Felines are available all kinds of sizes, shapes, and colours, and among the most stunning are from the rarest cat breeds. When you’re a cat fanatic, you possible find out about Persians, American shorthairs, and Siamese, that are among the typical cat breeds stored as pets by aficionados.
However even then, purebred cats make up solely a tiny share of the cats within the U.S. So, with regards to uncommon cat breeds, they’re onerous to search out, usually in restricted provide, and contain lengthy waitlists with breeders or a cattery.
Listed below are 10 of the rarest cat breeds round.
Table of Contents
Breed Traits
Every of the rarest cat breeds has distinctive traits, which may make them your excellent pet or trigger you to steer clear. Greater than seems or breed affinity, it is extra important to discover the cat that matches your way of life and persona.
Typically, the rarest cat breeds might have some distinguishing options that actually make them stand out in opposition to different extra widespread breeds. For instance, they could have very quick tails, folded ears, or totally different coat textures than the usual quick and lengthy hair varieties. These options make these cats particular, and in the event that they’re as a consequence of uncommon genetic mutations, that may additionally contribute to the truth that there aren’t a lot of them.
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Scottish Fold
Named after their cute folded ears, Scottish fold cats have a novel look. The folds are produced by a gene that impacts ear cartilage, however as a result of the gene isn’t fully dominant, not all Scottish folds have folded ears. Both manner, these cats are lovable.
The unique Scottish fold was a barn cat in Scotland that was bred for distinct folded ears all through the UK within the Nineteen Sixties. Now, they’re common pets amongst celebrities throughout the globe, together with American singer Taylor Swift.
Breed Overview
Top: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 6 to 14 kilos
Character/Temperament: Easygoing, affectionate, sociable
Power Stage: Medium
Coat and Coloration: Brief or lengthy hair; brown, grey, black, pink, cream, white; tabby, tortoiseshell, calico
Life Span: 14 years
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Norwegian Forest Cat
![A white cat with long hair and green eyes sitting on a wood dresser and looking at the camera.]()
The identify offers away the origins of the Norwegian forest cat breed. Referred to as the skogkatt in Norway, it is a pure European breed descended from home cats first launched by the traditional Romans. Norse myths counsel the cats had been in Norway for tons of of years.
The Norwegian forest cat began to realize recognition within the U.S. within the Eighties. Individuals fell in love with the cats for his or her playful personalities and pure athleticism. Nonetheless, this stays one of many rarest cat breeds.
Breed Overview
Top: 9 to 12 inches
Weight: 13 to twenty kilos
Character/Temperament: Pleasant, interactive, adventurous
Power Stage: Medium
Coat and Coloration: Lengthy hair; dense undercoat; nearly any coloration or sample
Life Span: 16 years
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Sphynx
![A hairless Sphynx cat laying on the top of a chair in front of a window.]()
The sphynx breed is definitely recognized by distinct bodily options—large ears and hairless physique. These cats are wonderful pets for individuals who endure from extreme allergic reactions. As a result of they don’t have any hair, these felines are nearly at all times chilly, which means they’re nearly at all times on the lookout for snuggles.
Hairless cats have been recorded all through historical past, together with historical Egypt. The present American sphynx breed descended from cats in Minnesota and Canada that had pure mutations stopping hair development.
Whereas there are another hairless breeds, the sphynx breed is exclusive for being exceptionally social. Sphynxes love their people and are affectionate and playful.
Breed Overview
Top: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 6 to 12 kilos
Character/Temperament: Playful, affectionate, pleasant
Power Stage: Excessive
Coat and Coloration: Practically hairless, peach fuzz; any coloration and sample
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
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Egyptian Mau
![A spotted Egyptian Mau cat sitting up but looking behind him.]()
As the one pure domesticated breed of noticed cat, the Egyptian mau is commonly sought for his or her gorgeous coat. However in addition to their ravishing attractiveness, these cats are additionally identified for his or her high quality companionship and looking prowess.
First considered pets of the traditional Egyptians 1000’s of years in the past, Egyptian maus could also be one of many oldest home cat breeds, but that is additionally one of many rarest cat breeds. Maus had been introduced into the U.S. within the Eighties after they captured the hearts of cat lovers throughout the nation.
Breed Overview
Top: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 9 kilos
Character/Temperament: Playful, lively, devoted
Power Stage: Excessive
Coat and Coloration: Brief hair; silver, bronze, or smoke; tabby
Life Span: 12 to fifteen years
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Korat
![A calico Korat cat with blue eyes sitting up.]()
Korat cats have solely been common within the U.S. for just a few a long time, however their historical past goes again 1000’s of years. The breed is initially from Thailand, the place it was first discovered recorded in historical artifacts from the thirteenth century.
Within the 1800s, they had been launched to Europe and have become often known as “blue Siamese” cats due to their stable blue coats, comparatively petite our bodies, and large, luminous eyes. Korats appeared within the U.S. within the Fifties. By 1966, the American Cat Fanciers Affiliation (ACFA) allowed them to compete within the championship class.
Breed Overview
Top: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 kilos
Character/Temperament: Clever, social, pleasant
Power Stage: Medium
Coat and Coloration: Brief hair; blue-gray with silver suggestions
Life Span: 15 to 19 years
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British Shorthair
![A gray British Shorthair cat sitting upright on the floor and looking at the camera.]()
When you’re on the lookout for a goofy or mischievous feline companion, then the British shorthair might not be for you. As an alternative, their persona is quiet, calm, and customarily reserved. British shorthair cats are native to Nice Britain, although they could have been an import when the Romans invaded the nation within the first century A.D.
British shorthairs are also called British blue cats as a consequence of their blue-grey coats. The American Cat Affiliation acknowledged them in 1967. It’s a comparatively unusual breed, however they’re identified to be top-notch companions.
Breed Overview
Top: 12 to 14 inches
Weight: 7 to 17 kilos
Character/Temperament: Affectionate, easygoing, calm
Power Stage: Medium
Coat and Coloration: Dense, quick hair; many colours and patterns
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
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Peterbald
![peterbald cat]()
Peterbald cats don’t have a protracted historical past, however it’s fascinating. The distinctive cat was first reported within the Eighties in a city known as Don in Russia. The cat was known as the Don sphynx as a consequence of hairlessness.
In 1993, the brand new breed was despatched to St. Petersberg, Russia, the place scientists bred a effective Oriental shorthair cat with a Don sphynx. Certainly one of their kittens grew to become the inspiration of the Peterbald breed.
In Might 2008, the ACFA accepted the Peterbald for championship class competitors. The breed stays a uncommon but extremely desired pet within the U.S.
Breed Overview
Top: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 14 kilos
Character/Temperament: Pleasant, affectionate, interactive
Power Stage: Medium
Coat and Coloration: Hairless, flock, chamois, brush, or straight; white, black, pink/orange, grey, fawn, or lilac; stable, bicolor, tabby, or colorpoint
Life Span: 15 years
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Minskin
![A small Minskin cat at a woman's feet underneath a sheer dress.]()
Cross a munchkin cat with a sphynx, and also you’ve obtained a minskin. Minskins get their quick, squat our bodies from the munchkin and their extraordinarily sparse coats from the sphynx—providing you with a distinct-looking cat.
The primary official minskin got here from Boston, Massachusetts, in 2000. After 5 years, the minskin pool had grown to about 50 cats, and the breed was registered by The Worldwide Cat Affiliation (TICA). The lovable and outgoing breed is a part of a TICA program that screens the event of latest breeds.
Breed Overview
Top: 7 to eight inches
Weight: 4 to six kilos
Character/Temperament: Affectionate, athletic, good
Power Stage: Excessive
Coat and Coloration: Hairless with sparse hair on ears, nostril, legs, tail; any coloration or sample
Life Span: 12 years
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American Bobtail
![An orange cat with a short, bobbed tail looking above the camera.]()
Regardless of the American bobtail cat’s bodily similarities to wild bobcats, these felines are absolutely domesticated and make fantastic pets. This distinctive breed might be troublesome to search out, so it’s one of many rarest cat breeds.
The American bobtail has been in North America because the Nineteen Sixties, however didn’t acquire recognition till the 2000s. The unique bobtail was a cat discovered at a motel in Arizona, and specialists consider he was deserted there. The cat could also be a cross between a bobcat and a home home cat as a consequence of his feral look and distinct bobtail.
Breed Overview
Top: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 16 kilos
Character/Temperament: Affectionate, sociable, playful
Power Stage: Medium
Coat and Coloration: Brief or lengthy hair; any coloration and sample
Life Span: 15 years
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LaPerm
![Grey LaPerm cat with green eyes looking up]()
LaPerms are named for his or her curly or wavy fur that is available in quite a lot of colours and patterns. The coat can have tight ringlets or lengthy corkscrew curls. The LaPerm was a spontaneous genetic mutation in a daily litter of tabby farm cats within the Eighties in Oregon.
Within the Nineties, the Cat Fancy Affiliation advised beginning a breeding program for this distinctive and infrequently seen high quality in a cat’s coat. By 2008, the breed achieved CFA champion standing.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 6 to 10 inches
WEIGHT: 6 to 10 kilos
Character/Temperament: Energetic, pleasant, curious
Power Stage: Excessive
Coat and Coloration: Brief or lengthy hair; curly or wavy; any coloration and sample
Life Span: 12 to fifteen years
Breeds to Keep away from
The commonest cat owned by Individuals is the home shorthair, in different phrases, a mixed-breed home cat. You may possible wish to keep away from going to an animal rescue if what you need is a purebred kitty or one of many rarest cat breeds. The animal shelters are normally stuffed with mixed-breed “moggies,” because the British affectionately name them.
If uncommon is what you are after, you would be good with any purebred cat, together with the extra common ragdoll, Persian, or Siamese. It’s estimated between 70 to 90 million cats are owned by Individuals, and of that quantity, lower than 10% are pedigreed or purebred felines.
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