|
|
Various Breeds of Cats
Cats come in many breeds, each with its own appearance, history and distinct personality. Here are a few of the better known and more popular breeds. Keep an eye on this website as, over the next month or two, we will update it regularly with information about other breeds.
The best known tale about this cat is that today’s breed is a direct descendant of the sacred cats worshipped as the physical manifestations of the gods in the temples and palaces of the ancient Egyptians some 4 000 years ago. Abyssinians do look remarkably like the cats depicted in Egyptian murals and sculptures.
Courageous, curious and high-spirited, the Abyssinian cat does not like to be contained in too close a cuddle. However, this does not mean that it cannot be affectionate. It can be especially loving at mealtimes! Natural athletes, they love to entertain their human beings with their agile antics.
As the legend goes, the Burmese is a descendant of a breed once worshipped in Burmese temples as embodiments of gods.
Burmese are amusing, playful, and super–smart, the perfect interactive cats for home, office, shop – any place where people are in need of love and entertainment. They are as active as the Siamese and love to play. Devoted cats, Burmese are loyal and people-oriented.
Burmese have a unique rasp to their voices and sound a bit like cats going hoarse from too much talking.
The Siamese is one of the oldest breeds of domestic cat and has a history as long and colorful as the cat itself. These sleek cats with the beautiful baby blues and outspoken nature originated in Thailand (formerly Siam, thus the breed's name), where they were treasured by members of royalty as companions.
Siamese cats are very vocal, and with their low, raspy yowl, they will keep on telling you what they want until you get it. These cats will insist being very involved in your life and they are very dependant on human love and attention. So if you choose a Siamese, know that you will have to shower it with affection and love.
As you learn more about this cat’s magnificent poise, you’ll realize it didn’t get it’s pristine repertoire by just dipping a paw in the water.
The flow of the Persian cat’s history basically goes like this: Originates from the Chorazan Province of Persia (present–day Iran); fascinated by the cat’s long, grey silver hair in the early 1600s, an Italian traveler and writer named Pietro della Valle returns home with a species of cat never before seen in Europe; it’s quickly associated with luxury, silken cushions and high living; instantly granted aristocratic status; and now remains one of the breeds most affected by changes in fashion today.
Placid, good–tempered, and extremely easy–going, the Persian is upset by virtually nothing. Owning one of these “aristocratic” felines – whether it be a Brown Tabby Persian, Tortoiseshell Persian, Smoke Persian, Red Persian, Black Persian or Chinchilla – gives you ample opportunity to impress someone. Even in less illustrious homes, it relinquishes none of its regal habits. Persians are extremely expensive, largely because they achieve sexual maturity relatively late and their litters are often very small. But to be in awe at your cat’s glorious presence comes at a price. That price is extreme attentiveness.
There’s no more pathetic sight than an ill–kept Persian. However beautiful it may be to start with, however proud and majestic, the Persian cat can soon become an unattractive mass. Their eyes, which weep easily, must be cleaned daily. Couple this with tangles and knots which form easily and is impossible to remove, grooming your Persian cat can become overwhelming, but it's all for a good cause. It’s your gateway to establish a stronger bond with your cat. As far as the Persian is concerned, you’ll learn that anything that’s worth taking care of is worth keeping. You’ll relish the results of your efforts. Literally.
The Manx has existed for many centuries on the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. Manx cats make great household companions. They are intelligent, active, and fun-loving cats that manage to express themselves very well without tails to swish around. Manx get along well with other pets (particularly dogs), and form strong bonds with their chosen humans.
They enjoy a good game of fetch and are fascinated by water –- but only on their terms, of course. Manx are exceptional jumpers because of their powerful back legs. No cupboard or shelf is safe with a Manx around.
Rare Breeds OR Cats that will make you ask, "What in the name of Bastet is that?"
There are species of cats that we are familiar with like the Manx, Birman and the abyssinian. But there are others we hope Bastet, the ancient Egyptian cat goddess, would explain to us simple folk.
Also called the Silver Burmese, the delicately coloured, handsome Burmilla has become one of the most popular new British breeds and a great favourite in Australia.
This breed began in England in 1981 through the accidental mating of a lilac Burmese queen and a Silver Persian stud – hence the name Burmilla.
Part of the Burmilla’s attraction is its luminous coat – the ground colour may be silver or golden – gently tipped in black, brown, or other standard Burmese colours.
It’s also popular for its even disposition.
Head and body standards for the Burmilla are the same as for the Burmese.
The body is lithe and muscular. Its coat is slightly longer than the Burmese, but smooth, soft, flat, and glossy.
In 1951, Dr. Rose Scheuer–Karpin adopted a stray cat that was wandering around Hufeland Hospital in what was then East Germany.
The black curly–haired cat had a couple of unspectacular litters sired by local toms. But when she was bred to one of her sons, two of the four kittens that resulted had their mother's wavy hair.
The kittens’ astrakhan–style coats fascinated French cat fancier Etienne Letard, who imported one to France.
For a time, Professor Letard and Dr. Scheuer–Karpin continued developing German Rex kittens.
Despite their efforts, the German Rex is almost unobtainable today.
The type has remained the same over two decades: fairly heavy bone structure, roundish head, wide–bone structure, roundish head, wide–set ears and a thick tail.
The fur is dense and curls all over in irregular waves.
Does the Maine Coon amount to anything more than a pale imitation of its wild cat ancestry of the jungle?
To its fans, this is the big one, the head honcho, the boss cat. Admirers use superlatives to describe the Maine Coon cat, the oldest American breed. One story maintains that this impressive beast is descended from matings among raccoons and wildcats of the U.S. forests. In fact, the Maine Coon is the result of interbreeding between Angora cats imported by British sailors and the semi–wild cats of Maine’s forests. Thus, it is the first truly American breed.
It is not afraid of water, and hunting is its favourite past–time. It can fend for itself when necessary – proof that it has not forsaken its free–roaming ancestry, and that breeders were wise to adhere to its original size and build.
Elegant yet rugged, gentle yet wild, the Maine Coon is also loving, faithful, and self–confident. It has a noble bearing, is an excellent family cat. It also has a particularly soft voice. Even though it enjoys being indoors, it needs access to a backyard or other open space where it can play. They may bloom with vitality, yet there is a sense of fragility in their core. To be content, happy, and at peace emotionally is what they crave.
The Peke Face Persian, a spontaneous mutation of the Red Persian, is named for its resemblance of a Pekingese dog (also commonly referred to as a 'Lion Dog').
Controversy surrounds the breed, which tends to have skin problems and because its facial features – deformities some say – contribute to eating and breathing difficulties.
Some breeders have pushed experiments with the breed so far that cats’ faces have a piggy look.
The Peke Face has a Persian’s long coat, but has long legs and a long body.
Most differences between it and other Persians relate to the head.
The head is square rather than round; the jaw long, narrow, and very undershot.
The Peke Face’s snub–nose, set back in furrowed muzzle, is so short that it is practically nonexistent; narrow nostrils are level with the eyes.
Breathing through such a nose is hard work at the best of times, and almost impossible if the cat has a cold.
Generally calm, it usually gets along well with other cats. Its thick, silky fur, with red or red tabby colouring, requires daily grooming.
A cat that's been genetically modified and bred with a platypus, with wings attached.
Okay, as you might have guessed, that’s just an exaggerated description of this multi-toed feline animal. Learn more about it, and you'll know they are not that weird after all – unless they “meow” differently, then that's a whole different ball game.
Polydactyl cats? Polycats? Mitten/thumb cats? Hemingway cats? Do you have a special cat with extra toes it treads lightly on? Or gets into mischief with? You'd be interested to know that these cats are born with more toes on their paws as a result of a genetic mutation.
Where Polydactyl Cats come from?
The exact history of the cats is not known although they made their first appearance in the U.S., England, Nova Scotia and Asia around the seventeenth century. Because they looked somewhat odd, the cat was a castaway associated with witches and killed as a result.
When people began to get used to them, they started to believe polydactyls were good luck, especially from sailors because the cats were extraordinary mousers and hunters, and were often transported on ships. This is how the polydactyl made its way from Europe to the U.S.
How many of these cats are out there?
The north-eastern part of the U.S. has more polydactyl cats than anywhere else. This is because the Puritans introduced the cat to Boston, Massachusetts. Polydactyl cats are most common in the Main Coon breed.
Are there any health concerns of the Polydactyl?
Not really. Some polydactyl cats show balance and dexterity issues when they are young coz of their extra toes, but in the long run they develop physically at the same rate as their friends.
But they still require some extra care, especially their claws. Because it is possible for the nails to experience overgrowth, make sure they are trimmed on a regular basis. This way you can be certain that they will not grow into the paw pad.
Is this reserved, shy cat playing hard to get or making an enchanting statement with it’s intense green eyes that it won’t come and go unnoticed?
It’s been creeping up for years since the two world wars led to the breeds decline in Europe, and similar knockoffs have attempted to fill in the void. While the origins of the Russian Blue is uncertain – with an ambiguous belief that sailors docking at Archangel on the White Sea collected grey cats for sale in Britain – there were attempts to revitalize the breed after World War II using British Blue and Siamese out–crosses, with mixed results. They had yellowish eyes, were heavier and bigger than today’s specimens, and were known not only as Russian Blues, but also as Archangel cats, Maltese cats, Spanish Blues, and American Blues.
Around the same time, U.S. breeders imported Russian Blues from Britain and Sweden, and the combined strains produced graceful cats with silver blue coats. By the late 1960s the breed had been revived in Britain, where breeders began developing Russian Whites and Russian Blacks. Today, this elegant cat has a gentle expression. Its fur is short, thick, and lustrous. The Russian Blue is special because it taps into the spinal chord of feline culture, nailing its intricacies with a timid, reserved, soft–voiced personality while being affectionate and friendly towards other people and animals.
Peace of mind, need for privacy and not feeling upset is more than enough incentive for the Russian Blue to defect from its war–ravaged past to the welcoming doors of a cat lover. Being affectionate pays dividends as it attaches itself to one person only, and will wait for that person for hours without budging – an unabashed display of sympathy, empathy and fearless loyalty. Stroking one is like stroking a piece of silk, and to see one is to fall under the spell of its intense green eyes and mysterious nature.
This breed of cats remind us of one invaluable axiom: Always keep it in the family.
Ancestors of all Oriental breeds – whether Siamese of those resulting from Siamese and Korat (or Russian Blue) interbreeding – came from Thailand. Known in Arab countries for centuries, the Oriental breeds arrived in Britain in the late 1800s, and reached North America some time later.
The Oriental Longhair is as intuitive as you want it to be inheriting many of their best features – intelligence, grace, curiosity, a strong body, a trusting, affectionate nature – from its Siamese ancestry. The fine dense texture of the cat’s coat makes it seem less angular than its short–haired relative. It is svelte, refined and very lithe with its tail plume being long and feathery.
This is one cat that’s almost always in excellent physical condition but you might need to keep a bottle of aspirin within reach because its indefatigable nature could test your patience. Nonetheless, it makes an excellent pet. If you’ve already invested in the Oriental Longhair, you’re in for a fun ride, and even if you are just in it to have a different breed of cat in your home, you’ll still appreciate it.
Of all cat breeds, the Oriental Shorthair is the most dog–like in appearance and devotion to its owner. Because of its long elegant body – a distinctive combination of fine, firm bones and firm muscles – it is often referred to as the greyhound of cats. It has the enduring muscle strength of a long–distance runner, matures quite early, breeds easily and produces larger–than–average litters.
As for the body, it has no indication of fat or emaciation so if you own one and want to retain its slim elegance, you must feed it a diet that is virtually fat–free. The signature tail is narrow at the base, thin, long, and tapering to a fine point and has a short coat that’s fine–textured, glossy, and lies close to the body.
The Oriental Shorthair simply doesn’t like to be left alone. It adds variety and complexity to an otherwise much needed quiet household as it demands attention by draping itself around one’s feet or neck. It’s almost as if they become the person who is the object of their desire. While this can produce an amazing union, it also can create a relationship too complicated for its own good. If you are you looking for complete feline love, the Oriental Shorthair is for keeps.
|
|
