cat breed

	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Abyssinian Today's Abyssinian retains a resemblance to the noble cats depicted in ancient Egyptian statues. The Abyssinian sports a ticked, richly colored tabby coat without markings on legs, tail and neck, but with dramatic facial markings. The Abyssinian comes in four coat colors: ruddy, red, blue and fawn. Not a lap cat, the Abyssinian is nonetheless among the most loyal and highly intelligent of breeds.
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED American Shorthair Ideal American Shorthairs exude symmetry, with the breed standard calling for them to be slightly longer than tall. Females tend to be smaller than males. The face of an American Shorthair should be full-cheeked with an open expression. Eyes are medium to large in size and mostly round with an almond-like curve at the top. The breed's coat comes in a variety of colors and designs, such as the black cat variety; however, the silver classic tabby is perhaps the best known.
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Bengal The International Cat Association defines the Bengal as at least a fourth-generation descendant of a crossing between the wild Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat. The first three foundation crosses are identified as F1s, F2s and F3s. The ideal Bengal is domestic in personality, but displays the wild cat's pattern of rosetted spotting and the pelted look. The traditional Bengal color is brown tabby — black, brown or rust color in clear contrast to a tan or orange background. Bengals are curious, entertaining and have a special love of water.
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Bombay This American breed is called the Bombay because its intensely black coat is reminiscent of that of an Indian black leopard. It's also known as a black Burmese, because this black cat breed came about after crosses with a sable Burmese and a black American Shorthair. The Bombay sports large, golden eyes and wide-set ears on its rounded head. This black beauty speaks softly, loves to play and is highly confident yet gentle.
<="" td="" />	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Egyptian Mau With characteristics of a wild cat, the Egyptian Mau embodies a spirit reflecting the deity it once was in ancient Egypt. The breed boasts exotic coats of bronze and silver spots and is known as the only naturally spotted domestic cat. The Egyptian Mau cats possess extraordinary senses of smell, hearing and sight, making them highly alert to their surroundings. Egyptian Maus are sensitive to the needs and feelings of their families, both human and feline.

	LONGHAIRED CAT BREED Himalayan Depending on the association, the Himalayan may be considered a separate breed or a color pattern of the Persian breed. The Himalayan was originally developed from crosses between Siamese and Persians in an effort to transfer the pointed pattern to the Persian type. The Himilayan should have the massive build and flowing coat of the Persian no matter how it is registered. A wide range of point colors are accepted, including seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, red, cream and the combinations of parti-color points and tabby (called lynx) points. Himalayans have the Persian's gentle, easygoing personality with an extra spark. (Also see descriptions for Exotic and Persian.)
	LONGHAIRED CAT BREED Maine Coon The Maine Coon is one of the most popular breeds at show tables. This shaggy feline shares its affection with the entire family, but elects a single person as its beloved owner. The Maine Coon sports four color classes: solid, tabby, tabby with white and particolor. Patterns include the classic tabby, the mackerel tabby and the patched tabby. The Maine Coon is the second most popular breed in America and has earned the nickname, "The Gentle Giant."
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Munchkin The Munchkin is distinguished by a spontaneous dominant mutation that shortens the cat's legs. Except for their disproportionately short legs, cats should be well-balanced. It is important that the legs be straight, never bowed or cow-hocked. The head shape is an equilateral triangle. All colors and patterns, as well as both longhaired and shorthaired Munchkins, are accepted for competition. The longhaired Munchkin's coat is silky, semi-long and ends in a fully plumed tail. Munchkins are kittenish, outgoing and respond well to handling.
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Pixiebob The Pixiebob is a domestic cat visually resembling the North American Bobcat. Despite its fierce look, the Pixiebob is noted for its loving, trustworthy and tractable personality. Heavy brows with bushier hair above the eyes, lynx tipping on the ears and longer "mutton chops" on the cheeks complete the Pixiebob's wild look. The tail can measure from 1 to 6 inches in length. Pixiebob cats have brown tabby markings on a tan or reddish background and may be polydactyl (having extra toes).
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Oriental Similar to the Siamese in body type and personality, Orientals do not, however, share the characteristic Siamese coloring. They are slender yet hearty and are generally of a solid color or tabby-patterned in a variety of colors for both the shorthair and longhair varieties. The Oriental will remain loyal throughout its life and deserves no less from its human companion
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Siamese Named for Siam, this popular breed is intelligent and has a striking personality, suggestive of an inscrutable inner life. The breeding tradition began generations ago, but the Siamese of today still have the graceful elegance suggested in the earliest breed standards. The four accepted coat colors for Siamese cat breeds are seal point, chocolate point, blue point and lilac point. The sensitive Siamese is in your lap, on your newspaper, in your bed and completely in your heart.
	LONGHAIRED CAT BREED Ragdoll The Ragdoll earns its name from its habit of relaxing to the point of utter limpness in one's arms. The Ragdoll's light-colored body has darker Siamese-type points on the face, legs, tail and ears. Remember, the Ragdoll is a strictly indoor cat; due to its extremely docile nature, it may often lack the ability to defend itself.
	SHORTHAIRED CAT BREED Russian Blue As its name indicates, this blue-coated cat seems to be of Russian origin; it is said to have arrived in England during the mid-19th century aboard a Russian merchant ship. The most distinctive feature of the Russian Blue is its fur, which seems to be frosted with powdered sugar. The mesmerizing, emerald green eyes are large and round and set wide apart. This sugarcoated cat is ideal for those who lead a quiet, subtle, calm lifestyle. The Russian Blue breed detests noise, confusion, change and surprised.
	LONGHAIRED CAT BREED Persian The impressive Persian is a massively built cat clothed in a long, flowing coat. Short, heavily boned legs support the Persian's boxy body. The cat's head should be round, with large, round eyes and a short, snub nose. A sweet expression promises the easygoing personality for which the Persian is popular. Such a wide variety of colors are accepted in the Persian breed that they are divided for competition into seven categories: solids, silver/golden, smoke/shaded, tabby, particolor, bicolor and Himalayan. It is important to remember that this breed requires daily grooming.
	LONGHAIRED CAT BREED Birman Also known as the "Sacred Cat of Burma," Birmans are colorpoint cats, meaning they have a darker color on their tail, legs, ears and face, much like the Siamese or the Himalayan division of the Persian. In the cat-show world, the white front paws are referred to as gloves and the back paws as socks. Terms most frequently used to describe Birman cats are gentle, polite, affectionate and outgoing.