Ultimate List of Popular Cat Breeds

Australian Mist

The Australian Mist (aka. Spotted Mist) is a popular breed and an ideal pet thanks to its friendly personality. It loves to be handled and will happily sit on your lap.

It’s quite happy living indoors and so is a great choice if you live near the bush and are concerned about the impact cats can have on native wildlife and birds.

The Australian Mist breed will adapt to training and will even go for walks on a lead.

This medium sized, short haired cat with a spotted coat is the result of a breeding programme that crossed the Abyssinian, Burmese and other short-haired cats.

Abyssinian

The Abyssinian breed originated in Ethiopia or Egypt.

The Abyssinian is a sleek, medium-sized cat that boasts a dense, luscious coat. Its body has a fine elegant musculature with a long tail, wedge-shaped head and large pointed ears.

They have deeply expressive green, gold, copper or hazel coloured eyes and are they are very vocal, intelligent, and energetic.

The coat of an Abyssinian features a colour characteristic called ticking; a band of colour crossing each hair.

They are very kind and loyal but do demand attention. Their curiosity and ability to climb will keep you and your children entertained for hours.

Their social personality allow them to make friends with everyone including the family dog.

Bengal

The Bengal breed is the result of a cross between an Asian leopard cat and an unknown domestic cat in the early 19th century.

The mix of wild rosette markings and stripes highlight its wild ancestry but really the Bengal is a tame pet. They love to play, climb and even swim.

They do command a lot of attention but with such a beautiful regal appearance who will refuse their commands.

Despite their luxurious coat, Bengals don’t shed much hair and need little in the way of grooming. Bengals may not tolerate other pets such as dogs very well.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is an ideal indoor cat breed known for their teddy bear appearance.

Its sweet nature makes it tolerant towards young children but they don’t usually like being handled very much.

It’s not a very active cat and this can cause obesity problems if you don’t control their diet. They are very intelligent cats and can be trained.

They are not very vocal which makes them ideal for quiet-loving households.

Burmese

The Burmese has long featured as one of Australia’s most popular cat breeds.

Lithe and active with a wide range of coat colours, the Burmese are very sociable, friendly and vocal. They have the longest cat life expectancy at 25 years.

There are two versions of the Burmese; the more traditional British has a thinner body type whilst the newer American is stockier. Both varieties feature short silky hair.

Burmese are super loyal and will display their devotion by sticking to your side and with friendly mewing.

Beautifully expressive eyes make them impossible to ignore. Their intelligence and loving personality make for great family pets as they will never tire of playing with you or your family.

Devon Rex

Also known as a “pixie” or “alien” cat, the Devon Rex is a highly distinctive cat with its very soft, short-haired, curly coat, large elf-like ears and a short muzzle.

The Devon Rex is highly intelligent, extremely loving and loyal to its human family as well as dogs and other pet members.

It is quite trainable and will even perform tricks, walk on a lead or fetch items for you.

They can be suitable for people with smaller houses or smaller enclosures and they love climbing and jumping so be prepared to have a lovable furry bundle launch itself at your shoulders when you walk through the door.

Exotic Shorthair

The Exotic Shorthair cat is the result of crossing with a short-haired Persian.

A large round head, flat nose and large eyes makes them resemble their Persian ancestors.

Even their temperament is similar to a Persian. Exotic Shorthairs are highly social and will love being in your company. Their gentle, calm nature makes them great pets for your kids.

They are fun-loving but will also love to settle on your lap. They are not very vocal.

Maine Coon

Also known as Coon Cat, Maine Cat, Snowshoe Cat, Maine Shag, American Longhair, and Gentle Giants.

Those who follow pet news will know they are one of the largest domestic cat breeds. Male Maine Coons can weigh up to 15kg! But did you know they are also one of the oldest American breeds and the official cat of the State of Maine?

Despite their size they are prized for their loving and playful nature.

The coat is soft and silky with a medium to long length. They often feature a fluffy ruff on the chest.

They can be very vocal and although they are friendly they are not huge lap lovers.

Persian

Persians are also known as the Shirazi cat or Iranian cat.

With its characteristic round face and flattened muzzle, Persian cats have long been a favourite in Australian homes.

It’s quiet, undemanding nature is complemented by a socialable yet laid back temperament making it a good choice for homes with young kids and other pets.

Persians don’t need large amounts of space and so suit small homes and apartment living.

The only downside to Persians is that their long hair does shed and will need regular grooming to look its best.

Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is a large, powerful cat with medium length hair. As its name suggests, it tends to be very floppy and placid when handled.

Its gentle loving nature makes it a classic cat for young families. It adores being picked up by its favorite people.

They will follow you around and thanks to their intelligence can be trained to do tricks such as fetch.

The Ragdoll usually has stunning blue eyes and a highly distinctive coat with colours that might include red, chocolate, cream and blue.

Russian Blue

The Russian Blue is believed to have descended from the royal cats kept by the Czars. They are also known as the Archangel Cat or Archangel Blue.

Russian Blues have a dense, plush, silver grey coat that sheds very little and contains lower quantities of allergens than other breeds.

The finely shaped body and elegant head make a very regal showcase for her brilliant green eyes.

Russian Blues have a very gentle nature and demonstrate unbreakable loyalty to her owners (usually one in particular).

They do tend to be shy around strangers but will shower love on your kids. Blues are very quiet, only mewing when need arises.

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold cat is a medium sized breed. They have the very distinctive feature of folded ears, which is rare among cat breeds. These complement her rounded face and large eyes. Scottish Folds are very sweet natured.

Scottish Folds come in a wide range of coat colours but their healthy coat does tend to shed quite heavily.

Scottish Folds are not highly active and you may need to monitor their food consumption to avoid problems with obesity.

Scottish Folds have a weakness in the tail that means you must play or move the tail with care. For this reason it may not be the best breed for homes with very young kids.

Siamese

The Siamese cat breed has long been very popular with Australian breeders and with its distinctive, deep blue, almond shaped eyes set against the darker coloured face and light coloured body it’s hardly surprising.

The short soft silky fur comes in a range of colours and highlights the fine whippy tail. Siamese cats are very active and intelligent and they need a great deal of stimulation and attention.

They will richly reward your affection but they can be demanding and very vocal about it.

If you lead busy lives, Siamese may not be the ideal choice as they don’t do well when left alone for too long.

Sphynx

The Sphynx cat breed is called a hairless cat but it is not completely hairless as it still has a fine down, like a peach.

The Sphinx absolutely loves its human family! In fact, it is a real show-off breed and will perform crazy antics to get the attention it deserves.

They are highly active cats but they do require quite a lot of maintenance; weekly bathing and ear cleaning.

However, their lack of hair does mean they can be suitable for people who suffer from allergies.

You will need to make sure they are kept warm if you live in a cold climate and their tendency to sunburn quickly means they are only suitable to live indoors.

American Bobtail

American Bobtails originated in the USA and they are noted for their thick bobbed tail that is half or one-third of a regular cat’s tail.

They can be divided into two varieties based on hair length – medium-long and short.

These cats are well-muscled, graceful with a rolling gait. American Bobtails are great family pets and get along with children and other pets.

American Curl

The American Curl breed was developed in the USA and they are most notable for their unusual ears, which are curled off their face towards the centre of their head.

They only mature fully at around two to three years. These cats also have a soft, silky coat that is low maintenance.

American Curls are affectionate without being too demanding. They love to nuzzle their owners’ faces.

American Shorthairs

The American Shorthair cat was formally bred in North America, although they were acknowledged as an original landrace stock in Europe.

They have strong bodies with well-developed chests, shoulders, and hindquarters. They are found in more than 80 colours and patterns.

The breed are affectionate, easy-going, and social even with strangers or pet dogs.

They are perfect for cat owners who want kitties sitting on their lap but are not as demanding as other cats. They are adaptable, sociable and trainable.

American Wirehairs

American Wirehairs originated in upstate New York in the USA. They look similar to American Shorthairs, but with a wiry, springy coat, whiskers, and ear fur.

They have a moderate build, round heads, pronounced muzzle, and high cheekbones. American Wirehairs demand affection and attention.

They are also said to be very sensitive about their owner’s feelings.

Balinese

The Balinese is of American origin. They have the same point colouration as Siamese cats but with long hair.

They are more petite than the Siamese with oversized ears, wedge-shaped head, and large, blue eyes.

They love people, like to follow their owners around, and are opinionated. The Balinese is also athletic, agile and intelligent. However, they have to be kept occupied to avoid trouble at home.

Birmans

Birmans originated in France. They have medium-long hair, deep blue eyes, and a pale body with darker points.

They also have a semi-cobbly body and a Roman nose. Each of their paws has white gloves, which is rare among cat breeds.

Birmans are loving and loyal companions. Being temple cats, they are used to being adored and are social. Birmans will even get along with most dog breeds.

Bombay

Bombays are domestic shorthaired cats that were developed in the USA. They are found in two varieties – American Bombay and British Bombay.

The American Bombay cats have golden or copper eyes and a jet black coat. They are called the “parlour panther.”

Bombay cats are sociable, dependent, demanding of attention, and pay attention to a particular person. They love snuggling and can be distinguished by their purr.

Chartreux

The Chartreux was developed in France and is one of the oldest natural breeds.

These domestic cats have slender legs with a stocky body and round head. They have a blue-toned, medium length fur with a thick undercoat.

Chartreux cats make wonderful companions. They are loyal, quiet, friendly, and love to sit on the owner’s lap.

Cornish Rexes

Cornish Rexes are domestic cats that originated in England. They don’t have guard hairs so they have very short coats with distinctive large ears on an egg-shaped head.

They have hallowed cheekbones, a strong chin, and a high bridged Roman nose. Their body is slender and their legs are long.

They are active, inquisitive, and love to joke – they treat everything as a game!

Egyptian Maus

Egyptian Maus were developed in Egypt. They are of small to medium size with a naturally spotted coat.

They are a shorthaired breed with a twitching tail, gooseberry-green eyes, and coats that are coloured bronze, silver, or smoke under their spots.

They are often confused with the Ocicat, although the Maus have a wedge-shaped head and a strong body. Egyptian Maus can make a variety of sounds, are agile, intelligent, inquisitive, and low maintenance.

Havana Browns

Havana Browns are of Thai origin. They have a lithe and strong body covered with a glossy coat that is a rich mahogany red-brown.

These cats have erect ears, a corn cob muzzle and a square chin. Havana Browns are always curious to explore their environment.

They love being with people and will extend their paw to get your attention.

Japanese Bobtail

Japanese Bobtails are domestic cats believed to have originated in Japan and Southeast Asia. They are known for their bobbed tail that looks more like a rabbit’s tail.

They are a medium sized breed with an equilateral triangle for their head, large upright ears and oval eyes. They have five toes in front and four behind. Their hind legs are longer than their forelegs.

This cat breed is intelligent, active, alert and adaptable. They have chirping voices that may seem like they are singing.

Korats

The Korat cat breed originated in Thailand. They are domestic shorthaired cats with low body fat percentage and a solid-coloured coat. Their hair shafts tend to lighten at the roots, giving them a halo effect.

They are not vocal but they sure show what they want through action, such as nipping your shin if you don’t feed them fast enough. They are also social and hyper.

LaPerm

LaPerm cats are of American origin. They are called as such because of their curly hair, with the smallest curls on their belly, base of the ears, and throat.

They have a medium to long body with long legs, wedge-shaped head, and stand out ears and eyes.

They have low shedding so they are low maintenance. LaPerms are inquisitive, mischievous, outgoing and active.

Manx

Manx are domestic felines that originated in the Isle of Man.

Manx’s tails can be classified as rumpy (completely tailless); riser (with a bump); stumpy (with an inch-long vertebrae); stubby (with a tail half a normal cat’s tail); and longy (with a tail that is half or the same size as a regular cat’s tail).

They are of small to medium size, lean and muscular with longer hind legs than the fore legs. Their coat can be long or short, although all of them have a dense, double coat.

Manx are widely considered as social, attached, intelligent, but stranger-shy cats.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian Forest Cats originated in Norway. They were built to weather cold places with their glossy and water-shedding top coat and a woolly undercoat.

They are strongly built with a bushy tail, a triangle-shaped head, and ears that extend outwards. These cats are intelligent, friendly, energetic, and demanding, but they also use a quiet voice.

They are good hunters, but can be trained as indoor pets too.

Ocicats

Ocicats were first bred in the USA. Their most notable feature is the thumbprint-sized spots covering their entire body. This makes them look like a wild animal, but they are completely domesticated.

Ocicats are nosy, interactive, and talkative. However, they can be demanding, which is why they need basic obedience training.

They can also recognize their names. They prefer to stick to one person instead of the entire family.

Oriental Shorthair

Orientals are of American origin. They are a part of the Siamese family. They have a sleek and sturdy appearance, large ears, a lanky body, and a wedge-shaped head.

They are also found in over 300 colours and patterns. They want attention and will meow loudly to get it.

They also need human interaction and should be raised with other Orientals or other active cat breeds.

Ragamuffins

The Ragamuffin cat breed originated in the USA. They have a thick hair comparable to that of a rabbit.

They have a round head, broad shoulders, broad chest, and a fatty pad on the abdomen. The Ragamuffins have longer hair on the outer edges of their face and their neck.

They are docile, attention seekers, and function well with other pets. However, they don’t want to be left alone for hours every day.

Selkirk Rexes

Selkirk Rexes are different from the other Rex breeds. They have normal-length hair that is thicker and plusher than that of a LaPerm cat. Their coat is soft and curly.

They are found in longhaired and shorthaired varieties. Selkirk Rexes have a semi-cobbly and muscular body with a round head.

These cats are social and loving. They like spending time with people and behave like kittens even in adulthood.

Siberians

The Siberian cat breed was developed in Russia. They have three layers of hair – guard hair, awn hair, and down. Their coat is coloured tabby, tortoiseshell, solid, or colourpoint.

They are of medium to large size, around 4-7kg. They have medium-sized ears with a lot of hair, nearly round eyes, and a rounded head. Siberians are playful and enjoy swimming.

They can be handled and are still agile despite their size.

Singapura

Singapura cats are believed to have originated in Singapore. They are among the smallest breeds of cats, known for their new kitten appearance, large ears and eyes, and blunt tail.

They only come in one colour – rich warm sable brown with an ivory background and yellow tones. Singapura are extroverts, curious, interactive, intelligent and affectionate.

Tonkinese

The Tonkinese cat breed is of Canadian origin. They are muscular and trim with a wedge-shaped head, oval paws, and large ears. Their coat colour is found in three patterns – solid, pointed and mink.

They are demanding and less high strung than the Siamese. Tonks like conversations and have a less piercing voice. They are loyal and loving.

They love to play with interactive toys, such as their owner’s finger or the tail of another feline.

Turkish Angoras

The Turkish Angora breed originated in Turkey. They are among the ancient breeds from central Turkey. They have a medium-length coat, silky tail, but no undercoat.

They are found in more than 20 colours. Their eyes are coloured green, blue, yellow, amber, or odd-eyed (different colour for each eye). Angoras are very attached to their human families.

They love to play and get into action. They also pounce on anything that catches their attention, from their owner’s feet to scraps of paper.