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Ragdoll
Large and in charge, the lovable Ragdoll cat is sleek and beautiful with a friendly and affectionate personality. The Ragdoll is one of the largest domestic cat breeds out there. Their size can be intimidating, but Ragdolls are actually very docile, and are happiest when curling up in a favorite person's lap for some petting and purring.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 20 pounds (male); 10 to 15 pounds (female)
LENGTH: 17 to 21 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length and silky coat; colors vary widely
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 13 to 15 years or more
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Scottish Fold
The defining characteristic of Scottish fold cats is their small, folded ears, which give them a somewhat owl-like appearance. But their adorable ears aren't the only outstanding attribute of these cute felines. These cats have very friendly, sweet personalities and and they are outgoing and affectionate with their families, including children and other household pets.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 5 to 11 pounds
LENGTH: 10 to 30 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short coat in many colors, including tabby, tortoiseshell, and calico patterns
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 11 to 14 years
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Maine Coon
Another large cat breed, Maine coons exude elegance. They have long, sleek coats that come in a variety of color combinations. They’re great with kids, other pets, and people of all ages. These friendly, laid-back cats have adorable tiny tufts of hair at the tips of their ears.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 9 to 20 pounds
LENGTH: 19 to 30 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Long, double coat that comes in more than 75 color combinations
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 9 to 15 years
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Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex rather resembles a stuffed animal, thanks to its rounded face and curly, tussled coat. This cute breed is easy-going and affectionate, generally getting along very well with children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs. The curly coat does require regular combing to prevent tangles and mats.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 16 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 30 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short or long curly, tussled fur in any color or combination of colors
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 15 years
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Russian Blue
These striking cats have bluish-gray coats and green eyes. Their dense fur makes them very cuddly looking. While friendly with their favorite humans, they can be somewhat shy or aloof with people they do not know well.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 7 to 12 pounds
LENGTH: About 2 feet
COAT AND COLOR: Short, blue coat
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 to 20 years
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Bengal
If you’re looking for a domesticated cat that looks strikingly like its big-cat relatives, the Bengal is for you. This breed originated from a hybrid cross between an Asian leopard cat and a domestic house cat, but current breedings are strictly between domestic Bengals. While they stay relatively small, they maintain that wild look. Bengals are very active, intelligent, and friendly cats that need more exercise than many other feline breeds.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 8 to 15 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short coat. Spotted or marbled coats with patterns outlined in black, chocolate, or gray/silver
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 16 years
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British Shorthair
British Shorthairs have adorable, rounded, teddy-bear-like features that will instantly make you fall in love. One of the oldest English cat breeds, it is calm, gentle, and quiet. This breed is sometimes referred to as the British Blue because of the stunning blue coat many of the cats exhibit, but they can be other colors as well.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 7 to 17 pounds; males are typically larger than females
LENGTH: 22 to 25 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short and dense coat. Colors include solid white, black, red, cream, and blue.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 16 years
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American Bobtail
American bobtails are unmistakable. They have short, stubby tails and the look of a wildcat. Despite their wild looks, American bobtails are actually quite sweet and affectionate. They’re sometimes referred to as the golden retrievers of the feline world, thanks to their playful nature and fondness for playing fetch and other games. They can even be trained to walk on a leash and perform simple tricks.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 7 to 16 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 30 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short to long shaggy coats that come in any color or pattern
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 13 to 15 years
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Birman
The Birman cat breed resembles a long-haired Siamese, but the Birman always has white-socked feet and magnificent blue eyes along with the characteristic dark mask, ears, tail, and legs. These cute and cuddly felines are very sweet and gentle, and they hate to be alone, preferring the company of their humans, other cats, or even cat-friendly dogs.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 10 to 12 pounds
LENGTH: 15 to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Long and silky with seal, blue, red, chocolate, cream, and tortie colors
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 13 to 15 years
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Manx
Cat lovers describe the Manx breed as almost dog-like because of its playfulness, easy trainability, and strong loyalty. But the most distinctive feature of the Manx is the lack of a tail. These felines are very playful, intelligent, curious, and affectionate. Most are great mousers, as well.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 8 to 12 pounds
LENGTH: 14 to 16 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short-and long-haired varieties with coats in white, blue, black, red, cream, silver, tortoiseshell, bluecream, and brown
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 14 to 16 years
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Persian
This beautiful snub-nosed cat has become one of the most popular breeds in North America, thanks to its adorable flat face and loving, gentle personality. These cuddly kitties like to be at home, preferably with their favorite people and perhaps another cat or a cat-friendly dog.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 7 to 12 pounds
LENGTH: About 14 to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Long, solid coat (white, black, cream), tabby, calico, bi-color, silver and gold, shaded and smoke, and Himalayan)
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 17 years
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Norwegian Forest Cat
Affectionately called “wegies,” the Norwegian forest cat has a beautiful semi-long coat and an affectionate, although independent, personality. These elegant cats are believed to be the cats of the Vikings, and the breed’s history can be traced back to Norse lore. They are one of the largest breeds of domesticated cats.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 13 to 16 pounds
LENGTH: 12 to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Long, double coat with colors ranging from white, black, red, cream, tabby to cinnamon
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 14 to 16 years
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Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian mau has a history stretching back to ancient Egypt and the days of the pharoahs. This naturally spotted beauty is a playful, affectionate, and devoted feline. The Egyptian mau is the fastest domesticated cat, with some reaching speeds of 30 mph or more when running at their peak.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 6 to 14 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 24 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length, spotted coat in silver, bronze, or smoke with spots produced by color on the tips of the hairs
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years
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Ragamuffin
Ragamuffins are big, docile lap cats. Their silky coats are extremely soft and fluffy, a benefit to them, as they love attention and lots of pets. These lovable and affectionate felines look like plush toys and are just as cuddly. They get along with just about everyone, including children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs. Many can even learn to walk on a leash and other "dog like" tricks.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 8 to 20 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 33 inches long
COAT AND COLOR: Long, silky coat in white, black, blue, red, lavender, cinnamon, chestnut, platinum, or chocolate
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 18 years
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American Curl
With their naturally backwards-curling ears, the American curl is already adorable, but their kitten-like personalities, which persist into adulthood, make them even cuter. They are outgoing and affectionate, and make wonderful family pets. Many can learn to walk on a leash or perform simple tricks. Their fur can be long or short, and any color or color combination.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 7 to 10 pounds
LENGTH: 18 to 20 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Long or short hair in any color or combination of colors
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 18 years
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LaPerm
A fairly new breed marked by fur that is naturally "permed" into soft waves to tight curls, the LaPerm is a very affectionate breed that is also very energetic and athletic, thanks to their barn-cat ancestors. This is a cat that likes to play fetch before curling up in your lap for a nap. The LaPerm can have short or long fur in any color or color combination.
WEIGHT: 6 to 10 pounds
LENGTH: 12 to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Long or short fur that is wavy to curly. Any color or color combination.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 15 years
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American Wirehair
This rare cat breed has a naturally wiry coat, thank to a genetic mutation. These round-faced felines can be somewhat shy, but are usually affectionate and friendly with their favorite humans. They are fairly calm, easy-going cats, but they do enjoy playing. Their fur is somewhat coarse, but does not shed much and doesn't require a lot of grooming.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 8 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 15 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length, wiry and coarse fur in many different color combinations
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 20 years
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Bombay
With the looks of a miniature panther and the personality of the friendliest housecat, the Bombay is like having your very own cute wildcat without the danger. These black cats with golden eyes are very playful, affectionate, and sociable, and prefer to be in a household where they'll get lots of attention and love.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 15 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 20 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short, sleek black fur and orange/gold eyes
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 20 years
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Chartreux
The Chartreux is a French breed with a somewhat rounded face and a smiling expression, which well suits its naturally affectionate, friendly nature. These beautiful silvery-gray cats are excellent mousers, but they are easy-going and gentle with their favorite people.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 16 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 24 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short dense blue-gray fur
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 15 years
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Devon Rex
With its small size, triangular head, large ears, and big staring eyes, the Devon Rex has an adorably alien appearance. But the most distinctive characteristic of this breed is its coat, which is thin and wavy due to a genetic mutation. These cats are very active, athletic, friendly, and outgoing, and they love to spend time playing, cuddling, or socializing with their families, both human and other household pets.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 6 to 9 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short wavy hair in any color or combination of colors
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 15 years
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Singapura
Even as an adult, the Singapura remains not much more than kitten-sized, with a rounded face and big eyes that make it irresistible. These descendants of Singapore street cats thrive when given lots of attention, love, and interaction with family. They get along well with just about everyone, including children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs.
WEIGHT: 5 to 8 pounds
LENGTH: 9 to 12 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short brownish fur with darker "ticked" ends
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 15 years
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Turkish Angora
Long, lithe, and somewhat prone to mischief if left alone, the Turkish angora has a beautiful, soft coat that practically begs to be petted. These affectionate and curious cats require a lot of attention, but the reward for your time is their loving, affectionate presence. While most often white, Turkish angoras can be many other colors as well.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: Up to 9 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Long fur that's most often white, but can be other colors or color combinations
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Up to 15 years
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Munchkin
Munchkin cats look like your average house cat, but they have very short legs due to a genetic mutation. Their short legs give them a unique look that cat-lovers all over the world can appreciate. Whether or not they are an actual cat 'breed' is controversial because they are not recognized by the majority of cat associations as an official breed. Part of the controversy stems from the fact that the genetic mutations that give them their unique look can also bring health issues to these petite cats. Despite their short and stout stature, munchkins are often quite active, and they are very loving and affectionate felines.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: 6 to 9 pounds
LENGTH: Up to 18 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Short-haired with a plush coat or long-haired with a silky coat in any color variation
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years
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