Archive for the ‘Cat Breeds’ Category

When a cat breed has a name like Havana Brown, it can only come in one color, right? Well, actually, the active Havana Brown comes in a rich Chocolate color or an attractive Lilac color.

This breed was created when a Chocolate Point Siamese cat produced a solid Chocolate kitten. Although this has been happening in Siamese cat litters for centuries, these Chocolate kittens were usually disqualified by both the Cat Fancier’s Association in the United States and cat associations in Great Britain. In the nineteen fifties, a breeder in the United States fell in love with the Chocolate Siamese and imported a female cat from Great Britain to found a new breed of cat called the Havana Brown.

Since this breed is so closely related to the Siamese, it is no surprise that it has a very similar appearance. The Havana Brown has a long head with a face that looks rather square when it is viewed from the side. Long, graceful legs and a sleek body complete the picture.

These cats may be on the small side, weighing in at a lightweight six to ten pounds, but they have big personalities. The Havana has a very dog like nature and is extremely affectionate towards people.

Don’t be surprised if your kitten quickly learns to come when he is called. This breed also can learn to fetch and walk on a leash with ease. The playful Havana will spend hours plotting an elaborate ambush, suddenly diving from behind a chair or leaping off of a fireplace mantle to pounce on unsuspecting family members. These cats are a bit on the nosy side and enjoy helping their family members with household chores, especially if the job involves emptying bags. After all, this energetic breed feels that there is nothing better than using a paper bag to play an impromptu game of hide and seek.
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If you are looking for a cat breed that is as wonderful as a good French wine, you may want to consider the Chartreux cat. After all, a legend tells that this breed was named for the Chartreuse liquor that Carthusian monks were so famous for. Of course, while it is true that the Chartreux cat is mentioned in Carthusian records as early as the fifteen hundreds, this breed probably received its name because its coat looks similar to the wool of the Chartreux sheep.

The Chartreux cat breed has a thick, wooly coat in a rich gray blue color. This breed is neither a true longhair nor a shorthair, since the outer coat is longer than that of a shorthair, but not as long as that of most longhairs.

A Chartreux cat has a body that is solid and muscular, while its legs are on the short side and slender. Some breeders say this breed looks like a potato with toothpick legs. However, despite its build, the Chartreux moves quickly and gracefully and has a reputation for being an excellent mouser. One of the most eye catching characteristics of this breed is the way his mouth curves in a perpetual, sweet smile. These cats weigh in at anywhere from seven to seventeen pounds, with cats at the heavier end of this weight range being the ideal.
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Is the Maine Coon the Right Breed For You?

Are you a dog lover who wants to own a cat? If so, you may want to take a look at the extraordinary Maine Coon cat breed. This breed is extraordinary intelligent and has a personality that is not exactly cat like. If you think all cats act the same, you probably haven’t seen a Maine Coon decide to take a leisurely dip in your family’s wading pool.

The Maine Coon is known as a gentle giant, which is not surprising, since these lovely cats weigh in at anywhere from nine to twenty two pounds. The breed has a squarish face, a thick neck, large ears, big, rounded eyes, and a large, muscular body. The tail is long and quite bushy.

This cat breed was first seen in Maine in the late eighteen hundreds and most likely developed its thick coat as a way to protect itself from the bitterly cold winters in that area. When the breed was first established, only the brown tabby color was recognized. This coat color and the Maine Coon’s bushy tail gave it the look of a raccoon, and it is probably this appearance that gave these cats their name. Today, this breed comes in many more recognized colors, including black, blue, cream, red, tortoiseshell, blue tortoiseshell, white, smoke, silver tabby, brown tabby, red tabby, blue tabby, cream tabby, and bicolors. Cats can have green or gold eyes, unless they are white, in which case, eyes can also be blue or mismatched.

The Maine Coon gets along well with other cats, dogs, children, and just about every other type of animal, except mice. This breed is notorious for its excellent hunting abilities. These cats have a wonderful personality and are the perfect cat breed for families. However, they are also content being the only animal in a quiet household.

If you want an extremely quiet cat, then the Maine Coon may not be the perfect choice for you. These cats are a bit on the vocal side. However, the mewling these cats make is a pleasant chirping sound that few people find to be annoying.

With the long coat this breed has, it is no surprise that the Maine Coon needs frequent grooming. You should be prepared to thoroughly comb out your cat’s coat at least twice a week. If the coat begins to develop knots and snarls, you may need to groom him even more frequently.

Overall, this descendant of hardy farm cats is a healthy breed. If your cat seems to be feeling under the weather, he most likely has a hairball problem. Of course, you should seek veterinary care to be sure he does not have any more serious problems. While you are talking to your veterinarian, you may want to consult him about feeding your cat a cat food with hairball control.

Since the Maine Coon is said to be the most popular breed in the world, it would be no surprise if you decided that you wanted to own one of these beautiful animals. If you want an intelligent and loving cat, this breed may be the perfect choice for you.

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Determining that you want a Maine Coon Cat and knowing what to look for when selecting one is just half of the battle. You have to actually find one! Many people who are interested in owning a Maine Coon Cat simply have no idea as to where to start looking for one.

Cat shows are the ticket in most cases. Many people who show their cats also breed them. This is a good way to find a good, responsible Maine Coon Breeder. However, you can expect to pay a great deal for the kittens – between $600 and $1000 for a 12 week old kitten.

There are other options; however, if you do not currently attend cat shows, or there are no cat shows held in your area, there are online resources to help you find a breeder nearby. One such resource is the Fancier’s Breeder Referral List, located at http://www.breedlist.com/breeders/mai_ac.html. Note that this list only covers the United States and Canada.

You might also consider a Maine Coon Cat Rescue organization. There are many rescue organizations located around the world. In the United States, the Maine Coon Rescue Organization is a national organization, which means that they list details and pictures about Maine Coons in need of good homes around the country.

Most rescues don’t actually keep the cats, such as animal shelters do. Instead, they have loving foster parents who will care for and love the cats until a permanent home can be found. You can find adult cats, as well as kittens, through the rescue, and you will find that you pay considerably less for them. In the United States, try checking the listings at the Maine Coon Rescue (MCR) at http://mainecoonrescue.com/.

There are two other options. You can put in a call to your local animal shelter, and tell them what you are looking for. They will call you if a Maine Coon comes into the shelter, and is suitable for adoption. This is usually the cheapest way to adopt a Maine Coon, but in most cases, information on the pedigree will not be available. Therefore, this is not a good option if you plan to show the animal or breed it.

Your absolute last option – and many believe it should not even be considered – is to find a BYB, or Backyard Breeder. These are not considered top breeders, and often run the equivalent of a puppy mill. You will get the animal for a much lower price, but the breeder most likely did not use care when breeding the cats, and likely did not ensure that he or she did not breed animals that have genetic disorders. In most cases, a BYB will also not have the kittens tested for genetic disorders.

You can find a good breeder, if you look. Again, they are located all over the world. The cost, however, may be a huge consideration for you. Do not seek out a ‘cheap cat’ if it means that the animal has not been well cared for or properly bred.

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Is the Ragdoll the Right Breed for You?

During the mid nineteen hundreds, an American breeder developed a cat breed that was so laid back and relaxed that it would hang limply like a cloth doll when people held it. This breed was developed from a Birman cat and a longhair cat with an unknown ancestry. The breeder called these cats the Ragdoll because of their calm, relaxed nature. Although the Cat Fancier’s Association did not recognize these first cats as the Ragdoll, their descendants became the gentle Ragdolls we know today.

This breed is one of the largest of the cat breeds, weighing between ten and twenty pounds. It is no surprise that such heavy cats have big, muscular bodies. Their heads are slightly round, their ears are small and rounded, and their large eyes are in a brilliant blue color. This breed’s tail is slightly bushy and tapers at the end.

The Ragdoll does not come in a wide range of colors and patterns. In fact, there are actually only four colors accepted by the Cat Fancier’s Association, Seal, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac. You can find these colors in pointed, mitted, or bicolor patterns, but some breeders avoid mitted cats because they look too much like the breed’s Birman ancestors.
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Take a Walk on the Wild Side With the Bombay

If you’ve always wanted to own one of the dangerous and powerful big cats, but don’t want to risk endangering your life, you may want to consider a domestic cat that looks like the deadly black panther, the Bombay. After all, the breeder who developed the Bombay created this breed so that she could have a cat that looked like a miniature panther.

The Bombay cat gets its jet black coat color from its American Shorthair ancestors and its body shape from its Sable Burmese ancestors. This breed has very short hair that has a very smooth and silky feeling. This cat breed must have enormous copper colored eyes that have a round shape. Cats that do not develop the copper eye color or have eye color that fades as they age are automatically disqualified. These cats should be jet black, but occasional sable kittens still appear. For the small size of its compact body, the Bombay is no lightweight, weighing in at six to eleven solidly built pounds.

Of course, since the Bombay is the descendant of two domestic cat breeds, it does not have the personality of a panther. In fact, this breed is known for being very friendly, sweet, and extremely intelligent. Just how smart is the Bombay? This is one of the few cat breeds that can learn to fetch and heel. The Bombay excels at learning parlor tricks, as well. While the Bombay is a bit talkative, it does not have a loud or shrill voice.
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The Maine Coon Cat is a domestic breed of cat. In fact, it is one of the largest domestic cats in existence, and is characterized with a bushy tail, which is usually striped and long fur. The Maine Coon Cat is native to North America. In fact, it is believed that the Maine Coon is actually native to the state of Maine, and the Maine Coon is the Maine State Cat.

 The Maine Coon has been around for more than a century, and it is believed that their physical design enables them to withstand the harsh winters of New England. Everything from their overall size, to the shape of their paws, to the thickness of their fur makes them suitable animals for harsh winter weather. Furthermore, their fur has a water resistant quality to it.

There are numerous legends associated with this special breed of domestic cat. Some are possible, while others simply are not. Some believe that Maine Coon Cats came into existence when domestic cats and raccoons mated. However, this is not possible – and therefore, not considered to be true by experts. One legend that is more likely, however, is that Maine Coon Cats came into existence when short haired native cats mated with cats that the Vikings brought over. This legend is more possible, because the Maine Coon appears to be closely related to the Norwegian Forest Cat.

The Maine Coon Cats of today would not have been considered as a part of the breed at one time. Only brown tabbies were referred to as Maine Coon Cats, and any ‘Maine Coon’ of a different color was referred to as a Maine Shag Cat. Cat experts largely agree that the Maine Coon is a product of mating between short haired domestic cats with long hair cats from overseas, at a time when people began migrating from Europe.

Maine Coon Cats also have unique personalities. They are often likened to dogs in fact. Unlike most cat breeds, the Maine Coon is highly sociable with humans and other pets. These cats will actually run to you when you call them, and are likely to be sitting at the door waiting for you when you arrive home. They do like a lot of love and attention.

Maine Coons were once a favorite among those who participated in early cat shows – as far back as 1861, but in the 1900’s, Persians came onto the scene, and the Maine Coon lost a bit of popularity. They once again started gaining popularity in the 1950s. The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association were formed in 1968, by six breeders. The purpose of the organization was to preserve and protect the Maine Coon Cat breed. This breed of domestic cat was not recognized by all cat registries, however, until 1980.

Today, there are thousands of people who own, show and adore the Maine Coon Cat. The MCBFA, which was founded so long ago, by just six breeders, now has a membership of over 200 breeders, with approximately 2000 other members (non-breeders) as well.

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About the Singapura Cat Breed

Out of the many cat breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association, the Singapura is probably the breed with the strongest will to survive. These tough little cats have endured almost impossible conditions to grow and thrive. This breed is also called the drain cat because the cats originally lived in the water culverts of Singapore. Luckily, several cats were imported to the United States before Singapore’s officials decided to control their feral cat population and cleaned out the drains, or these plucky cats would no longer exist.

The Singapura is one of the smallest cat breeds, weighing only four to nine pounds. Many cat fanciers think that the Singapura is such a small breed because it is easier for a cat to escape from predators when he can squeeze into tiny spaces to hide. Also, larger cats were probably unable to hide their kittens as easily, and the cats that were able to successfully raise kittens became smaller and smaller with each generation.

Although the diminutive Singapura now often lives in much less dangerous surroundings, it still is a very quiet cat. More than one cat lover has fallen for this sweet little cat’s quiet disposition and soft voice. However, don’t let this breed’s demure appearance fool you. These cats are quite adept at wrapping their owners around their paws and can easily become so used to getting exactly what they want that they become quiet, but loving little tyrants. After all, it is very hard to be firm with such a tiny cat, especially when he looks up at you with enormous, soft eyes.

This breed has a slightly rounded head, a short Ticked Tabby or Agouti colored coat, and slightly almond shaped hazel, green, or gold eyes. The Singapura’s tail is medium length and gracefully tapers to a point. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the breed is the markings that extend from the inner corner of the eyes to the whiskers. These markings are called ‘cheetah lines’.
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About the Turkish Van

If you are looking for a rare, distinctive looking longhair cat, then you may want to take a close look at the Turkish Van. This cat breed is also known as the swimming cat, since the Van, unlike other cats, actually enjoys taking a leisurely swim. With their love of water, it is no wonder that these cats are named after the Lake Van region of Turkey, which is where the breed originated.

The Turkish Van was developed before the seventeen hundreds from local cats. The Van is used to fending for itself in its natural environment, so it is no surprise that this breed is a bit aloof and independent compared to other breeds. If you have other pets, you may not want to add a Van to your household. These cats don’t always get along well with dogs or even other cats. This breed may also not be the ideal choice for families, as the Van is not interested in riding in doll carriages or attending tea parties.

While the Turkish Van enjoys spending some time alone, the breed is still quite playful and enjoys having a variety of toys to play with. In addition, although he may not pine for you during the day, your Van will enjoy spending time with you in the mornings and evenings. Just don’t expect him to curl up in your lap for hours on end while you watch the news.

The Turkish Van is a large, muscular cat with a wedge shaped head and large, round eyes. These cats can have eyes that are golden or blue, and eyes that are mismatched are also common. Lately, some green eyed cats are also appearing in this breed. This green color is not highly favored. This cat breed’s striking appearance is completed by a long, bushy tail.
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Is the Burmese Cat Right For You?

If you are a fan of the Oriental cat breeds, but want a quieter cat, you may want to consider the Burmese. These cats are not as talkative as the chatty Siamese, although they are actually closely related.

While the foundation cat for the Burmese breed was imported from Burma, this breed was actually created in the United States when this cat was bred to a Siamese cat and a kitten from her first litter was bred back to her. The Burmese cat breed actually has two distinct strains, the American Burmese and the European Burmese. These strains have become so different that some people now consider them to be two different breeds.

The American Burmese has an extremely round head and enormous round eyes. The tail is darker in color than the body. Although there are other colors as well, the Cat Fanciers Association prefers Sable, Champagne, Blue, and Platinum coat colors. The European Burmese has a more traditionally catlike wedge shaped head, although it does have the same large round eyes. The European Burmese comes in a wider range of colors than the American Burmese. Both breed strains weigh in at eight to fourteen pounds.

Unfortunately, for some time the American Burmese was bred to create an even rounder head and this breeding program caused some serious problems. A hereditary head deformity began appearing in these cats. Sometimes the deformity was so serious that the cats literally died. Other times, they had to be put down because they were in such bad shape. Today, breeders are concentrating a little less on the extremely round head and more on the health of the breed.

This breed is a very friendly and sociable one, so if you spend very little time at home, you may want to look for a different cat breed. If you still want to own a Burmese, you may want to consider buying two kittens instead, so that they can keep each other company while you are away.
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Take a look at the claws on your Maine Coon kitten. They are certainly sharp, aren’t they? Have you noticed your kitten using his scratch pad lately? You can bet he is sharpening those claws to a fine point. On the other hand, he may be using your furniture for that purpose – and possibly using your skin as well. Should you get him de-clawed?

De-clawing is a controversial topic among cat lovers, including Maine Coon Cat owners. Some are for it, while others are dead set against it. Who is right? Who is wrong? You don’t want your furniture shredded, but is it fair to the Maine Coon?

The first order of business, before even making a decision, is to look at the written agreement that you have with your breeder. Breeders often have stipulations in the written agreement that forbid you to have the cat de-clawed. They also often have other stipulations, such as ensuring that the animal is spayed or neutered, and that he or she is kept indoors. Did you already agree to never have your Maine Coon de-clawed? If so, don’t do it. Instead, find alternatives to de-clawing.

If there is nothing in the agreement that pertains to de-clawing, you still have a decision to make. The chances are good that your Maine Coon is already twelve weeks old (3 months). This is usually the cut-off age for many veterinarians for de-clawing. They often don’t want to do it past this age, because the base of the claw is no longer cartilage – it has become bone, and this could cause the animal a great deal of pain after the surgery.

Many people report that their cat’s attitude and personality changes after de-clawing. The cat becomes less trusting – and even unhappy in some cases. This attitude change may or may not pass, and you have to determine whether or not it is worth the risk. Most true animal lover’s will advise against de-clawing, because they do consider it to be an inhumane – unnecessary – act.

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Is the British Shorthair the Perfect Cat For You?

If your home has a rodent problem, then you must not own a British Shorthair. These big cats may look placid and lazy, but they are actually great hunters. After all, the British Shorthair is descended from Britain’s barn and house cats.

This breed was created in the late nineteenth century. Despite its early popularity, the British Shorthair almost became extinct in the mid twentieth century, as other breeds were developed. Luckily, a few Shorthair fanciers were determined to save this wonderful, historic breed and the British Shorthair was saved. In the late twentieth century, these cats reached the United States, where they immediately became extremely popular.

Although you can find a British Shorthair in a wide range of colors, including orange eyed or blue eyed white, red or silver tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, bicolors, and points, the most popular color is probably blue. In fact, blue British Shorthairs were so popular in the United States that they were the only color recognized by cat associations for many years. This color, called the British Blue, almost disappeared after World War II. Dedicated cat fanciers bred the remaining British Blues to Blue Persians to increase the gene pool and save this beautiful cat.

This breed is on the large side, weighing in at a hefty nine to eighteen pounds. British Shorthair cats have a short tail that is on the broad side, a round head with wide cheeks, and a thick, short coat.
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If you’ve always wanted to own one of the dangerous and powerful big cats, but don’t want to risk endangering your life, you may want to consider a domestic cat that looks like the deadly black panther, the Bombay. After all, the breeder who developed the Bombay created this breed so that she could have a cat that looked like a miniature panther.

The Bombay cat gets its jet black coat color from its American Shorthair ancestors and its body shape from its Sable Burmese ancestors. This breed has very short hair that has a very smooth and silky feeling. This cat breed must have enormous copper colored eyes that have a round shape. Cats that do not develop the copper eye color or have eye color that fades as they age are automatically disqualified. These cats should be jet black, but occasional sable kittens still appear. For the small size of its compact body, the Bombay is no lightweight, weighing in at six to eleven solidly built pounds.

Of course, since the Bombay is the descendant of two domestic cat breeds, it does not have the personality of a panther. In fact, this breed is known for being very friendly, sweet, and extremely intelligent. Just how smart is the Bombay? This is one of the few cat breeds that can learn to fetch and heel. The Bombay excels at learning parlor tricks, as well. While the Bombay is a bit talkative, it does not have a loud or shrill voice.
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You’ve just brought your Maine Coon Kitten home. Isn’t he adorable? Hopefully, he is running here and there, checking out his new digs. Hopefully, he is being curious about everything around him – and hopefully, he is talking to you and you are listening.

It is important to remember that you’ve just taken this little kitten away from everything that it knows – including its mother, and the human being that it recognizes as it’s ‘second mother’ (the breeder). This isn’t said to make you feel bad. It is said so that you work harder to make your new kitten feel at home. Remember that Maine Coons are very social animals, and the mother, the siblings, and the human that they have just left behind meant something to them.

Therefore, you must give your Maine Coon kitten extra love and attention for a while, until he has had time to stop missing those other loved ones and to form a bond with you.

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Is a Birman Right for You?

Do you want a cat that is considered to be a sacred animal? Many people think that the beautiful Birman cat breed originated from cats that guarded the Burman temples. This breed is even rumored to have helped the Burmese monks fight off attackers when a Birman’s coat turned the golden color of the goddess the monks worshiped, except for his paws which stayed pure white. Of course, less fanciful cat lovers say the Birman is simply a French relative of the Himalayan cat breed.

While no one is completely sure where the Birman breed came from, all cat fanciers agree that it is an older breed. Some breeders say the Birman is closely related to the Siamese cat, since it resembles a slightly stockier Siamese in appearance. In fact, more than one person has said that when the pure white Burman temple cats changed color, it was probably because a stray Siamese cat fathered a few litters of kittens.

In the nineteen twenties, the Birman cat reached Europe. A single female survived the long voyage from Burma to France and gave birth to a female kitten who is the ancestor of today’s Birman cats. This cat was most likely crossed with a Siamese cat. After World War II, the Birman was in grave danger of extinction, as only one known pair of Birmans had survived the German occupation. The breed was again outcrossed with another cat to avoid extinction, although this time the Persian was most likely used.

With all of the inbreeding that was done to save the Birman breed, it would be no surprise if these cats were prone to several hereditary diseases. However, the breed is surprisingly healthy overall. Just be aware that most of these cats are prone to anesthesia sensitivity and this problem, along with the fact that Birmans can be either A or B blood type, can cause trouble on the operating table. The breed is also prone to developing hairballs.
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