An Overview of Cat Breeds

 Cats were one of the last animals to be domesticated. They were first found in households in Egypt about 5000 years ago.

Currently they are the most popular house pets, outnumbering dogs by more than two to one.

The earliest domestic cat was probably a Tabby, descended from the wild tabby cat.

The first cat show was held in London in 1871. There were 17 breeds listed at that show. oday there are 37 distinct breeds recognized in the United States, though other countries may list more or less.

Though dogs were initially bred to do specific jobs, such as pulling, hunting or herding; cats have been bred for looks alone.

As with dogs, the desired physical trait that is bred for often carries with it undesirable defects.

Manx cats (which are tailless) for example often are born with malformed urinary tracts. Persians can have lethal defects of the eyes, nose and jaws.

Both Persians and Siamese have a high incidence of cleft palate. Blue-eyed white cats are often born deaf, and may be sickly in general.

Cat breeds are first classified by coat type, longhair or shorthair. Then each breed is divided into accepted color classes.

The most common and most popular "breed" is not a breed at all, but the ordinary housecat, known as the domestic shorthair or the domestic longhair. They are also commonly called tabby cats, though this term actually refers to specific markings and coloration.

Of the purebred cats, the currently most popular are the Persian, Maine Coon and the Siamese.

About the author:

Elyse Grau writes extensively on pet-related issues and gardening topics. She owns The Original Dog Biscuit Company (www.originaldogbiscuit.com)and runs the Pet Health Resource website (www.pethealthresource.com). Elyse is also an herbalist, with a focus on animals, and has extensive knowledge of canine nutrition.

 Elyse Grau

More Articles 

Easy Cat Litter Box Cleaning Techniques - Nancy E Wigal
Successful cat litter box habits stem from many different factors. A small investment of time pays off big with timely, periodic cat litter box cleaning. The best "Thank You!" from your cat is when she deposits a gift in her clean cat litter box. ...

Some Tips To Help In Training Your Cat - Chris Snow
There are a number of cat behaviors that may indicate your cat has a problem that could require a trip to the veterinarian, or they may just mean the cat needs some training. A kitten that grinds its teeth could have an improper bite, while an...

Toilet Training A Cat - Pros, Cons & Guide - Claudine Plessis
Cat toilet training in easy steps: Toilet training your cat is an easier task than you might think. Several techniques can be used for training your cat to use the toilet, and you can even buy products that will assist you in toilet training a...

What is a Cat Whisperer? - Morgen Marshall
Similar to a horse or dog whisperer, a Cat Whisperer is a person who relates particularly well with cats. A Cat Whisperer has unusual luck and success with cats. Often people bring cats or a single cat will just "show up" at their home....

Solar-Induced Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats - Mark M Smith DVM
Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancerous disease that most commonly involves skin. Fair-skinned people tend to be predisposed to this type of cancer after chronic, excessive exposure to sunlight. Likewise, white or light-colored cats are also...

Inhalant Allergies In Dogs And Cats - Peter Garant
Several objects in the environment can be inhaled by pets and can trigger allergic reactions in dogs and cats. These objects induce the cells of the pets to release substances such as histamine. With histamine, the irritation begins. The...

Training Your Cat To Use The Toilet - Tony Robinson
You can train your cat to use the toilet. By doing this it will save you time and money. There will be little or no mess. Once the cat has been trained to go into the toilet, you will be able to eliminate the cat litter and the smell associated...

Cat Scratching Solutions - Kathy Burns Millyard
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides keeping her claws in top shape, the stretching involved in a good scratch keeps her upper body strong and loose. Also, every time a cat scratches a surface, scent glands between her toes...

Cats And People Have The Same Five Basic Senses - Sharon Gilbert
Humans and cats have the same five basic senses of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. The two most important of these senses for cats are sight and sound. These are the two that help protect and defend cats against other animals hunting and...

Cute Cat Names ... And How To Find Them - Marc de Jong
Cute cat names? Max is popular, Lady a favorite for queens. If you want your cat to have a more original name, you have to use your imagination. Or get some expert help. ‘Muffin. Kitty. Snowball. All stupid names that no self respecting cat would...