Cat Breeds for NOCTI

By: Chris Paul

Abyssinian Today's Abyssinian retains a resemblance to the noble cats depicted in ancient Egyptian statues. The breed sports a ticked, richly colored tabby coat without markings on legs, tail and neck, but with dramatic facial markings. The Abyssinian comes in four coat colors: ruddy, red, blue and fawn.

American Bobtail The American Bobtail is a short-tailed cat, with a medium to large frame. Its tail should be clearly visible above the back when the cat is alert, not exceeding the hock in length. A spotted or ticked brown tabby pattern is dominant. All colors and patterns have been found, including points with or without markings.

American CurlThe American Curl gained CFA acceptance and has purred its way into the hearts of judges and cat lovers all in a short time. The Curl originated in June 1981, when a spontaneous genetic mutation produced the breed's signature backward-curling ears. The American Curl comes in a rainbow of colors.

American ShorthairIdeal American Shorthairs exude symmetry, with the breed standard calling for them to be slightly longer than tall. Females tend to be smaller than males. The American Shorthair's face should be full-cheeked with an open expression. American Shorthairs come in 80-plus colors and designs.

American WirehairThe American Wirehair sports an exceptional coat, as each hair is bent or hooked, producing a dense, springy coat, with whiskers of the same texture. This breed was developed from the American Shorthair, so apart from the coat, the two display many similarities. The breed standard accepts all colors and patterns, except those showing evidence of hybridization, resulting in chocolate, lavender, the colorpoint pattern or those combinations with white.

BalineseThe Balinese gets its name from its sinuous flowing movement, which reminded early breeders of Balinese dancers. Its oriental body type, with a long, tubular body and a wedge-shaped head, is softened by the semi-long coat that graces its body. Traditional colors are seal, chocolate, blue and lilac points. Red, cream, lynx and parti-color points are registered as Balinese in some associations, and as Javanese in others.

BengalThe International Cat Association defines the Bengal as at least a fourth-generation descendant of a crossing between the wild Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic cat. The first three foundation crosses are identified as F1s, F2s and F3s. The International Cat Association recognizes brown tabby, seal lynx point, seal sepia tabby and seal mink tabby colors, and spotted (single-colored spots or two-toned rosettes in a random pattern) and marble (random tabby markings minus the distinctive bull's eye) patterns.

BirmanAlso known as the "Sacred Cat of Burma," Birmans are colorpoint cats, meaning they have a darker color on their tail, legs, ears and face, much like the Siamese or the Himalayan division of the Persian. Traditional colors accepted by CFA and TICA include seal, blue, chocolate and lilac. Nontraditional coats, also accepted by both organizations, include red, tortie and lynx varieties. TICA also recognizes all pointed colors, solid particolor point, lynx (silver and nonsilver) particolor, tortie, particolor point and smoke particolor point.

BombayThis American breed is called the Bombay because its intensely black coat is reminiscent of that of an Indian Black Leopard. It's also known as a Black Burmese, because this breed came about after crosses with a sable Burmese and a black American Shorthair. The Bombay cat is always a jet black color.

British ShorthairThe British Shorthair is a stocky purebred that resembles a plush teddy bear. Although blue is the color most associated with the breed, Brits are found in a number of colors and patterns. Popular in blue, but available in any color or pattern, with the exception of Himalayan patterns. Chocolate and lavender colors are welcomed in TICA, but not accepted for show in CFA. Striking copper eyes adorn most British colors.

BurmeseThe Burmese was created in the United States in the 1930s from the breeding of a male Siamese and a brown female cat found on the San Francisco waterfront, believed to have traveled there from Burma. The Burmese cat comes in either of the following colors: Sable, Champagne, Blue, Platinum.

ChartreuxThe Chartreux dates back to 16th-century France. Its thick, velvety coat is any shade of blue-gray, from ash to slate, with the tips lightly brushed with silver. The Chartreux's copper or gold eyes hint at its relation to the Russian Blue, whose eyes are a deep emerald green.

ChausieThe Chausie combines the genial nature of a domestic cat with the beauty and elegance of a jungle cat. This big, muscular breed has large, mobile, tufted ears, long legs and a naturally short tail reaching to the hock. Chausies' shorthaired coats are recognized in the three colors of the Jungle Cat: brown ticked tabby, called "golden" by breeders, which can range from light tan through tawny and mouse gray to a deep yellow brown; solid black; and silver-tipped black, a striking and unique color found on no other exotic or domestic cat. Markings, seen only on the ticked cats, are limited to a bit of black leg barring and tail rings.

Colorpoint ShorthairThe Colorpoint Shorthair is the result of breeding between Siamese and other shorthair breeds, in particular the American Shorthair. These breedings were performed with the intent of enriching the color varieties and patterns in the Siamese. Accepted colors are red, cream, seal tortie, chocolate tortie, blue/cream, lilac/cream, red lynx, cream lynx, seal lynx, chocolate lynx, blue lynx, lilac lynx, seal tortie lynx, chocolate tortie lynx, blue/cream lynx and lilac/cream lynx. The body color should be free of shading or marking and is a variation of white.

Cornish RexThe Cornish Rex is known for its soft, wavy curls--even the whiskers curl. This native of Cornwall, England, savors the warmth and comforts of home and is well suited for apartment life. The breed is graced with every imaginable color, including colorpoints, lavender, chocolate and white, in addition to all of the basic colors.

Devon RexThe Devon Rex first appeared in Devonshire, England, in 1960, 10 years after the birth of the first Rex, the progenitor of the Cornish breed. The Devon Rex's coat, much like that of the other Rex breeds, is delicate, short and curly.

Egyptian MauWith characteristics of a wildcat, the Egyptian Mau embodies a spirit reflecting the deity it once was in ancient Egypt. The breed boasts exotic coats of bronze and silver spots and is known as the only naturally spotted domestic cat. A loose pouch of skin just before the hind legs allows for extra extension in running and jumping. Accepted colors for show are silver, bronze and smoke, although black and blue do occasionally occur and make lovely pets.

European BurmeseThe European Burmese's history is quite similar to that of the Burmese known and loved in the United States. When the Burmese moved to the United States, the breeders in Europe took the breed in a different direction, resulting in two distinct breeds today. Colors for the European Burmese include Brown, chocolate, blue, lilac, red, cream, brown-tortie, chocolate-tortie, blue-tortie and lilac-tortie

Exotic Shorthair The Exotic is a man-made breed resulting from the cross of Persians with American Shorthairs and other shorthaired cats. The Exotic's body and head-style match that of the Persian, but the breed was separated into its own category in the 1960s. The exotic shorthair exhibits in a variety of coat colors including: white, blue, black, red, cream, lilac, chocolate, chinchilla silver, shaded silver, blue chinchilla silver, blue shaded silver, chinchilla golden, peke-face red, shaded golden, blue chinchilla golden, blue shaded golden, shell cameo, shell cream, shaded cream, shell tortoiseshell, shaded tortoiseshell and several others.

Havana BrownThe Havana Brown, a breed of medium size and structure, is noted for its dark, chocolate coat. The well-toned, muscular body conveys a sense of power. The first Havana was born in England some 50 years ago when a black "shorthair" Persian had a brief fling with a Chocolate Point Siamese. The Havana Brown’s coloring must be Solid colors only. CFA - the Havana Brown is accepted in Brown only. TICA - refers to breed as Havana and accepts both Chocolate and Lilac colors

Himalayan Depending on the association, the Himalayan may be considered a separate breed or a color pattern of the Persian breed. The Himalayan was originally developed from crosses between Siamese and Persians in an effort to transfer the pointed pattern to the Persian type. Himalayans are shown in shades of white to fawn, with point colors on the mask and extremities in the following hues: chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, red, cream tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream, seal lynx, blue lynx, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx and lilac-cream lynx.

Japanese BobtailThe Japanese Bobtail is an ancient breed indigenous to Japan. As its name indicates, the Bobtail is a partially tailed cat. Medium in size, with long, clean lines, the Japanese Bobtail comes in a variety of colors and patterns--solids, bi-colors and tabbies. A wide variety of colors and patterns are accepted, but the most popular are the dramatic markings of the calico (mi-ke) and black/white.

JavaneseTake one Balinese, dip it in the colors of the rainbow and you have a Javanese. The Javanese is everything that is Balinese, and then some. This breed appears in the lynx point and tortie point patterns, as well as red and cream point colors.

KoratThe Korat is an ancient shorthaired breed named after a province of Thailand. These felines are graced with a silver-blue coat, originally derived from black, following dilution. Korats live for tranquility and will not tolerate excessive activity, noise and the coming and going of new faces. The short, close-lying coat is "rain-cloud gray" tipped in silver for a shimmering effect.

LaPermThe LaPerm is an exceptional combination of curly hair and affection. This longhair breed often wears a curly, plumed tail and exhibits a full, curly ruff. The shorthair LaPerm has more texture to the coat than does the longhaired variety. Both come in all colors and coat patterns.

Main CoonThe Maine Coon is one of the most popular breeds at show tables. This shaggy feline shares its affection with the entire family, but elects a single person as its beloved owner. The breed sports four color classes: solid, tabby, tabby with white and parti-color. The classic Maine Coon is a brown tabby or brown tabby with white, but the breed is available in virtually every hue, with the exception of chocolate and lavender colors, or pointed or ticked tabby patterns. Their eyes are golden to green, though white Maine Coons can be blue or odd-eyed.

ManxThe Manx is tailless, an unmistakable trait that makes it immediately recognizable. These purebreds are stocky and rounded in appearance, with short front and long hind legs that give them a rabbit-like appearance. Most associations accept all colors and patterns except those derived from Siamese (color points), although some recognize these as well.

MunchkinThe Munchkin is distinguished by a spontaneous dominant mutation that shortens the cat's legs. Except for their disproportionately short legs, cats should be well-balanced. It is important that the legs be straight, never bowed or cow-hocked. The head shape is an equilateral triangle. All colors and patterns, as well as both longhaired and shorthaired varieties, are accepted for competition.

Norwegian Forest CatThis breed traces its ancient origins to Norway and has been tagged as a skilled hunter, intelligent, attentive and cautious. Nicknamed "Wegies," these cats sport a thick, heavy coat, almond-shaped eyes and sweet expressions. The Norwegian Forest Cat displays almost all colors and patterns.

OcicatsOcicats look like small, wild, spotted cats, but are a domestic breed created by combining the Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair. The typical coat is actually a spotted tabby, in colors ranging among tawny, cinnamon and chocolate.

Oriental Longhair Recently accepted as a version of the Oriental Shorthair, the Oriental Longhair has a semi-longhair coat, which softens and adds grace to the long lines of the Oriental body. The two largest cat associations treat these cats differently.

Oriental Shorthair Similar to the Siamese in body type and personality, Orientals do not, however, share the characteristic Siamese coloring. They are slender yet hearty and are generally of a solid color or tabby-patterned in a variety of colors for both the shorthair and longhair varieties.

PersianThe impressive Persian is a massively built cat clothed in a long, flowing coat. Short, heavily boned legs support the Persian's boxy body. The cat's head should be round, with large, round eyes and a short, snub nose. Such a wide variety of colors are accepted in this breed that they are divided for competition into seven categories: solids, silver/golden, smoke/shaded, tabby, parti-color, bicolor and Himalayan.

Pixi-BobThe Pixie-Bob is a domestic cat visually resembling the North American Bobcat. Despite its fierce look, the Pixie-Bob is noted for its loving, trustworthy and tractable personality. Light to medium shades of brown spotted tabby in a random "buckshot" pattern preferred, with a base of mousy gray, like a wild hare. The appearance can change substantially with the seasons. Preferred eyes are gold to brown, but gooseberry green is also accepted.

RagdollThe Ragdoll earns its name from its habit of relaxing to the point of utter limpness in one's arms. The Ragdoll's light-colored body has darker Siamese-type points on the face, legs, tail and ears. The CFA accepts four colors - seal, chocolate, blue and lilac for registration - and three patterns: color point, mitted and bi-color. Only bi-color may be shown. TICA accepts all pointed colors, solid, tabby, torti and particolor, which is any accepted color with white.

Russian BlueAs its name indicates, this blue-coated cat seems to be of Russian origin; it is said to have arrived in England during the mid-19th century aboard a Russian merchant ship. The most distinctive feature of the Russian Blue is its fur, which seems to be frosted with powdered sugar.

SavannahThe Savannah inherits its tall, lean, muscular build from the serval cat of the African plains. Its outstanding features are exceptionally long legs, ears and neck. Colors include solid black, black smoke and spotted tabby.

Scottish FoldThe most striking characteristic of the Scottish Fold is its small ears, folded forward and downward, set in a cap-like fashion. As its name indicates, the breed is a native of Scotland. Longhair and shorthair varieties come in a number of colors and patterns.

Selkirk RexThe Selkirk Rex is covered with a downy, curly coat with every little hair arranged in ringlets that lie close to the body. If the whiskers are curly, a breeder knows they have a kitten that may grow up to be a top show cat. Selkirks come in nearly every color of the feline palette, including pointed, bi-color and silver varieties.

SiameseNamed for Siam, this popular breed is intelligent and has a striking personality, suggestive of an inscrutable inner life. The breeding tradition began generations ago, but the Siamese of today still have the graceful elegance suggested in the earliest breed standards. Body color ranges from glacial white to pale fawn. Seal, blue, chocolate and lilac are the four point colors accepted by purists. Red, cream, tortie and lynx (tabby) points are created by outcrossing to other breeds; some associations classify these cats as the Colorpoint breed.

Siberian Living with a cat is quite pleasurable, but living with a Siberian cat is a rewarding, life-changing experience. A confident, problem-solving house clown, the Siberian can be your best friend. All colors; some associations do not accept the pointed pattern for championship.

Singapura The Singapura has many appealing features, including its pastel coloring and distinctive visage. The breed is characterized by its alert expression, its healthy, small- to medium-sized muscular body and noticeably large eyes and ears. The only accepted color is sepia brown in an agouti-ticked pattern. This means that most of the individual hairs on the cat have alternating bands of the dark sepia brown and a warm old ivory ground color. The muzzle, chest and underside of the cat are the light color only with no ticking. Like all tabbies, they have some darker lines accenting the face.

Snowshoe As its name suggests, the outstanding feature of the Snowshoe breed is its four white feet. The distribution of the white and the pointed color is carefully outlined in the breed standard. Ideally the white pattern should be symmetrical. The cat itself is medium-sized, its body long but hefty.

SomaliaThough its name would indicate an origin in Somalia, this breed first appeared in the United States. However, it was named Somali because it derived from an Abyssinian. Despite its medium-length coat, it does not tolerate the cold. The CFA recognizes the Somali in four colors; ruddy, red, blue and fawn.

Sphynx The Sphynx is known as the hairless cat; however, it does have an almost invisible fur. The coat of the Sphynx is sparse and does not have layers. The cat's skin is clearly visible on the muzzle, ears, paws and tail. They are highly sensitive to cold and abrupt changes in temperature. The Sphynx cat comes in all colors.

TonkineseThis cat blends the best features of its ancestors into one beautiful, medium-sized cat that proudly wears one of three coat patterns, each of which comes in four colors. Tonkinese have a surprising sense of humor and a highly intelligent and gregarious personality. Mink (moderate color contrast with aqua eyes), pointed (high color contrast with blue eyes) and full color (least color contrast with green eyes). CFA accepts the colors natural (seal), blue, champagne (chocolate) and platinum (lilac) in all three patterns. TICA recognizes cinnamon and fawn as well.

Turkish Angora The long coat of the Angora is like no other coat, with a sensuously silky, luxurious texture. Angoras are a fine-boned felines, and surpass many other breeds when it comes to playfulness and affection. They quickly form devoted attachments to their owners, lavishing adoration.

Turkish VanThe Turkish Van traces its ancient origins to the region of Turkey's Lake Van. A natural breed, the Van sports a full, brush-like tail as soft as cashmere. The Van pattern is all-white with colored markings restricted primarily to the head and tail.