the doorknobs until it twists in the right direction.

Russian Blues do best in a quiet, stable household. They are gentle and affectionate cats with their own winning charms.

Exotic Shorthair

Many people love the Persian cat for its pansy-like face and docile temperament, but they simply don’t have the time or desire to brush and brush that long coat of fur on a daily basis. For them, there is the Exotic Shorthair. The Exotic resembles a Persian in every way, except it lacks the long fur.

Physically, the Exotic is built like a Persian: It has the same rounded face, cheeks, and stocky body that the Persian has under its extra long fur. At cat shows, the showing of an Exotic is like showing a Persian in its underwear: Physical defects are much harder to conceal.

The first Exotics were bred in the 1960s from Persians and American Shorthairs. The Exotic’s temperament is very similar to the Persian’s quiet and docile nature. However, the Exotic is a bit more lively and adaptable. While a Persian will serenely play with a bit of feather or paper, the Exotic is much more likely to pounce. They are curious and clever. Many people think this spark comes from the Exotic’s American Shorthair ancestors.

Although the Exotic does not require as much grooming as the Persian, this breed does have other needs. Its large eyes are prone to tearing up like the Persians, which means that the Exotic occasionally needs a gentle eyewash.

If you want a cat with the looks and temperament of the Persian, but you really don’t have the time to invest in daily brushing, the Exotic cat may fit your lifestyle better. The “lazy man’s Persian” is a sweet-natured cat that’s easy to love.

LaPerm Cat

Something extraordinary happened in 1982 on a farm in Oregon: A tabby named Speedy gave birth to a litter of kittens, and one of them was hairless! As if that wasn’t strange enough, the kitten eventually grew soft, curly hair that Linda Koehl had never seen before. Curly, the patient and affectionate cat with frizzy fur, was the first of the LaPerm breed.

Curly’s kittens all grew up to have soft curly hair just like her, and they sired even more curly-haired kittens. Linda knew these cats were unique, but she didn’t realize what a stir they would cause when she brought some of them to a cat show to ask if anyone recognized the breed. She had something unique.

The LaPerm’s soft, bouncy fur doesn’t require much maintenance, since it doesn’t mat easily. They will only need to be brushed occasionally. Like a poodle, LaPerms shed very little. You won’t have to de-fuzz yourself after your LaPerm finishes snuggling in your lap.

LaPerm kittens are not always attractive. Sometimes they are born bald, while others lose all their downy fur once or twice before growing it back again. The first few months of life can be most unpredictable!

Because they come from hardy farm stock, LaPerms don’t have nearly the health and genetic problems that other breeds often suffer from. They are also patient, inquisitive, and affectionate. They love to be held and petted.

Athough the gene responsible for their unique fur is dominant, sometimes a straight-haired kitten will be born to a LaPerm. However, they still possess the charming LaPerm personality that makes them very desirable pets.

The Sphynx Cat

The hairless Sphynx is easily the most unique and downright alien-looking of cats. Actually, it’s not true that Sphynx cats are completely bald: They are covered with a very fine down that makes them feel like warm chamois.

The Sphynx cat came to be as a result of a spontaneous mutation. One of the earliest documented cases was in the 1960s, when a hairless kitten was born to a domestic shorthair in Canada. Efforts to breed more of these cats began soon after.

Since other cats require brushing, you’d think that the Sphynx cat doesn’t need much maintenance. Actually, their lack of fur creates other needs: Because they don’t have fur to absorb oils, they need to be bathed at least once a week. Their ears also need to be cleaned since they lack hairs that help prevent ‘gunk build-up.” The corners of their eyes also need to be gently wiped with a wet washcloth periodically.

Some people who are allergic to cats can tolerate living with a Sphynx cat. This isn’t always the case, though: Allergies vary from person to person.

Sphynx cats have a higher metabolism than other breeds, so they tend to eat more. Because they lack fur, their bodies have to work extra hard to keep them warm. A Sphynx cat should be kept indoors: Like us humans, they get cold easily and they can get sunburned. They also have intensely curious natures that can lead them into dangerous situations.

The Sphynx cat has a very lively personality, often described as part child and part monkey. They are clever, extroverted, and full of fun. They like to snuggle and be around people. They are good cats to own, if you can get one: They are still rare, and breeders often have a waiting list!

The Persian Cat

The Persian cat has long been associated with class and sophistication. This image is played up in the Fancy Feast commercials, where a Persian cat glides her way to a crystal goblet full of moist cat food.

Many people think of a fluffy white cat when they think of the Persian, but this breed actually comes on a wide variety of colors. The Persian cat has short, big-boned legs and a cobby body, so they don’t jump up on things as much as other cats do.

Although the Persian cat has a very mild and sweet temperament, she is high maintenance. It’s not because she’ll turn her nose up at anything that isn’t served in an expensive goblet by a manservant. Rather, it’s because she needs help to keep her fur healthy and beautiful. Persian cats have long, soft coats of fur that need to be brushed daily. They also need to be bathed frequently, a routine that’s best introduced while they’re still kittens. They also need their faces washed since their eyes are prone to tearing up.

Persians can be at risk for respiratory problems because of their flattened, pansy-like faces. However, good breeders know that a healthy cat is the number one priority, so they are careful about which cats they breed. A well-bred Persian cat will be just as healthy as any other cat.

These gentle cats do best in a quiet, tranquil atmosphere. If you’re prepared to give a Persian cat the care she needs, then she will make a wonderful pet.

The Main Coon Cat

The Maine Coon is a natural breed that came to be without human intervention. Nature favored these cats as best suited for survival in New England’s harsh winters. The story goes that people used to think these bushy-tailed cats were part-raccoon, which we now know is genetically impossible. The Maine Coon are probably the result of shorthaired cats mating with longhaired cats brought overseas.

The long, insulating, water-resistant fur isn’t for show: It keeps the cat very warm. The fur on the neck is mane-like, and they even have furry “britches” for their back legs. They have fur between the toes of their big, snowshoe-like paws. Their bushy tails are often as long as their bodies. Some have lynx-like tassels of fur on the tips of their ears.

They can be almost any combination of colors and patterns, with few exceptions. Lilac, chocolate, and “Siamese” point coloration are not part of the natural breed.

They are well adapted for hunting: They have large eyes and ears, enabling them to detect sound and movement better. They are strong, big-boned, and often use their paws to grasp and pick things up.

It takes Maine Coons longer than other cats to reach their full size, sometimes as long as five years. The male can reach a length of 40 inches and weigh in between 10 and 18 pounds. The female tends to be slightly smaller.

Maine Coons have a light, chirpy meow that sounds kittenish. They love to be around people, but they are not overly dependant and generally aren’t comfortable as lap-cats. They are playful and curious, sometimes learning to play fetch. It’s no surprise that they’re extremely popular: They are easy-going, amusing, and friendly cats.

The Siamese Cat

The Siamese cat is a very distinctive and ancient breed that originated in Siam, or what is now known as Thailand. Legend has it that these cats were a favorite among royalty and that they guarded Buddhist temples from evil spirits. Siamese cats were first introduced to the western world in 1884, when General Edward Gould brought back a breeding pair to Britain as a gift for his sister.

The Siamese cat has a cream or fawn-colored coat of short fur with contrasting dark “points.” The points are the ears, the snout, the tail, and the paws. They have intensely blue, almond-shaped eyes. The most common and desirable breed of the Siamese has a very elongated body and a long wedge-shaped face. Some Siamese are cross-eyed and have kinks in their tails, but thanks to selective breeding, these features are rare. When present, they do not affect the cat’s behavior.

Siamese cats are partial albinos: They have a mutated gene that is heat sensitive. The melanin-producing gene is dormant at normal body temperatures, but it activates at slightly cooler temperatures. Siamese kittens are born pure white, but as they age, their fur darkens at the extremes of their bodies where they get coldest.

Siamese cats are very friendly and vocal. They like to be around people and “talk” to their owners constantly. They have a very loud meow that sometimes sounds like a crying baby. Sometimes they sound like they’re in pain, but they’re really just trying to get their point across. If you want an extroverted cat who likes to be conversational, the Siamese cat just might be the breed for you.