Machine Name
cat
himalayan
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Himalayan

One of the most beloved cat breeds, the Himalayan craves affection and loves to be petted. The Himmy is a devoted, loyal companion that is good with children and other pets. This poised, sweet feline is calm and self-assured. She is also active and playful well into her senior years. A healthy, long-lived breed, the Himalayan’s body is various shades of white to fawn with point colours on her facial mask and extremities.

DID YOU KNOW? In 1950, an American cat breeder, Marguerita Goforth, began developing the Himalayan by crossing a Siamese and Persian. The Himalayan features the colour and pattern of a Siamese and the short, heavy-boned body and coat of the Persian, thus is referred to as a pointed pattern Persian.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Highly active and inquisitive cat
  • Sociable and dependent cat
  • Somehow talkative cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming every day
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Indoor cat
  • Great family cat
Living Considerations
 Good for family multi-pet households, not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium to large, with males weighing 4 to 6.5 kilograms and females weighing 3 to 5 kilograms
Coat
 Long
Temperament
Playful, active, social
Grooming
 Daily
Shedding
 Heavy
Vocalisation
 Moderate
Havana Brown
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Havana Brown

The Havana Brown is called the puppy of the cat fancy because this breed loves to follow her owners everywhere. Outgoing, playful and charming, Brownies are intelligent and easily trained to fetch. Unlike cats that use their sense of smell to investigate curiosities, this feline extends her paws, often appearing to be holding out a paw of friendship. The Havana Brown is social and doesn’t like being left alone too long.

DID YOU KNOW? The Havana Brown was named for the similarity of her lovely burnished, mahogany-toned, glossy coat to the brown color of Havana cigars. The Havana Brown is exclusive to North America. The Chestnut Brown, the European version of the Havana Brown, is the equivalent of the chestnut Oriental Shorthair.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Playful and curious cat
  • Sociable and dependent cat
  • Somehow talkative cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Indoor cat
  • Great family cat
Living Considerations
 Good for family multi-pet households, not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium, with males weighing 3.5 to 5 kilograms and females weighing 3 to 4 kilograms
Coat
Short to medium, smooth, lustrous
Temperament
Playful, adaptable, social
Grooming
 Rarely/Never
Shedding
Yes
Vocalisation
Soft, intimate voice
Balinese-Javanese
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Balinese-Javanese

A Siamese in every nature except for her long, silky ermine coat, the Balinese, also known as the Javanese, has a distinctive luxurious tail plume. This long, slender cat is lithe but muscular. An easygoing breed with a clownlike personality, the Balinese adores people. This regal, aristocratic, intelligent cat is talkative, though less vocal than the Siamese. A healthy breed, the Balinese can live up to 20 years.

DID YOU KNOW? The long, elegant body of the Balinese prompted the breed being named after the graceful dancers from the island of Bali.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Highly active and inquisitive cat
  • Friendly but independent cat
  • Very talkative cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Indoor cat
  • Great family cat

 

Living Considerations
 Not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium, with males weighing 5.5 to 7.5 kilograms and females weighing 3.5 to 5.5 kilograms
Coat
Medium
Temperament
 Active, affectionate, demands attention
Grooming
 Monthly
Shedding
Yes
Vocalisation
Talkative
American Shorthair
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American Shorthair

Ancestors of the American Shorthair hunted rats on the ships of early European settlers. These cats flourished alongside the pioneers, eventually becoming the native North American shorthair cat. A true working breed, the American Shorthair is strongly built. This healthy, long-lived cat stands out for her beauty and quiet disposition and makes an ideal companion for families with children and those having cat friendly dogs.

DID YOU KNOW? The American Shorthair, originally known as the Domestic Shorthair, became one of the first five breeds recognized in the U.S. when it was registered in 1906. The breed was renamed the American Shorthair in 1966 to better capture its “All-American” character.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Calm cat
  • Friendly but independent cat
  • Quiet cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Indoor cat
  • Great family cat
Living Considerations
 Good for multi-pet households, not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium to large, with males weighing 5 to 7 kilograms and females weighing 3.5 to 5.5 kilograms
Coat
Short
Temperament
Calm
Grooming
 Monthly
Shedding
Yes
Vocalisation
Quiet
American Curl
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American Curl

The American Curl has distinctive curled ears that form a graceful arc, giving an alert, perky expression. This breed is known as the “Peter Pan” of cats due to retaining its kittenlike personality throughout life. The Curl has two coat varieties, shorthair and longhair. With her outstanding temperament, the Curl is a people-oriented breed that makes an affectionate soul mate and easily adjusts to other pets and children.

DID YOU KNOW? The American Curl has an autosomal dominant ear curling gene that is responsible for the breed’s famous curled ears. Kittens are born with straight ears that begin to curl backward after three to five days.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Playful and curious cat
  • Friendly but independent cat
  • Quiet cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Indoor cat
  • Great family cat
Living Considerations
 Good for multi-pet households, not hypoallergenic
Size
Small to medium, with males weighing 3 to 4.5 kilograms and females weighing 2 to 3.5 kilograms
Coat
Short (shorthair) and semi-long (longhair)Temperament
Grooming
Weekly
Shedding
Minimal
Vocalisation
Quiet
American Bobtail
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American Bobtail

Confident and friendly, the American Bobtail is a highly intelligent breed with a clownlike personality. Looking much like a bobtailed wildcat, this rare and athletic breed can be taught to walk on a leash. The American Bobtail has two coat varieties, shorthair and longhair, and does not reach adulthood until 2 or 3 years old. A devoted family companion, this cat interacts well with people of all ages and is ideal with children.

DID YOU KNOW?
The American Bobtail has a naturally short bob tail that can be seen clearly above the back when the cat is alert. No tail is exactly the same, but the average length is 2.5 to 10.5 centimetres.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Playful and curious cat
  • Sociable and dependent cat
  • Somehow talkative cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming every day
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Indoor cat
  • Great family cat
Living Considerations
 Not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium to large, with males weighing 4.5 to 7.5 kilograms and females weighing 3 to 5 kilograms
Coat
Medium (shorthair) and long (longhair)Temperament
Grooming
Yes
Shedding
Yes
Vocalisation
Average, considered mostly quiet but will trill, chirp and click when delighted
Turkish Van
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Turkish Van

The beautiful Turkish Van is distinguished by her chalk-white body and coloured markings on the head and long, plumed tail. This curious feline has powerful hind legs that allow her to jump on otherwise hard-to-reach spaces. The sweet, loving breed likes to be involved in whatever is going on and enjoys curling up on a lap. A slow-maturing breed, the Turkish Van takes three to five years to reach maturity.

DID YOU KNOW? The Turkish Van is a rare, ancient breed that developed in central and Southeast Asia, in areas known today as Iran, Iraq, southwest Soviet Union and eastern Turkey.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Playful and curious cat
  • Friendly but independent cat
  • Somehow talkative cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming every day
  • Outdoor cat
  • May require familiarisation before living with children
Living Considerations
 Good in multi-pet households, not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium to large, with males weighing 4 to 9 kilograms and females weighing 3 to 5.5 kilograms
Coat
Semi-long, fine, cashmere-like
Temperament
 Energetic, mischievous, intelligent
Grooming
 Weekly
Shedding
Yes
Vocalisation
 Loud
Personality

Turkish Van cats are extremely intelligent and friendly and they make excellent companions. They are lively cats and will enjoy playing games with humans or other cats and so they need stimluaton and a chance to play. Turkish Van cats have soft voices.

 

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Turkey

 

Other Names: : Turkish Swimming Cat

 

The most amazing characteristic of the Turkish Van cat is its affinity with water. It not only likes water but also seems to enjoy a swim. The breed originates from the area surrounding Lake Van in Turkey and has been domesticated there for hundreds of years. In the 1950s a pair of Turkish Van cats were brought back to Britain by a holidaying couple and they began to breed these distinctively marked cats in the UK.

 

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Other Information

Health and common issues

 

At present there are no diseases specifically linked to this breed. As with all cats, the Turkish Van breed needs vaccinations, parasite control and annual veterinary health checks.

 

Best cat breeds for children

 

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.

 

Tonkinese
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Tonkinese

The colourful personality of the Tonkinese is one of the breed’s greatest attributes. Muscular and active, with a sense of humor, this feline enjoys playing, climbing and whizzing by at warp speed. With her warm, loving personality, the Tonk craves human attention and shouldn’t be left alone for long periods. This is a lap cat that prefers playmates, including children, other cats and cat friendly dogs.

DID YOU KNOW? The Tonkinese, like her ancestral breeds, the Burmese and Siamese, becomes darker as she ages. A pointed Tonkinese is born white, with the point colours beginning to develop when kittens are a few days old. They do not develop their full, rich colours for several years

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Highly active and inquisitive cat
  • Sociable and dependent cat
  • Somehow talkative cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Outdoor cat
  • Great family cat
Living Considerations
 Good in multi-pet households, not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium, with males weighing 3.5 to 5 kilograms and females weighing 3 to 4 kilograms
Coat
 Medium-short fine, silly
Temperament
 Affectionate, outgoing, active
Grooming
 Rarely/Never
Shedding
Yes
Vocalisation
Loud, purrs and talks in a soft voice when shown affection
Personality

The Tonkinese cat breed has the same affectionate, friendly nature, as its close relatives the Burmese and Siamese. These cats are very people-orientated and make ideal family pets – they are said to be very inquisitive and intelligent. They can be trained to do tricks and require toys and games for amusement. They love company and if they are to be left alone for long periods of time a companion is a necessity. They are quite vocal and will chatter happily to you and follow you around.

 

History and Origins

Country of Origin: USA

 

Other Names: : Golden Siamese

 

The Tonkinese cat breed is the result of crossing a Siamese cat with a Burmese cat and, therefore, displays characteristics from both breeds. Mostly ignored when they were first developed as 'Golden Siamese' cat in America 1950s, it was not until the 1960s when they reappeared as Tonkinese that their popularity grew.

 

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Other Information

Health and common issues

 

Currently there are no specific inherited problems reported with the Tonkinese cat breed. As with all cats, Tonkinese cats benefit from protection against disease through vaccination and need regular parasite control and annual veterinary health checks.

 

Best cat breeds for children

 

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.

 

Tiffanie
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Tiffanie

The Tiffanie cat is built like the Burmese, but with a longer coat. The head forms a short wedge shape, with large to medium ears. The long tail is plumed. The eyes are set well apart and are neither almond-shaped nor roundand can be any colour from yellow through to green. The body is firm and muscular with a strong straight back.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Playful and curious cat
  • Sociable and dependent cat
  • Somehow talkative cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming every day
  • Needs some out-door space
  • Great family cat
Personality

The Tiffanie cat is friendly and affectionate. This breed loves attention and needs to be part of the family. Tiffanie cats can be quite demanding and often follow their owners around the house crying for attention. The Asian group of cats seems to be intelligent and can often work out such problems as how to open doors. If spoken to they often appear to understand and answer. They can be very sensitive to their owner's feelings and this makes them excellent companions.

 

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Britain The Tiffanie cat is the only semi-longhaired member of the Asian group. Apart from the Burmilla, which was the product of an accidental mating between a male chinchilla and a lilac female Burmese, the cats of the Asian Group were brought about by breeders attempting to create cats of Burmese type, but in colours not recognised in Burmese cats. During the course of the Asian breeding programme, some litters contained kittens with longer coats, and these cats were used to produce this attractive new breed.

 

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Other Information

Health and common issues

 

There are no specific conditions relating to the Tiffanie cat breed in veterinary literature. As with all cats, Asian cats benefit from protection against disease through vaccination and need regular parasite control and annual veterinary health checks.

 

Best cat breeds for children

 

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.

 

Sphynx
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Sphynx

The hairless Sphynx is muscular with broad ears and a wide-eyed, friendly expression. This sweet-natured, lively cat is inquisitive and loves being the centre of attention. A devoted, affectionate feline, the Sphynx follows her human companions everywhere, purring with delight. This breed does not do well when left alone all day. The Sphynx is a healthy, hardy cat.

DID YOU KNOW? Though mostly a hairless breed, some Sphynx have a fine down on their body. Despite being hairless, the Sphynx requires weekly sponge baths to remove sebaceous oils from their skin, as they do not have hair to absorb the oils like most cats. If the oils are not wiped down, these cats could feel sticky to the touch and could develop skin problems.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Highly active and inquisitive cat
  • Sociable and dependent cat
  • Very talkative cat
  • Lean and elegant cat breed
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Hypoallergenic breed
  • Indoor cat
  • May require familiarisation before living with children
Living Considerations
 Good in multi-pet households, not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium to large, with males weighing 4.5 to 7 kilograms and females weighing 3 to 5.5 kilograms
Coat
Hairless, though some have a fine down
Temperament
 Loyal, inquisitive, lively
Grooming
 Rarely/Never
Shedding
 No
Vocalisation
Loud
Personality

The Sphynx cat is outgoing, mischievous, people-orientated and loves attention. These cats often greet their owners when they come home and are very talkative. They are highly intelligent, playful and cuddly. Sphynxes are champion purrers. They like to sleep with their owners - under the covers. Their body temperature is a degree or two above the average for normal cats and they have voracious appetites to compensate for the heat loss. With little protection against the elements, these cats cannot be left out in the cold, they don't like to sit on cold surfaces and they do appreciate central heating! Those that do go outside in the sun may need sun protection on pale skin.

 

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Canada

 

Other Names: : Canadian Hairless Cat

 

Hairless cats have been known for generations; the Aztecs are said to have kept hairless cats. The Sphynx cat is the first hairless cat breed that has been bred specifically for that trait. The breeding programme began in 1966 in Ontario, Canada when a pet cat gave birth to a hairless male kitten. However, most Sphynx cats born today are descended from three hairless kittens found in Toronto in 1978.

 

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Other Information

Health and common issues

 

The breed is prone to skin problems including the development of rashes and fungal infections. Care must be taken to protect the Sphynx cat from sunburn. As with all cats, Sphynx cats benefit from protection against disease through vaccination and need annual veterinary health checks.

 

Best cat breeds for children

 

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.

 

Cat