Fluffy cats are not only beautiful animals, but also wonderful tactile pets.
Petting a furry animal is pleasant for everyone, without exception, especially if this cat is well-groomed and properly combed. There are many breeds of fluffy cats in the world, we offer you a list of 20 well-known ones, among which you can choose a pet to your liking. Siberian cat(1) The Siberian cat breed is conventionally considered an aboriginal cat of northern Russia, because there is no exact data on the origin of this incredibly fur-bearing animal. For a long time, all the fluffy and strong cats in the region were considered “Siberian” and the breed did not have a standard. It was only in 1996 that the Siberian cat received recognition as an independent breed in TICA.
The long-lived breed often grows to an average weight of 5-6 kilograms, but there are males weighing 10-12 kilograms. Gorgeous fluffy fur with a thick undercoat allows you to live not only in an apartment, but also to become a good mouse catcher in a private home. The breed's hunting instincts are well developed and have not become dulled at all. The nature of the breed is calm, long playful and mischievous maturation (up to 2-3 years) is then compensated by devotion and friendliness to the whole family. Buying a Siberian fluffy kitten is not difficult - a lot of private advertisements and professional nurseries provide a wide choice of prices and quality of kittens.
Ragdoll(2)
Thanks to the enterprising breeder who developed the breed, the history of the origin of the Ragdoll is shrouded in mysticism and full of stories whose authenticity is difficult to believe.
Deception, intrigue and the desire to cash in on a beautiful legend for a long time prevented the increasingly popular breed from obtaining not only a standard, but even exhibition status until 2000 was unattainable. But in defense of the breed itself, it should be noted that the cat turned out to be very beautiful. Expressive blue eyes and evenly filled fluffy fur make the animal look like something man-made, as if it were a mechanical toy in the shape of a cat that the master worked on for many months.
A distinctive feature of the breed is, due to its physical characteristics, to go limp when relaxed to the consistency of dough. This happens due to weak muscle tone.
By nature, the breed is very gentle and affectionate towards its family. Being alone, even for a few hours, is a burden for Ragdolls.
Breeds recognized only by the CFA
Basically, this organization recognizes the same species of furry felines as the above organizations.
The exceptions are:
- The American Bobtail is similar to other varieties of short-tailed cats both in appearance and in character, but differs in the shape of its head and the tufts on its rounded ears.
- Ojos azules, with soft cream-colored fur and sky blue eyes.
- The Pixie Bob looks like a fluffy munchkin, so other associations do not distinguish it as a separate breed. A distinctive feature of such cats is not only short legs, but also tufts on their ears.
Norwegian Forest Cat(3)
The Angora cat found its way into the Scandinavian forests in the 16th century, and in order to survive, the breed began to grow an even thicker undercoat. Thus, over time, a fluffy cat breed was formed, distinguished by a graceful long body and a spreading long-haired tail.
Since 1977, the Norwegian cat has had an exhibition standard and successfully competes in Europe with Maine Coons in popularity in home keeping.
Long life in forests with a harsh climate left a corresponding imprint on the character of the breed. A playful kitten grows into an independent and self-sufficient animal that would rather go for a walk with you on a harness and explore the territory with interest than seek affection, games and attention at home.
Features of fluffy cats
American Curl
Funny shaggy cats. A distinctive feature is the ears turned in the opposite direction. The color can be any. Medium sized animal. The ears begin to take on such an interesting shape from the 2nd day and are fully formed by 4 months. They are sociable by nature, affectionate to their owners, get along with animals, love to play and cannot stand loneliness. They understand what a person requires.
A special feature of Curls is their curled ears with round or semicircular tips. In this case, the rotation angle varies in the range of 90-180 degrees.
Maine Coon is a big lynx
The fluffiest cat breed in the world. The fluffy cat of this large breed is large in size. He has long hair and ears like a lynx, with tufts. May have different colors of cover and eyes. Despite its size, this is not a scary, but a very kind breed. They get along with children and animals. They are friendly and purr when petted. They are smart, sociable, and love water. The family chooses a leader and becomes attached to him.
Persian cats
Truly shaggy are Persian cats, which have a friendly and playful character.
They started appearing many years ago. Round powerful body, small ears and short legs. There are 3 types of eyes - blue, green, yellow. She is friendly, sociable, loves her owner, cannot stand loneliness, and may even refuse food if the owner has left home. There are no aggressive ones. This purebred cat does not sit in one place, she is playful and cheerful. The black fluffy cat is very beautiful.
Super ragdoll
Fluffy cat breeds, such as the Ragdoll, are distinguished by their laziness, blue eyes and whiskers. These are big cats. The whiskers are large white cat whiskers. Ragdolls have a very beautiful downy collar on their necks. They quickly get used to a new environment, love silence, are calm, kind, and lazy. They behave like soft furry toys. They rarely meow, they are too lazy to even do that.
British Longhair
The main feature is a beautiful fluffy tail. In black individuals, only large yellow eyes stand out. Kittens have playful and active habits, they run, jump, and are curious. Adults become calmer and more obedient. He quickly gets used to people and his new place of residence. They get along with animals and children. These animals can do without undue attention. Therefore, they are suitable for those who cannot spend all their time next to the cat.
Neva Masquerade
The Neva Masquerade breed is considered hypoallergenic and has a luxurious coat.
Appeared as a result of crossing Siberian and Siamese breeds. This is a beautiful cat with a muscular body. It is believed that these cats can be owned if a person is allergic to wool. This breed is considered hypoallergenic. These are calm, self-confident animals that tolerate loneliness well. They are vindictive. If you hit or shout, the cat will lose trust in the person. In the family, he chooses a leader and becomes attached to him.
Turkish Angora
One of the fluffiest cats. She has white thick fur and a pair of blue eyes. However, there are other shades. The cats are active, are friends with one family member, and do not sit in one place for a long time. It will be better for her to run around the house. They are obedient and have high intelligence. They are playful, so you need to buy more toys. They can be cunning if they need to get something.
Norwegian forest
Fluffy cat breeds, similar in appearance to the Maine Coon. There is a butterfly pattern on the face. This includes these purebred cats. They are distinguished by thick hair, a large mane, and a long tail. Can have any color. They have patience, calmness and intelligence. They become attached to the family, but do not really like to be held. The kitten of this breed is inquisitive and playful. They are in no hurry to trust strangers.
Himalayan
The Himalayan cat has a beautiful color and a flattened face, preferring when attention is paid to it.
Original in color, has long hair, flattened, cheeky faces. These are smart and affectionate animals. Gentle and calm, they prefer to spend time in their arms. This is a smart cat who loves attention. Friendly to other animals. Himalayans are certainly suitable for a family with a child. At the same time, they can be active, and if care is needed, they will meow quietly.
Siberian
A purebred cat is one of the large cat families. It has a muscular body, the front legs are shorter than the hind legs. Shows hunting instincts. Has a canine character. Maybe even bring slippers in your teeth. Not shy, calmly treats dogs and strangers. She is smart and obedient. These cats can often be found on top of the closet. They like heights.
Nibelungs
A beautiful blue cat, she has a gray nose. The peculiarity is the color of the eyes. After giving birth, the kittens may have yellow hair, but with age they become normal green. The shades are different. It takes a long time to get used to new people and surroundings. Kind and playful, do not like loneliness. If you leave one, he will go on strike. Stops eating, drinking, and goes to the toilet in a forbidden place. If there is too much noise, they hide.
Ragamuffin
An amazing fluffy cat, has many colors - smoky, black and white, white, light and dark. The coat is soft, silky, longer around the neck and on the hind legs. They are affectionate, attentive and kind. They love to lie in their arms and purr. They are playful, spend time with people and are happy about it. They treat family members equally and get along with animals and children.
Hairy laperm
The shaggy laperm has a wavy coat, and almost all of them are born hairless.
The name is translated from English and means “permanent wave”. The shaggy cat has wavy, curly fur. They can be short-haired or long-haired. When cats finish giving birth, the kittens appear bald, but gradually become overgrown with hair and the result is a shaggy ball. And some are born with straight hair. There are different types of coloring. These are smart pets attached to their family.
cat napoleon
There are classic and dwarf ones. This is a small shaggy cat. Kind, affectionate, peaceful. Since childhood, the shaggy kittens of this breed have been characterized by goodwill and a love of games. Calm and smart. They are too trusting and will fall into the arms of a stranger, so it is not advisable to let them go out alone. They live under the same roof with other pets and small children.
Maine Coon(4)
An indigenous breed of large fluffy cats in America, which appeared as a result of crossing the cats of the first settlers with local cats. In terms of popularity, this formidable-looking breed breaks all records. Everyone who decides to get a large cat declares that this is an excellent choice that they would repeat without hesitation.
Female Maine Coons are much smaller than males. The difference is about half the weight of the cats. External severity conceals a gentle character. Maine Coons take a long time to grow up, but they always treat their owners with special tenderness, lovingly love their family and grieve when they are apart.
The ability of fluffy fur to keep its shape during grooming makes it possible to make life easier for cats during hot periods and give a particularly funny look to a domestic lion.
Persian cat(5)
It is difficult to find a calmer and more famous breed of fluffy cats. The upturned nose and incomparable weightless fur coat are difficult to confuse with anything else.
The origin of the animal’s special fur casts doubt on some theories of the origin of the breed, because although the cat came to Europe from Persia, it also could not have appeared in Persia on its own - the undercoat was too thick for a hot climate. In any case, the breed has a very old standard by cat standards from 1887 and is the base breed for breeding work for many younger cat breeds.
Under a thick fur coat, the Persian has a strong body; if the breeders did not make mistakes in breeding related crosses, then the cat’s health is excellent. The character fully matches the appearance. A domestic Persian cat is an interior decoration and a subject of constant care for the owner, because to prevent the flying thick fur from turning first into tangles and then into felt boots, the pet needs to be scratched at least once every 2 days, and preferably every day.
Siberian
The Siberian cat is the pride of Russian felinology, the most famous of all Russian breeds. A nice, strong body, a chic fur coat with a lush “necklace”, intelligence - all this made Siberians very popular, first in Russia, and after some time in the world. Like the standards of the two previous breeds, the Siberian standard allows for a variety of colors.
Representatives of the breed seem to have been born and raised among Siberian pines. But the stories that the breed was bred on the basis of some native cats of Siberia are nothing more than a successful marketing ploy. Almost all animals participating in breeding work were inhabitants of the streets of large cities in the European part of Russia.
Cymric (6)
A fluffy breed of cats from Great Britain, which still does not have universal recognition as an independent breed, but this does not at all prevent it from gaining popularity. Cymrics appeared as a result of the Manx mutation, which was noticed in Canada and began to be cultivated as a full-fledged feature of the new breed, and not culled as a violation of the old one.
In fact, the Cymric's body is exactly the same as that of the Manx, the only difference really being the length of the coat.
In everyday life, the breed is very musical; the cat comments on all its close communication with its owner by purring and meowing. When interacting with dogs and other cats, the breed is non-conflicting; it is easier for a Cymric to retreat than to defend territory. Owners note that the breed gets along with children, can play with babies and is very patient with pranks as long as they do not cause pain.
Basic concepts - what is a breed and how many cat breeds are there?
Is your only selection criterion the length of your pet's fur? In this case, your hands are free, because among mestizos and outbred animals there are a lot of very beautiful cats, which sometimes live on the street and are in dire need of care. The situation will be a little more complicated if you are a fan of only purebred animals and want to get a pet with a certain character.
How many cat breeds do you think there are? If you collect all open data, the figure reaches 700! However, this figure is very far from the truth. A purebred animal has documents! Pedigree and metrics, that is, official papers confirming its origin and compliance of the exterior with the breed standard. Each purebred cat is registered in the club, and the club is registered in one of the felinological organizations. This is where the fun begins. There are hundreds of breed organizations in the world and only three authoritative “parent” clubs:
- The World FIFe – International Cat Federation – recognizes 42 breeds.
- The European WCF - World Cat Federation - recognizes 70 breeds.
- The American CFA - Cat Fanciers Association - recognizes 40 breeds.
You need to understand that the above data is quite flexible, the chance for recognition of a new breed exists every day, and recognized breeds are duplicated in registries. So, from 700, we came to 100–110 species that are officially recognized in the world and have the right to participate in exhibitions. In addition to these breeds, there are a number of mixed/experimental groups - mestizos, hybrids, etc. Breeding work on breeding new breeds is carried out only with the permission of the parent clubs and is strictly controlled. That is, if you are offered to buy a half Persian and half Angora, this is not a new breed, and not a breed at all - it is a mestizo! A kitten from two Persians without pedigrees is not a breed, but a phenotype.
British Longhair (7)
We are all accustomed to visualizing British cats as plush, short-haired, plump cats, but the British breed can even be very long-haired without losing the density of the undercoat. Lowlanders appeared as a result of unsuccessful crossings with Persian cats of classic British shorthairs. The recessive gene for long hair became dominant and instead of expanding the palette, the British breed received a “defect in production.” Now the breed in many authoritative communities of felinologists has the status of new and unsettled, although there are more and more breeders in each country.
The semi-long coat is the most important and only distinguishing feature of the breed; otherwise, the longhaired British are no different from their ancestors with a plush coat. Even the character traits of the breeds are similar. You will never hear loud whims from a furry Briton, and in everyday life the cat observes more than participates in family affairs. It tolerates separation well, but after a couple of days it begins to get bored, so choose nannies familiar to the cat for the period of vacations and business trips, so that the animal does not fall into melancholy and does not lose contact with the owner upon return due to resentment.
Turkish Van(8)
Despite the name, the homeland of these fluffy white cats with markings on the tops of their heads is Armenia, and specifically Lake Van. It is precisely because of their long-term residence next to an open, calm body of water that modern representatives of the breed are very fond of water treatments and fish, to which other cats, let’s be honest, are indifferent.
Now the breed is considered an official national treasure of Turkey, but only individuals with different eyes are valued.
A show van is only considered if it has ring markings on its tail and no undercoat. The breed's fluffy coat holds volume due to its lightness, rather than the supporting down of the underside. Also, the cat should not be completely white - this is a critical violation for the admission of an individual to exhibitions.
Ragamuffin
These cats will not leave anyone indifferent! A magnificent large cat with large expressive eyes. You just want to hug her fluffy body.
A wide variety of colors from white and black to striped, brindle and tortoiseshell, as well as interesting patterns on the coat make this breed very popular!
Ragamuffins have a rabbit-like feel and require a lot of attention and care.
Nibelung (9)
Child of the Mists, which is how the name of the breed is literally translated, fully lives up to its name.
Flying fluffy fur covers the cat like a cloud, making it a ghostly creature with incredible green eyes. The breed was developed by chance as a result of the proximity of a Russian blue cat and a mongrel black cat. Further credit for the recognition of the breed and the formation of its breeding base belongs entirely to Cora Cobb, who enthusiastically appealed to all felinological associations in order to achieve recognition and a standard for the new breed. In 1997, Nibelungs finally received admission to exhibitions from TICA and gradually began to conquer more and more breeders in the USA, Canada and Europe.
The fluffy breed of cats the color of thick fog has something to conquer the common people. The special iris of the eyes of adult cats is always green. Even if kittens are born yellow-eyed, by 8 months the iris will still gradually turn green and acquire its final shade.
The breed is not easy to live with. When choosing its own person, the cat generally doesn’t care about all the other residents of the house. The cat will not enter into open conflict, but will obey and show tenderness only towards the chosen owner.
For girls (female nicknames)
Nicknames starting with the letter A
Agnessa Agnia Adelina Aziza Ailis Airi Aisha Acacia Alania Alisa Albina Alpha
Nicknames starting with the letter B
**__** Bayra Banana Banshee Barbara Barsa Barfi Baskerville Buttons Beata Beyona Bella Berta Bohemia Goddess Bozena
Nicknames starting with the letter B
Valencia Valeria Valya Varya Cheesecake Vegas Veda Velvet Venga Wendy Venus Virgilia Veremey
Nicknames starting with the letter G
Gabby Gayane Galatea Gamma Gwen Hebe Geyla Hekla Geni Gerda Hermione Gia Giselle Gipsy Gita
Nicknames starting with the letter D
Dairi Dakki Damia Dana Daniel Darina Debra Devona Delma Delta Denise Jane Gina Joanna Gioconda Judy June
Nicknames starting with the letter E
Eulampia Evrika Euterna Egoza
Nicknames starting with the letter Z
Jacqueline Janvi Zhanetta Zhanna Jasmine Zheima Jelly Pearl Geneva Giza
Nicknames for the letter 3
Bunny Zainab Zanubia Zara Zaura Zafira Zaya Zemfira Zena Zeta Zimulya Zinka
Nicknames starting with the letter I
Ivea Isabel Isis Isolda Ilina Illiad Ingrid Indira
Nicknames starting with the letter K
Kylie Kaira Cairo Calypso Kamala Camilla Capone Caramel Cardelia Karisha Cassandra Cassidy Castle Casey Kanga Candy
Nicknames starting with the letter L
Lada Lucky Lala Lali Laska Laskeya Latte Laura Lady Leila Leya Leslie Lefty Leya Libby Liberty
Nicknames starting with the letter M
Magway Muddy Madonna Manon Munchkin Marianna Martha Marfusha Marzipan Matryona Mauser Mendi Mickey
Nicknames starting with the letter N
Navarre Nadira Naomi Napkin Nata Natasha Bride Nancy Nera Nefertiti Neya Niva Nymph Nya
Nicknames starting with the letter 0
Odarka Odile Audrey Ocasia Octaviana Octavia Octane
Nicknames starting with the letter P
Paki Pandora Pandorica Pani Pannochka Penelope Peri Peonia Pitti Polina Ponca
Nicknames starting with the letter R
Rasta Rauza Rashi Rayana Regina Regina Regina Raven Rain Rihanna Rida Rimma Rionna
Nicknames starting with the letter C
Sabrina Savannah Samantha Samara Sanibel Santaria Sventa Seiko **__** Celia Cersei Sybil Siena
Nicknames starting with the letter T
Tabitha Taisiya Tamila Tardis Twitty Tayla Taylor Teka Thames Tenza; Tepra Teresa Tess Tefal Thea
Nicknames starting with the letter U
Whitney Ulana Ultra Uma Umida
Nicknames starting with the letter F
Fuzzy Fanny Fairy Fancy Fentis Feruza Phoebe Fiona Flo Fry Francesca
Nicknames starting with the letter X
Havronya Heidi Hatida Helena Helly Helga Heris
Nicknames starting with the letter C
Queen of Flowers Cedra Caesaria
Nicknames starting with the letter H
Chaika Chakki Chamani Chara Charina Charity Chacha Chelsea
Nicknames starting with the letter Sh
Shakira Shana Shanti Charlize Charlotte
Nicknames starting with the letter E
Evelina Ever Edith Edna Eira Elissa Ella Emilia
Nicknames starting with the letter Y
Yuzara Yulia Yuno
Nicknames starting with the letter I
Java Jadwiga Janina
The coolest and the best
Astra Virinea Anika Anabella Zara Vasilisa Eleonora (Elya) Fortuna Alba Vlas Anfisa Arnia Edmund Sibyl Methodius Lavrentia Jasmine
Simple and easy
Laura Nancy Nessie Lassie Rose Kitty Dasha Lynx
Beautiful
Aikon - Aki's favorite - autumn Akemi - beauty Arizu - noble Janko - naive Zhina - silver Momo - peach Mei - dance Naomi - sea wave Oki - sea Rin - the sound of a bell Rei - polite Hana - flower Hikeri - shining Shizuka - quiet Eri - prize Yuki – happiness Yasu – calm
Cool and funny
Hedgehog Christmas tree Russia Ushanka Kefir Fairy Chip Flash drive Dolphin Swallow Chamomile Dilda Truffle Fried herring Malvina Orchid Khavroshechka Nut Rocket Carrot Pistachio Vanilla Mitten Roach Bombina **__** Peppercorn Devil
Popular
Angel Michelle Glasha Masha Marusya Vasilisa Asya Anfisa Varvara Tasha Stesha Mila Lyusya Dusya Ksyusha Lyubasha Tasya Ustinya Frosya Darina
Unusual, interesting and original
Adamina - red Alina - noble Astrid - divine beauty Brita - sublime Vigdis - goddess of war Vivien - living Ingrid - beautiful Kaya - Mrs. Clara - bright Liv - life Ragna - wise Trin - pure Ulla - prosperity Frida - peaceful Elin - torch Esther - star
Russians
Moray Muryana Murchella Musaka Baska Mura Meow Myauushka Cream Berry Chocolate Toffee Caramel Marshmallow
English
Florence Molly Phoebe Daisy Sienna Freya Erin Lacey Emma Abigail (Abby) Summer Rose
German
Hannah (Anna) - God's mercy, brave Emma - precious Sophia - wise Leonie - lioness Joanna - merciful Helena - torch Ursula - bear Katrina - pure Helga - sacred, saint Renata - reborn, born again Sabina - Sabine Ingrid - beautiful, fertile
French
Elisa Elodie Genevieve Gigi Josephine Louise Margarita Monica Paulette Penelope Rene
Japanese
Akira - bright, fiery Akito - autumn Arata - new, fresh Masuru - victory Aimi - beautiful love, Haruka - spring child; Oki – sea Natsumi – beautiful summer
For black
Sheba Bagheera Night Blueberry Cola Coco Gobi Mulatto Santana Oprah Knight (night) Darkly (darkness)
For white
Snow Snow White Bianca Angela Angela Tidy Sugar Uma Umka Winter Winter Blonda Nezha Nega Barbie Lucy Aisa Sunny Perla
For the redhead
Orange Orange Lucia Fox Fox Tiger Fanta Persia Freckle
For gray
Haze Ashley Gracie Mouse Suri
Napoleon(10)
The breed inherited short legs from munchkins and fluffy long hair from Persian cats, and the expression on its face seemed to be sculpted by a puppet master. Today, the breed of small fluffy cats does not have a standard, but among lovers of experimental and funny breeds it is quite popular.
The weight of the breed ranges between 2 and 3 kilograms, but, despite its miniature size, the body is quite strong. The large head does not have a prominent structure due to the abundant fluffy hair on the body, which in some representatives of the breed hides the paws almost entirely.
The experimental breed is very soft in character, despite its unstable appearance; the habits of Napoleon cats are generally similar. These are active pets who love to play and learn new commands. At the same time, the funny fluffy cat doesn’t mind basking peacefully on his owner’s lap.
Himalayan cat(11)
The Persian breed has passed on its genes to many breeds, and the Himalayan cat breed is no exception, which was developed by crossing Persians and Siamese cats. The result was charming. A fluffy cat with a rich fur coat and a charming Siamese color captivates with its beauty.
Blue-eyed cats are very sensitive, they become attached to their owners and are very sad when separated. But if you work with the breed, you can get a cat who will know the commands and will be very enthusiastic about walking on a harness.
The breed has one problem - thick wool, prone to tangles. Daily brushing doesn't have to be tiresome if you decide to get this very fluffy cat.
Burmese cat(12)
The Burmese cat breed is very similar in appearance to the Himalayan cat, but upon closer examination the similarity becomes very, very superficial. First, you need to remember that Burmese cats are an indigenous breed of Myanmar. The breed came to Europe in 1917, but during the Second World War it lost its purebred gene pool. The breed was restored again with the help of Persians and Siamese cats, but as a result they managed to return to the old standard of appearance.
The breed's fur coat is fluffy, but does not have the same light hair of the Persians, which, if overlooked, always gets tangled. It is also especially important that the head is not heavy like a Persian, and the color points do not resemble Siamese standards.
But the most important breed difference between Burmese cats and Himalayan cats is the strict presence of white socks on their paws.
Neva Masquerade(13)
The color point breed got its fluffy coat structure from the Siberian breed. The cat was bred in Russia in the 1980s and by 1992 received standard and exhibition status, although not all felinological associations recognize the breed as an independent one.
Externally the breed is very attractive. The significant difference between male and female cats is their size - females grow up to 6 kilograms, and males up to 10. With this weight, the breed has a very strong body, inherited from its Siberian ancestors. Miniature proportions are considered a real defect and are rejected from breeding. The eyes must be medium or large in size with a blue, dark blue or blue-green iris.
In the family, cats are very sympathetic, they are always interested in all household chores. Among the games they like are those where there is an element of hunting; they are ready to learn a couple of commands. They treat strangers in the house with caution and very rarely come into their own, preferring to wait out the visit of guests in a secluded place.
Turkish Angora(14)
The silky fluffy snow-white cat breed can be called a unique breed if only for its exceptional snow-white coat and aboriginal origin. The first mention of the breed dates back to the 15th century in legends and myths. For a long time, white cats with bicolor irises were pets exclusively of the nobility. Keeping such a pet was considered prestigious and ranked the owner among the elite of his time.
When the breed came to Europe in the 17th century, it did not go unnoticed by the local aristocracy. But during the First World War, the breed suffered great losses, as it was accustomed to living on silk pillows and simply could not survive in difficult conditions, when its high-society owners had no time for furry pets.
They began to restore the rock literally from the ashes. Miraculously, several animals with a pure gene pool were found and work began at the Ankara Zoo to preserve Turkey's furry wealth.
Now the breed is a national treasure of its country and has a ban on export.
The breed's coat is unique - its hairs are not prone to tangling and matting; it is enough to comb the coat twice a week to remove dead hairs and maintain silkiness. The Turkish Angora can also be trained from childhood to have pleasant baths, and as an adult the cat will take part in water swims with great pleasure.
Kurilian Bobtail (15)
The Kurilian Bobtail is the fruit of love between Siberian cats and Japanese Bobtails, which fate brought together on the territory of the Kuril Islands. The fluffy cat with a tail and a belly button like a hare has independently developed and reproduced since the 17th century, but received a standard only in 2012, when TICA surrendered under the pressure of felinologists.
Sexual dimorphism is inherited from Siberians: cats up to 4.5 kilograms, males up to 7.5 kilograms. The body is squat, but with a strong muscular frame, allowing the breed to jump very high. The gradation of the tail within the breed is interesting - the longer the coat, the larger the tail can be. Long-haired representatives of the breed have a tail that can be up to 13 centimeters.
By its nature, the cat can even be called a watchdog - it is ready to protect its family in all seriousness, hissing and rushing at uninvited guests. And in games, a bob-tailed fluffy cat is like a dog - playing with a ball is the best entertainment for it.
Origin of breed characteristics
The most interesting legend about the origin of the breed concerns one ancient cat whose tail was pressed under the door due to constant lateness. This action occurred regularly, so that each new litter of kittens was born with shorter tails, until the resulting appendage was reduced to a few vertebrae.
Since then, short-tailed cats have had creases and knots on their short stumps, which they inherited from their ancestors.
The following myth classifies representatives of short-tailed breeds as descendants of the lynx family. There are indeed common features in their appearance that can convince anyone of the validity of such conclusions. Even the chromosome map of two species contains 38 elements - the most important fact from supporters of such a theory.
The next hypothesis, unlike previous stories, looks more plausible. The kittens were born with normal tails, but the mother cats chewed them off because the cubs did not fit in the cramped den.
It was by the tail that the predator could pull the kitten out of the hole. Later, a natural mutation occurred, as a result of which short-tailed breeds appeared.
And the last version, which is related to genetics. By a strange coincidence, all tailless breeds originate either on island territories or in states with a closed way of life.
Representatives of the most ancient breed of cats with a short tail - Japanese Bobtails - came to the islands from Ancient China. For several centuries they lived in isolation. Under such conditions, it is possible to launch the natural process of inbreeding (inbreeding), which can cause genetic abnormalities.
At the other end of Europe, off the coast of Ireland, on the Isle of Man, a similar story happened. Here, local cats with short tails have been known for several centuries, but they only got outside their territory at the end of the 19th century, when they represented an already established and stable group.
This is interesting! In Bulgaria, cat breeds with short tails are believed to originate from Gabrovo. Stingy locals shortened the long tails of their pets in order to quickly close the door behind them and prevent cold air from entering the house.
Somali cat (16)
A breed of fluffy, roe-deer-colored cats began to form almost independently and by chance from Abyssinian kittens and their crossings with long-haired cats. The dissimilarity in appearance and interesting color scheme drew attention from Britain, which began to popularize the new breed and seek its recognition. It was possible to do this quite quickly, because having started in the 1940s, the standard and admission to exhibitions were received already in 1978.
Graceful ticked cats have moderately fluffy body hair and a very long, bushy tail. This graceful animal loves communication and games; an active family in a private home is ideal companions for the breed.
Furry pet care
Spotted cat - examples of breeds and their names
Caring for long-haired felines is more difficult than caring for short-haired ones. First of all, this is grooming
Grooming
The main procedure for keeping the fur in order is combing. This procedure is carried out using slicker brushes. Their metal teeth, arranged in several rows, easily remove lost hair. Comb out with gentle movements. Strong pressure and sharp jerks can damage the animal's skin.
Pukhoderka
Fine-toothed combs are also good for combing; they remove both fluff and guard hairs. There are special mittens, but they are inferior in effectiveness to slicker brushes and fine combs. It's more of a massage that your pet will respond positively to.
Combing mitt
You can please your pet with a special arch with bristles, which he will rub against with great pleasure.
Important! The arch cannot in any way replace the household labor of combing. Otherwise, the wool will become greasy and matted.
Arch-comb
Fluffy pets need to be washed, but not more than once every two months. There are now a lot of products on sale specifically for long-haired breeds. There is also cat balm for easy combing.
Caring for a fluffy kitten
Small fluffies that have not yet reached six months and have not shed their hair are combed not to remove lost fur, but to accustom them to brushes. Otherwise, then every combing will be a real hell. Small kittens should only be bathed if absolutely necessary.
In general, most furry cats have a calm, friendly character. But there are certain nuances in care associated with constant combing and washing the purrs. Therefore, a furry pet should be owned by someone who can devote enough time to the animal.
Selkirk Rex (17)
Looking at the fluffy and curly Selkirk Rex, I always want to ask – is this a real cat? Amazing fur and a soft character quite rightly draw an associative connection between a cat and a plush sheep.
The breed's wavy, fluffy coat is the result of an accidental mutation between a barn cat and a Persian breed. The breed has curly hair everywhere, even in the ears, and especially on the mane and tail.
The breed does not have a standard, but this is only due to its youth and instability of the population.
Ragdoll - from 4.5 to 9.0 kg
The Ragdoll is a breed of large semi-longhaired cat with amazing blue eyes, native to the USA. Their body is light, but there are dark spots on their face, ears, legs, back and tail. Adult males typically weigh over 6.8-9.0 kg; females are smaller and typically weigh between 4.5 and 6.8 kg at maturity. These cats mature slowly, reaching adult coat color at two years and size and weight at four.
Ragdoll cats tend to be more interested in people than most other breeds. They are known to run to greet their owner at the door, follow them from room to room, climb into arms, sleep on beds, and constantly need human company. They are gentle cats and usually do not scratch while playing. Overall, the Ragdoll is well-behaved and easy to care for. The breed is ideal for our modern, busy lifestyle.
Highland fold(19)
A unique breed of fluffy, long-haired, fold-eared British cats, only a few are currently being bred. The cat looks very funny and touching. Due to the voluminous fur, the folded ears are not visible. The cat doesn’t seem to have them at all, and her huge eyes look very surprised.
The most important problem in breeding and subsequent unpopularity is great difficulties with the musculoskeletal system. And because of the fluffy coat, by mid-life the breed began to suffer from problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Burmilla longhair
These voluminous fluffy balls with huge eyes will charm anyone. The line was officially recognized by breeders in 1993, first obtained several years earlier in Australia.
Cats have shiny, silky and very fluffy fur. Their thin hairs and silvery undercoat harmoniously form a real fur cocoon, giving incredible cuteness to these four-legged animals. The fur comes in a variety of shades. The most popular are smoky, brown and lilac, cream, black tortoiseshell, Bombay and brindle.
In addition to their pleasant external characteristics, Burmillas are distinguished by their “golden” character, they are not intrusive, get along well with other pets, are affectionate and touching, and enjoy being handled.
American Bobtail(20)
The American Bobtail differs from its Japanese and Kuril counterparts in that it was bred from one random mutation of an outbred cat and crossing it with a Siamese breed. At the same time, it is possible that lynx blood flows in the genes, because there are characteristic tufts of fur at the tips of the ears. Now the breed is widespread only in the USA and has a standard only in associations of this country.
Owners of bob-tailed fluffy cats note that, despite its wild appearance, the breed is very docile, amenable to training and is well accustomed to walking on a harness. The bobtail will always take part in family affairs, and the cat loves to play with balls and mice.
Genetics of tabby cat color
Eumelanin and pheomelanin are the two main pigments (black and red) that create the entire palette of cat colors. The next important gene attribute is T (tabby), it is responsible for the labyrinth of stripes or the orderly arrangement of spots.
Tabby exists in 3 types (alleles):
- Ta - there is no pattern on the fur, and each hair contains pigmentation of several shades of color (ticking).
- Tm – classic tiger lines, consisting of stripes of arbitrary length and shape.
- Tb – marble effect from blurred borders of the picture.
The spotted color does not have its own allele. It is considered to be derived from Tm, involving polygenic (embedded in other genes) structures.
All cats have a T genotype, but it doesn’t work for all of them. For a tabby to show natural qualities, another component is needed, gene A (agouti), which is responsible for dividing the hairs into dark and light areas.
The alternation of these boundaries can be arbitrary, but the pattern is duplicated on each hair. Nature loves balance and the aa (non-agouti) allele serves as a counterbalance. It suppresses the properties of the T (tabby) gene and creates a continuous, non-pigmented hair color.
All-striped cats with the agouti trait are grouped into the tabby group. This means that their soft coat has a contrasting or shaded pattern of various sizes and configurations.
