European Cat Breeds – Cats.com

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The British Shorthair is likely one of the oldest cat breeds. It was one of many authentic breeds exhibited on the first organized cat exhibits, which happened in London within the 1800s. The ancestors of the trendy British Shorthair have been Egyptian cats introduced by the Romans once they invaded Nice Britain.

Though at the moment’s British Shorthair is available in many alternative colours and patterns, most early British Shorthairs have been a strong grey colour (additionally known as blue), so the breed was first known as the British Blue. British Shorthair cats are calm, laid-back, and affectionate pets.

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Though Chartreux cats developed naturally in France a whole lot of years in the past, the breed was standardized by people within the Nineteen Twenties. The Chartreux’s stand-out function is its distinctive, wooly coat that appears and feels a bit like a sheep’s fleece. Chartreux are available one colour—blue-gray. Every hair is tipped in silver, making the coat shimmer.

Chartreux cats are pretty pets that match nicely into many alternative households. They’re mild and quiet, but additionally fairly social. They take pleasure in taking part in and being near their folks.

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Certainly one of two rex breeds from the UK, the Cornish Rex got here into existence because of a singular kitten born right into a litter in Cornwall, England, in 1950. The wavy-haired kitten with a “washboard” coat was named Kallibunker (Kalli), and later turned the inspiration of the Cornish Rex breed.

The Cornish Rex’s quick, tightly curled, delicate coat has an irresistible texture in comparison with chenille and sheds little or no. Cornish Rex cats are energetic, curious, and really playful, appearing like kittens nicely into maturity.

#4 Devon Rex (United Kingdom)

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The Devon Rex is the opposite rex cat breed that hails from the UK, but it surely’s not associated to the Cornish Rex.The Devon Rex’s quick, wavy coat is the results of a totally totally different genetic mutation that popped up in a litter of kittens in Devonshire, England, within the late Nineteen Fifties.

The unique kitten with this mutation was very small with massive eyes, massive ears, a brief muzzle, and distinguished cheekbones, traits that some say make the Devon Rex appear like a feline elf or a “pixie cat.” When you don’t fall in love with the Devon Rex’s borable look, you’ll actually adore their persona. These cats are  is as cute as its look. It’s foolish, fun-loving, and intensely connected to its human members of the family.

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The Donskoy is a comparatively new Russian breed developed within the late Eighties. The inspiration cat was a stray kitten with an uncommon coat. The kitten, named Varvara, was born with what seemed to be a traditional coat, however as she aged, her hair started falling out. When Varvara herself had kittens, some have been born with hair and a few have been born hairless.

Donkey cats could be fully hairless or partially hairless, or have fantastic down overlaying their our bodies. They’re generally born with hair, then develop into bald later in life. Donskoy cats are affectionate with their favourite folks, playful, and stuffed with vitality.

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The German Rex was developed in Germany when a stray feminine cat with a particular wavy coat was adopted off the streets after World Warfare II. The cat, named Lammchen, was the inspiration for a brand new rex cat breed: the German Rex.

The coat is brief, wavy, and silky, and looks like velvet. Though the German Rex will not be acknowledged by the Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation or The Worldwide Cat Affiliation, it’s acknowledged by breed registries in Germany, in addition to the Fédération Internationale Féline. These cats are sociable, loving, and playful.

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The Kurilian Bobtail has been recognized in Russia for not less than 200 years, the place it developed naturally with out human intervention on the Russian Kamchatka peninsula, and Sakhalin and Kuril islands. These cats have been recognized for not less than 200 years, probably longer. The cats have been found by explorers and delivered to central Russia, the place they have been valued for his or her rodent-catching abilities.

Though the breed unfold to Europe, it’s very uncommon in North America. The Kurilian Bobtail has a big, heavy-boned physique and pure bobtail of various size. The breed is loyal, cuddly, and playful.

#8 Manx (United Kingdom)

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The tailless Manx developed naturally on the Isle of Man within the Irish Sea between England and Eire. Though Manx cats existed on the island for a whole lot of years with out human intervention, people turned smitten with them and commenced breeding them in earnest. The Manx was exhibited on the first cat exhibits within the late 1800s.

Some Manx have bobtails and a few are born with lengthy tails, however solely tailless Manx  (known as rumpy) or these with a slight rise of bone on the finish of the backbone (known as rumpy risers) can compete within the present ring. Manx can have quick hair or lengthy hair (long-haired Manx are known as Cymric). The breed is kind of dog-like in persona: mellow, pleasant, and good.

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One other breed that developed naturally with out the assistance of people, the Norwegian Forest Cat developed within the forests of the Scandinavian nation of Norway, the place it’s celebrated at the moment because the nation’s nationwide cat breed.

Because of the chilly, harsh local weather, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a hardy breed with an extended, thick coat, which wants brushing about thrice every week. Although they are often unbiased, Norwegian Forest Cats additionally benefit from the firm of their human households. The breed is quiet, adaptable, and clever.

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A reasonably trendy breed, the Peterbald was created within the Nineties by crossing a hairless Russian breed known as the Don Sphynx (the unique title for the Donskoy) with the Oriental Shorthair. Peterbald cats have the same physique sort to the Oriental Shorthair however with 5 potential coat sorts: bare (hairless), chamois (delicate peach fuzz), flock (a velour or velvet coat), brush (a sparse wiry coat), and straight (a typical quick coat).

As Peterbald kittens develop up, their hair coat can change—some are born hairless however later develop hair, and a few are born with hair however go bald when they’re older. The breed could be very affectionate, talkative, and stuffed with vitality.

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Because the title confirms, the Russian Blue cat is from Russia, the place it was a naturally occurring breed. The Russian Blue was one of many authentic breeds proven on the first cat exhibits in London, although again then it was known as the Archangel Cat.

The Russian Blue’s trademark is its stunning blue-gray coat tipped with silver, which provides these cats a silvery sheen and glowing luster. Russian Blues all the time have gorgeous, emerald inexperienced eyes, that are the proper praise to the silver-blue coat. Russian Blues are calm, candy, mild, and loving pets.

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Yet one more great breed delivered to us from the UK, the Scottish Fold is the one cat breed with ears that fold ahead, making them look a bit like little owls. The folded ears are the results of a genetic mutation. A farmer and his spouse residing in Scotland found a white barn cat named Susie and adopted considered one of her kittens, which was additionally born with folded ears.

The descendents of that kitten turned the inspiration of the Scottish Fold breed.  Not all Scottish Fold kittens can have folded ears—some are born with straight ears. These cats are known as Scottish Straights, and play an essential position in Scottish Fold breeding packages. Scottish Fold cats are social, playful, and charming companions.

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The Siberian developed naturally in Russia a whole lot of years in the past, and has lengthy been treasured for his or her companionship and skill to dispatch mice and rats. The Siberian has a coat in contrast to another cat. It’s made up of three layers: undercoat, center layer, and outer coat.

Collectively, all of the layers of the triple coat present heat and insulation to the Siberian cat—a pure adaptation to guard them from the chilly local weather. Siberians are pleasant, calm, and quiet pets, becoming into nearly any family.