The Bristol is a cat that is shrouded in mystery, probably due to its rarity. Though once admitted into the International Cat Association (TICA) as a breed in their own right, they were dropped due to poor numbers and fertility problems. Instead of claiming that the Bristol is a separate breed, it might be better to consider the Bristol a hybrid, or designer cat.
It is impossible to know exactly when the first Bristol cat was bred. It is also difficult to be sure of the ancestry of the first Bristol cats. They do resemble the Bengal, but only to a certain degree, and it is thought that the Bristol actually predates the Bengal by many years. If this is the case, it is unlikely that the Bristol is a variation of the Bengal. Due to its exotic nature, it is rather more likely that the Bristol is a cross between the American Shorthair and the margay.
These cats tend to resemble an orange ocicat. Some have a smoky charcoal appearance, which is unlike a Bengal, while others had white or pale bellies and legs. They also had margay-type rosettes, an ocelot-like voice, and small, rounded ears. The ears, which are unlike their American Shorthair ancestors, are certainly an indication that a non-domestic cat is the other parent.
In 1991, some of these cats were found at a private residence in Texas. These cats were once registered with TICA as “Bristol Cats.” However, their chronic infertility had caused TICA to drop the breed many years before. Indeed, the cats in Texas, though beautiful and affectionate, were not very fertile. These cats had several characteristics that were definitely not of domestic origins, such as the ears, pattern, color, and head shape. While documentation of these cats remains unproven, experts do believe that these cats were a result of crossing domestic shorthairs or American Shorthairs with the wild margay.
Today, the margay and the American Shorthair are occasionally bred to create this interesting crossbreed. Considered designer cats, the Bristol cannot be thought of a true breed. This is because one of the defining characteristics of a breed is the fertility of the offspring. However, the American Shorthair-margay cross produces kittens of limited fertility. When these kittens are successfully bred together (which occurs only rarely), they do not appear to produce kittens with noticeable or sustained fertility.
These cats are considered rare and are sought after by those who can find a breeder and are willing to pay the high price tag.
Discussions on which is the largest cat breed abound. There is much debate over which recognized breed is truly the largest, usually because the term ‘largest’ is open to interpretation. It could mean the tallest cat, or perhaps the one which weighs the most. However, in the world of cat fancy, when speaking of the largest cat, most experts would agree that the defining characteristic is weight.
This still can lead to a bit of confusion, so experts go on to define this further. The largest breed is considered the cat which has the greatest weight within its own breed standard. This means that simply overfeeding a cat will not mean that suddenly that particulr breed is the largest. Instead, the cat(s) in question must meet their breed standard, avoiding penalties and disqualifications in all shows. Of course, this also means that the breed must be recognized by a fair number of associations and federations around the world in order to be considered the largest breed of domestic cat.
This limits the field quite a bit. The Savannah might be considered to be the largest breed, as they sometimes weigh an average of 20-27 pounds; some cats weigh as much as 30 pounds. However, since they are not formally recognized by either the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) or the Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF), it is quite easy to eliminate this breed as a contender for the title ‘largest cat breed.’
The Norwegian Forest Cat is fairly large as well, and it is recognized by most associations around the world. However, this cat is more tall than heavy. Though it weighs anywhere from 13-22 pounds. Though this breed is obviously fairly tall, there are heavier and taller cats still.
The mysterious Ragdoll, beautiful and perfect for families, is another large breed. Weighing from 15-20 pounds, it would appear to be smaller than the Norwegian Forest Cat. However, these cats sometimes weight up to 25 pounds while still conforming to their breed standard. This would appear to put them at the front of the pack, so to speak. The Ragamuffin, a distinct breed in its own right, is very similar to the Ragdoll in terms of size.
The Maine Coon Cat, a native of New England, is a breed that has a large following. They are one of the most popular breeds in the United States and Canada, and have steadily gained ground in Europe. The origins of this cat are subject to much debate, but it is clear that the Maine Coon Cat has long since established itself as a legitimate breed. It also is one of the heaviest, weighing anywhere from 15-25 pounds.
The Ragdoll, Ragamuffin, and Maine Coon Cat all seem to have similar weights. In this case, it is helpful to look at the relative lengths of the cats. To date, there has not been a Ragdoll or Ragamuffin measured that has turned out to be longer than the longest Maine Coon Cat. If you combine the relative weights and sizes of these differing breeds, it becomes clear that the Maine Coon Cat is the largest of all domestic cat breeds.
Maine Coon Cats certainly deserve their reputation as the largest of all cats. Their weight and size give them a larger appearance and feel than any other breed of domestic cat. As such, there can be little debate when it comes to the largest cat, if you use weight as the first criteria, and break the tie with length (from the nose to the tip of the tail).
The first longhaired cats, as a breed, were first seen in Europe in the 1500s. These were the ancestors of the Turkish Angora. Another breed, the Persian, was imported from Persia into Italy in the early 1600s. The Persian and Angora were later crossbred, leading to the development of additional longhaired cat breeds.
Today, there are eight commonly recognized breeds of longhaired cats, at least by most associations throughout the world. Most other breeds actually have cats which are medium in length. Each of these breeds is unique and separate from the others, having their own special traits and personalities.
The American Curl Longhair is a medium-sized cat native to North America. The ears of this cat curl backwards, making the cat appear to be quite happy and open. These elegant cats are born with straight ears, which begin to curl shortly after birth. Generally, the ears are fully curled by sixteen weeks of age, though the degree of curl varies widely. These cats are friendly and intelligent, and they get along well with children.
The Balinese is an elegant and graceful cat. Its long silky fur lacks an undercoat, which makes grooming easier than some longhaired breeds. They have sapphire blue eyes and coloring similar to that of a Siamese. These cats are very loyal and people-oriented, and they are fairly vocal. These cats do not do well when left on their own, so most people who have to be away from home will invest in two of these cats.
The Birman is a larger cat with a stocky build. These cats come in all pointed colors, just like Balinese would, but they have distinctive white gloves on both the front and back feet, making them truly stand out from other cats of this coloring. The Birman makes a wonderful family pet, as they are typically patient, active, and playful.
The Maine Coon Cat is a beautiful example of a longhaired cat. Its coat is water resistant and heavy, and its tail is long and bushy. The coat is easy to maintain, normally requiring only a weekly grooming. They come in many colors, and make excellent companions for large families, as they love attention. A fairly quite breed, they love to play, either alone or with others.
The Norwegian Forest Cat may appear to be large and unwieldy, but is really quite strong and agile. These cats come in all patterns and colors. The Norwegian Forest Cat usually requires twice-weekly grooming. These cats can be more independent that some other breeds, and are adaptable and mild-mannered.
Of all the longhaired breeds, the Persian is probably the most famous. They have short legs, a cobby body, and a stub nose. Their coats are long and luxurious, but they do require daily grooming and regular bathing to keep them in good form. These cats prefer a quieter household, and usually don’t object to being left alone to laze in the sun for a few hours.
One of the larger cat breeds in the world, the Ragdoll can take up to four years to reach maturity. They are beautiful, fluffy, and have long bodies with strong boning. They have large eyes and a sweet expression that matches their personalities. Though longhaired, the Ragdoll actually sheds very little. These cats all have blue eyes, and come in many colors and patterns. Ragdolls are relaxed and very friendly. They are wonderful with other pets, and will allow children to handle then and even dress them up.
The final longhaired cat breed is the ballerina of all cats, the Turkish Angora. This cat is elegant and fine-boned, with large eyes and large ears. The tail is a plume of silky hair that flows out behind the cat at it walks. The Turkish Angora is a true acrobat with soft hair that rarely mats. This cat sometimes has odd-eyes, which means that one eye will be blue, the other yellow, brown, or green. Their penchant for activity makes them an entertaining addition to your household.
There are many longhaired cats in the world, and each one is unique. Before deciding on a particular breed, do your research. Choose the breed that is right for you and your lifestyle. That way, both you and the cat will be happy with the match.
This is a qustion I'm often asked by people seeking to purchase a kitten. Unfortunately, there's no easy answer. Cat breeds are so numerous that you could spend years reseraching them. So, narrow down your choices before you begin your search.
First, determine your reason for purchasing a kitten. Do you want a voal cat who will talk to you frequently? Consider a Siamese. American Shorthair are typically a good choice for families. The Abyssinian is graceful and gentle.
For those seeking a more exotic feline companion, the Oriental Shorthair or Egyptian Mau might be a better choice. If you want something truly stunning, the Balinese is quite attractive. Of course, any of the longhaired cats will satisfy the need for a beautiful cat, but will require more maintenance.
Essentially, the choice of breed is a matter of personal preference. One you've made this decision, choosing a kitten truly does become easier.
