Cat Breeds
There are many different breeds of cats out there, each with its own unique physical characteristics and personality traits. If you're looking to adopt a cat you may want to learn about the different options you have instead of just taking in a random cat. Just about all cats make great pets but some breeds may fit your lifestyle better than others. This article gives some information on a few of the more common breeds.
Domestic Shorthair -
Domestic Shorthair cats are the mongrel of cat breeds. In fact, its isn't even an official breed and doesn't belong to any recognized pedigree. It is similar to the American Shorthair, which is a recognized breed by the Cat Fancier's Association. Domestic Shorthairs can come in a wide variety of builds and coats due to their diverse gene pool. Their coats tend to become a tabby after several generations, sporting stripes, swirls and spots. Being a very common type, Domestic Shorthairs should be easy to come by if you're looking to adopt a cat.
American Shorthair -
The American Shorthair is a very popular breed and ranked 8th most popular according to the Cat Fancier's Association in 2006-2007. This breed is said to have descended from the cats kept on ships by early British settlers to protect cargo from rats. The American Short hair is very athletic and powerfully built in relation to its British relative, the British Shorthair. They are also very low maintenance and laid back, making them an ideal pet if you have a busy schedule. Also these cats tend to be excellent hunters and are known to get along well with small children. They are well suited to being either indoor or outdoor cats.
Bombay -
This shorthaired breed is closely related to the Burmese and gets its name from the Indian city of Bombay. There are actually two types of Bombay, The British Bombay, which is a naturally occurring cat in Asia, and the American Bombay, which was first bred in 1958. The Bombay is characterized by their muscular, agile bodies and their solid black coats, giving them the appearance similar to that of a baby panther. They are also fun loving, and affectionate, though it should be noted that they tend to act dominant towards other breeds of cats. They do tend to get along very well with dogs though. This cat prefers to live indoors and doesn't like loud noises.
Siamese -
Siamese cats are believed to have originated in the Southeast Asia region and are native to Thailand, formerly known as Siam. These cats are known for their distinctive coat, solid white with dark muzzle, lower legs, ears and tail. This is actually the result of a form of albinism. Another distinguishing feature of the Siamese is their long lifespan. A typical Siamese can live between 15 and 20 years and its not uncommon for some to exceed 20 years. These cats are known to be intelligent and affectionate cats. Its also not uncommon for a Siamese to form a strong bond with a single person. These cats are quite vocal and crave attention. This breed is noted for being somewhat “dog like” due to their sense of loyalty and the fact that they can be trained to walk on leashes and fetch.
Main Coon -
The Main Coon is one of the oldest breeds of cat in North America and is native to the state of Main. They are known for their large size and medium-long coats. An adult male can weigh up to 20 pounds. Their dense fur tends to form a ruff around their chest and necks, looking similar to a lion's mane. This breed is also highly intelligent, being one of the easiest cats to train, relatively speaking. Opening cabinet doors, turning on faucets and flushing toilets are just a few of the tricks a Main Coon can learn. These cats are also very quiet, not vocalizing much and while it loves to be petted, it isn't starved for attention.
Now you know a few basic facts about a few popular breeds out there and may have a general idea of what type of cat you'd like to adopt. There is a lot of information on the internet about all kinds of cats so you can do more research if you need to. Best of luck to you in adopting a cat that suits your lifestyle.
Sources:
www.catbreedadvice.com
www.wikipedia.com