The Most Popular Cat Breeds

The Persian:

By far the most popular cat breed would be the Persian. They have strange but charming expressions, fluffy coats and flat faces.

The ancestors of the modern Persian was first introduced by Roman caravans from Persia (now Iran) to Europe. Persians were imported to North America in the late 1800s.

The Persian would be perfect for you if you're looking for a sweet, loyal and affectionate companion. If you're looking for a playmate however, the Persian may not be for you. This breed could possibly be one of the laziest; they enjoy spending more time relaxing than anything else.

You can expect to pay much more for a groom-job for these kitties as their coat requires a lot of attention. The Persian breeds fur is longer than any other breed, (up to 8" long) and they have a full undercoat. It is recommended that you groom these kitties anywhere from 10-15 minutes a day and a thorough one-hour grooming session once a week. Bathing is also often needed to remove oil buildup and tear staining is often a problem.

The most commonly reported health condition is breathing difficulties due to their flat faces.


Content credited in part to: PetPlace.com

The Maine Coon:

This beautiful American breed is one of the oldest cat breeds in North America and is high in the ranks as well due in part to their large size and their sweet demeanor.

While there is no actual evidence of where and when they arrived, we do know that this breed has been around for a long time, probably since the colonial days. The Maine Coon was a favorite in the 1800s but in the early 1900s the Persian came into popularity.

The Maine Coon is one of the largest cat breeds and their fuzzy coat makes them appear even larger. Males usually weighing between 12-18 pounds, females coming in between 10-14 pounds averagely. Although "tabby" is the most popular color of the Maine Coon, they do come in several other colors.

Unlike Persians, the Maine Coon is quite playful, loves catnip and enjoys 'hunting' for mice. All of this aside, Maine Coon's are still very loyal to their owners. Typically they will choose one person and devote their entire existence to them.

The fur of a Maine Coon cat doesn't mat as easily as a Persian's would but regular grooming is still needed. It is recommended to comb this kitty 2 or 3 times a week with a good quality steel comb.

Maine coons are generally very healthy however some are prone to hip dysplasia.


Content credited in part to: PetPlace.com

The Exotic:


The Exotic cat breed is almost exactly the same as a Persian but with a few minor differences, the Exotic is short-haired and has very round features. The Exotic is perfect for someone who loves the look & personality of a Persian cat but without the hassle of daily grooming like the Persian requires.

In the 1950s, breeders began secretly breeding Persians into their American Shorthair bloodlines to introduce the color silver, as a result, the American Shorthair took on Persian characteristics. In 1966, it was proposed that the hybrids be recognized as a new breed.

The Exotic cat is a tad more playful, active and a little bit more intelligent than the Persian. However, just like a Persian, the Exotic is a very loving, devoted and affectionate feline. They are not aggressive and are not known to have problems with children. Keep in mind though, they (just like Persians) do have common health issues such as sinus & breathing problems due to their snub noses.

The Siamese:

The Siamese breed is universally popular! These gorgeous cats are best known for their beautiful blue eyes (the above picture is a purrrfect example) and of course their coat, where the body is usually a light color and all of the other features (paws, tail, ears, ect.) are a dark color.

The Siamese cat is considered a short hair, (their long-haired counterparts are a separate breed which I will discuss later) and need very little grooming. This popular cat breed is probably best known for being very vocal; they are great communicators!

They are very intelligent and dependent on their human friends.

Content credited in part to: PetPlace.com

The Sphynx:

The Sphynx breed has become what you would call a miracle in the cat world, according to the CFA, "in 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation. These have magically been produced by Mother Nature..."

That sentence in it's own may be why the Sphynx cat is so popular. I believe the first time I saw a Sphynx was in the "Austin Powers" movie, but since that time these hairless wonders continue to amaze me...

When it comes to grooming, you may think that the Sphynx breed requires little to no grooming but that is quite the opposite. Because the Sphynx has no hair, it's skin is exposed to the elements of the Earth, which means it must be bathed on a regular basis to remove oil, dirts, ect. from the wrinkles in their skin.

THIS MEANS...
This popular cat breed needs a lot of care. Training your Sphynx kitten to accept and love being bathed will save you a lot of stress in the long run.

From my research, this cat breed is lovable but can be quite mischievous and active. "Active" being quite the understatement.

The Abyssinian:

This popular breed known as the Abyssinian also goes by 'Aby' for short and has a very high energy level. If you're looking for a lap cat, unfortunately this is probably not the breed for you. A very popular saying is that 'life is never boring with an Abyssinian around.' They are very active, comical and keep themselves busy with no need from their human friends.

It is said that the Abyssinian is a descendant from Egypt but no ones knows this for sure.

The Aby has a very long, slim body and has very gorgeous markings. This breed is actually pretty low maintenence, only requiring a good brush once or twice a week.

There are four colors that are commonly recognized for this popular cat breed:

: Ruddy
: Red
: Blue
: Fawn



Content credited in part to: PetPlace.com