Our A to Z listing of cat breeds. Find the cat breed that best suits your lifestyle.

Abyssinian

The Abyssinian is considered very "dog like" in their ways, and can easily be taught to retrieve small objects, often bringing them back for you to throw again, they are fascinated by water.

American Bobtail

The American Bobtail is a medium to large, naturally occurring, bobtailed cat. It is a noticeably athletic animal, well muscled, with the appearance of power and the body is moderately long and substantial with a rectangular stance and prominent shoulder blades.

American Curl

The distinctive feature of the American Curl is their uniquely attractive curled ears. Curls are well balanced, moderately muscled, slender rather than massive in build.

American Shorthaired

The American Shorthaired cat is is the original Native American shorthaired cat. The coat is short and dense. Many colours and coat patterns are accepted.

American Wirehair

American Wirehairs have a body composition identical to the American Shorthair, but have a unique, wiry coat. This breed has a medium to large, muscular and powerful body.

Australian Mist

The Australian Mist is a very people-oriented cat that may be more inclined than Australian domestic shorthair cats to remain indoors. Australian Mists get along well with children and other pets.

Balinese

The Balinese and Javanese may be referred to as long-haired Siamese cats. They have the long, slender, Oriental body type and long, wedge-shaped head like the Siamese, but have a long silky coat with no dense undercoat.

Bengal

The Bengal is breed of cat is descended from the Asian leopard cat, which is resembles in its coat patterning. The thick, short coat is most commonly patterned with the distinctive leopard pattern of spots arranged horizontally and forming rosettes. Sorrel and mink varieties also exist.

Birman

The Birman is affectionate, playful and gentle. They are quiet and unobtrusive, and are a good family pet. The Birman is a sturdy cat, the eyes are round and brilliant blue, and the face has a sweet expression.

Bombay

The Bombay is a medium-size cat, well-balanced, friendly, alert, and outgoing; muscular and having a surprising weight for its size. Kittens are born with blue eyes and tabby markings, and mature to the adult colour pattern over time.

Brazilian Shorthair

The Brazilian Shorthair is a medium sized, muscular cat with a round chest, head that is longer than it is wide, medium sized ears, and almond-shaped eyes. The coat is short and lies close to the body. Many colours and coat patterns are accepted.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is compact, well-balanced and powerful, showing good depth of body, a full broad chest, short to medium strong legs, rounded paws, tail thick at base with a rounded tip.

Burmese

The Burmese, with its velvety coat, is a good lap cat. One reference states that "it is said that a Burmese is so trusting that it should never be let outside, since it lacks much instinct to fend for itself".

Burmilla

The Burmilla are a good blend of the classic Chinchilla, for the outward looks, and the wonderful, loving nature of the Burmese. They are an ideal family pet well suited to indoor life.

Chartreux

Chartreux kittens are born with blue eyes that slowly change to a brownish-grey before achieving the copper to orange colouration of the adult cat. The dense coat of the Chartreux should not be brushed, but instead should be rubbed by hand and/or with a chamois.

Chausie

The Chausie is a lean, muscular cat. The coat is plush, ranging in colour from blue to black or with patterning as is seen in the wild jungle cat from which it is derived.

Chinchilla

The original Persian cats were from Turkey, and probably had a solid white coat. These cats were called Angoras, after the Turkish capital of Ankara, and should not be confused with the present day breed, the Turkish Angora.

Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex shed less than many breeds but do produce dander and so are not automatically the breed of choice for those with cat allergies that wish to own a cat. The Cornish Rex is distinguished from all other breeds by its extremely soft, wavy coat and racy type.

Devon Rex

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

Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is one of the few naturally spotted cats. It has an elegant, long body and a stride like a cheetah. The eyes are oval shaped and vivid green in colour with dark highlighting sometimes referred to as "mascara".

Exotic

The is a Persian cat with a short, plush coat. Persian cats have a medium to large, square body type, often referred to as "cobby". The face is round and quite flat, and the ears are small. The eyes are round and large, and the neck is short and thick.

Havana Brown

The Havana Brown's most obvious characteristic is its beautiful brown short coat. It is a cat of the Siamese body type, but with a head longer than it is wide, narrowing to a rounded muzzle.

Himalayan

The Himalayan Persian variant has a cream coat with darker "points" or colours accepted for the points include lilac, chocolate, blue, seal and patterning.

Japanese Bobtail

Japanese Bobtails are affectionate and do well in groups of cats. They can be taught to fetch. They are a quiet breed, but have a wide vocal range, leading some to say they can sing.

Javanese

The Balinese and Javanese may be referred to as long-haired Siamese cats. They have the long, slender, Oriental body type and long, wedge-shaped head like the Siamese, but have a long silky coat with no dense undercoat.

Korat

The Korat is a rare cat even in Thailand, its country of origin, and because of its unusually fine disposition, is greatly loved by the Thai people who regard it as a "good luck" cat. Its general appearance is of a silver blue cat with a heavy silver sheen, medium sized, hard-bodied, and muscular.