Animals

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The Persian is a longhaired cat characterized by its round face and shortened muzzle. One of the oldest cat breeds, it takes its name from its place of origin: Persia (Iran). Recognized by the cat fancy since the late 19th century, it was developed first by the English, and then mainly by American breeders after the Second World War. In Britain, it is called the Longhair or Persian Longhair.

Persian Cats have been the most popular cat breed in the world for quite a long time.
The first documented ancestors of the Persian were imported from Persia into Italy in 1620 by Pietro della Valle, and from Turkey into France by Nicholas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc at around the same time. From France they soon reached Britain. The longhaired cats from Persia were interbred with Turkish Angoras. Their appearance then differed greatly from today’s standard. Hundreds of years of selective breeding made Persians cobbier cats with drastically shorter muzzle.

The Persian Cat is the most represented cat breed in the cat shows and the Persians are the ongoing leaders in annual ratings by CFA and European cat clubs and associations.

Persian Cats are of calm temperament. The Persian cat is an ideal breed for those who are looking for a pleasant, peaceful and loyal companion. The Persians is not a talkative breed – if the Persian wants your attention, it would sit before you and gaze loyaly into your eyes.

The Siamese is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Oriental cat. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it is believed to be from Southeast Asia, and is said to be descended from the sacred temple cats of Siam (now Thailand).

In Thailand, where they are one of several native breeds, they are called Wichien-maat. In the 20th century the Siamese cat became one of the most popular breeds in Europe and North America.
Siamese cats are of two types. The traditional Siamese cat is apple headed and has a robust, compact body, while the modern Siamese cat has a more triangular shaped head and has a lithe and slender body.

This breed of cat is the most popular of all the short haired cats, and is made distinctive by its long, slender body and triangular face. They also tend to have blue eyes and an unusual coat pattern. Their coat tends to become lighter around their neck and body but then darkens on the points of the cat, which are the ears, face, paws and tail.

Siamese cats are very temperamental and have outgoing personalities. They are the most social and friendly of all cat breeds. They are very talented at communication with humans. If you are looking for a quiet cat, then Siamese cats are not the way to go. They are extremely vocal and express themselves using their voices. While being affectionate their voices are easy on the ears but when feeling neglected they become quite loud.

The only maintenance these breed of cats require physically is that they need to be bathed once a month and their coats need to be brushed at least twice a month. Gentle brushing is sufficient as their hair is not very long. Siamese cats can live to be fifteen or twenty years old if they are well taken care of.

The Bengal Cat is a relatively new hybrid variety of cats creating by cross breeding a domestic cat with and Asian Leopard Cat.

Their name is derived from the Latin name of its wild ancestor- Felis Bangalensis, and is not related to the Bengal Tiger. It was created to combine the appearance of the wild feline animals with the temperament of the domestic cat.

There are four different types of Bengal Cats. They can have one of the two separate patterns – spotted or marbled on one of the two different types of coats – brown or white. Bengal Cats can be both short haired or long haired.

Temperament: After three generations from the original crossing, the breed usually acquires a gentle domestic cat temperament; however, for the typical pet owner, a Bengal cat kept as a pet should be at least four generations (F4) removed from the Leopard Cat. The so-called “foundation cats” from the first three filial generations of breeding (F1–F3) are usually reserved for breeding purposes or the specialty pet home environment.
The Bengal Cat is considered to be a self-assured cat, both affectionate and playful. They love to play in water. They can also coo and chirp and love to jump and somersault.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed of domestic cat native to Northern Europe, and adapted to a very cold climate. In Norway they are known as the skogkatt/skaukatt which means forest cat (“skog” and ‘skau” being alternate words for “forest” in different Norwegian dialects), or more formally as the Norsk Skogkatt (Norwegian Forest Cat). A common name for them is weegie.

The Norwegian Forest cats are known as ‘skogkatt’ or ‘skaukatt’ in Norway, ‘skog’ and ‘skau’ meaning forest in different dialects. It is believed that the Norwegian Forest cat did come out of the forests about 4000 years ago. Legend has it that travelled the world with the Vikings, protecting their grain stores on land as well as on the sea, and even left their progeny on the shores of America.
The Norwegian Forest Cats look like two different cats in summer and winter.

Acclimatized to cold winters, they have a very thick, glorious coat during the cold months. In the spring, they shed their undercoat and look completely different. They also have fur in their ears, between toes and a large bushy tail to wrap around themselves. They are large cats, with males being larger than the females.

The Siberian cat should feel itself loved and appreciated in every home around the world. The Siberian cat is a Russian cat that originated in Russia. The cat adapted to living in cities and urban areas when people migrated to the cities.

The Siberian is Russia’s national cat. The Siberians first arrived in 1990 to the United States. In cities where the Siberian cat is found, it’s possible to mix with other feral cats. The Siberian has been accepted by the Feline registries.

The Siberian is very dog-like. They are loyal cats that will come to greet you with their unique triple purr. This cat breed appears to be fascinated with water and they are likely to drop toys in it. They are a friendly breed, good with dogs, energetic, and smart.

Known to be an exceptionally agile jumper, the Siberian is a strong and powerfully built cat, with strong hindquarters and large, well rounded paws. They have barrel chests and medium sized ears, broad foreheads, and stockier builds than other cats.

Siberian cats possesses dog like devotion attributes such as being loyal, affectionate, playful and intelligent. It is called a gentle giant and enjoys the company of other pets and people. Siberians love to purr, they are quiet and mellow and extremely personable in nature. They are energetic and athletic creatures and very gentle around children.

The Sphynx (also known as Canadian Hairless ) is a rare breed of cat known for its lack of a coat.

Sphynx cats came from Toronto, Canada, after a domestic pet cat gave birth to a kitten that was hairless. Eventually the cats were taken to America, Europe and they grew in popularity. This breed of cats is the seventh most popular cat breed based on Cat Fanciers Association.

The Sphynx cat is unique because it has very little or no hair on its body. It is often referred to as the ‘feline alien’ for its strange, small face, large bat-like ears, wrinkled skin, a potbelly and almost no hair. Some types of Sphynx cats have no whiskers or eyebrows as well.
The hairless appearance of this breed of cats is so unusual that people feel the need to touch the cat upon seeing it to see what it feels like to touch them. Touching the body of this cat usually feels similar to touching some warm leather. There is always a soft layer of light down found on its coat. Female Sphynx cats weigh around seven to nine pounds while the males weight around eight to nine pounds.
Sphynx cats have a large amount of energy and love being admired. They are very friendly to all people, new and familiar. When sleeping they will usually find a warm place such as under the bedcovers or near a heater. They have voracious appetites and are known for their high metabolism.
The breed is therefore otherwise known as the “Canadian Hairless”, “Moon Cat” and “Moonstone Cat“. There are, though, well documented instances of the hairless cat mutation occurring many times before 1966 without attracting sufficient attention for a new breed to be formed from the mutation. For example, in 1830 in Latin America and in many other countries including England, Australia, USA and Russia, to name a few.

The Maine Coon is a breed of domestic cat with a distinctive physical appearance. It is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, specifically native to the state of Maine, where it is the official State Cat.

It is also said that these cats originally belonged to Marie Antoinette. There is also a strong theory that they came with the Vikings and mated in the wilds with raccoons from which the name is derived.

The Maine Coon is noted for its large bone structure, rectangular body shape, and long, flowing coat. The breed can be seen in a variety of colors and is known for its intelligence and gentle personality. Health problems, such as feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia, are seen in the breed, but screening methods can help to reduce the frequency of these problems.

Maine coon cats are clever, energetic and playful. They love being in families that have lots of other pets as well as children.
They possess much more dexterity than regular cats, and are capable of scooping up objects, toys and food using their paws, almost like raccoons.
This breed of cat can stretch themselves up and use their flexible paws to open doors using door knobs.
This breed of cat has a shaggy coat of fur that is weatherproof along with a full, puffy tail and ear tufts. All these traits help protect it during harsh winters.

The Birman is said to have originated in western Burma; and certainly cats with similar markings are recorded in documents from ancient Thailand. One story claims that a pair was given as a gift to an Englishman named Major Gordon Russell and his friend August Pavie by the priests of the Khmer people; another that the cats were acquired by an American named Vanderbilt from a servant who had once been at the temple of Lao-Tsun where the cats were kept as sacred animals.

The Sacred Cat of Burmah (Birman) is yet more veiled in obscurity than its supposed descendant the Siamese, and we are indebted to Russell Gordon for the only authentic account of this species that has reached our shores. He gained his information during the Burmese War of 1885 whilst serving as an officer in the English Army occupying Burmah. His position enabled him to protect certain kittahs, or priests, whose lives were in danger, and in return they bestowed on him unprecedented privileges of entry into their secret and sacred places.

Original Legend of Birman cat
“In a temple built at the sides of the Mount of Lugh, lived in prayer the venerable Kittah Mun Ha, Grand Lama, precious among the precious, from which the very god Song Hio braid the golden barb … There was not a minute, not an inking, not a thought of his existence that wasn’t dedicated to the adoration, the contemplation, and the pious service of Tsun Kyankzé, the goddess with the sapphire eyes, the one who presides over souls’ transmutation, the one who allows the Kittahs to reincarnate in the form of a sacred animal in the time of its existence, before returning to a body surrounded with the total and holy perfection of the grand priests. Close by the goddess, Sinh the dear oracle meditated. He was a completely white cat, with yellow eyes, a reflection of both his master’s golden braid and the golden body of the goddess with sky eyes … Sinh, the counselor cat, who’s ears, nose, tail and points were the color of the soil, the mark of stain and impurity for all that touches or can touch the earth. Now, one night, as the malevolent moon illuminated the cursed Phoums, who were coming their way from the loathed Siam to the holy enclosure, the Grand Priest Mun Ha–without stopping to implore the cruel destinies–entered slowly in death, under the anguished eyes of all the devastated kittahs, with his divine cat at his side… When a miracle happened… the unique miracle of instant transmutation: with one jump, Sinh was on the golden throne on his saggy master… He perched himself on his head, heavy with years, and which, for the first time was not looking to his goddess… And as the cat turned straight before the eternal statue, one could see the hairs on his white backbone bristle and suddenly become a golden yellow. And his golden eyes became blue, immense and profound like the eyes of the goddess. And, as he slowly turned his head toward the southern entrance, his four paws, which were touching the venerable crane, became flashing white until the fringe of the sacred silk clothes. Then, as his eyes locked on the southern entrance, the kittahs, obedient to this imperative gaze loaded with hardness and light, hurried to close the heavy bronze door on the first invader… The temple was saved from profanation and looting… Sinh had not left the throne. On the seventh day, without having ever moved, facing the goddess, his eyes on her eyes, he died, mysterious and hieratic, taking Mun Ha’s soul away to Tsun Kianksé, as he was now too perfect for earth … And when seven days later, the priests assembled in front of the statue, and consulted in order to decide Mun Ha’s succession, they saw all the temple’s cats running up together … All the cats were clothed with gold and white gloves and all their yellow eyes had changed to deep sapphire… Then, all of them in silence surrounded the youngest Kittah, who was chosen by the reincarnated ancestors according to the will of the goddess … “And now” proclaimed the storyteller woman, “when a sacred cat dies in the Lao-Tsun temple, a Kittah’s soul replaces it forever in the golden god Song Hio’s paradise.“ “But also”, she said, “woe to the one who hastens the end of one of these marvelous animals. Even, if he didn’t mean to, he will suffer the cruelest torments until the sad soul he disturbed finds peace…”

Appearance of Sacred Cat of Burma
Birmans have semi-long, silky hair, a semi-cobby body and relatively small ears compared to other cat races and a Roman nose. In order to comply with breed standards, the Birman’s body should be of an eggshell colour or golden, depending on the intensity of the markings colour. The markings can be pure seal, chocolate, blue, red, lilac or cream. Tabby variations are also allowed. Tortie cats can be seal, chocolate, blue or lilac. Birmans have sapphire coloured eyes.

The Chartreux is an internationally recognized breed of domestic cat from France. The Chartreux is large and muscular, with relatively short, fine-boned limbs, and very fast reflexes. They are known for their blue (grey) water-resistant short hair double-coats which are often slightly nappy in texture (often showing “breaks” like a sheepskin) and orange- or copper-colored eyes. Chartreux cats are also known for their “smile”; due to the structure of their heads and their tapered muzzle, they often appear to be smiling. Chartreux are exceptional hunters and were highly prized by farmers.

The Chartreux is a natural French breed of great antiquity. It is known for its gray-blue color, wooly double coat, powerful build, and mild temperament. Although it is a massive cat, it has a sweet, smiling expression and a tiny voice. It is always gray-blue in color, with gold to copper eyes. Authors through the centuries have praised the Chartreux as a gentle cat, a quiet cat, an excellent hunter, devoted to its master, easy to keep and a good traveler. These characteristics were prized in a working breed, and are still true of the Chartreux today.
The Chartreux is a sturdy French breed coveted since antiquity for its hunting prowess and its dense, water repellent fur.
Broad, rounded head with powerful jaw and full cheeks. Straight nose with a slight depression between the eyes. Comparatively small, tapered muzzle. Sweet, smiling expression. Medium sized ears set high on the head, with a very erect posture. Rounded, open, expressive eyes.

Robust, medium-long body with broad shoulders and deep chest. Solid and dense. Females are medium in size, males are large. Tapering, moderate length tail. Comparatively short and fine-boned legs. Feet are round and appear almost dainty compared to body mass.

Slightly wooly, medium-short coat (slightly longer than most shorthairs). Dense undercoat; longer, protective topcoat. The coat should clump up like sheepskin (we say the coat “breaks”) at the neck and flanks. Silkier, thinner coat permitted on young cats and females.
Chartreux are less talkative than other breeds. Many Chartreux are completely mute: they purr, but cannot meow. Others have a quiet, high pitched meow or chirp which they use infrequently. This quietness can be a plus, but remember that a silent cat cannot let you know when it is lost or in trouble.
Neither gregarious nor shy, Chartreux are calmly attentive to the world, and will tend to hang back and observe, rather than rushing in. They are tolerant and gentle with strangers, small children, and other animals. They tend to withdraw from conflict rather than becoming fearful or aggressive. They accommodate themselves to most situations without complaint, travel well, and do not mind being left alone for long periods.

They are natural hunters, more interested in chasing and “killing” a toy than in romping around or wrestling in play. Even in play they are efficient, watching until the perfect moment and then letting loose with a fast and accurate pounce. They play in short spurts, sleeping and relaxing the rest of the time. They are creatures of habit and enjoy the same games and rituals day after day.

The Abyssinian is a breed of domesticated cat with a distinctive ticked coat. There are many stories about its origins, often revolving around Egypt, but the actual origins are uncertain. The Abyssinian has become one of the most popular breeds of shorthair cat in the USA.

Although many believe the Abyssinian to be direct descendent of the sacred cat of Egypt, the exact origin of the breed is obscure. Certainly, there is a strong resemblance between the modern Abyssinian and the cat depicted in ancient Egyptian bronzes, paintings and the agouti coated cats found buried in the tombs, with the lithe long body large ears and long tail. The Abyssinian shape and distinctive coat however also bears a striking similarly to the African Wild cats. The first registration of the breed appeared in English studbooks in 1896. The earliest identifiable Abyssinian can be found in the Leiden Museum in Holland. The label reads “domestica India”, indicating the origin to the same area. More recent studies have indicated the coast of Indian Ocean between Singapore and Ceylon to be the “homeland” of the Abyssinian Tabby colour pattern – Abyssinians are one of the oldest breeds and they are possibly the closest to a natural breed of all the purebred cats in the world.

Appearance: The overall impression of the ideal Abyssinian would be of foreign build, not as extreme as the Siamese not as rounded as the Burmese but somewhere in between. The Abyssinian is an extremely beautiful and colourful cat with a distinct agouti ticked coat. It is this agouti ticking (flecking) that gives the Abyssinian this rather special “wild cat ” look. It is of medium size, lithe, very regal in appearance, hard and muscular showing eager activity and lively interest in its surroundings. Watching an Abyssinian lope across the room invokes images of a wild hunting cat, swift and capable.

Temperament: The Abyssinian is an affectionate intelligent cat, very people orientated, extremely active and a cat that thrives on interaction and play. They are not constant lap cats, rather, they need to know what you are doing; like to help you make a telephone call; read your newspaper or make your bed, in fact they insist on being included in all family activities as a right.

The Russian Blue (historically Foreign Blue) is a type or breed of cat that has a silver-blue coat. These cats are known to be highly intelligent and playful but tend to be timid around strangers. They also develop close bonds with their human companions and are highly sought after due to their personalities and unique coat.

The Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed that originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia. They are also sometimes called Archangel Blues. It is believed that the first Russian Blues were brought from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s by sailors. The first recorded showing of the breed was in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat. The Russian Blue competed in a class including all other blue cats, until 1912, when it was given its own class.

The breed was developed mainly in Russia and Scandinavia until after World War II.

Russian Blues are gentle, and are usually reserved, or absent, when strangers are around. When they’re with their own beloved humans, however, they are affectionate and playful. Russian Blues are active but not annoyingly so. They like nothing better than to spend time retrieving a favorite toy or chasing sunbeams. They willingly entertain themselves, but prefer that their favorite humans join in the fun. When you’re home, they follow you around, unobtrusive but ever-present companions.

The slight upturn to the corners of the mouth makes most Russian Blues appear to be forever smiling.
Russian Blues like their usual routine and dislike environmental changes more than the average cat. They particularly dislike changes to their dinner schedule. They are also fastidious about their litter boxes and will complain if they’re not spic and span.

Thai is newly classified cat breed, similar to but distinct from the modern Western Siamese cat.
There is little dispute that the cats that were imported from Siam to Western countries in the 19th and early 20th century were broader in features than today’s Western Siamese. While the Thai, known in Thailand as the Wichien-Maat, has common ancestry with the Western Siamese, generations of separate breeding of these two cats have spearheaded the development of two distinct breeds.The International Cat Association (TICA), approved the look of the Old-Style Siamese to be shown as Thai in the Preliminary New Breed category, February 17, 2007.

For breeders and Siamese lovers who’s countries lost all their old time Siamese to the progression of show breeding, Thai cats is an option for registering cats who have no registered pedigree. They can be examined and registered as foundation stock and the rebuilding of the breed can move forward. As an example, in the Netherlands a Traditional Siamese lover turned breeder returned from a trip to Ecuador with old-fashioned type Siamese, one male and two females. Most of their Thai cat lines are now based with these Ecuadorian Siamese of unknown parents. They, like Siamese breeders with years of experience, have learned that Siamese of the old type with registered pedigrees that go back more then 50 years are very rare. Breeders in the workgroup are adding lines from other countries including old time Siamese from America to build and produce a genetically healthy cat with the characteristics of the old style Siamese. A breeder of the WTSN selected one of our kittens to be their foundation stud. When taken to a NEOCAT show he was not allowed to compete as a Thai Cat. They would not allow a full blooded Siamese with a registered pedigree to be shown as a Thai Cat. NEOCAT is the equivalent of our CFA.

In Thailand this elegant cat is known as the Wichien-Maat which means “moon diamond”. The Wichien-Maat, along with other cats, is named, described and illustrated centuries ago in the “Tamra Maew” book of cat poems transcribed by Martin Clutterbuck in the book Siamese Cats: Legends and Reality (2004). Over the years, the Wichien-Maat has stayed true to its original breeding, which is still seen today in Thailand, and it remains a popular cat.

Domestic European Cat is considered to be the second oldest breed in the world because it is a mutation of Abyssinian that is known for over 3000 years. It is believed that –for the variety of colors-it’s the foundation of breeds: short-haired, British Blue, American Short-haired, Blue Russian and Chartreux.

Due to their history and great population, they are not considered a pure breed but Creole, still in beauty expositions they can participate like other breeds.

They were given this name once they were taken to Europe.
It is the most common cat with all the varieties of colors. There is no color that defines them, although some models exist like the spotted ones, also called tabby tiger striped.

Cats that present three colors are always females, known as tortoise shell, tortoise white shell or blue cream. On the other hand yellow tabby are always males.

It is believed that their character is associated with the color of their hair. Black are mysterious, calmed and philosophical; the tortoise shell and tortoise white shell are believed beautiful and they demonstrated openly; yellow tabby are nice of strong personality, possessive and jealous with their family; blue are impatient and frequently aggressive; bicolor are shy and very affectionate and the brown tabby are amicable, patient and very good rat hunters.

The head is wide, short and well developed cheeks. The medium sized nose separates the eyes. The snout is squared and a little long. The ears are medium sized and rounded. Robust body with a slight curly tail at the base and rough. Rounded paws.

They are strong, agile, intelligent and amicable cats. Good companion and an excellent mice hunter.

The European Shorthair Cat (EUR), for which a standard was not established until the beginning of 1980s by FIFe, the International Pedigree Cat Association, is one of the most popular shorthaired breeds in Finland.

European shorthair cat has been developed from house cat by crossing the most beautiful individual cats. The objective was to create a robust shorthair cat with rounded face. Occasionally the Persian longhair cats have been crossed to accelerate the appearance unification process.

It is most likely due to the fact that this originally European breed has preserved its purity fairly well in Northern Europe until these days. In Finland it has not been mixed with other breeds, neither with those that are bred artificially nor with those imported from abroad. Moreover, they have mostly been bred in Finland without any contacts with the British shorthair breed, in spite of the fact that until lately they lacked an established standard.

That is why Finland has succeeded in preserving the purity of the registered European shorthair cats – an absolute must for all these cats, presupposed by the present standard. Many international feline judges think that not only is the Finnish stock of Europeans large but also of very high quality: the cats fulfill the requirements remarkably well. Finnish cats of this breed have had pretty much success in cat shows both in Finland and abroad. Also the best shorthaired cats in the shows have often been of the European breed.

The colour range of these Finnish pedigree cats corresponds rather well with that of the original wild European breed. Although FIFe has accepted some new colour variations during the last few years – there are more than 70 of them – in Finland organized and active breeding concentrates on 15-20 classical variations. Among the types of patterned colourings, the most common variations are tabby mackerel, tabby blotched and tabby spotted. The colour combinations of these patterns are usually following: silver (-black), black (-brown) and red. The most popular solid variant is black. The so-called “tortoise-shell” variation repers to a cat with a red-and-black colour pattern. This pattern can also have a bit of white, and this type is called “tortoise-shell and white”. The bottom layer of a smoke-coloured cat’s fur is silver and the top is darker; European shorthair cats are usually of the black-smoke types.

European shorthair cat is today the natural European breed with ancestors only among European house cats. The breed is bred mainly in Scandinavian countries and especially in Finland it belongs to the most popular shorthair breeds.

The Devon Rex is a breed of unique appearance. Its large eyes, short muzzle, prominent cheekbones, curly whiskers and huge, low-set ears create a characteristic elfin look.

The Devon Rex is a fine to medium build, small cat. Females weigh an average of 2-3 kilos when full grown, and males range from 3-4 kilos. Although it may look fragile, the Devon Rex is a sturdy, agile and very muscular breed.

The Devon Rex distinctive soft, wavy coat comes in a variety of patterns and in colours, including pointed (si-rex), solid, shaded, tortoiseshell, calico, bi-colour, harlequin and smoke colours as well as the tabby pattern.

The Devon Rex is recognised and accepted for competition in all colours and patterns.

The character of the Devon Rex is remarkable! Devon Rex are alert and active, and shows a lively interest in their surroundings. They love to be with their humans, and enjoy playing fetch or other games. They are also extremely agile cats with an inquisitive nature and will explore every corner of their homes.

Burmese cats lived for centuries in Burma, Thailand and Malaya. In late 1800s they were known in England as Chocolate Siamese, but because they were not favoured they gradually died out in England and Europe. The ancestry of Burmese cats can be traced back to one cat named Wong Mau, who was a brown female from Burma and arrived to San Francisco in the early 1930′s to Dr. Joseph Thompson. Through selective breeding to Siamese, the Burmese was established as a distinct breed. Lighter coloured kittens were occasionally produced and eventually the American breeders requested cognition from CFA for these “dilute” colours; first, as another breed named Malayan, then later as a dilute division of Burmese.

The ideal Burmese is a small to medium sized cat with a muscular frame, heavier than it looks, and a straight back. The Burmese is not as long and slender as the Siamese, nor as heavily boned as the British Shorthair. Their paws are neat and oval shaped with slender legs and neck, which give the Burmese a distinctive elegant look. The tail is medium in length, with a slight taper to a rounded tip.
The most characteristic feature of the Burmese is their amazing coats. Their coats are short, fine, sleek and glossy, lying close to the body, and satin-like in feel and texture. Their coats are easy to care for, a simple pat is often enough to groom it.

The Burmese is very friendly inquisitive cat with an outgoing, loving nature – this is why Burmese are one of the most popular breeds. It has been said that the Burmese are more like dogs than cats in their behaviour. When encouraged from kitten hood, they will fetch. They will greet you at the door when you come home and comfort you when you are ill or unhappy – they give unconditional love.

The exact origin of the Egyptian Mau is not documented and therefore cannot be known for certain. However, the popular belief is that the Egyptian Mau is an ancestor to the African Wild Cat. This belief is due to the Egyptian Mau’s remarkably similar appearance to the African Wild Cats. The African Wild Cats were also known to be in the same region where the Mau first appeared. No matter how they came about, once this breed was domesticated it became indispensable.

The Egyptian Mau is an elegant beauty that graced Ancient Egyptian art as early as 2200 B.C. Throughout most of the Ancient Egyptian timeline, these cats were seen as both loving companions to be treasured and valuable protectors to be honored and revered. Egyptian Maus were originally trained to hunt prey, such as birds and fish, and return the bounty to their humans. They were also taught to guard crops by keeping away small animals that would disturb them. Cats were held in such high regard that if anyone were to be caught killing a cat in this time period, they would be immediately stoned to death for their crime.
These active, athletic cats have the randomly-spotted tabby pattern resembling wild cats, but are fully domesticated. In fact, the Mau is the only naturally-occurring pedigreed breed of spotted domestic cat. It is an intelligent and devoted breed with expressive green eyes and known for a slightly “worried” expression.

They are accepted in colors such as bronze, silver, and black smoke. They were first accepted in 1968 by CFF.

The Egyptian Mau is a medium sized cat with distinctive darker spots that stand out from the background color. The dark spots are usually round and evenly distributed but are random and can run together to form stripes. The legs and tail are usually banded with the darker color. The breed has an ‘M’ mark on its forehead which is sometimes called the scarab mark after an ancient Egyptian symbol. This graceful and muscular medium-sized cat is similar in conformation to the Abyssinian. Male Maus can weigh from 8 to 11 pounds and females are smaller at 6 to 8 pounds.

There are four color varieties in the Mau breed – silver, bronze, smoke and black.

Egyptian Maus are extremely active, agile and playful cats which need lots of exercise. The Mau is intelligent, loyal and affectionate and can be possessive of its owners. Maus that have been thoroughly socialized make good family pets but can be distrustful of strangers. Maus can be trained to walk on a leash but will do fine as indoor cats. Maus have quiet melodious voices and communicate through chirps and chortles. This breed needs daily exercise and play time and doesn’t like to be left alone.

The Balinese cat is relatively new to the cat world, beginning in the mid 1950s (although a longhaired Siamese was registered in 1928).

Although the occasional ‘fluffy’ popped up from time to time in pure Siamese lines, they were sold off as pets until a few breeders in the U.S decided they were so taken with them that they would start up a breeding program.
Mrs Helen Smith (Prefix ‘Merry Mews’), one of the pioneer breeders, came up with the name ‘Balinese’ because, as they walked, their tail gently waved from side to side and this reminded her of the exotic Balinese dancers.

A Balinese should be the same as a Siamese in most respects, the main difference is a beautiful Semi-longhaired coat.
Some say that everything on a Balinese is slightly ‘softer’ than on a Siamese, the length of coat giving ‘softness’ to the lines of the cat and that the voice is a little quieter.
The Balinese has a wedge head, in the shape of an equilateral triangle, with large flared ears positioned so as to continue the triangle. The eyes are rich brilliant sapphire blue and are oriental or almond in shape.

A long slender neck leads into a refined, lengthy body, well muscled and tubular in shape, the legs are fine boned yet strong, with delicate oval paws.

The Balinese is a medium sized cat breed with a luxurious tail plume. Male Balinese weigh from 10 to 15 pounds and females from 8 to 12 pounds which is similar to the Siamese. The Balinese is svelte and dainty but also lithe and muscular. This is a long slender cat that resembles the Siamese except for the longer coat and plumed tail. The head of the Balinese forms a long and tapering wedge with a long and straight profile. The ears are large. They complement and extend the wedge. The eyes are Oriental, slanted slightly and are a deep vivid blue. The Balinese coat is medium length and silky to the touch and since there is no undercoat, it lies flat to the body. The tail has longer hair than the coat, about 2 to 3 inches, and when brushed forms a luxurious and graceful plume.

The only point colors recognized by the CFA are the same as the pedigreed Siamese cat. Points refer to the face, ears, tail and paws which contrast with the body color. The points should all be the same shade and clearly defined with no ticking or white hairs in the points.

The Exotic or the Exotic Shorthair is the only hybrid cross recognized in the US. The Exotic is a relatively new hybrid created by crossing American Shorthairs with Persians. The intent of the breeders was to create a Persian type cat that didn’t require excessive grooming. These breeders could see that a Persian in short hair would make a valuable addition to the cat fancy.

The hybrid breed ran into a lot of resistance from American Shorthair breeders who wanted to keep their breed true. Therefore in 1966, it was decided to create a new breed called the Exotic Shorthair which was recognized in 1971. The first Exotic Shorthair achieved the status of Grand Champion in 1971. In 1991 an Exotic was named the CFA’s Cat of the Year. The only crosses allowed are Persian to American Shorthair, Exotic to Exotic or Persian to Exotic. Approximately 50 % of the kittens from Exotic/Persian crosses can have long hair if the Exotic carries a recessive long hair gene.

The Exotic has the body and head type of the Persian, but has a short, plush coat.

The breed was developed during the 1950s and 1960s by crossing Persians and various shorthaired breeds, although early in their development, CFA restricted outcrosses to the American Shorthair when it was accepted for championship status in 1967.

The breed is called the Exotic Shorthair in most associations. It is called the Exotic here because some longhaired offspring of Exotics are called Exotic Longhairs, and at least a few organizations recognize this as a separate breed. Exotics are available in the same rainbow of colors and patterns as the Persian breed.
Like the Persian, the Exotic is a docile, gentle cat with a soft voice. They are sweet-tempered pets who enjoy sitting on laps and the refined comforts of home.
The Exotic is sometimes called the “lazy man’s Persian”, as it has the same body and head type, but without the daily grooming requirements.

The Exotic or Exotic Shorthair cat is a plush, shorthaired version of the Persian with the same body shape and the same small and squeaky Persian voice. They have the sweet, flat face of the Persian but have a wonderfully thick, dense, soft and glossy coat that is slightly longer than a shorthair but is even in length and stands out from the body because of the thick undercoat. The breed is nicknamed “the teddy bear cat”. The Exotic has a medium to large, cobby body that sits low on the legs with a broad and deep chest, large shoulders and rump.

The Exotic’s temperament is docile, laid-back and extremely affectionate. Most breeders say it has a similar personality to the Persian.