The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [14]
1. The Persian has held on to the top spot since 1871. People love his easygoing nature and admire the long silky fur that requires daily combing to keep it mat-free.
2. The all-American Maine Coon Cat overshadows most other breeds in terms of size and bulk, but has a gentle giant temperament. This breed is often referred to as doglike in character. The long coat comes in a variety of gorgeous colors.
3. The Exotic resembles a Persian except for his coat, which is dense, soft, plush, and medium length, and does not require daily fussing over. He is sometimes called the “Persian in pajamas.” People love his cherubic face, solid body, and calm, even temperament.
4. Known globally as the breed that loves to talk, the Siamese has long been one of the most easily identified breeds. People are drawn to the graceful, muscular build, the smooth, short coat, and matching “points” of dark color on the face, ears, legs and tail. The breed’s loud, raspy yowls are definitely distinctive.
5. The active, intelligent Abyssinian loves to be around people. The Aby makes a perfect match for people looking for plenty of interaction with their feline pals. He is a regal beauty with a slightly rounded, wedge-shaped face, lithe body, and short, dense silky coat, which is ticked like a wild rabbit and comes in several colorful shades.
Rounding out the top 10 in order are the Ragdoll, Birman, American Shorthair, Oriental, and Sphynx. Now, I love the look and predictable personality traits of the pedigreed cats, but keep an open mind when you think about adopting a kitten or a cat. Consider the spontaneous beauties of the feline world without a pedigree that are known by the abbreviations DSH (domestic shorthair) and DLH (domestic longhair).
Why So Few Cat Breeds?
Q I’m curious about why there are more than 150 recognized dog breeds but only 41 distinct cat breeds. Dogs can weigh 5 to 180 pounds, with a huge variety of ear, nose, and tail shapes, and many different types of coats. Cats pretty much weigh between 6 and 20 pounds, have essentially similar faces, and not as much variation as to fur. Why is there so much variety in dogs and so much similarity in cats?
A Good question. Dogs were domesticated thousands of years before cats even associated with humans because we needed canines to help us hunt, pull heavy sleds, herd our flocks, and other tasks. There has been incentive for people over hundreds of years to tweak the breeding of various dogs to better suit their needs. That explains why there is such a variety in size, temperament, and abilities among dogs.
Cats have primarily been kept as hunters and companions. Because they were not tapped to perform a laundry list of activities, there are not as many distinct breeds nor such a great range in weight or size among the feline population.
Choosing a Kitten or a Cat
Q I want to adopt a cat from my local shelter, but as a first-time pet owner, I need some advice. Should I adopt a kitten or a grown cat? What should I look for in deciding among so many? How can I make sure the cat is a good match for me?
A These are important questions and you are wise to be thinking about them before you bring a cat home. As you prepare to welcome a new feline into your life, my main advice is to think long term. Think of it this way — you are likely to have this cat in your life much longer than you will have the car you drive. Sadly, people typically spend many hours picking out a vehicle they keep for four or five years but spend only a few minutes selecting a feline companion who may be part of their lives for 15 years or more.
You need to be honest about your lifestyle and personality, and also a bit selfish. Your new cat or kitten needs to match your lifestyle and your preferences. If you really want a shorthaired cat so you don’t have to fuss over daily grooming, then please do not let a well-meaning friend talk you into adopting a longhaired cat, no matter how beautiful it is. If you like a cat to “talk back” at you, then seek out an active, chatty one, not a shy feline