The cat known in the United States as the Turkish Van is a rare and ancient breed that developed in central and southwest Asia, which today encompasses the countries of Iran, Iraq, southwest Soviet Union and eastern Turkey. “Van” is a common term in the region that has been given to a number of...

The Somali is a breathtaking cat to behold. It bears an uncanny resemblance to a little fox, with its large ears, masked face, full ruff and bushy tail. The Somali’s wild, feral look is what immediately draws fascinated attention. Somalis are intelligent cats, and while active, they have soft...

The cat today known as the Singapura is descended from a type of cat native to Singapore, sometimes referred to as the “drain cat” of Singapore. These small cats with their distinctive appearance and coloring were never the most numerous cat in their native habitat. It is precisely their unique...

In 1961 a shepherd by the name of William Ross spotted the first known Scottish Fold cat at a farm near Coupar Angus in the Tayside Region of Scotland, Northwest of Dundee. Ross asked the owners if he could have one of the kittens, and proceeded to develop the breed from the original, Susie, a...

Little is known about the origin of the Russian Blue, however, stories and legends abound. Many believe the Russian Blue is a natural breed originating from the Archangel Isles in northern Russia. Legend has these beautiful animals trapped for their plush double coats which are sometimes...

Take one Balinese, dip in the colors of the rainbow and you have a Javanese. The Javanese is everything that is Balinese, and then some…the intelligence, grace and refinement of the Siamese, the luxurious silk of the Balinese coat, combined with the designer colors of the Colorpoint Shorthair...

A cat with a raised paw beckons from the doorway. The cat is ceramic and the traditional Japanese symbol of good luck. They are modeled after the famous and favored bobtailed cats of Japan. From written records it seems certain that the domestic cat first arrived in Japan from China or Korea...

Brown cats have been known for centuries. Their origins were probably from South East Asia as a branch of the Royal Cats of Siam. They first arrived in Britain in the 19th century along with the importation of the Siamese. Simpson’s Book of the Cat published in London in 1903 (page 234) refers...

As spectators at the show walk by the cage they look quizzically at the cat and say “It looks like a Persian but it has short hair. The sign says Exotic. Exotic what?!” With today’s busy lifestyles the cat has become a popular pet. Cats are best kept indoors and do well in an apartment or a...

In order to truly appreciate the unique appearance of the Devon Rex, you must first set aside your preconceptions of what a cat should look like. In 1960 in Devonshire, England, a spontaneous mutation caused British barn cats to conjure up their own version of the ultimate feline pixie. Low-set...

“Are those cats from outer space?!” No, Cornish Rex cats are not from outer space and, in spite of their resemblance to ancient Egyptian statues, they are not from Egypt either. As their name implies, these cats originated in Cornwall, England, where they first appeared in a litter of barn cats...

Colorpoint Shorthairs are the scintillating relatives of the Siamese. This breed flaunts its stylized elegance in “point” colors beyond the basic Siamese colors of blue, seal, chocolate and lilac point. Half-siblings to Siamese by virtue of the initial Siamese/red domestic shorthair/Abyssinian...

The British Shorthair, probably the oldest English breed of cat, traces its ancestry back to the domestic cat of Rome. This breed was first prized for its physical strength and hunting ability, but soon became equally recognized and valued for its calm demeanor, endurance and loyalty to man...

Bombay -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I’d love to own a panther.” This oft heard comment piqued the imagination of prominent cat breeder Nikki Horner of Shawnee Cattery in Louisville, Kentucky. Knowing that most people could never – and should...

American Wirehair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The American Wirehair breed is uniquely American. It began as a spontaneous mutation in a litter of upstate New York farm cats in 1966. A spontaneous mutation is an uncommon, although not rare...

American Shorthair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are looking for a cat that will be a gentle companion, a playmate for your children, and a full-fledged member of the family, look no further than the American Shorthair. This breed is...

American Curl -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The discovery of a novel cat is an event of great importance to feline fans and fanatics—introducing the American Curl. Distinguished by unique ears that curl back in a graceful arc giving an alert...

Siamese have fascinated folks around the world since they were first officially exported from Thailand, or as it was known then Siam, in the late eighteen hundreds. Their sleek lines, striking color contrast, finely chiseled aristocratic heads, deep blue almond eyes, and short silky coats make...