Top Ten Cat Breeds in America

You are either a cat person or you aren’t. Cat people love their cats. They are another member of their family and provide years of great companionship. Here are the top ten most popular cat breeds in America:

10

Sphynx

Sphynx cats most recognizable feature is their suede-like coat. They are characterized by their smart, curious, and mischievousness behavior. It is usually recommended to have a companion for your Sphynx, as they long to have a playmate.

9

Russian Blue

Russian Blues are known for their intelligence, being quit, and easy to care for. They can be sometimes timid around strangers. They develop close bonds with their human companions and are sought out as pets due to their personalities and beautiful coats. The breed is thought to have originated from Arkhangelsk, Russia. Another common name for the breed is the Archangel Blues. Many Russian Blues have been trained to perform tricks and get along well with other animals including other cats, dogs, and ferrets. Additionally, Russian Blues may be better tolerated by individuals who suffer from cat allergies as their coats produce less allergens.

8

Manx

Originating from the Isle of Man in the British Isles, Manx are best known for their lack of a tail, elongated rear legs, and rounded head. They are considered to be small to medium-sized cats and are perfect for cramped apartments or anywhere else where space is a commodity. Typically Manx sport a gentle and playful disposition.

7

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair is believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by the early settlers to protect valuable cargo from mice and rats. They are sometimes referred to as “working cats” because of their original use to controlling rodent populations on ships and on farms.

6

Himalayan

The Himalayan is a mixture of the Persian and the Siamese. Himalayan cats are described as being sweet-tempered, intelligent, and typically very social and good companions. they tend to be more active than Persians due to their inheritance of traits form the Siamese. Himalayans love to play fetch and can be easily entertained for hours by a simple scrap of crumpled paper or a kitty toy. They are very devoted cats and are dependent on their humans for companionship and protection.

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5

Bengal

Bengals are considered to be a hybrid breed of domestic cat. They originated from crossing a domestic feline with an Asian leopard cat. It is important to get a Bengal that is separated from an Asian leopard cat by at least four generations for temperament. Cats that aren’t separated by this degree are called “foundation cats” and are not typically well-suited for the home environment. Bengals are noted for their “wild-looking” markings, such as large spots, stripes, and white bellies.

4

Ragdoll

The Ragdoll cat breed has distinc blue eyes and a colorpoint coat. It is considered to be a large semi-longhair cat with a soft and silky coat. Ragdolls are known for their docile and placid temperament and their affectionate nature. The name Ragdoll was derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relax when picked up.

3

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is sometimes better known as the American Longhair. They are known for their distinctive physical appearance and effective hunting skills. It is one of the oldest natural breeds of cat in North American, specifically to the state of Maine where it is also the official state cat. The ancestral origins of the Maine Coon are unknown. Maine Coons are one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. It isn’t uncommon for males to weight up to 25 pounds. Despite their large size, they are known as “gentle giants” and possess above-average intelligence for a cat, which makes they relatively easy to train compared to some other breeds.

2

Persian

The Persian is a long-haird breed of cat and is often characterized by its round face and shortened muzzle. The relatively placid and unpretentious nature of the Persian makes it perfect for apartment living. In addition to being one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States it has consistently been a popular breed in both Britain and France as well. As a result of their long coats, Persians do require regular grooming in order to avoid matting.

1

Siamese

Siamese cats originated from Thailand and were one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Oriental cat. Siamese are very affectionate and intelligent cats, praised for their social nature. They often bond strongly to a single person, but can make a good family cat as well. Some Siamese are very vocal, with a loud, low-pitched voice that has been compared to the cries of a human baby. Siamese have been described as more dog-like in behavior than other cats due to their extroverted personalities. Siamese are typically less active at night than other cats due to poor night sight compared to other cats.