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 Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:44 am
Maine Coon
Status: Current
History
The Maine Coon cat breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America and there are many legends that surround it. One legend is that this cat breed had its origins due to matings between raccoons and semi-wild, domestic cats. This is of course biologically impossible. Another theory is that this cat breed originated from six cats that Marie Antoinette sent to Maine when she was planning her escape from France. Today, most breeders believe that the Maine Coon originated from matings between shorthaired domestic cats and longhaired cats introduced to New England by seamen and Vikings.
The Maine Coon cat breed was first introduced in 1861 in cat literature when mention was made of a black and white cat named Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines. Early cat shows in New York and Boston saw the Maine gain popularity and in 1895, a brown tabby female named Cosie won the Best Cat at the Madison Square Garden Show.
Description
This cat breed has a semi-longhair coat that is water-resistant and heavy. The coat is longer on the stomach, britches and ruff and shorter on the back and neck. A long, bushy tail is one of the distinctive traits of the Maine Coon.
The coat is smooth and easy to maintain. A weekly brushing is all that is needed to remove loose hair and keep the coat in top condition .
The Maine comes in almost all patterns and colors with the most common pattern and color being the brown classic or mackerel tabby. Silver patterns, solid patterns, tabby patterns and tortoishell patterns are found as well. All the colors and patterns may have white markings, which is known as particolor.
Another of the distinctive features of the Maine Coon is the eyes which are large and expressive with eye color ranging from gold to green.
Mature males weigh between 13-18 pounds and mature females weigh between 9-13 pounds.
Personality & Temperament
The Maine Coon cat is an affectionate, people-orientated cat that will make an excellent companion for large families.
They are sociable and loving towards other pets and children.
It is not an overly-dependent cat breed and certainly not a lap cat. They can be quite happy entertaining themselves for a while but also enjoy "assisting" you with your tasks.
You will have to make time daily though for a cuddle and play session and games such as fetch are a favorite amongst this cat breed.
This long haired cat is not a loud cat breed and will communicate with you by chirping and trilling in a soft voice that does not quite go with a cat of this size.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:47 am
Manx
Status: Current
History
One story surrounding the Manx cat breed is that Noah accidentally cut off the cat's tail closing the Ark doors when the rain started. Historical records tell a different story. The Manx originated on the Isle of Man with the first cats probably arriving by ship from nearby England and Wales. A genetic mutation occured in these cats and kittens were born without the vertebrae of a normal tail. In 1810 a painting was done which showed a tailless cat, but there is evidence that the Manx breed existed even before 1750.
The lack of a tail became a common trait on the Isle of Man due to inbreeding and long haired tailless breeds also made an appearance. Today the Manx is known as the shorthaired tailless cat breed whilst the Cymric is the longhaired tailless cat breed.
Manx cats were in cat shows from the late 1800's and TICA recognized both the Manx and the Cymric for championship competitions in June 1979.
Description
The Manx breed group is comprised of the Manx and the Cymric. The only difference is the coat length with the Cymric cat breed having long hair and the Manx cat breed having short hair.
All traditional patterns and colors are found and accepted and often there will be coat variations with bold colors and dramatic markings.
The coat is thick and adds to the round look of this cat breed. The shorthaired Manx has a double coat with a glossy appearance. The longhaired Cymric's coat is silky and plush, with a neck ruff and very fluffy breeches.
This cat breed group is medium sized with rounded bodies, strong hindquarters, a round head and round cheeks. Often these cats are affectionately referred to as furry bowling balls. The set of the eyes and ears give the cat a sweet expression. Mature males weigh between 10-12 pounds and mature females weigh between 8-10 pounds.
Not all Manx or Cymric cats are completely tailless - sometimes there might be a stubby tail. It is very important to remember that even though there is no visible tail, nerve endings are still present and care should be taken when handling these cats not to injure the area where the tail would have been. When picking the cat up, make sure that you support the hindquarters to reduce pressure on the spine.
Personality & Temperament
The Manx and the Cymric is a playful and gentle cat breed. Affectionate and people-orientated, this is a cat breed that should not be left alone for long periods of time. They tend to form strong bonds with their family.
If properly introduced, they get along well with children and other pets. Care should be taken to ensure that children do not injure the cat when picking it up and they should be taught to leave the tail area alone, as this is a sensitive area.
A game of fetch is a favorite pastime and some cats have been known to actually bury a toy like a dog. The Manx cat breed is not a loud cat breed but they enjoy having a conversation with you using a trilling sound.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:50 am
Munchkin
Status: Current
History
People think that the Munchkin cat breed is a new mutation, but this is not true. Dr HE Williams-Jones wrote in a British veterinary report in 1944 about four generations of short-legged cats.
One of these cats was an 8 year old female whose mother, grandmother and offspring were all similar in appearance and all were very healthy and active. Sadly, this line was lost during WWII.
However, in 1956 in Stalingrad, in 1970 in New England and in the 1980s in Louisiana the short-legged trait was seen again. Sandra Hockenedel found a pregnant short-legged cat in 1983 this miniature cat became the foundation for the Munchkin cat breed we know today. This cat was called Blackberry and Sandra gave one of Blackberrys offspring to a friend. From these two cats the Munchkin breed was established by out-crossing with domestic cats to diversify the gene pool.
In September 1994, the Munchkin was accepted into the New Breed development program by TICA. This program is used to monitor the breeding statistics under the supervision of the Genetics Committee. Data showed that the short-legged mutation followed a dominant pattern of inheritance (the same as the Corgi and Dachshund dog breeds) and in May 2003, TICA granted championship status to the Munchkin cat breed.
Description
The Munchkin cat breed is a small to medium sized cat weighing between 5-9 pounds when fully grown. Only their short legs make the Munchkin cat look different to any other normal cat.
A natural mutation shortening the leg bones is responsible for the short legs. In the Munchkin the spine is different from that of a short-legged dog such as a Corgi and therefore this miniature cat breed does not suffer from the same kind of spinal problems associated with dog breeds with the same mutation. Munchkins can be either short haired or long haired and are available in every pattern and color you can think of. The variety of patterns and colors are due to the out-crossing that maintains the breeds genetic diversity.
Long haired Munchkins have an all-weather coat that is silky to the touch. Grooming is required twice a week to ensure that the coat stays tangle free and shiny.
Short haired Munchkins have an all-weather coat that is plush and only require a brushing once a week to keep the coat in top condition.
Personality & Temperament
The Munchkin is a playful, sociable cat that loves games that involve lots of running and chasing. No, you did not misread. Even though these cats have short legs, this does not deter them from running around in a mad dash after a toy. Some people say that a Munchkin in action looks like a little radio-controlled car zooming around.
These miniature cats love children and other pets – even dogs. They are very curious and will investigate everything and anything. Although they might not be able to jump from the floor to the top of a cupboard, they will be sure to find a route that will include a few smaller jumps to reach their destination.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:56 am
Nebelung
Status: Current
History
The Nebelung cat breed was developed by Cora Cobb (Nebelheim). The first two registered Nebelungs were Siegfried (born 1984) and Brunhilde (born 1985). Siegfrieds mother was a black domestic shorthair cat and Siegfrieds father was longhair cat that resembled a black Angora.
The name Nebelung is derived from the German word for mist or fog, Nebel, and a medieval Germanic saga the Nibelungenlied which is supposed to represent the cat's distinctive silky blue coat.
Siegfried was the only longhair blue kitten. Brunhilde was also a longhaired blue kitten, but her coat was lighter than Siegfrieds. These two were the foundation cats for a new cat breed and in 1986 Siegfried and Brunhilde had their first litter and in 1987 Cora Cobb applied to TICA for New Breed status.
The Russian Blue was officially designated as an outcross and the development of the gene pool for this new cat breed was continued by allowing the addition of foundation cats.
A unique standard was developed for this new breed of cat using an interpretation of early 19th century cats that were imported to England. In the late 1980s the cat fancy picked up momentum in Eastern Europe and the Russian Blue was redeveloped, providing an influx of foundation cats for the new Nebelung breed. The Nebelung was officially recognized for championship competition in 1997.
Description
The Nebelung is a medium sized muscular cat with a long plumed tail. The ears are large and well proportioned on the head. The eyes are wide-set and range from yellowish green to green in color.
The long body has a medium length coat that is silky to the touch and shimmers with silver tips. The coat is dense so you will have to groom the cat at least twice a week to remove any loose hair and to prevent tangles.
This rare cat breed resembles early nineteenth century longhairs that may have had their origins in Russia.
Personality & Temperament
The Nebelung cat breed is sensitive and shy and needs proper introduction to strangers, children and other pets. When a Nebelung kitten is brought into the household it should be given ample time to adjust on its own terms and in its own time.
Once this long haired silver cat feels at home, you will be showered with affection and cuddles. You will have a faithful companion that will assist you with your daily tasks. This rare cat breed is affectionate and people-orientated, but prefers to be in the company of familiar people.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:59 am
Norwegian Forest
Status: Current
History
The Norwegian Forest Cat is said to have traveled with the Vikings on their ships and reference is made to this cat breed in Viking mythology and legend.
Another name for the Norwegian Forest Cat is Skogkatt or Norsk Skogkatt and its strong body and thick fur is a perfect example of how an animal can adapt to climate and surroundings.
At the start of the 20th century, this cat breed was becoming increasingly rare and was at risk of extinction. Breeding programs were started to ensure the future of the Norwegian Forest Cat, but WWII interrupted the progress.
In the 1970s the Norwegians again started a special breeding program and the late King Olaf designated it the official cat of Norway. In 1979 the first breeding pair was imported into the USA and TICA granted championship status to the Norwegian Forest Cat in 1984.
Description
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, muscular cat whose looks are deceiving this cat is very agile and strong making it a natural hunter.
The ears are large, wide at the base and arch forward on a head that is shaped like an equilateral triangle. The eyes are almond shaped and large, giving the cat an expressive look. The tail is long and flowing.
The coat of the Norwegian Forest Cat comes in all colors and patterns. A dense undercoat developed to help keep the cat warm in the Scandinavian climate and the top coat is water resistant and semi-long. In summertime, the coat is shorter but still water resistant.
Even though this cat breed has such a dense coat, it does not require everyday grooming like other longhaired cat breeds. A brushing twice a week is sufficient to remove loose hair and to keep the coat in tip-top condition.
Personality & Temperament
The Norwegian Forest Cat is highly intelligent and resourceful, and will adapt easily to its environment. It is a mild-mannered cat breed that is good with children and other pets.
This cat breed enjoys interactive games as it gives it a chance to be close to its owner.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:11 pm
Ocicat
Status: Current
History
The Ocicat was created by accident by Virginia Daly in 1964. She was trying to develop a Siamese with points the same color as the Abyssinian cat breed. Virginia bred a seal point Siamese female to a ruddy Abyssinian male and the kittens from this breeding all carried the looks of the Abyssinian. She kept a female from this litter that she named Dalai She.
Dalai She was bred to a chocolate point Siamese and in this litter there were Siamese kittens with the Abyssinian points. Virginia Daly repeated the same breeding and to her surprise, a beautiful ivory kitten with golden spots was part of the litter. She named this kitten Tonga. Virginias daughter remarked that the kitten looked like an Ocelot and wanted to call him Ocicat so the name for this new breed of cat was penned. A new breed was however not Virginias goal and Tonga was neutered and adopted into a new home. Virginia Daly mentioned Tonga in a letter to geneticist Dr Clyde Keeler. Dr Keeler replied that he was interested in working with breeders to produce a cat similar in looks to the extinct Egyptian Spotted Fishing Cat. He suggested Tonga be bred back to his mother. Obviously this was not possible, but Virginia repeated the breeding and produced a tawny spotted male. This kitten was named Dalai Dotson and he was to be used for this new breeding program. American Shorthair cats were introduced into the breeding program to provide genetic diversity.
Due to personal circumstances, Virginia had to suspend the breeding program until the early 1980s and other breeders became interested in these spotted cats and started to develop new lines. TICA granted the Ocicat championship status in August 1986.
Description
The Ocicat is a large cat breed with a sleek semi-foreign body type. It is well muscled with a short coat. Mature males weigh between 9-14 pounds and mature females weigh between 6-9 pounds. The eyes are large and almond shaped which gives this cat an even more exotic look. The overall impression of this exotic cat breed is one of athletism and grace.
Ocicats come in only one pattern but in a variety of colors such as brown (black), chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lilac and fawn. There is also a silver version of these colors. The colors resemble the tones and shades of jungle cats and silver adds a touch of shimmer. The spots are thumb-shaped and cover the body and is arranged in a bulls eye pattern. Each hair has several bands of ticking. Cats that are full classic tabby sometimes make their appearance, but they are not eligible for competitions.
The coat of the Ocicat is low maintenance. To remove loose hair, simply run a rubber brush over the coat once a week. You can use a chamois cloth to polish the coat and to keep the coats natural luster.
Personality & Temperament
The Ocicat is friendly, curious and active cat. They bond very strongly with its family and love to play games or just cuddle in your lap.
This exotic-looking cat breed is very smart and will quickly learn new games.
They are energetic and love to jump onto cupboards and other high places to check out their surroundings.
This stunning cat breed adapts well to new pets and to children.
Due to the Ocicat being a people-orientated cat, you will have to make sure that you do not leave him alone for long periods of time. Should this be the case, consider getting another Ocicat.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:16 pm
Oriental
Status: Current
History
The Oriental cat breeds are a man-made and originated in England in the 1950s. After World War II the number of breeding cats and breeders were reduced causing the remaining breeders to become creative to rebuild Oriental cat breeding programs. Many of the moderns Oriental breeds originated from cross-breeding done during that time.
One of these breeds is the Oriental Longhair and the Oriental Shorthair. Siamese cats were crossed with British Shorthairs, Abyssinians and Russian Blues. The cats from these cross-breeding were not pointed and were subsequently crossed back to Siamese. What was surprising was that in only a few generations, these cats were indistinguishable from Siamese cats in every way except color. The Siamese pointed color is genetically recessive and pointed kittens were produced. The best of the Siamese colored cats that resulted from these crosses were used to enlarge and strengthen the Siamese gene pool. The non-pointed cats were the ancestors of the modern day Oriental cat breed.
In the initial stages, each color was named and developed as a separate breed Havana (chocolate), Foreign White and the Oriental Spotted Tabby. However, it soon became apparent that there were too many colors and all the non-pointed cats were grouped into one breed the Oriental Longhair and the Oriental Shorthair.
In the 1970s Orientals were being imported into the USA and new crosses between American Shorthairs created even more colors.
Description
The Oriental cat is elegant, slender and graceful. They are not large cats but rather long and tall.
Oriental cats (both shorthair and longhair) have a fine bone structure and a long, sleek, slender body. The legs and tail are long and slender.
This is a muscular cat breed that should be neither bony nor fat.
The head and neck is extraordinarily long. The head of all the members of the Siamese group should have a straight profile (side view) and the chin should line up with the nose. The front view of the head is triangular.
The head itself is wedge-shaped with a fine muzzle. The ears are strikingly large and wide with the eyes almond-shaped and set at an angle. The preferred eye-color is green.
Oriental cats are easy to groom. A weekly brushing is all that is required to remove loose hair and to keep the coat in its natural glossy condition.
Personality & Temperament
The Oriental cat breed is an intelligent, lively and sociable breed. These beautiful cats are devoted to their humans and need constant companionship. You should consider getting another Oriental if you plan on leaving your cat alone for long periods of time. This is truly a cat breed that does not do well on its own. Some Orientals bond very closely with only one person and will avoid other members of the family and even visitors. They are lap cats that enjoy curling up on your lap, purring like a locomotive.
An Oriental cat is the perfect cat for someone who wants a cat that talks and interacts on every level of your daily life. This cat breed simply loves to play and the more you interact with games, the more new games you will have to invent.
They are happy with any kind of toy – be it a mouse, a piece of crumpled up paper or even just a ball of string.
Be warned if anything and everything will be turned into a toy, so if you have any valuable ornaments around, make sure they are firmly grounded!
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:22 pm
Persian
Status: Current
History
Although the history of the Persian cat is relatively unknown, this breed of cat has been around for centuries. The exact origins of the Persian cat breed are not known but there are records of these longhaired cats in the first cat shows in Britain.
Early Persian cats had round heads, short faces and snub noses with full, round cheeks and a cobby body type. However, in the late 1800s, cat fanciers started to look more for rounder heads, shorter noses, bigger eyes, smaller ears and cobbier bodies. The Persian cat was being imported into the USA in the 1900s and this longhaired cat breeds popularity started to grow worldwide. Silver Persians and Blue Persian were particularly popular. There are newspaper articles about breeders in America winning shows in 1900, 1901 and 1902.
The bi-color Persian was only recently recognized for competition but has been around since the beginning. These color Persian cats were however not very popular in the early years, but today it is one of the most popular colors.
Description
The Persian cat is a medium to large sized muscular cat. They have short legs with a cobby body. The head is round with an open expression – many people compare their looks to that of the pansy flower. The tail is short and thick. The snub nose is right between the huge, round, copper colored eyes.
What makes the Persian cat breed stand out is its long, fluffy, luxurious coat. In the perfect example of the breed the coat would flow over the body to reach the floor and a heavy ruff will surround the head. The tail will be a thick, flowing plume. There are two main textures of coat – a soft cottony one that diluted colors such as the blue and cream have and a silky one those dominant colors such as red and black have. The silky coat is shinier and more resilient than the cottony coat. The soft coat generally mats easily and needs even more attention.
Daily grooming should be done to keep the Persian cats gorgeous coat in top condition. A daily combing is essential to keep the coat tangle and mat free and to prevent hairballs. Tangles and mats not only look ugly, but they are also uncomfortable for your cat. You will have to cut out tangles and most likely hurt your Persian cat trying to brush out mats if you neglect grooming.
Regular bathing is recommended - start to establish a bathing routine when the Persian is still a kitten. Use a conditioner to make it easier to comb the hair. This will also prevent the hair from easily tangling. Ensure that you wipe your Persian cats eyes daily with damp cotton wool to remove anything that might irritate its large eyes.
Personality & Temperament
The Persian cat prefers a small, quiet household because of its gentle nature. They are tolerant of children but do not like to be handled roughly so if you have children and you are considering a Persian cat, make sure your kids know how to handle and respect this fluffy cat breed.
Persian cats have soft, musical voices but are not great talkers. They prefer to stay low down on the ground rather than jumping onto cupboards and tables. The Persian cat breed is not a very active cat but it will enjoy games with a toy mouse or a crumpled piece of paper. These are cats that can be left alone for parts of the day as they generally like to laze about in a sunny spot.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:28 pm
Peterbald
Status: Current
History
The Peterbald cat breed was the result of a cross-breeding between a Donskoy cat and an Oriental Shorthair cat.
In St. Petersburg in 1993, a brown mackerel tabby Donskoy was bred to a tortoiseshell Oriental female. Their offspring became very popular and became known as Peterbalds. Cross-breeding between Oriental Shorthairs, Siamese and Donskoy cats helped develop new lines. The Peterbald cat breed has the Donskoys balding gene and the elegant look of the Siamese and the Oriental Shorthair.
In 1997 the Peterbald was accepted into the new breed program and in 2005 TICA recognized it for championship status.
Description
The Peterbald cat breed is a graceful and elegant hairless cat breed. They have long bodies with long and dainty legs.
The tail is long and whippy and the neck is slender and graceful. The ears are extra large and set very low on the head.
The head is a long wedge shape that ends in blunt muzzle. The paws are oval shaped and have agile fingers and toes that the Peterbald uses to grasp objects.
The Peterbald cat breeds coats are divided into two groups: Bald and Hairy. Bald is further divided into Ultra Bald, Flock or Chamois and Velour. Hairy is further divided into Brush and Straight.
Ultra Bald
Kittens are born without any hair and never grow any hair. The skin is warm and sticky to the touch. Ultra Bald Peterbald cats have no eyebrows or whiskers.
Flock or Chamois
Peterbalds in this category are 90% hairless with no visible hair and feel smooth to the touch. There is no coat resistance when you stroke this cat and no sticky feeling. There might be down hair on the extremities with the whiskers and eyebrows being kinked, curled and/or broken.
Velour
The Velour Peterbald is 70% hairless with a coat that can be up to 1mm in length. If the coat is sparse the skin is clearly visible, but if the coat is dense and shiny it gives the cat a sleek look. When the cat matures, its coat may become Flock or Chamois.
Brush
Peterbald cats with a brush coat have wiry hair that range from barely wavy to almost curly. The texture is irregular and the hair can be up to 5mm long. Kittens born with a brush coat may change to bald by the age of 2. Kittens born with a dense brush coat will always have a brush coat. The whiskers are curled or kinked.
Straight
The straight-coated Peterbald cat does not have the hair loss gene and will have a short coat that lies closely to the body with normal, straight whiskers.
The Peterbald cat breed needs extra special skin care. They need regular bathing to remove dirt and grease from their skins. Ultra Bald cats need a bath more often as their skins are a lot oilier.
Ensure that you clean the ears and the nail beds as dirt can build up in these areas. Use a sunblock or make sure that you limit sun exposure. In winter, provide a basket with warm bedding.
Personality & Temperament
The Peterbald cat breed is a highly intelligent and affectionate cat breed. Inquisitive and playful, they will investigate anything and assist you with any of your tasks.
This is a very active cat breed that does well playing on its own or involving you in a game of fetch. Ensure that you provide lots of different toys to stimulate and engage your cat. They are extremely devoted to their humans and do not do well on their own. It is worth considering another Peterbald should you have to leave your cat on its own for long periods of time. Peterbalds get on well with other pets and children.
The lack of coat with a Peterbald does not guarantee that you will not be allergic. Spend some time with a Peterbald before getting one to see if they trigger any kind of allergic reaction.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:31 pm
Pixiebob
Status: Current
History
The Pixiebob cat breed originated in the Northwestern United States. In 1985 Carol Ann Brewer bought a polydactyl spotted male kitten with a short tail from a couple in Washington State. In January 1986, Carol Ann rescued a classic patterned male cat. This cat had a short tail and stood as tall as her knees.
Carol Ann named this cat Keba. In April 1986, Keba and a domestic female cat had a litter of kittens. One of these kittens had muted spotting on a reddish-fawn coat and quite a wild look about her. Carol Ann named this kitten Pixie.
Carol Ann soon realized that these short-tailed cats had a distinctive look and she started to search for more cats with this look. She also decided to create more cats that looked like Pixie in order to preserve her uniqueness.
In 1989 she documented the distinctive traits of this new cat breed and decided to call it Pixiebob. Carol Ann applied to TICA in 1993 to begin the recognition for the Pixiebob cat breed and in 1994 TICA accepted this cat breed for Exhibition Status. In May 1996 it had advanced to New Breed Status and in 1997 the Pixiebob was granted championship status.
Description
The Pixiebob cat is a medium to large cat breed with a muscular body and substantial boning. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs. The paws are big and have long thick toes.
Mature males weigh between 12-17 pounds and mature females weigh between 8-12 pounds. The face of the Pixiebob cat breed has a look similar to the wild bobcat with a heavy brow and triangular eyes. The eyes are golden brown or gooseberry green.
The tail of the Pixiebob is often knotted or kinked but it should be able to move naturally and be flexible. The minimum tail length is 2 inches but there are Pixiebob cats that will have shorter or longer tails. The Pixiebob cat breed has two coat varieties longhair and shorthair. The coat has a woolly texture and is double thick, standing up from the cats body which gives it a cushioned feel.Longhair Pixiebob cats have a soft, silky coat that can be up to 2 inches in length. Some cats have the lynx tips on their ears and look like the wild bobcat that they were bred to resemble. The facial hair grows downward and it can sometimes look like the cat has sideburns.
Grooming is easy with both the short haired and the long haired Pixiebob. A weekly brushing is enough to remove loose hair and keep the coat in perfect condition.
The ideal coat color is a brown spotted tabby that can range from tawny to reddish brown shades. The spots are small and muted by heavy ticking. In the winter the ticking may be darker and also silver-toned.
The Pixiebob cat breed is the only cat breed that is allowed to have polydactyly with the maximum number of toes being seven. Cats normally have 5 toes on the front paws and 4 on the back paws. Polydactyl cats have more toes and can have more on one foot than on the others. The extra toes usually tend to appear on the front feet more than on the back feet.
Personality & Temperament
The Pixiebob cat breed is an active and social cat that is good with children and other pets.
Often described to be almost like a dog in its loyalty, this cat breed will bond strongly with the family that it adopts. This is a type of cat that you can train to walk on a leash and harness and they love to play games of fetch.
The Pixiebob is a very easy-going cat breed that likes to communicate with you in a series of chirps and soft meows. You might occasionally even get a growl but do not fear this is merely another way this unique looking cat communicates with you.
Health Issues
N/A
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:41 pm
Ragdoll
Status: Current
History
The Ragdoll cat breed was developed in 1960 by Ann Baker from California. The matriarch of the breed is said to be Josephine a pure white longhaired cat. A seal mitted male cat named Daddy Warbucks was bred to a daughter of Josephine and her half sister. These cats are the foundation cats of the Ragdoll breed. Ann Baker was quite an eccentric person and insisted that Josephines genes were altered whilst she was in hospital after being hit by a car. Kittens born before the accident were all normal and kittens born after the accident all had the personalities that Ragdoll cats are renowned for. Annas breeding program was made up of breeders that she contracted and as time went on, Annas eccentricities caused breeders to break away from her with these breeders continuing to develop the Ragdoll breed on their own.
Denny and Laura Dayton (two of the original breeders) were instrumental in getting the Ragdoll recognized by all the major registries such as TICA.
Description
The Ragdoll cat breed is one of the largest cat breeds of the world. It can take up to 4 years to reach full maturity. Mature males weigh between 15-20 pounds and mature females weigh between 10-15 pounds.
These beautiful and fluffy cats have long bodies and sturdy boning. The eyes are large and their faces have a sweet expression that matches their personalities. The coat of the Ragdoll is medium length and has a soft, silky texture. The coat sheds little except in the spring and fall.
This large cat breeds coat requires little grooming except for a weekly brushing to remove loose hairs and to prevent tangles.
During spring and fall (shedding seasons) pay extra attention to the coat to prevent mats and tangles.
The Ragdoll cat breed color ranges consist of chocolate, lilac, seal, blue, cinnamon, fawn, red and cream as well as tortoiseshell and tabby variations. All pointed Ragdolls have blue eyes and come in 3 patterns: colorpoint, bi-color and mitted. Colorpoint Ragdolls have markings like SiaColorpoint Ragdolls have markings like Siamese cats with no white on their bodies.
Mitted Ragdoll cats have white feet with the back legs having white up to the hock and they might have a white blaze on the face.
Bi-color Ragdolls have more white higher up on their legs with white patches on the back and a white underside. They also have white on their faces.
Personality & Temperament
The Ragdoll cat breed is a quiet, relaxed and friendly cat. Just like a little girls ragdoll, these cats go limp in your arms when you pick them up for a cuddle. This is not a very active cat breed, although Ragdoll kittens and young adults are very boisterous. You might be able to entice an adult Ragdoll into a game with a crumpled piece of paper, but do not expect any serious gymnastics.Ragdolls are very good with children and will even tolerate being dressed up! They are also good with other pets such as dogs.
Health Issues
N/A
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