Comprehensive Encyclopedic Guide to Cat Breeds and Breeding and Ownership

Introduction to Cat Breeds and Ownership

Cats are currently the number one pet in the United States, with at least one cat residing in every other household.
They are characterized as elegant, graceful, intelligent, and fiercely independent creatures.
While they enjoy human company, they are capable of self-care when left alone.
Cats are highly adaptable to various lifestyles, living effectively in small apartments or on large farms.
Ownership benefits include minimal care requirements (food, water, annual veterinary visits) compared to the companionship provided.
Potential psychological benefits for owners include easing loneliness and reducing depression.
Physical benefits of cat ownership involve lowering blood pressure and decreasing the risk of heart disease through the act of stroking the animal.
Specific documented instances include cats saving owners’ lives by alerting them to fires or fending off intruders.
The average lifespan of a cat ranges from $14$ to $17$ years, though purebred cats often live longer, making adoption a serious long-term commitment.
Responsible ownership includes keeping cats indoors-only to ensure longer, happier lives and preventing them from marking territory in neighboring yards or crossing dangerous streets.
Breeding is described as a "labor of love" rather than a self-supporting business; breeders often spend more money than they earn.

Purebred versus Mixed-Breed Cats

Mixed-breed cats (also called domestic cats):
- Lack a fixed pedigree.
- A pedigree is a formal record of an animal's ancestry.
- They often have an unknown family tree, resulting in unpredictable adult appearances and personalities.
- They are frequently categorized broadly: longhaired cats tend to be quiet and less active, while shorthaired cats are more vocal and energetic.
Purebred cats:
- Possess carefully recorded pedigrees.
- Breeders mate parents and grandparents of specific varieties to preserve or create a certain look or personality.
- Future traits (appearance and temperament) are generally predictable based on the parents.
- Purebred lines can typically be traced back to ancestors from specific countries or regions.

Registries, Standards, and Breeding Practices

Registries (Associations):
- Govern the world of purebred cats by maintaining breeding records (pedigrees).
- Each purebred cat has a specific registration number.
- Primary registries in North America include:
  - American Cat Fanciers’ Association (ACFA): The largest registry; recognizes more than $40$ breeds and holds nationwide shows.
  - The International Cat Association (TICA): The second largest and most progressive registry, known for accepting experimental breeds.
  - Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF).
  - Canadian Cat Association (CCA).
Standard of Perfection:
- A descriptive document for each breed detailing the ideal physical appearance.
- Used by judges at cat shows to award titles based on how closely a cat measures up to the standard.
Breeding Definitions:
- Dam and Sire: The mother and father of a kitten, respectively.
- Registration Papers: Documents indicating breed, color, birth date, breeder, and parentage. Registration requires a fee.
- Outcrossing: Mating a cat to a different breed to weed out genetic disorders or create specific looks (e.g., mating Himalayans to Persians for a stockier build).
- Breeding True: Mating a cat to one of the same breed (common for Siamese and Persians).
- Inbreeding: Mating cats within the same family line to maintain traits or when lines are limited; excessive inbreeding can cause genetic abnormalities.

Grades and Costs of Purebred Cats

Show-quality ( $1,500$ plus):
- Closely meet the Standard of Perfection; expected to win at shows.
Breeder-quality ( $400$ to $1,000$ ):
- Fail to meet the standard in minor ways that prevent show success but are suitable for reproduction. Imperfections are unlikely to pass to offspring.
Pet-quality ( $250$ to $500$ ):
- Fail to meet the Standard in a major way (e.g., eye color or coat shade).
- Sales usually include a mandatory spay/neuter condition.
- Note: Pet-quality Sphynx kittens are more expensive, costing between $1,000$ and $2,000$ .

Key Factors in Breed Selection

Appearance and Grooming: Some longhaired cats require daily grooming, which may not suit busy lifestyles. Shorthaired breeds require significantly less maintenance.
Lifestyle Compatibility: Patient breeds (e.g., Maine Coon Cat) are better for children; high-energy breeds (e.g., Abyssinian) require active engagement.
Body Types:
- Cobby: Stocky build, rounded head, short neck (e.g., Persians).
- Oriental: Long, lean, wedge-shaped head (e.g., Siamese).
Vocalness: Range from extremely vocal (Siamese) to nearly silent (Scottish Fold).
Gender Considerations:
- Toms (unaltered males): Can be difficult for novices, may spray urine.
- Altered Males: Neutered as kittens, they generally do not spray and make wonderful pets.
- Queens (unaltered females): Often preferred by novice breeders. Adults are "proven breeders" if they have successfully birthed and raised litters previously.

Cat Colors and Patterns

Solid (Self) Colors: Uniform color from head to tail with no shade variations (e.g., Black, Blue, Cream, Chocolate, Fawn, Lilac, Red, White).
- White cats with blue eyes are frequently deaf.
Bicolors: A white cat with patches of one other color (Black, Blue, Red, or Cream).
Parti-Colors: Three or more colors, almost exclusively female. Males are rare and sterile.
- Tortoiseshell (Tortie): Slurred/patched mix of Red, Cream, and Black.
- Calico: White cat with tortoiseshell patches.
Tipped Colors: Each hair is two colors (lighter base, darker tip).
- Shell: Lightest tipping.
- Chinchilla: Lightly tipped with black or gold.
- Shaded: Moderate tipping.
- Smoke: Heavy tipping (at least half the hair shaft).
Tabby Patterns:
- Classic Tabby: Broad dark markings in a bulls-eye pattern.
- Mackerel Tabby: Striped pattern similar to wild/tiger cats.
- Spotted Tabby: Spots and bars.
- Ticked Tabby: Alternating colors on individual hair shafts (agouti).
Van Pattern: Mostly white with color only on head, tail, and legs.
Pointed (Colorpoint): Cream/beige body with dark "points" (face, ears, legs, tail).

Profiles of Shorthaired Breeds

American Shorthair:
- History: Arrived with English settlers (possibly on the Mayflower in $1620$ ) to kill rodents.
- Build: Muscular, $10$ to $14$ pounds, square muzzle.
- Colors: Most popular is silver classic tabby.
American Wirehair:
- History: Mutated gene found in $1966$ in Verona, NY. First kitten named Adam.
- Coat: Kinky, wiry fur; whiskers and ear hair are also crimped.
British Shorthair (Brit):
- Personality: Rugged look but gentle nature; "gentle giants."
- Build: Rounded face and eyes; males up to $16$ pounds.
Chartreux:
- History: Named for Spanish wool; native to France; often looks like it is smiling.
- Colors: Blue with silver tipping; copper/gold eyes.
Russian Blue:
- History: Originated in Archangel, Russia; nearly lost in WWII.
- Features: Emerald green eyes; plush, silky double coat.
Korat:
- Symbol of good fortune in Thailand; heart-shaped face.
- Appearance: Silver-blue; large green eyes that change from blue to amber to green by age $2$ to $4$ .
Havana Brown:
- Hybrid (Siamese & mixed-breed black); "Velcro cats" that use paws like hands.
Burmese:
- Descended from Wong Mau ( $1930$ s); compact, cobby build; satin-like coat.
Bombay:
- Hybrid (Burmese & black American Shorthair); looks like a mini black panther.
Exotic Shorthair:
- Hybrid (Persian & American Shorthair); physically a shorthand Persian.
Singapura:
- Smallest breed (males max $6$ pounds); "drain cats" from Singapore; agouti coat pattern.
Snowshoe:
- Pointed cat with white "mittens," "boots," and muzzle; difficult to breed for perfect markings.
Siamese:
- Variations: Traditional (apple-head), Classic, and Modern (extreme wedge-head).
- Intelligence: Known for high intelligence (capable of flushing toilets) and extreme vocalness.
Abyssinian (Aby):
- Active, mountain lion-like appearance; agouti pattern; prone to gingivitis.
Oriental Shorthair:
- Hundreds of colors; emerald green eyes (except white/blue-eyed); extremely slender.
Tonkinese:
- Hybrid (Siamese & Burmese); notable for aqua-colored eyes.

Profiles of Longhaired Breeds

Balinese: Essentially a longhaired Siamese; noted for light, floating movements.
Birman: Sacred cat of Burma; noted for white "gloves" on paws.
Himalayan (Himmy): Pointed Persian (Persian build with Siamese color); requires intensive daily grooming.
Ragdoll: Known for going limp when held; large cats (males up to $20$ pounds).
Persian: The most popular and placid breed; coat grows up to $6$ inches; flat-faced "doll-faced" or "Peke-faced."
Turkish Angora: Oldest natural longhair breed; bushy, plumed tail; white cats are often deaf.
Chantilly/Tiffany: Devoted and sensitive; most popular color is solid chocolate.
Maine Coon Cat: Large (up to $18$ pounds), shaggy coat; chirping/squeaking voice; raccoon-like appearance.
Norwegian Forest Cat (Wegie): Thick water-repellent coat; boxy face; independent nature.
Siberian Cat: Largest domestic breed (males up to $25$ pounds); takes $5$ years to mature.
Turkish Van: Known for liking water and swimming; white with Van color pattern.
Somali: Longhaired Abyssinian; high-energy, agouti pattern, fluffy tail.

Profiles of Exotic Breed Group

American Curl: Ears curl back in a smooth arc; born with straight ears that curl in $2$ to $3$ days.
Scottish Fold: Ears fold forward; "surprised owl" expression; skeleton defects can occur if two folded-ear cats mate.
Manx: Tailless from the Isle of Man; classifications: Rumpy (no tail), Rumpy Riser (small nub), Tailed.
American Bobtail: Natural short tail (one-third to one-half length); wild appearance.
Japanese Bobtail: Short, kinked tail; "Mi-ke" tricolor pattern is most popular; considered good luck.
Cornish Rex: Curly coat resulting from a mutation (Kallibunker, $1950$ ); highly active, slender legs.
Devon Rex: Curly/rippling hair; elf-like appearance with huge ears; social and clingy.
Selkirk Rex: "Cat in sheep's clothing"; thick, curly coat; heavy bone structure.
Sphynx: Mostly hairless (covered in down); needs regular washing to remove skin oil; sensitive to temperature.
Bengal: Direct descendant of Asian leopard cats; "pelt" coat with spotted or marbled patterns.
Ocicat: Spotted hybrid (Siamese, Abyssinian, American Shorthair); resembles a wild ocelot.
Egyptian Mau: Only naturally spotted domestic cat; "M" marking on forehead; gooseberry green eyes.
Munchkin: Characterized by abnormally short legs; Dachshund-like build.

Finding and Selecting a Reputable Breeder

Avoid Pet Stores:
- Prices are marked up.
- Reputable breeders rarely sell to pet stores; they prefer to vet owners.
- Pet stores often buy from "kitten mills" (commercial breeders with unhealthy conditions).
Breeder Ads: Look for registration (CFA, TICA), health guarantees, FeLV (Feline Leukemia) negative status, and catteries of excellence.
Warning Signs: Sales for holidays, "bargain" prices, claiming kittens are ready before $12$ weeks.
The Cattery Visit:
- Observe cleanliness and odor; notice if cats are happy or afraid.
- Ask the breeder about their showing history and cattery size.
Evaluating Kittens:
- Look for confidence (they shouldn't hiss); check for conformation faults (why they aren't show-quality).
- Review the pedigree for titles like Ch (Champion) or Gr Ch/GRC (Grand Champion).

Necessary Paperwork for Purchase

Purchase Contract: Terms of sale; includes spay/neuter requirements, indoor-only clauses, declawing prohibitions, and health guarantees.
Registration Application: Necessary to receive the formal registration number from a registry.
Medical Records (Health Records): Lists vaccinations, worming dates, and any medications.
Fact Sheets: Specific instructions on diet, litter preference, and environmental transition.