The CFA is the world's largest cat registry and rank the most popular purebred cats.
5 Most Popular Cat Breeds
- Persian
- Maine Coon
- Exotic
- Siamese
- Abyssinian
- Ragdoll
- Birmans
- American Shorthair
- Oriental
- Sphynx
Their sweet, gentle, personalities blend into most households once they feel secure in their new environment.
While the white Persian has long been the darling of photographers and advertisers, Persians come in an astonishing number of colors, which are divided into seven color divisions for purposes of competition.
Characteristics and Personality
COAT LENGTH: Longhair
CHARACTERISTICS: Stocky body, long full coat, round head with a short nose; broad face; available in a variety of colors and patterns
PERSONALITY: Sweet, affectionate, quiet creatures of habit, Persians are most at home in an atmosphere of security and serenity, but with love and reassurance, can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households.
Their quiet, melodious voices are pleasant and non-abrasive. They communicate delightfully with their large expressive eyes and make charming pets for all ages. Persians have short heavily-boned legs to support their broad, short bodies.
They like to have their feet firmly planted and are not given to high jumping and climbing.
2. Maine Coon
The Maine Coon can be content with his own company and will pursue a variety of activities that he considers entertaining.
Some of these activities include playing with toys, watching birds outside through the window, splashing in his water bowl, and of course sleeping, usually on your head.
These large cats have an interesting vocabulary, which includes not only the meow, but also a variety of cheeps, trills, and purrs. This intelligent, easy going companion has become a great favorite with men who find these actions very appealing.
Maine Coons are well known for their loving nature, kindly disposition and great intelligence.
Maine Coon Cats are especially good with children and dogs, and are now a popular, and highly sought after companion, much admired for their beauty and sweetness.
Characteristics and Personality
COAT LENGTH: Longhair
CHARACTERISTICS: Large, rugged cat; many colors and patterns are available
PERSONALITY: Gentle, easy going yet active. The Maine Coon is well known for its loving nature, kindly disposition and great intelligence.
Maines are especially good with children and dogs and have always been a popular and sought after companion. As a breed, Maine Coon Cats are gentle and loyal.
They are strong, tranquil, and a pleasure to see and touch. They have easygoing temperaments that make them ideal family pets.
They get along well with children and dogs. Depending on the breed of dog, the Maine Coon can be bigger than Fido.
3. Exotic
Exotics are a delightful shorthair version of the Persian cat.
Often referred to as a "teddy-bear" cat, they have the charming appearance, and the mild, gentle disposition of their full-coated cousins, without the demanding requirements for daily grooming.
Exotics have a quiet, endearing nature.Their voices are seldom heard. The Exotic is an ideal breed that produces a quiet, sweet, peaceful and loyal companion. They are easy going and not much seems to disturb them.
In general, they are extremely affectionate.
Exotics are identical to Persians in every respect, except for coat length. Their luxurious coat is shorter than the Persian's, it is medium in length and does not resemble the coat of any other short haired cat. Its texture is not silky or wiry. It should be medium soft.
Most importantly, the coat has to be very dense, like the winter coat of a bear or a mountain goat. This coat does not exist in any other breed. It is strictly the result of combining Persians and short hairs.
Characteristics and Personality
COAT LENGTH: Shorthair
CHARACTERISTICS: Body and head type like a Persian but with a short plush coat, available in same colors and patterns as the Persian
PERSONALITY: Sweet, affectionate, quiet. An Exotic is very comfortable to be in your home. They give you privacy and are not constantly demanding attention. They will, however, quietly follow you from room to room just to be nearby.
They are just as playful and fun loving as other breeds.
They will jump until exhausted trying to catch a toy on a stick, or they will sit and carefully study how to get the toy down from the top of the bookcase where it was placed when you stopped playing with them.
Exotics stay playful as adults and bring pleasure for many years.
Given the innate independence of the feline species and its territorial nature, any cat that exhibits a marked ability to communicate and that wants to associate with people is testifying to a long period of domestication.
No breed surpasses the Siamese in its ability to communicate and in its love for human beings. Whether it is by vocalizing or by body language, the Siamese is determined to communicate.
In addition, they tend to be vocal in direct proportion to the desired end, always demanding the last word. Siamese do not tolerate isolation (or being ignored) well, they want to be a part of their owners' lives, as they hold firmly to the belief that they are man's best friend.
They are in one's lap, on one's newspaper, in one's bed, and completely in one's heart.
Nor should this statement suggest that they are simply pleased to take these various positions; Siamese insist upon it.There is no better companion cat than "The Royal Cat of Siam," a feline thoroughly acquainted with the term, "togetherness."
Characteristics and Personality
COAT LENGTH: Short hair
CHARACTERISTICS: Long, slender body with typical color at the points - chocolate, seal, blue and lilac; long slender legs; long wedge shaped head.
PERSONALITY: Vocal, affectionate, active; can be insistent. The Siamese voice is legendary. They speak both with their voice and with their body. They are the quintessential "people" cat, for they love to be in your lap, on your bed, at your table--and in your heart!
5. Abyssinian
The name 'Abyssinian' refers to Ethiopia but most of the stories about the origins of Abyssinians refer to Egypt.
Genetic research suggests the breed originated near the coast of the Indian Ocean,where colonists may have purchased animals from wild animal traders.
The breed was developed in Egypt and is sometimes believed to have originated from one Egyptian female kitten named Zula, who was taken from a port in Alexandria by a British soldier and brought to England in 1868.
This theory is not established because there is no solid link between Zula and the cat first listed as an Abyssinian in 1882.
This is an affectionate, loyal but demanding breed who needs to keep busy to avoid becoming bored and destructive. Abys also make you a tidy housekeeper because they like to climb, so keep breakables safely out of paw’s reach.
The Abyssinian still sports the jungle look of felis lybica, the African wildcat ancestor of all domestic cats, but thrives on interacting in an active household.
Their thick, dense short haired coats require very little brushing and they rarely need baths. Abys are ideal breeds to learn basic obedience and master tricks using clicker training.
Characteristics and Personality
COAT LENGTH: Short hair
CHARACTERISTICS: This is not a breed to be left alone for long periods of time, as they can become bored and destructive. Even as adults, they remain playful and rotate between periods of frenzied activity and total relaxation. They are known to be proficient hunters.
PERSONALITY: Abyssinians are energetic, athletic and playful with their owners.They also have been described as being quiet, shy, gentle, reserved and somewhat aloof with strangers.
Abys thrive in an indoor living environment and typically provide hours of daily amusement to their owners. They are highly social and sociable, and they require a definite role in the family unit. Today, they are the most sought after cat in this country.
Did you know that many shelters and rescue groups have pure breeds waiting for their forever home? And if they don't have what you're looking for, you can put in a request for them to notify you when they get in your furbaby.
Petfinders List of Cat Breeds
Photos and Description of the breeds + Adoptions
CFA Cat Breeds
Photos and Standards of the breeds