Most Popular Cat Breeds

Here you will find a list of the most popular cat breeds that are recognized by different cat registries.
It's important to realize that even though the listed breeds are very popular, there are two unrecognised cat breeds that have always been more wide spread than any recognized breed. They are the Domestic Shorthaired and Domestic Longhaired cats.

Photo by ~Sage~

Persian

Origin: Iranian plateau (Persia)
Colors: Any
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Longhair
Grooming: Daily
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Low
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Easy to handle

Breed video: Persian - perfect family cat

Photo by ntt

Maine Coon

Origin: USA

Colours: Any

Size: Large
Coat Type(s): Longhair
Grooming: Weekly
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Average
Attention Requirement: Average
Overall: Easy to handle

The appearance of Maine Coons can make you think they are of the blood royal.

Photo by Mark Duff

Exotic Shorthair

Origin: United States
Colors: Any colour
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Shorthair
Grooming: Twice a week
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Low
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Easy to handle

Exotic Shorthairs, as well as Persians, have a calm temperament but they are slightly more active than their ancestor.

Breed video: Exotic cat

Photo by 2mnedolz

Siamese

Origin: Siam (Thailand)
Colors: Seal, chocolate, blue, lilac with the typical colourpoint pattern
Size: Medium
Coat Type(s): Shorthair
Grooming: Little
Talkativeness: Very vocal
Activity Level: Very high
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Can be a handful

Breed video: Siamese - very vocal cat

Photo by Cosmos59

Abyssinian

Origin: Egypt
Colors: Ruddy, cinnamon, red, blue and fawn
Size: Small to medium
Coat Type(s): Shorthair
Grooming: Little
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Very high
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Can be a handful

Breed video: Abyssinian - active cat for active family!

Photo by Janoid

Ragdoll

Origin: United States
Colors: Seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, read, and cream
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Longhair
Grooming: Weekly
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Low
Attention Requirement: Average
Overall: Easy to handle

The Ragdoll's character can be described by three simple words: obedient, sweet and neat.

Breed video: Ragdoll

Photo by Sony 70-200

Birman

Origin: Thought to be Burma
Colors: blue-point, chocolate-point, lilac-point, seal tortie-point, cream-point, blue cream point, chocolate tortie point, lilac tortie point. Same go for tabby variety.
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Longhair
Grooming: Twice a week
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Low
Attention Requirement: Average
Overall: Easy to handle

Breed Video: Birman

Photo by Marser

American Shorthair

Origin: Emigrated from Europe to United States
Colors: Any, except chocolate, sable, lavender, and colourpoint
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Shorthair
Grooming: Little
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Average
Attention Requirement: Average
Overall: Moderately obedient

American shorthairs are easy-going, adaptable, affectionate, and intelligent cats.

Oriental Shorthair and Longhair

Origin: Great Britain
Colors: Any
Size: Small to medium
Coat Type(s): Shorthair or Longhair
Grooming: Little
Talkativeness: Very vocal
Activity Level: Very high
Attention Requirement: Very high
Overall: Can be a handful

Photo by The Pug Father

Sphynx

Origin: Canada
Colors: Any
Size: Medium
Coat Type(s): Hairless
Grooming: Twice a week
Talkativeness: Vocal
Activity Level: High
Attention Requirement: High
Overall: Can be a handful

Back to Cat Breeds.