Cat Breeds Guide: Profiles, Traits & Photos
From ancient Persians to modern Bengals — explore the wonderful diversity of domestic cat breeds, each with real photos fetched fresh.
A cat breed is a recognised type of cat with predictable physical traits and temperament — coat length, size, body shape, and personality tendencies. Knowing a breed helps you anticipate grooming needs, energy levels, and how a cat is likely to fit your home.
Use the filters below to browse breeds by coat type. Each card opens a full profile with photos, stats, and care notes — and remember that mixed-breed shelter cats make wonderful companions too.
Persian
The epitome of feline luxury — docile, sweet-tempered cats that prefer a serene indoor environment. Their flat faces and…
Maine Coon
The 'gentle giant' of the cat world. Maine Coons are highly intelligent, enjoy water, and can be leash-trained. Known fo…
Ragdoll
Named for their tendency to go limp when held, Ragdolls are one of the most relaxed cat breeds. They follow their owners…
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Norwegian Forest Cat
Built for Scandinavian winters, 'Wegies' have a waterproof outer coat and thick undercoat. They love climbing, are excel…
Himalayan
A cross of Persian and Siamese, Himalayans have the long plush coat of the Persian and the colour-point pattern of the S…
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Turkish Angora
One of the oldest natural cat breeds. Turkish Angoras are graceful athletes who love to perch up high. Their shimmering …
Birman
Known as the 'Sacred Cat of Burma', the Birman is a gentle, devoted companion. Their most distinctive feature is the pur…
Siberian
Russia's national cat, evolved over centuries in harsh Siberian conditions. Siberians produce significantly lower levels…
Balinese
Essentially a longhaired Siamese, the Balinese is just as vocal and intelligent as its shorthaired cousin, but with a fl…
Ragamuffin
A gentle giant with the temperament of a teddy bear. Ragamuffins are one of the most docile and affectionate breeds, ren…
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Turkish Van
The 'Swimming Cat' of Turkey. Turkish Vans have a unique water-resistant coat and a genuine love of water — they will ju…
Siamese
One of the oldest and most recognizable breeds. Siamese are extremely vocal and will 'talk' to their owners constantly. …
Bengal
Bred from the Asian leopard cat, Bengals look like miniature wild cats. They are highly active, love water, and need ple…
British Shorthair
The teddy bear of the cat world. British Shorthairs are stable, undemanding, and adaptable. Their thick plush coat requi…
Abyssinian
One of the oldest domestic cat breeds. Abyssinians are perpetually in motion — they explore every corner, love to climb …
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Russian Blue
Elegant and reserved, Russian Blues bond deeply with one person but are shy with strangers. Their plush double coat stan…
Devon Rex
With their large ears, wavy coat, and enormous eyes, Devon Rex cats look like mischievous pixies. They are perpetually a…
Burmese
Often described as 'the dog of the cat world', Burmese are intensely social, love to be carried, and are happiest when g…
American Shorthair
America's own breed, descended from European cats that arrived with the first colonists. Robust, healthy, and adaptable …
Scottish Fold
Recognizable by their folded ears caused by a natural cartilage mutation, Scottish Folds are round-faced, owl-like cats.…
Sphynx
Don't let the alien appearance fool you — Sphynx are incredibly warm-natured (literally — their skin is warm to the touc…
Oriental Shorthair
Essentially a Siamese in every colour imaginable — Orientals come in over 300 colour combinations and share the Siamese …
Chartreux
France's national cat, the Chartreux is an ancient natural breed of extraordinary calm. Nearly silent, highly intelligen…
Cornish Rex
Lean, elegant, and possessed of seemingly endless energy, the Cornish Rex has only a single under-layer of fine, wavy do…
Egyptian Mau
The only naturally spotted domestic cat breed. Egyptian Maus are also the fastest domestic cats, capable of reaching 48 …
Manx
The tailless cat of the Isle of Man. Manx cats range from completely tailless ('Rumpy') to having a partial tail ('Stump…
Savannah
A cross between the African Serval and a domestic cat, Savannahs are the tallest domestic cat breed. They leap extraordi…
Bombay
Bred to resemble a miniature black panther, the Bombay is a loving, playful companion. Their jet-black patent-leather co…
Singapura
The smallest recognised cat breed in the world. Despite their tiny size, Singapuras have enormous personalities — intens…
Selkirk Rex
Named after the Selkirk Mountains, this is the most relaxed of the Rex breeds. Unlike other rexes, the Selkirk Rex gene …
Tonkinese
The best of both worlds — the Siamese's intelligence and the Burmese's warmth, blended in a silky mink coat. Tonkinese a…
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Ocicat
The only domestic cat selectively bred to resemble a wild spotted cat — yet entirely domestic with no wild DNA. Ocicats …
Somali
Nicknamed the 'Fox Cat' for its full bushy tail and wild-looking ticked coat, the Somali is essentially a longhaired Aby…
American Curl
Instantly recognisable by their distinctive backward-curling ears, the American Curl is one of the newest cat breeds — b…
Japanese Bobtail
An ancient Japanese breed with a naturally bobbed tail unique to each individual cat. The Mi-ke (tri-colour) variety is …
Nebelung
The Nebelung — German for 'creature of the mist' — is a longhaired Russian Blue with an ethereal, silver-tipped blue coa…
Toyger
Bred to resemble a miniature tiger walking through your living room. Despite the wild appearance, the Toyger is a calm, …
Burmilla
An accidental beauty — born from an unplanned crossing of a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese. The Burmilla inherits the …
LaPerm
A naturally curly cat born from a spontaneous mutation on an Oregon farm in 1982. LaPerms have a unique soft, bouncy coa…
Havana Brown
Often called the 'Chocolate Delight' of the cat world, the Havana Brown is one of the rarest pedigree breeds. Their warm…
Exotic Shorthair
Often called 'the lazy man's Persian' — the Exotic Shorthair has the Persian's flat face and sweet, calm temperament but…
Korat
A revered Thai breed considered a symbol of good fortune for centuries. Korats bond deeply with one person, dislike nois…
Snowshoe
A distinctive American breed combining the Siamese's pointed coat with American Shorthair white markings — the result is…
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Munchkin
The 'dachshund of the cat world' — Munchkins have short legs caused by a natural genetic mutation but the same agility, …
American Bobtail
A natural North American breed with a short 'bobbed' tail and a wild, athletic appearance. American Bobtails are famousl…
British Longhair
The semi-long-haired version of the British Shorthair. They share the round face, plush coat, and famously calm temperam…
Lykoi
The 'werewolf cat' — a recent breed whose partial baldness around the face and limbs gives it a strikingly canine, almos…
Khao Manee
The 'White Gem' of Thailand — a pure white short-haired breed prized for centuries in Siamese royal households. Khao Man…
Pixie-bob
Bred to resemble the wild North American Bobcat, the Pixie-bob is a striking large breed with a short tail, tufted ears,…
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Peterbald
A Russian hairless breed combining the bald body and large ears of the Donskoy with the slender, elegant frame of the Or…
Kurilian Bobtail
A naturally occurring breed from the remote Kuril Islands between Russia and Japan, the Kurilian Bobtail is famous for i…
Chausie
A tall, athletic hybrid descended from the wild jungle cat (Felis chaus), the Chausie looks like a small cougar and beha…
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Donskoy
A Russian hairless breed whose baldness comes from a dominant gene — unlike the Sphynx, whose hairlessness is recessive.…
Cymric
Essentially a long-haired Manx, the Cymric is a round, tailless cat with a plush double coat and a powerful, rabbit-like…
Serengeti
Created to resemble the wild African serval — but using only domestic breeds — the Serengeti is a tall, long-legged spot…
Australian Mist
Australia's first home-grown breed, the Australian Mist has a soft spotted-and-ticked coat that gives a delicate 'misted…
American Wirehair
A spontaneous American original, the American Wirehair is defined by its unique crimped, springy coat — every hair, incl…
Javanese
Essentially a long-haired Siamese in a wider palette of point colours, the Javanese is a slender, athletic, intensely pe…
Dragon Li
Also known as the Chinese Li Hua or Li Hua Mao ('fox flower cat'), the Dragon Li is a rare natural breed descended from …
European Shorthair
The European Shorthair — also called the Celtic Shorthair — is the pedigree version of the ordinary working cat of mainl…
Aegean
Greece's only native breed and one of the oldest naturally occurring cats in Europe. Friendly, talkative harbour cats th…
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Arabian Mau
A natural desert breed descended from the street cats of the Arabian Peninsula. Hardy, athletic, and devoted, the Arabia…
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York Chocolate
A rare American longhair named for its rich, glossy chocolate-brown coat. Bred for temperament as much as colour, the Yo…
Bambino
A tiny, hairless, short-legged cat created by crossing the Sphynx with the Munchkin. Bambinos are intensely affectionate…
Cheetoh
A wild-looking but fully domestic spotted breed created by crossing the Bengal and the Ocicat. Cheetohs combine an athle…
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Chantilly-Tiffany
A rare, richly coloured semi-longhair known for its gentle nature and soft, trilling 'conversation'. The Chantilly-Tiffa…
California Spangled
A muscular, leopard-spotted cat bred to look wild but behave like a devoted housecat. The California Spangled was create…
Cyprus
One of the oldest domestic cats in the world — a large, rugged, mountain-dwelling cat from Cyprus, sometimes nicknamed '…
Colorpoint Shorthair
The Siamese's close cousin, identical in build and personality but dressed in a rainbow of non-traditional point colours…
European Burmese
The rounder, softer-featured European cousin of the Burmese — a warm, muscular cat with luminous golden eyes and an almo…
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Malayan
Identical to the Burmese in every way but colour — a sweet, sociable, satin-coated cat that comes in the softer 'dilute'…
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Sokoke
One of the world's rarest natural breeds — a lithe, leggy brown tabby that originated not in a breeder's cattery but in …
Ojos Azules
An exceptionally rare breed defined by one extraordinary trait: deep, sapphire-blue eyes that appear in cats of any coat…
Minskin
A tiny, short-legged cat with a near-hairless body and soft fur 'points' on its extremities — the feline answer to a Sia…
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German Rex
A curly-coated charmer whose plush, wavy fur feels like crushed velvet to the touch. Affectionate, clever and endlessly …
Brazilian Shorthair
Brazil's first internationally recognised cat breed — a refined, athletic descendant of the street cats brought over on …
Ukrainian Levkoy
A striking, distinctly 'dog-faced' hairless cat with inward-folding ears, created in Ukraine in the early 2000s. Sociabl…
Highlander
A big, boldly-built cat with distinctive curled-back ears and a naturally short bobbed tail, bred to look wild while bei…
Napoleon (Minuet)
A small, round-faced charmer that pairs the short legs of the Munchkin with the sweet, doll-like looks of the Persian fa…
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Thai
The 'old-style' or traditional Siamese — a pointed cat with a rounder head and apple-cheeked face, preserving the look o…
Suphalak
A rare solid-brown cat from Thailand with a warm, copper-coloured coat — one of the natural breeds celebrated in centuri…
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Toybob
One of the smallest cat breeds in the world — a naturally tiny Russian cat with a short, kinked bobtail and the relaxed …
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Foldex
A round-faced Canadian breed created by crossing the Scottish Fold with the Exotic Shorthair — combining folded ears wit…
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Mekong Bobtail
A pointed, kink-tailed natural breed from the Mekong river region, prized for an unusually dog-like devotion — Mekongs f…
Tiffanie
The only semi-longhaired member of Britain's Asian group — a Burmese-and-Chinchilla blend that pairs a flowing silky coa…
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Asian Shorthair
A British breed with the build and devoted, chatty personality of the Burmese but in a far wider palette of colours and …
Raas
An extremely rare landrace cat from the small Indonesian island of Raas, off Madura — a striking, semi-wild-looking cat …
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Kanaani
A modern German breed created to recreate the look of the wild African desert cat in a domestic companion — a long-legge…
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Ural Rex
A rare Russian rex breed prized for its uniquely springy, close-lying waves and an exceptionally gentle, devoted tempera…
Pictured: Cornish Rex (closest relative)Tennessee Rex
A very new American breed defined by a rare combination of curly fur and a glittering satin sheen — a friendly, sociable…
Aphrodite Giant
A large, slow-maturing natural breed from the mountains of Cyprus, named for the island's goddess of love — a sturdy, ge…
Pictured: Munchkin (parent breed)Skookum
A tiny, short-legged cat with a distinctive curly coat — created by crossing the dwarf Munchkin with the rex-coated LaPe…
Pictured: Munchkin (parent breed)Lambkin
An exceptionally rare short-legged cat with a soft, curly lamb-like coat — a cross between the dwarf Munchkin and the cu…
Genetta
A short-legged cat bred to resemble the wild African genet — a long, low body wrapped in bold spots and contrasting mark…
Pictured: Sphynx (parent breed)Dwelf
A tiny, elf-like cat that combines three striking traits — hairlessness, short legs, and curled-back ears — into one of …
American Ringtail
A rare American breed whose most distinctive feature is a flexible tail it carries curled up and over its back — a relax…
Pictured: Siberian (closest relative)Ussuri
An exceptionally rare natural breed from the Russian Far East, with a wild golden-tabby look said to come from matings b…
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Kinkalow
A tiny, dwarf experimental breed that pairs the short legs of the Munchkin with the curled-back ears of the American Cur…
Pictured: European Shorthair (closest relative)Serrade Petit
A little-known small French breed with a fine, glossy coat and a sweet, devoted temperament — one of the rarest cats to …
Pictured: Korat (closest relative)Sam Sawet
A rare native Thai cat with a smooth, single-coloured coat, counted among the traditional 'good-luck' breeds of old Siam…
Oriental Longhair
The plumed-tailed sibling of the Oriental Shorthair — an elegant, whip-slim cat with a semi-long coat and an enormous pe…
Anatolian
A hardy natural landrace from the Anatolian plateau, closely related to the Turkish Van and Angora. Often called the Ana…
Turkish Vankedisi
The all-white cousin of the Turkish Van. The Vankedisi carries the same robust, swim-loving nature but lacks the auburn …
Seychellois
A slender, elegant Oriental-type breed created to recreate the striking white 'Seychelles cats' with their bold coloured…
Pictured: Burmese (parent breed)Mandalay
New Zealand's home-grown Burmese cousin — a solid-coloured cat with a mirror-glossy coat and a deeply affectionate, almo…
Ceylon
A small, sweet-natured shorthair from the island of Sri Lanka, famed for its warm sand-gold ticked coat and calm, people…
Owyhee Bob
A rare American breed created by crossing the Siamese with the Manx, producing a stub-tailed, blue-eyed cat with a point…
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Karelian Bobtail
A rare, naturally short-tailed cat from the Lake Ladoga region of Russian Karelia, prized for its pompom tail, mild mann…
Pictured: Devon Rex (parent breed)Poodle Cat
An extremely rare German experimental breed, the Poodle Cat (Pudelkatze) pairs a curly rex coat with folded ears, giving…
Pictured: American Bobtail (parent breed)Desert Lynx
A wild-looking American bobtailed breed developed to resemble a bobcat, combining a spotted or marbled coat, a stubby ta…
Pictured: Savannah (closest relative)Safari
One of the rarest and most striking of all the hybrid cats — a cross between the domestic cat and the small wild South A…
Pictured: Persian (parent breed)Bohemia Rex
Essentially a curly-coated Persian — a rare Czech breed that pairs the sweet, placid temperament and cobby build of the …
Tasman Manx
A rare tailless breed that combines the rounded, rabbity look of the Manx with a soft, curly rex coat — a distinctive Au…
Pictured: Sphynx (parent breed)Kohana
Reputedly the rarest cat in the world — a 'Hawaiian Hairless' with taut, rubbery, wrinkled skin and no down whatsoever, …
Pictured: Chausie (parent breed)Jungle Curl
A rare experimental hybrid that pairs the wild, exotic look of a jungle-cat cross with the curled-back ears of the Ameri…
Pictured: Bengal (closest relative)Bristol
An extremely rare experimental breed created to capture the exotic, rosetted beauty of the margay in a fully domestic ca…
Elf Cat
A rare designer breed that marries the bald, wrinkled body of the Sphynx to the backward-curling ears of the American Cu…
Scottish Straight
The straight-eared sibling of the Scottish Fold — a round-faced, sweet-natured cat with all the Fold's teddy-bear charm …
Pictured: Highlander (closest relative)Alpine Lynx
A rare, all-white American breed from the 'Lynx' family of experimental cats — a snowy, bobtailed, sometimes polydactyl …
Highland Fold
The Highland Fold is the long-haired variety of the Scottish Fold — the same folded ears and round, owlish face wrapped …
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Cashmere Bengal
The Cashmere Bengal is the long-haired Bengal — a wild-looking, rosetted or marbled cat whose leopard-like markings are …
Chinchilla Longhair
The Chinchilla Longhair is a sparkling, silvery cat whose pure-white coat is delicately tipped with black, giving it a s…
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Bramble
The Bramble is a rare, wire-coated experimental breed with a wild spotted look and a famously confident, dog-like person…
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Ashera
The Ashera was marketed in 2006 as the world's largest, rarest and most expensive domestic cat — a leopard-spotted giant…
Pictured: American Shorthair (closest relative)American Polydactyl
The American Polydactyl is an emerging breed built around the endearing trait of extra toes — the 'mitten' or 'thumb' pa…
Thai Lilac
A rare, self-coloured cat clothed entirely in soft warm lilac. Closely related to the Korat, the Thai Lilac is a chatty,…
Suffolk
A newer British breed developed to preserve the rich self (solid) chocolate and lilac coats found in Tonkinese lines. Mu…
Pictured: Suphalak (closest relative)Konja (Ninlarat)
One of the ancient 'good-fortune' cats of Thailand, the Konja (also called Ninlarat) is a wholly black cat prized in old…
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Neva Masquerade
The colourpoint version of the Siberian — a big, robust forest cat wearing Siamese-style 'masked' markings and striking …
Munchkin Longhair
The plush-coated version of the short-legged Munchkin — a sociable, energetic little cat that scoots low to the ground y…
Caracat
One of the rarest and most striking hybrid cats — a cross between the wild African caracal and the domestic Abyssinian, …
German Longhair
One of the oldest recognised longhair breeds in Europe — a robust, gentle cat with a silky coat that mats far less than …
Pictured: Devon Rex (closest relative)Oregon Rex
A now-extinct American rex breed, notable in cat history for its own distinct curly-coat mutation — genetically separate…
Chinese Li Hua
China's own native pedigree cat — a natural brown-tabby landrace with a striking wild appearance, robust health, and a r…
Pictured: Highlander (closest relative)Highland Lynx
A striking, curl-eared, often polydactyl domestic breed bred for a bobcat-like look and a big, dog-like personality — pl…
Traditional (Applehead) Siamese
The old-fashioned Siamese — a rounder head, sturdier body and gentler wedge than the modern show cat, with the same razo…
Doll-Face (Traditional) Persian
The original Persian face — a normal-length muzzle and open nostrils rather than the flat, peke-faced show type, giving …
Russian White
A snow-white cousin of the Russian Blue with the same plush double coat, emerald eyes and softly smiling face — shy with…
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Asian Tabby
A member of the British Asian Group — Burmese in body and personality but dressed in a full tabby coat, combining a slee…
Pictured: Russian Blue (closest relative)Maltese (Historical Blue Cat)
Not a modern pedigree breed but a historical name — 'Maltese' was long used across Europe and America for any solid blue…
Minuet
Formerly called the Napoleon, the Minuet crosses the Munchkin's short legs with the Persian group's round, sweet face. T…
Chinese Li Hua Mao
One of China's oldest natural cat types, the brown-tabby 'Dragon Li' developed without human intervention. Hardy, clever…
Pictured: Selkirk Rex (closest relative)Poodle Cat (Selkirk-type)
A curly-coated, teddy-bear of a cat whose soft woolly fur invites comparison to a lamb or poodle. Calm, cuddly and remar…
Pictured: Khao Manee (closest relative)Wila Krungthep
An all-black Thai cat of ancient lineage, prized in its homeland as a bringer of good fortune. Sleek, devoted and still …
Pictured: Persian (parent breed)Peke-Faced Persian
The most extreme of the flat-faced Persians, named for its resemblance to the Pekingese dog. A gentle, sedentary cat — a…
Oriental Bicolour
A Siamese-type cat in a striking white-patched coat — as loud, athletic and relentlessly involved in your business as an…
How to choose the right cat breed
Choosing a breed means matching a cat's typical traits to your home and lifestyle. The factors that matter most are:
- Energy level — active breeds like the Bengal and Abyssinian need lots of play; calmer breeds like the Persian and Ragdoll are happy with less.
- Grooming needs — long-haired breeds require daily brushing; short-haired and hairless breeds need far less.
- Sociability — some breeds are intensely people-oriented and dislike being left alone, while others are more independent.
- Space and noise — large breeds need room; vocal breeds like the Siamese may not suit thin-walled flats.
Breed describes tendencies, not guarantees — every individual cat has its own personality, and adoption from a shelter is always worth considering.
Worked example: matching a breed to a flat-dwelling family
The decision
A family lives in a first-floor flat, has two young children, and is out at work and school on weekdays. They want an affectionate, tolerant cat that copes with a busy household.
Working through the factors: high activity breeds would get under-stimulated alone all day, and very vocal breeds could disturb neighbours. The family needs a calm, sociable, moderate-energy cat.
Good matches: a Ragdoll or British Shorthair — both are gentle, child-tolerant, and relaxed about being handled. The family also commits to two play sessions a day and a second cat for company, since even easy-going breeds do better with companionship when owners are out.
Frequently asked questions about cat breeds
What is the best cat breed for a first-time owner?
Easy-going breeds such as the Ragdoll, British Shorthair, and Maine Coon are popular with first-time owners for their calm, tolerant temperaments. A friendly domestic shorthair from a shelter is also an excellent choice.
Which cat breeds are best for allergies?
No cat is truly hypoallergenic, but breeds like the Siberian, Balinese, and Cornish Rex are often better tolerated. Allergies come from the Fel d 1 protein in saliva and skin, not fur, so meet a breed before adopting.
What is the largest domestic cat breed?
The Maine Coon is the largest common domestic breed, with males often weighing 6–11 kg and measuring up to a metre long including the tail. They are known as gentle giants for their friendly nature.
Do pedigree cats need different care from mixed-breed cats?
Care basics are the same, but some breeds have specific needs — long-haired breeds need daily grooming, and certain breeds are prone to inherited conditions, so breed-aware vet checkups help.
How long do cats live?
Most domestic cats live 12–18 years, with indoor cats living longer on average. Lifespan varies by breed, genetics, diet, and veterinary care, and some cats reach their early twenties.