Popular types of cats. Cat breeds. American shorthair cat

Among the many different cat breeds that exist today, smooth-haired cat breeds stand out. These beauties are distinguished by grace and elegance. They can be completely different in build, color, and character. But every cat will have smooth fur. More than thirty cat breeds with short hair are officially recognized by cat organizations, but slightly fewer species have completely smooth fur.

Abyssinian cat

– an amazing breed, the appearance of which is associated with the mysterious Ethiopia. A beauty of iridescent color with smooth fur, huge eyes that leave a surprised expression on her face. The Abyssinian's habits resemble a wild lynx, but the beauty is extremely friendly, neat, clean, and attached to her owners.

Australian mist

Australian mist (smoky cat) - wears a coat of a very characteristic color, has gentle transitions between the pattern and the main color. This is an affectionate, devoted creature. She thrives in an enclosed space and has no need for walks.

Asian tabby

Asian tabby was born by crossing a chinchilla and a Burmese cat. Wears a necklace of spotted patterns around his neck. He never refuses the attention, care, and affection of his owner, but he does not trust strangers and greets guests with caution.

American shorthair cat

- appeared on the continent in the company of sailors and travelers from Europe, quite strong build, excellent health. Many colors are allowed. The adaptability of the American Shorthair cat to any living conditions is remarkable.

American Curl

- a gorgeous cat with characteristic ears turned back, silky smooth hair that fits tightly to the body. The creature is not at all capricious, playful, flexible.

Balinese cat

– color-point color with silky thick coat without undercoat, lengthening from the ears to the tail. Smart, talkative, inquisitive, sweet animal.

Bengal cat

- a small leopard living in the house. He charms with his easy-going, gentle disposition, activity, and great mobility. This beauty cannot be classified as a sofa breed; she needs walks, games involving covering long distances or hunting for toys.

British Shorthair

– a large beauty, round and soft, has a pronounced fold around the head, thick plush fur. A kind, calm, almost phlegmatic animal.

Burmese cat

– a proportional, medium-sized beauty in the most delicate silk coat, painted with smooth transitions to darkening of color on the back and limbs, a soft, loving, tactful pet, maintaining playfulness until adulthood.

Bombay cat

- a small charming panther, very predatory in appearance, has the yellow-amber eyes of a wild cat and sparkling black fur. The beauty is sociable, playful, easy-going, unobtrusive, but very talkative.

Devon Rex

- an exotic big-eared handsome man dressed in astrakhan fur. An intelligent, loving creature, it can spend time constantly lying in the arms of its owner.

European Shorthair

The European Shorthair is a well-developed, muscular, strong individual. Possesses good health and is able to survive in difficult conditions. When kept at home, it retains independence, greatly appreciates affection and tenderness from a person, but will never impose its company on its owner.

Egyptian Mau

– a graceful, graceful, unusually flexible cat. The fur coat is painted with a characteristic spotted pattern, as if painted on silk fur. Quite an energetic nature, loves to be in the company of people, prefers playing in the water to other types of entertainment.

- a cat whose head is shaped like a heart. Handsome men older than two years old certainly have green eyes. Korats are always bluish in color, the most popular shade of color being blue-gray. A calm, open, trusting creature that does not like fuss, is attached to its owner, and is very jealous.

German Rex

The German Rex is a well-proportioned, well-built cat with a wavy, velvety coat of various colors. He is always in a great mood, curious, active, but extremely unfriendly with animals in the house.

Cornish Rex

- a wavy cat with a medium-sized body on high paws. The wavy coat has no main hair and consists almost entirely of undercoat. Sociable, smart, intelligent cat. Can get along with almost any neighbor.

Selkirk Rex

– a well-proportioned, well-built handsome man with wavy hair, a peaceful character, and is not inclined to play pranks and be a troublemaker.

- a cat on short legs, in a pleasant, smooth fur coat of various colors. Kind, playful, smart pet, wonderful companion.

Manx is a strong cat without a tail, strong, well built. They are excellent mouse hunters, they have a good, easy-going character and love for people.

Oriental cats

– graceful, sophisticated, graceful creatures, very harmoniously built, short-haired, without undercoat. Sociable, talkative animals that need constant human attention.

The Ocicat is a strong, muscular pet with a wild coloration in the form of dots, an open necklace of contrasting spots on its neck, and dark ring bracelets on its paws. Soft, affectionate, playful cat.

Pixie bob

Shorthair - a small domestic lynx with a short tail, a short-tailed elf, with soft fluffy fur. Like a dog, it is devoted to humans, unpretentious in food and hassle-free maintenance.

Russian blue cat

– a graceful, intelligent cat, the favorite of the Russian tsars. A very tactful, modest, even shy beauty. She gratefully accepts self-care, loves regularity, silence, and peace.

Siamese cat

– an oriental princess with a color-point color and the elegance of true grace. Independent, gentle, talkative. A very loyal friend, companion, comrade.

Thai cat

- a stronger, stronger relative of the Siamese cat, with rounded shapes, blue eyes, color point color. She does not tolerate loneliness well, actively takes part in all household chores, and not a single important event in the house can happen without her.

Singapura cat

- a small cat with sable-brown or ivory-colored silky dense fur. A cautious, shy beauty, very affectionate and gentle when kept at home.

– can be medium or large in size, with point spots, diluted with white markings. Soft, affectionate, sociable, easy-going beauty, inimitable hunter.

- a cute pet with a wild tiger color, but the disposition of an affectionate, gentle pet. Toy sofa tiger cub. In addition to its color, it has a chic collar on its muscular neck, typical of tigers.

Chartreux are dense, strong cats with yellow eyes, gray-blue color and silky coat. Independent, silent, calm, gets along with all family members, be they people or animals.

Scottish lop-eared

- a charming pet with a round muzzle and small ears bent forward. This cutie has a slightly surprised look in her huge round eyes. He has an unusual, slightly raspy voice, as well as the ability to stand still on his hind legs while examining something. Calm, easy-going, non-aggressive cat.

Exotic Shorthair (exotic)

- a charming, always surprised creature with a childish, touching face and a plush short fur coat. Exotics are small and round, resembling a soft toy in appearance. The character is soft, flexible, they have royal grace and calmness.

Smooth-haired cat breeds include types of hairless cats that have all the characteristics of sphinxes, but have a short, almost imperceptible coat:

Peterbald (St. Petersburg Sphynx) - article, appearance reminiscent of orientals. Good-natured, friendly pets;
The Don Sphynx is a well-proportioned, muscular animal; any combination of colors is acceptable. Very thermophilic, love to sit on hands, get along with people and animals;
The Canadian Sphynx is a unique, cute creature with huge ears and delicate cat folds, and large amber eyes. The color can be solid, bicolor, van, harlequin, color point or tortoiseshell. Not picky sociable pet;
Ukrainian Levkoy are fold-eared, gentle, velvety beauties that surprise with their unusual appearance, grace and do not tolerate cold and drafts.

- the largest smooth-haired cat of a hybrid breed today, obtained by crossing a domestic cat and a serval. A playful, inquisitive, very active individual who is not recommended to be kept in an apartment. This exotic lady needs a lot of space to walk and play. In addition, shrouds welcome guests with caution, do not get along well with pets and require special attention.

Smooth-haired cats are all completely different. They are completely different in size, color, build, and character. But they all have an indispensable quality for humans - ease of care.

Their short hair requires almost no careful brushing and does not cause any particular trouble. That is why short-haired gentle creatures are gaining more and more popularity in society, and are ready to outdo their long-haired counterparts in this.

However, when choosing a pet, it is best to familiarize yourself with the individual characteristics of each breed, so that life with a charming creature brings only positive emotions. Of course, it is best to purchase a cat of the exact breed you dream of from professional breeders.

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Cats with small ears are cute and cute; many of them are distinguished by their friendly disposition, sociability and loyalty. The breeds of such animals are very diverse.

Scottish lop-eared

The breed of cats with small ears is the Scottish Fold, very beautiful and friendly animals. They are distinguished by soft plush fur, round large eyes, the Scots are calm and affectionate in character, they play with pleasure with their owner, but they are not overly intrusive.

The characteristics of the breed are as follows:

A good indicator of health; with proper care, cats can live more than 15 years.
Stable psyche.
Scottish Folds are almost silent and rarely meow.
The ears, due to their unusual shape, are so small that they are practically invisible.

The breed is suitable for families with children, since cats are very good-natured towards their little owners and enjoy playing with them.

The first representatives of the breed were discovered in Scotland; the ancestor is a simple domestic cat, whose lop ears appeared due to a mutation. After birth, kittens have the usual erect ears, which are quite small, but as the animal grows up, it will acquire its recognizable feature. Not all Scottish fold kittens become fold-eared; in the first weeks, even the breeder cannot predict their future appearance.

In the photo you can see that their ears are pressed to the round head, the body is of medium size, the tail is proportional to it. The coat is dense, plush, but can also be long.

Persian

A cat with erect ears of small size is a Persian, a very beautiful breed, the history of whose origin has not yet been definitively revealed. Some scientists attribute to her a family connection with steppe cats, wild inhabitants of Asia, others believe that the direct ancestor of the Persians is the Pallas cat, which is also characterized by miniature ears. The distinctive features of the breed are::

The body is large, with low legs, a muscular chest and developed shoulders.
Fluffy tail of medium size.
Wide set ears.
Small snub nose.
The average weight of an adult animal is about 7 kg.
The coat is very long, more than 10 cm, thick but thin. A tuft of hair is most often present between the claws.

The owner of such a beautiful animal should prepare himself for daily care of long hair, otherwise it will mat and the cat will look sloppy. However, as an alternative, you could consider purchasing an Exotic Persian, an attractive breed with a soft, plush, short coat.

American Curl

Another wonderful breed of cat with small ears is called the American Curl. These are very peaceful creatures with thick fur, which can be either long or short. Cats are easy to train, can walk with their owner on a leash, are active and love to play. A distinctive feature is that the ears are small with tassels, which makes the cat’s appearance recognizable.

In the photo you can see that representatives of the breed have ears that bend outward. Therefore, the animal itself looks quite cheerful and unusual, and at the same time the animal’s character is very flexible, they get along well with children, are unobtrusive, but enjoy playing with the owner.

The following features of the appearance of curls can be identified::

A lean, muscular body of medium size with a powerful chest and strong limbs.
Wedge-shaped head.
Large oval eyes, acceptable colors - green, blue, golden.
Silky fine coat with slight undercoat.

These cats will become true friends for many years, but their big drawback is that their ears need to be looked after very carefully. They are very curious, get along well with other pets, and get along with children.

Cats with small ears are amazingly cute and cute creatures that will improve the owner's mood every day with their funny antics.

VETERINARIAN CONSULTATION REQUIRED. INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

Fluffy and hairless, affectionate and capricious, fidgety and lazy – all these are our favorite purring pets. There are dozens of cat breeds in the world, each with unique characteristics. If you are lucky enough to become the owner of a kitten with an impressive pedigree, it is better to know in advance how to care for it, what to feed it and what tricks to expect.

History of cat breeds

Some breeds appeared by chance, others are the result of long-term selection work, and still others have managed to retain the appearance and habits of their wild ancestors, for which they are valued by cat lovers. Thus, the independent Siberian cat was known to our ancestors long after the first attempts to somehow register it, and the plush cutie British shorthair cat once simply caught mice on the streets of London.

However, this cannot be said about most breeds. For example, the Persian cat looked completely different when it was first introduced to Europeans. There is nothing to say about hairless breeds: to some they seem like aliens from the cat world, their appearance is so different from the Murchiks and Muroks we are used to. And this is only a small part of all cats: according to statistics, only 1% of the cat family can boast of belonging to a noble family.

Purposeful work on breeding new breeds began only a century and a half ago. Most of the purebred beauties that people know today were registered only in the last century. However, they have all become such a part of our lives that it is difficult to imagine it without their cheerful antics.

Types of cats

Cat breeds are usually divided into long-haired, short-haired and hairless:

Persian, Angora, Turkish Van, Norwegian Forest, Sacred Burma, etc. are considered long-haired. Most are credited with an affectionate and flexible character.
More than anything in the world. These are Siamese, Oriental, Abyssinian, Russian Blue, and many others. They are so different from each other that it is difficult to identify any special common features, except for a short fur coat.
Naked, bald or sphinxes awaken the most contradictory feelings. The photographs evoke emotion for some, and disgust for others. However, the owners of these unique creatures claim that these are the most ordinary cats, although without hair. But they become very attached to their owner, play a lot and eat a lot, because they are always trying to keep warm.

But is there a significant difference between all these breeds? Lovers of cats of noble blood claim that they are clean, obedient, independent and smart. Are mongrel street vagabonds any less intelligent? Moreover, anyone who brought home a kitten from the street will prove that even yesterday's residents of yards have a love of cleanliness, and there is no need to talk about cat independence.

Love your furry friends no matter if they have a cool pedigree. Always be close to them, because every day around a mischievous cat or affectionate kitty is then remembered with warmth and quiet joy. That's who can make us happy!

Despite the fact that millions of dollars are spent annually on studying felines, there is still no definite answer - when and how did the cat (K) appear in our homes? The approximate date of the appearance of the domestic K, or rather its ancestor - the steppe - is 140 thousand years ago. Being essentially one of the subspecies of the wild forest cat, the steppe, spotted or African K still lives in the steppe, desert and mountainous regions of Africa, Asia, Transcaucasia, Kazakhstan, and India. Artificially bred cat breeds have the genes of their ancestors - wild K. The word “cat” itself comes from Latin. Derived from “captus” or “captat” - smart, bringing prey.

Breeds (P)

There are several dozen cat breeds in the world. How to determine the breed of a cat (PC)? For most of them, the International Federation of K-Lovers - FiFe- has approved a standard describing the ideal exterior. For each breed, the structure of the body, its proportions, size, height and thickness of the paws, length and shape of the tail, and coat are specified in detail. Particular attention is paid to the head - shape, size, bite, location and shape of the ears, eyes - their size, color and shape. The breeds of modern cats are very diverse - the typical classic look, cats with almost no tail, a breed with short legs and many others.

What breeds of cats are there?

Let's look at the most famous cat breeds. Let’s immediately make a reservation that we will give recommendations on choosing an animal for the family very carefully, simply describing its features. Cat breeds can be divided according to different characteristics - coat length, color, size:

hairless - Canadian, Mexican;
shorthaired - Russian, European, British, European, Abyssinian, Siamese, Oriental, exotic, etc.;
semi-longhaired - Turkish, Burmese, Norwegian, raccoon, Maine, Somali, etc.;
long-haired - Kumer, Balinese, Persian, Peking, etc.

A cat breed that hardly sheds: features

Canadian sphinxes

They still have fur, despite the erroneous opinion of amateurs. Only it is very, very small, reminiscent of suede. It is clearly preserved on the nose, the back of the ears, and maybe on the ends of the paws and tail. It appeared as a result of a mutation fixed over several generations. By nature, these home Ks are very sociable. This is a cat - a companion. They also have an extraordinary mind and good disposition. If you want to have an active, smart, inquisitive cat, then this cat breed is the most suitable for this.

Don Sphynx

An amazingly graceful creature, surrounded, like all unusual cat breeds, by a bunch of myths. They say that sphinxes relieve muscle pain, treat nervous disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is a relatively new breed of cat, having appeared since 1987. in Rostov-on-Don. - This is a cat-dog in appearance. A large, muscular body, a long tail and paws with toes similar to human ones, absolutely gorgeous slanted almond-shaped eyes - it’s quite easy to determine the cat’s breed. These are calm cat breeds with an independent, sometimes a little lazy character. Easy to train, they will not run like crazy to obey your command.

Peterbald, or St. Petersburg Sphinx

Graceful, with a long, muscular neck and a proud profile, the Peterbald cat is very talkative, affectionate and quick-witted. However, he will not allow himself to be offended: Peterbalds are touchy and capricious. Peterbald kittens can have coats that vary in location, length, coarseness and color. In adult animals, residual fur may remain in some places. All these nuances are spelled out in the P standard.

Ukrainian Levkoy

This lop-eared hairless K first appeared in January 2004. as a result of crossing the Scottish Fold and the Don Sphynx. Levkoys may have velor fluff all over their body - the so-called. brush reaching 3 cm. The skin is very elastic, forming folds in the groin, armpits, around the eyes, between the ears, and on the neck. Levkoys are the most affectionate and loving cat breeds. They love to sit on their hands. If you are ready to see your Tail as an equal member of the family, controlling you and monitoring all your actions, then this is your breed. In fairness, it must be said that, despite their extreme curiosity, lefties are delicate and intelligent. They are not picky or vindictive, and quickly find contact with all residents of the apartment.

Elf

This breed, with its ears curled back, has the genes of the American Curl and Sphynx. There may be some fur on the paws and tail, and the skin has many folds. An interesting feature of this breed is the absence of eyebrows and mustaches. They can be represented by single thin hairs. Elves are very friendly and kind. And most importantly, they are very patient. If you are thinking about what breed of cats to choose for a child, especially a small one, then elves are beyond competition. Natural intelligence and delicacy allow these fabulous little ears to gently communicate with babies and play with them without the use of claws and teeth.

Bambino

These funny Ks with short legs were the result of crossing Munchkins and Canadian Sphynxes. Even adult animals resemble kittens - they are so funny and touching. Playful, spontaneous, cats with short legs are easy to train. They get along comfortably with children and various animals, and are friendly with all family members. At the same time, they can choose one person as their main and favorite. This cat with short legs has a strong body and excellent health. They do not have spinal problems like short-legged dogs.

Shorthair cat breeds

There are many different breeds of such cats in the world. They are all very beautiful, smart, affectionate. The list of advantages is almost endless. How to find out the cat breed that is right for you? Read our article, think. Study the characteristics of the animal and consider your capabilities. And most importantly, listen to your heart.

Siamese

These kisuls cannot be confused with other representatives of the kitten tribe. Miniature, graceful, with a wedge-shaped long head. Plus a very special fur color and blue eyes. – very smart and talkative. Add here absolute devotion to the owner, accuracy, independence and self-sufficiency, and it becomes clear that these are aristocrats from ears to tip of tail. Siamese cats love to play, jump, and communicate with people. But they will be jealous of other pets. Therefore, if you decide to adopt a Siamese into your family, be prepared for the fact that these representatives of the cat will take leading positions in the family hierarchy and this will need to be taken into account. In return you will receive love, affection and a lot of positive emotions. Don't listen to nonsense about evil Siamese monsters attacking their owners. This is simply not true.

Thai

A very special variety, despite the erroneous opinion that they are confused with Siamese. The difference is in a stronger and more muscular body, a rounded head, and lower legs. – one of the most intelligent representatives of cats. Intelligence and natural intelligence, curiosity, perseverance, enviable persistence in achieving goals, accuracy, tact - the advantages of these Ks cannot be listed. Thais are very attached to their owner and love to talk to him. For a child, you will not find a better friend, protector, or playmate than a Thai. This is the kindest, most affectionate cat breed.

Burmese

A very beautiful breed of cat with a bright personality. Ideal proportions, strong build, silky coat with an unusual sheen, without undercoat, mesmerizing amber eyes - everything about them is amazing. – intellectuals, get along easily in the family, do not conflict with other living creatures. But at the same time they remain leaders. Energetically strong, Burmese are strong-willed, participate in all household chores, love to be the center of attention, play wonderfully with small children, who are forgiven for careless movements, excessive curiosity, even attempts to get their fingers in the eyes. In fact, the Burmese is the calmest and most affectionate cat breed.

Japanese Bobtail, a breed of cat without a tail

- the oldest representative of the cat breed without a tail. Their body is of medium size, moderately well-fed. Long, slender limbs, slanted eyes, and most importantly, a short ponytail. It can be twisted, straight, curved or rigid. And this is the special charm of the bobtail. By nature, a cat without a tail is very unpretentious. Loves to communicate and talk with the owner. Bobtails are easy to train and you won’t get bored with him. If there are already other pets in the family, the bobtail will make friends with them and involve them in its games. You need to keep an eye on such an active pet, otherwise you risk becoming victims of his hyperactive behavior.

Snow shu

They appeared as a result of crossing the American Shorthair and Siamese K. The name of the breeds often 100% characterizes the appearance of the animal. So, (Snowshoe) translated means “snow shoe”. These beauties have snow-white shoes, boots and the same contrasting markings on the face and chest. Irresistible cornflower blue eyes, a proportional body with developed muscles, shiny fur, a neat head - they are perfection itself! They have a very friendly, angelic disposition. Snowshoes are attached to their owner and need attention and communication. This tame K is good with children. Snowshoes love to choose high places to play and show great ingenuity in achieving heights. A special feature of the Snow Shoe is its love for water. On occasion, they will not refuse to swim in the bath and play there.

British Shorthair

One of the oldest officially registered branches. They appeared in the process of crossing cats of the ordinary domestic English and Persian breeds. These are strong and large animals with a wide chest and a large head. The legs are short, the tail is medium length, thick. – make a very solid impression. And for good reason! Plush, flexible, kind, trainable - the British dog has a lot of advantages. Due to his personality traits, the British cat is ideal for busy people, as he requires minimal care, easily tolerates loneliness, and finds something to do for himself. This very friendly creature is capable of making friends with a dog and is family-oriented. Even other people's kittens will be licked, fed and warmed. It is important to note that the British are in dire need of outdoor games, as they tend to be overweight. For the same reason, they should not be overfed.

Devon Rex

These interesting eared animals have English roots. The great-great-grandmother lived in Devonshire in 1960. In fact, they began to be called that way - according to their place of origin. The original appearance and no less original character of the Devons has given rise to many fans of this breed of domestic cats. Huge ears that look like butterfly wings, almond-shaped eyes, and, most importantly, curly fur - such a handsome man will undoubtedly win any heart.

Meanwhile, they are monogamous: they choose one owner and surround him with their attention and love. If there are already animals in the house, then, having met them, the Devon kitten can get along. And as an adult, a Devon is unlikely to warmly accept another four-legged pet. Very physically developed, Devons are very jumping and agile. They also have a very pleasant voice.

Toyger

This large cat breed is brindle in color. Adults weigh about 10 kg. Appearance – tiger stripes, dense fur, very expressive eyes – is very reminiscent of a formidable predator. But their temperament is very good, flexible; toygers love to play with their owner. They will gladly agree to go for a walk and will not be afraid of anyone, even a random dog. – the most beautiful of the recently bred breeds.

The most famous breeds of semi-longhair cats

The largest cat. Resembling a lynx with its ear tufts, the cat can weigh up to 15 kg. Similar to a lynx, Maine Coons can have different colors - in color and uniformity - there are only six of them: black, white, blue, tortoiseshell, cream, red marble. Even ginger cats fit into the standard of this breed. The correct name for this color is red marble. Maine Coons are very hardy and strong. Along with this, they are distinguished by their flexible disposition and extraordinary intelligence.

Maine Coons are talkative cats, they always have something to say to their owner, they comment on everything. Excellent swimmers, Maine Coons are not afraid of water and take showers with pleasure. Adult cats behave like children - they are very playful. You won't find a better playmate or a better nanny for your baby. Adopt a pair of these lynx-like felines into your family and you won’t regret it!

Maine Coons are also excellent hunters. Therefore, they will not be able to make friends with rats - hamsters. But this lynx-like breed of domestic cat can kill mice very quickly.

Sacred Burma

If there is a rating “The most beautiful cat breeds”, then the Burmese will take a leading place in it. The history of its appearance goes back to the deep past and is associated with Buddhist monks. What is true in this legend is not the main thing. The main thing is the existence of an absolutely gorgeous breed. Strong skeleton, round head, medium length coat, very silky. A very characteristic color - a mask on the face and white, clearly defined gloves and boots on the paws - creates a charming image.

They have a very intelligent character; they will not allow themselves to misbehave and loudly conflict. Innate delicacy and accuracy - these are very well-mannered animals. It will give you great pleasure to communicate with them.

Turkish Angora is a representative of the white cat breed

Classic - white cat. And it is this color that remains the priority. Angoras are proportionally built, very graceful, and jumping. They can have different eye colors: green and blue. Unfortunately, such animals have hearing problems - they are deaf on the side of the blue eye. The undoubted decoration is the fluffy tail, reminiscent of an ostrich feather.

The coat does not require complex care, but when the angora sheds, combing is required. The rest of the time, it is enough to treat the fur with dry shampoo, since these representatives of the white cat breed do not welcome water procedures. These are cheerful, but slightly phlegmatic creatures, they are easy to train, have an independent disposition, and are very playful. They love children and get along well with them. In a family, the Angora will be a devoted friend and companion.

Long-haired or fluffy breeds of domestic cats

Persian

These are some of the most popular. And this is well deserved: in addition to unearthly beauty, they have a wonderful character. Very domestic, perhaps the calmest of cats, they will love all members of the family, or they can choose their favorite owner, especially revered and respected. Regardless of this, they get along well with children and behave very correctly in games. Considered “couch” cats, Persians are nevertheless active - they enthusiastically hunt for small game that accidentally flies in - butterflies, flies.

An external, obvious sign of the Persians is the shape of the nose - small and snub-nosed, quite wide. May be upturned. This is a breed of cat with short legs and quite muscular. Quite large, up to 7 kg, Persians seem even larger due to their thick fur. The fur is very soft, requiring regular brushing, grooming and bathing. Sometimes there is a need for a haircut. This nuance must be taken into account when choosing a feline family member.

Norwegian forest

Descendants of wild Norwegian forest cats, these representatives of the cat tribe are the official K of the country. These are large individuals with a strong and flexible body. Fluffy and long tail, tufted ears, large eyes. But, of course, the main thing is the waterproof double-layer wool. The outer layer is long, shiny and soft. And the inner one is very dense, with oil-based, water-repellent hairs. Despite its wild origins, the Norwegian Forest Dog is very friendly to people and is comfortable in the home.

Having an independent cat disposition, she will be a devoted friend. The Norwegian Forest Dog is loyal, even friendly, to strangers who come into the house - he can come to his knees and let him pet him. But you need to communicate with them politely, without familiarity, otherwise you risk recognizing the sharpness of the teeth and claws of this beauty.

Neva Masquerade

Did you know that there are currently 41 species of cats living in the world? They are all wild. Absolutely all are predatory. Many of the species and subspecies are on the verge of extinction. In this article I would like to show all the diversity and beauty of the cat family. But first, I would like you not to be confused about the terms.

So, all cats belong to the order of predators, and then this order is divided into two suborders: canids and felines. Felidae include hyenas, mongooses, viverrids and felids. They are all very distant relatives, but cats are only those that are part of the feline family!

The entire cat family is divided into subfamilies: small cats and big cats.

Each subfamily is in turn divided into genera. There are especially many of them in the subfamily of small cats:

Genus Cheetahs (Acinonyx)
- genus Caracal
- genus Catopuma
- genus Cat (Felis)
- genus Tiger cats (Leopardus)
- genus Serval (Leptailurus)
- genus Lynx (Lynx)
- genus Marbled cats (Pardofelis)
- genus Asian cats (Prionailurus)
- genus Golden cats (Profelis)
- genus Puma (Puma)

For the subfamily of big cats, everything is simpler:

- genus Clouded leopards (Neofelis)
- genus Panther (Panther)

Now that we have determined which family cats belong to and divided them into subfamilies and genera, all that remains is to divide them into species! And there are 41 of these species. Each type is presented below.
Most likely, you will be trying to find your domestic cat breed or, for example, the Far Eastern leopard among all the species below. And you won't find them. Why? Because your domestic cat, like the Amur leopard, is a subspecies.

To make it easier for you to understand what a subspecies means, I’ll show you with an example where your domestic cat is located in the chain:

Family - felines / subfamily - small cats / genus - cats (felis) / species - forest cat / subspecies - your breed of domestic cat

And the Far Eastern leopard is here:

Family - felines / subfamily - big cats / genus - panther (Panthera) / species - leopards / subspecies - Far Eastern leopard.

I will describe the subspecies separately, otherwise this article will turn into such a big one that only a cat maniac like me can read it at once!

Well, now let’s finally get acquainted with all types of cats and admire them:

Subfamily - Small cats (Felinae)

genus - Cheetahs (Acinonyx)

species - cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus):