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Top 5 Most Popular Cat Breeds In The World
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he domestic cat (Felis catus or Felis silvestris catus) is a small, usually furry, domesticated, and carnivorous mammal. It is often called the housecat when kept as an indoor pet,or simply the cat when there is no need to distinguish it from other felids and felines. Cats are often valued by humans for companionship and their ability to hunt vermin and household pests. Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with strong, flexible bodies, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Despite being solitary hunters, cats are a social species, and cat communication includes the use of a variety of vocalizations
(mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling and grunting) as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language. Cats have a rapid breeding rate. Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control the breeding of pet cats by neutering, and the abandonment of former household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring population control. Since cats were cult animals in ancient Egypt, they were commonly believed to have been domesticated there,but there may have been instances of domestication as early as the Neolithic from around 9500 years ago (7500 BC). A genetic study in 2007 concluded that domestic cats are descended from African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) c. 8000 BC, in the Near East.Cats are the most popular pet in the world, and are now found in almost every place where humans live.
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Top 5 most popular Cat Breeds in The World
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1. Persian Cats
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nown for their gentle, laidback personalities, sweet faces and round eyes, Persian cats are affectionate, quiet, beautiful creatures of habit, making them the most popular breed among cat fanciers. Ancient Beginnings Persian cats are not only the most popular breed of cats, they’ve also been around the longest. In fact, hieroglyphics reference their origination as far back as 1684 B.C.
pothetical ideal set of guidelines used to insure that the animals produced by a breeding facility conform to the specifics of the breed), Persians should present an impression of a heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. Their large round eyes set wide
Thought to have originated in Persia (now Iran), the cats were named after their believed “counapart in a large round head contry of origin.” tribute to the overall look and A Breed to Be Reckoned With expression. Their long thick coat Persians are the most popular softens the lines of the cat and breed registered with the Cat accentuates the roundness in apFanciers’ Association (CFA), the pearance. Colors of Persians can world’s largest registry of pedi- range from solid colors to tabby greed cats. According to the CFA and everything in between. PerPersian breed standard, (the hy- sians purrsonality tend to have a and gentle nature, mak“Persians tend to have a sweet ing them great pets and comsweet and gentle nature, panions. Although they can be playful and affectionate, making them great pets both they tend to be more calm and quiet, and get along well with and companions”.
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2. Maine Coon Cats
3. Exotic Shorthair Cats
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ne of the oldest natural breeds in North America, Maine Coon cats are known for their intelligence and playfulness, as well as their size. One of the largest breeds of domestic cats, they are lovingly referred to as “gentle giants.” The breed is so well-liked that they’re the No. 2 most popular breed registered in North America according to the American Cat Fanciers Association.
Maine Coon Appearance aside from their large size, Maine Coons are also known for their shaggy coats and rugged appearance. They have long, rectangular bodies, long, bushy tails and tufted ears and toes. Maine Coons come in a wide array of colors, including solid, tabby, shaded, smoke and bi- and parti-colored. Full-grown male Maine Coons can grow to be 30 lbs., with females weighing a little less. These gentle giants generally reach full size by age three to five.
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Maine Coon Temperament are people-oriented, energetic and highly-intelligent, making them an easy breed to train. They’re also known for their dog-like behavior: following their owners from room to room, coming when called and playing fetch with their owners. Relaxed and easy-going, Maine Coons are not overly dependant. They have a very small voice for their large size; their voice is more of a chirp than it is a meow.
he Exotic cat (also called the Exotic shorthair by some cat associations) is a cross between Persians and American Shorthairs. The Cat Fanciers’ Association, the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats, lists the Exotic cat as the third most popular cat breed based on their 2007 registration statistics.
Exotic Look Exotic cats are bred to meet the Persian standard in almost every way with one exception: their coats. Exotics, unlike their Persian counterparts, have short, thick, dense coats, making them popular among people who enjoy the Persian personality but don’t sian: sweet, affectionate and playwant the hassle or the time re- ful. Exotic cats are known to show more affection and loyalty than quired for daily grooming. other feline breeds, and commonExotics are affectionately referred ly follow their owners throughout to as “The Lazy Man’s Persian” be- the home. Generally friendly tocause of this. Exotic cats are avail- wards other animals, Exotic cats able in a rainbow of hues, ranging have a gentle and tenderhearted disposition. With their tame, genfrom solid to tabby to bicolor. tle personality and rare meowing, Temperament The Exotic person- Exotics make for good indoor-onality tends to mimic that of a Per- ly pets.
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4. Siamese Cats
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iamese cats are one of the oldest recognized and established breeds of cat. These shorthaired, blue-eyed breed are one of the most sociable of all feline breeds—and one of the most popular.
Siamese History according to an article by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats, the Siamese breed was discovered by the English more than 100 years ago. Siamese cats are believed to have hailed from Asia; specifically Thailand (then Siam), and are one of the first recognized breeds
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of oriental, or foreign, cats.
Siamese Appearance according to the CFA Persian breed standard, (the hypothetical ideal set of guidelines used to insure that the animals produced by a breeding
5. Abyssinian Cats Abys, as they are lovingly called, are the fourth most popular cat breed a ccording to statistics from the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats.Elegant and regal-looking, Abyssinians are easy to care for and make ideal pets for cat lovers.
to 1872; the cat wasn’t imported to North America until the early 1900s. However, top quality Abyssinians forming the foundation of the current American breeding programs didn’t arrive from England until the 1930s.
Abyssinian History according to the CFA, the first Abyssinians to exhibit in England cat shows got their names from Ethiopia, formerly Abyssinia, the country which they are reported to have been imported. The first mention of Abyssinians dates back
Abyssinian Appearance are lively and expressive, with slightly wedge-shaped heads, halfcupped ears, medium length bodies and well-developed muscles. Their legs are long and slender, and their coats are short and close-lying to their bodies.
facility conform to the specifics of the breed), the ideal Siamese is a medium sized, svelte, refined cat with long tapering lines, very lithe, yet muscular build. Siamese cats have creamy coats and darkly colored points in their snouts, ears, lower legs, paws and tail. Their pointed colors are a result of a mutation of a heat-sensitive enzyme involved in pigment production, which results in darker coloration in the coolest parts of a Siamese’s body.
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“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort”
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