Posts tagged "101"

Name: Russian Blue

Appearance: Russian blues, according to Which Blue Cat is That, are the skinniest variety of blue cat. Although they have thin arms, legs, and body, they are not lanky like a modern Siamese. They have very short, dense, blue coats that gives them an evenly distributed light blue tint to their entire body. They have small, wedge shaped heads with wide-set triangular ears and wide-set green eyes.

History: The Cat Fancier's Association tells us that the history of the Russian blue is hazy and mysterious. It is thought that they hail either from England or one of the Scandinavian countries. They first came to the U.S. in 1949, and through the next couple of decades, they were bred without a breed standard, becoming a true, homogenous breed in the 1970s.

Personality: According to Hesseldal Russian Blue, this breed is a "true cat," exhibiting the personality of its ancestors. It is affectionate but cautious, playful yet fierce, stubborn yet loyal. It is a cat that is distrustful of strangers, but once it has accepted you, will remember you forever. Still, because these cats bond so strongly with people, prospective owners should consider adopting a Russian blue only if they can provide the extra attention these cats require.

What Owners Say: Paw Nation Facebook friend, Sabrina Cesas, says that, "Ours was very friendly; he always wanted to be in your lap. He wasn't too hyper or crazy, just a very chill cat. He definitely had an attitude too, like he was the boss. Best cat ever!"

If you are interested in adopting a Russian blue, it is best to do plenty of research. Talk to owners and go to an adoption site such as Petfinder.org, or reputable breeders.

Name: Persian

Appearance: According to Cat World, the Persian is large-boned and cobby, with stocky legs and big paws. They have short, muscular necks, and broad shoulders and chests. Of course, their two most famous features are their long flowing coats and wide, flat faces with very large eyes.

History: Considering that Persians are one of the most popular breeds of cat on the planet, its history is uncharacteristically muddled. They were present at the first cat show in 1871, says Iams.com, but they have existed for much longer. An Italian named Pietro della Valle brought some Persians to Europe in the early 1600s and said that he had found them in what was then Persia, now Iran. However, their origin might go back much further, as some ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics make references to Persian-like cats as early as 1600 BC, according to The Cat Fanciers' Association.

Personality and Health: Cats of Australia tells us that, as quiet and placid as they are, Persians are some of the most easy-going cats around. They like attention and people, but they're not demanding of either, and they don't scratch or scare easily. Because they're so low-maintenance, Persians are perfect for owners with busy lives or other animals. That said, they do require regular grooming to prevent matting, as well as special care for their tear-ducts.

Name: Tonkinese

Appearance: According to The Cat Pages, the Tonkinese is a difficult cat for show judges to analyze because of its lack of distinguishing characteristics about its body or its coat. A Tonkinese does every thing in medium. It is of medium height, medium build, and medium musculature, but one should be able to tell the difference between it and its two close relatives, the Burmese and the Siamese. The Tonkinese comes in four coats -- natural, champagne, blue and platinum -- and three different color patterns: pointed, solid and mink. Thus, there are twelve different combinations of Tonkinese types, with several of them looking quite similar to other breeds of cat. This are the only breed, however, that can exhibit an aqua eye color (although this coloring doesn't occur in every Tonkinese).

History: The Tonkinese came about in the 1960s when two breeders both had the same idea to breed a Burmese and a Siamese, notes the Tonkinese Breed Association. One of the breeders -- from New Jersey -- bred for appearance, wanting a darker cat with points. The other, a Canadian breeder, wanted to breed her Burmese, but couldn't find a suitable mate, and had to settle for a Siamese. The breed's popularity caught on in the 1970s and has been going strong ever since.

The sphynx is easily the most recognizable breed of cat. Though considered hairless, the sphynx does have a layer of light fuzz over its body. Other than its unusual follicular qualities, the sphynx has other eye-catching features including a wedge-shaped head, large ears and often, a distended belly.

Sphynxes are not nearly as old as their name would suggest. Although the genetic mutation that results in their lack of fur is as old as genetic mutations themselves, the sphynx breed has only existed since the 1960s. Several naturally hairless cats were bred both amongst themselves and also with normal cats in order to create the genetically healthy yet consistently hairless medium-sized cat.

Being fur-free makes the sphynx an unusual cat to care for. They need to be kept warm, as their lack of fur makes them more susceptible to cold than a normal cat. They also require regular bathing because they don't have the fur that normally would remove oils from their skin.

Naturally extroverted, inquisitive, and intelligent, sphynxes are easy cats to love. They do well with humans, and always like to be the center of attention. A goal easily attained considering the breed's bizarre appearance.