The Many Longhaired Cat Breeds

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.

How to Choose the Right Cat Breed

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.

Cat Stories: My Mysterious Cat

I know that I usually post useful information on cat breeds, or kittens, or whatever else might help my readers. However, today, I decided to do something a little different. Today, I thought I’d share one of my recent experiences with my cat, a cat who is so full of contradictions, difficult to predict … and yet I love him.

I spent some time the other day observing my own feline companion, Magick, and he never ceases to amaze me. Black as night, with a long tail that’s kinked at the end, he moves with such stealth that I don’t even know he’s there until he wants me to. Then he sits there, staring up at me with his glittering yellow eyes, and he says a single word — “Meow.”

Like all cats, he expects me to know the meaning of this single sound immediately, for he turns and walks about, never glancing back. At this point, I am supposed to immediately comply with his demand. The problem is, I don’t know what that demand is.

 

Magick likes to be mysterious, and I’m sure he’s laughing on the inside as I try to decipher his meaning. I go through the motions, and if he could speak, the conversation would have gone something like this:

 

Me: “Food?”

 

Magick: “No, I ate already.”

 

Me: “Outside?”

 

Magick: “Are you kidding? It’s 40 below!?”

 

Me: “A scratch?”

 

Magick: “Don’t touch me.”

 

After several minutes I look him in the eye and declare, “I just don’t know what you want, buddy.”

 

Taking pity on poor, confused me, he walks to the fridge. I open it an he paws at the container of leftover spaghetti. How silly of me. Not cat food. Spaghetti. All cat loves spaghetti. Don’t they?

 

A piece of advice: When choosing a kitten, never go for the innocent-looking ones with kinked tails. They torment you later in life.

 

Magick definitely has me trained.

Cat Breed Facts: Abyssinian

Abyssinians are one of the most majestic and popular cats today. From their stunning coat pattern to their splendid conformation, these cats are truly a beauty to behold. Their balanced temperaments make them wonderful companions, and their regal bearing makes them seem to know far more than they should.

The Development of the Abyssinian

The ancient origins of the Abyssinian are composed of many alternating theories. Some claim that the Abyssinian is descended from cats worshipped by the Egyptians over four thousand years ago. Others are sure that the Abyssinian first originated in the deep jungles of North Africa, and that they were later brought to England by sailors in the late 1860s. Still others are convinced that the Abyssinian began as nothing more than ticked tabbies in the fields of Great Britain. Regardless of its ancient origins, the Abyssinian has developed into a very distinctive breed.

The first Abyssinian to arrive in the United States belonged to a woman named Jan Cathcart of New Jersey, and these cats were probably silver in color. Though these cats were shown in Boston in 1909, the first recorded Abyssinian litter was not born in the United States until 1935.

After World War II, the development of the Abyssinian progressed rapidly due mostly to increased interest in the breed. At first, Abyssinians were difficult and uncooperative at shows, as they did not adjust well to being handled by strangers. Since those days, the temperament of the Abyssinian has greatly improved, largely due to selective breeding.

Colors range for the Abyssinian. Accepted colors include blue, fawn, red, ruddy, lilac, and cream. All Abyssinians have distinct and even ticking, with dark-colored bands contrasting with light-colored bands.

Some Breed Standards for the Abyssinian

The standards for the Abyssinian in shows are fairly strict, as with most other breeds. It is quite easy to have a cat that is penalized or even disqualified, so those picking a show or breeding kitten should do so with care.

General: Abyssinians should be colorful with a ticked coat, medium in size and very regal. The body should be lithe, muscular, and hard, and the cat should show a lively interest in everything. Temperaments should be well-balanced and gentle.

Head: The head should be a slightly rounded wedge with no flat planes. The brow, cheek, and profile lines should all show a gentle contour. The forehead should be of a good size, with some width between the ears.

Ears: The Abyssinian has large, alert, and moderately pointed ears. The hair on the ears should be very short and close lying.

Eyes: Eyes should be almond shaped, large, expressive, and brilliant. They should be neither round nor oriental, and should be either gold or green in color.

Body: Abyssinians are medium-long and very lithe. They are extremely graceful, and have a muscular body that is devoid of coarseness. Proportion and balance are more important that size. The legs should be slim and fine boned. When standing, an Abyssinian should appear to be on its tiptoes. The front foot should have five toes, the back foot should have four.

Tail: The tails of all Abyssinians should be thick at the base, fairly long, and gently tapering.

Coat: The coat should be very dense and resilient to the touch with a high lustrous sheen, but it should also be soft, silky, and fine. Though only medium in length, the coat should be long enough to accommodate two or three dark bands of ticking on each and every hair.

Penalties: Any of the following may result in a penalty for any Abyssinian: long, narrow head; rings on the tail; gray tones in the coat; barring on legs; off-color pads.

Disqualifications: An Abyssinian will be disqualified immediately if there is any white anywhere on the body other than nostrils, chin, and upper throat area. Also, kinked or abnormal tails, gray undercoat, or the incorrect number of toes will result in disqualification.

The Abyssinian is a wonderful and elegant companion for many cat-lovers. They’re regal appearance and upbeat attitude make them a delightful addition to countless households.