Understanding cat breeds

When people talk about a cat, a strictly defined image arises in their head. But this image does not always correspond to reality. After all, the variety of cat breeds is very great, and they are all so different.

It is believed that over 200 species of the purring beast have already been bred. But it is not possible to accurately determine this number. Many breeds are very similar to each other, others are a thing of the past, and some are just being created. Almost all types deserve attention. But in order to exclude problems with the description of domestic purebred cats of new and old varieties, you will need to enter the correct classification.

It should be borne in mind that about 200 years ago the very idea of ​​cat breeds did not exist. Animals are now included in the pedigree group, which differ in specific external features and characteristics that allow them to be classified in a certain way. But simple external properties and behavioral traits are not enough. We'll have to use special documents confirming the right to be considered a breed. This can be a detailed pedigree or an official certificate.

Only a felinological organization or association has the right to register breeds. Since approaches and criteria can vary greatly, each structure distinguishes a different number of animal types. It is important to remember that the proportion of purebred pets is small. In general, a maximum of 2-3% of specimens are registered on our planet.Even fewer are those who are recognized by all standards as suitable for participation in industry exhibitions.

Modern felinologists agree that most domestic cat breeds were bred on purpose, and only a few are the result of random mutations. There are also known separate varieties (including the famous Angora), which were obtained based on isolated local populations of animals directly in the corresponding areas.

First of all, cats are distinguished by their build (weight and body geometry). There are massive individuals with a large round head. This is how Persians and short-haired specimens look. Average size is typical for:

• Siamese breed;
• oriental shorthair;
• angora.

The next item in the description of the cat's appearance is her hairline. Many people like fluffy long-haired animals. Also distinguish:

• shorthaired;
• semi-long-haired;
• covered with curly hairs;
• wire-haired;
• hairless cats.

Plush animals combine good looks and powerful intellectual abilities. Especially short and very thick fur gives the impression that this is not a living creature, but something like a soft toy. Unsurprisingly, this type is considered a great decoration for any home or apartment. What is important, plush individuals are also distinguished by an unusually loyal character. They are not prone to aggressive behavior, however, they are extremely nervous about an attempt on their territory.

Examples of plush breeds include:

• shorthaired British;
• short-haired exotic;
• Scottish Fold;
• Persians;
• manks.

Cats without undercoat deserve a separate discussion. These include:

• canadian sphinxes;
• don sphinxes;
• peterbald;
• Cornish Rexes;
• Devon Rex.

Traditionally, the following breeds of cats live in Russia:

• Siberian;
• Russian blue;
• Ural rex;
• Kurilian bobtail;
• Ussuri variety.

In our country, they tried to breed animals on the basis of "rootless" individuals. Sometimes they were crossed with wild specimens, which was immediately reflected in the appearance and behavior. Russian aboriginal cats usually do not have a very long pedigree. The only exception is the Siberian type. It is extremely difficult to find an individual whose prehistory can be traced back more than 4 generations ago.

For this reason, many felinologists believe that domestic branches of the felis species have not yet fully settled down. Very often pedigree kittens in the Russian Federation are sold without documents. Therefore, there is a great danger of buying an animal of questionable quality.

It got its name for the similarity in appearance with stereotypical ideas about the appearance of the nation of the same name. In the descriptions, the first place is occupied by the characteristic large nose. Otherwise, these pets are very close to the Siamese species. "Georgians" easily make contact with people and other living beings. They are characterized by high emotional sensitivity, a desire to correct the bad mood of the owners.

The color allows you to divide cats into:

• multicolor;
• one-color;
• marble;
• covered with stripes;
• having marks.

If we talk not about specific breeds, but about the total number of cats, then they are leading in terms of their livestock (in ascending order):

• Japan;
• Ukraine;
• Germany;
• England;
• Italy;
• France;
• Brazil;
• RF;
• PRC;
• USA.

There can be a variety of answers to this question. Until now, there is no exact information about which cat was bred in an orderly manner before other types. But there are several varieties that claim this title. Among the oldest breeds, the Turkish Angora (or simply Angora) is deservedly called. There is documentary evidence of its existence in 1600.

However, there is information that outwardly similar individuals met another 200 years earlier. Some experts even believe that it was Angora cats that acquired long hair earlier than others, and other breeds with a similar property received the corresponding gene from them.

The mentioned version is not the only one, and even some professionals adhere to other points of view. Much more significant is the fact that Persian cats also claim special antiquity. They are characterized by a long coat. Those old European types of cats, which were described as long-haired in the 15th century, are often considered the ancestors of the "Persians". But on the whole, this whole story is very dark and confusing, it is extremely difficult to understand it.

Appeared long enough Siberian forest (or just forest) cat. This breed has been actively bred for several centuries in our country. Some experts believe that it is from the Siberian branch that all long-haired individuals originate.

And here "Norwegian" is definitely one of the oldest varieties in Europe. According to the dominant version, just such animals were brought by the Vikings from distant wanderings to Europe at the beginning of the 11th century. When adapting to drastically changed conditions, animals developed an elongated, liquid-impermeable coat.

Well, a little later in Siam (modern Thailand), its own branch of the tailed beasts appeared, named just after the country. The first written mentions allowing accurate identification Siamese cat, appear no earlier than 1350 and no later than 1767. Then no one suspected, of course, how important the later accurate dating of the appearance of the breed would be. On the other hand, the surviving illustrations to old books make it possible to accurately identify the similarities between “those very” animals and modern Siamese.

Exactly in the same time period (1350-1767), another Thai breed appeared - Korat. It is unlikely that experts will ever figure out which of this pair emerged earlier.

But if the origin of the European and Asian varieties seems confusing, then in comparison with the origin of the Abyssinian type, it seems to be the standard of clarity and transparency. There is a point of view that for the first time such a breed was bred in ancient Egypt. Proponents of this approach love to refer to visual similarities with images and ancient artifacts.

And another breed that claims to be the first among other cats is the Egyptian Mau. It is characterized by a natural color (full of spots). It is believed that the Mau has not changed its appearance over the past 3 millennia. Moreover, even more ancient images have survived, showing exactly the same cats. Experts believe that such animals were used for hunting (for the first and last time among domestic cats). This is evidenced by the following characteristic properties:

• excellent running speed (over 55 kilometers per hour);
• amazing hearing;
• highly sensitive sense of smell;
• excellent vision;
• lack of the slightest fear of hydration;
• a pleasant melodic voice that helps the hunter to determine that the pet is near the prey.

Both old and new breeds can look completely ordinary. But not everyone prefers such a standard pattern. It is helpful to know which animals stand out in comparison to other atypical looks. You can start a conversation about such representatives of felines with an exotic shorthaired variety. She was even given the nickname "lazy Persian".

But if you need an even more exotic creature, you can take a closer look at the breed selkirk rex... This is a relatively new type with curly hair. Moreover, unlike other curly cats, he is very large and has a heavy skeletal system.

And here Ocicat it stands out with a completely different feature of appearance - it is painted very brightly and has expressive spots. At the same time, the Ocicat was brought out not purposefully, but as a result of some strange accident. Although the cat may be perceived as temperamental, in reality it has a strong affection for the host families and a tame disposition.

If you need to choose a cat with a short tail, then you should pay attention to the Japanese bobtail... The miniature tail is completely unique in that it is strictly individual for each individual. This is roughly the same as human fingerprints.

If you pay attention to the "opposite end", that is, the head, it will be difficult to ignore alpine rock. It can be easily recognized by its characteristic twisted ears. The alpine branch was brought out only in 2004. Breeders have tried to make the animal as large as possible.

Another original option is american curl... This breed has back-turned ears and a bushy tail. The latter circumstance even makes it possible to compare a cat with a raccoon. At birth, curls have straight ears, and curling occurs only when kittens grow up.

In an effort to choose short-legged animals, you can give preference minskin... These cats are practically hairless. They have no body hair, and only occasionally there are hairs on the muzzle. Minskin people are characterized by a playful and lacquered disposition.

Another handsome type - savannah... Such cats appeared as a result of crossing of pets and African servals. The characteristic features of the breed are:

• elongated body;
• spots like leopard skin;
• unique geometry of the ears;
• large mass (sometimes up to 11 kg).

Returning to short-legged individuals, it is worth mentioning lambkine. This direction in breeding was developed thanks to the hybridization of Munchkin and Selkirk Rex. Curly wool is characteristic of Lambkin, reaching great stiffness. The small length of the paws made the cat look cute.

Those wishing to choose a cat with a flat muzzle can pay attention to Himalayan type. It differs from the Persian branch only in color and blue eyes. Typical features:

• chic long coat;
• open direct gaze;
• a flat muzzle that looks like a puppet show.

In the American state of Oregon, a completely different original breed appeared - laperm... It is recognized by its thick and curly, almost like sheep's wool.The very first representative of the Laperm was initially completely bald, and only later did he develop an expressive hairline.

But if you set the task to choose the most original and even the most strange, to put it bluntly, breed, then one of the first places will be face. The first glance can sometimes provoke a fair amount of bewilderment. The word "face" goes back to the ancient Greek "wolf".

Scottish Fold can produce no less effect. They stand out:

• almost invisible ears;
• with eyes like an owl;
• hair density.

However, one should not think that exotic-looking breeds were bred only abroad. Domestic sphinx of the Don can confidently challenge them on a number of properties. When such bald and wrinkled animals appeared, it is not known for certain. Many consider them to be freaks of the feline world. Probably, it was this assessment that drove the unknown, who threw the bag with the cat into the trash heap in 1987 in Rostov (hence the name). The first litter still contained hairy individuals. But later, all the specimens in it were bare.

Those who are not afraid of the Don Sphynx should also think about the establishment Ukrainian Levkoy... His eyes are simply gigantic. For those who do not own such aesthetics, their combination with a bald body looks just awful.

And here pixiebob although it requires more careful maintenance, it is also liked by many people. In appearance, it creates the impression of a wild animal. In reality, such a cat is easily tamed and does not ignore commands, as it might seem. Pixiebobs have well-developed muscles and strong bones.

If neither pixiebobs nor Don's Sphynxes suit people, they might look at the breed. peterbald. Its representatives are completely bald. The hairless body is crowned with a tiny head, on which are disproportionately giant ears. The Peterbalds were officially described in 1988. They are not always completely bald, but the hairless gene is dominant.

Such exotic as Cornish Rex would be a good choice. It is characterized by:

• large ears;
• short curly hair;
• general refinement of the appearance.

But this decorativeness does not prevent the cat from being strong and active. The animal makes every effort to become an equal member of the family. Cornish Rexes were bred in Great Britain (more precisely, in Cornwall) by 1950. The original purpose of their use was to protect grain in barns from rodents.

However, there is a better known exotic breed - classic sphinx... They did not try to bring him out purposefully - everything turned out as if by itself. The breed comes from Canada. Felinologists described her in the late 1970s. The name of the variety was given due to the external resemblance to the ancient Egyptian sculpture of the same name.

But an atypical appearance is not all that needs to be considered. The right choice in terms of character traits plays a very important role. Strictly speaking, almost any cat can be calm. A lot here depends not only on character traits, but also on the situation. Pets love to imitate their owners, and this trait is absolutely indestructible.

However, you still have to carefully study the features of specific varieties in order to exclude errors. Famous friendly breeds include British shorthair cat. Many experts believe that it is such a branch that is best suited for apartment breeding. A certain phlegm, together with a benevolent attitude towards family members, is found at a very early age. British shorthair:

• not prone to hooligan antics;
• require only minimal maintenance;
• treat the whole family evenly (without singling out any of its members).

It is worth mentioning about another English variety of cats - ragdoll. Their name literally means "rag doll". In the hands of animals, they behave as calmly as possible. Ragdolls are bad about loneliness. They are affectionate towards any owners. However, this breed also has certain disadvantages. Among them should be called the inability to the notorious "fall on 4 paws." Throwing a cat to the floor from a height of its own growth, it is already possible to injure it. Moreover, you will have to avoid opening windows, even on the first floors.

In addition to the two varieties mentioned, a common breed is also Russian blue cat. It is ideal for living quarters. The animal is calm: you do not need to constantly pick it up and stroke it. On the other hand, blue Russians are inclined to follow their masters everywhere. They do not avoid active games if the owners themselves offer to play. Such a cat is very wary of strangers.

More and more popular are now becoming and Maine Coons. Even a very large size does not prevent them from staying calm in any situation. Maine Coon will be able to endure almost any childish trick. They are characterized by excellent intelligence and sociability. For the combination of these properties, the breed is sometimes called a cat-dog.

Going on the Internet, you can find a variety of lists, lists and ratings. There are lists of not only calm, but also "evil" cats. This word should be put in quotation marks precisely because aggressiveness is too arbitrary and depends on a large number of factors.

Undoubtedly, only wild cats can be called evil. They simply will not allow a person to approach them, they will not hesitate to use teeth and claws in absolutely any unpleasant or incomprehensible situation. Conditionally evil are individuals who have been improperly trained or not taught in time to due obedience. It is very difficult to find the "key" to Maine Coon and Pallas' cat. But in any case, all cats and cats are individuals. If you approach it in an average way, starting from the real experience of a large number of people, then in terms of malice one can distinguish:

• Maine Coons;
• savannah;
• Scottish cats;
• Pallas' cat;
• jungle and Balinese cats.

The popularity of the Maine Coon does not make it possible to assume that he is the least vicious of this list. As already mentioned, everything is too individual. But it is important to take into account the fundamental characteristics of the breed. Maine Coon requires systematic walking. The hunting nature of this animal makes it extremely important to get rid of an excessive supply of energy.

Do not expect that such a cat will fondle the owner and, lying on his lap, purr sweetly.If only for the reason that the Maine Coon does not fit on any lap. But such a pet will be delighted with water procedures. We must be prepared for the fact that he will try to use a bowl of water as an impromptu bath. And the fact that water as a result will spill throughout the apartment does not really bother him. Like dogs, these cats get a real delight when they dig the ground.

If the land is inaccessible, they use everything that only comes under the paw - upholstery of upholstered furniture, clothes, shoes, wallpaper.

Concerning balinese cat, then she is distinguished not only by an aggressive disposition, but also by an amazing ability to explore everything around. Such animals are simply not able to remain alone and tolerate these situations very poorly. Balinese are very talkative, and it is extremely important to be able to recognize what emotions they are experiencing. The hyperactivity of balineses means that before leaving them alone at home, you need to remove them as far as possible:

• everything beating;
• brittle and fragile items;
• cutting tools.

As for the British cat, in her character, evil notes are set off by mystery and poor predictability. The descriptions indicate that the British:

• independent;
• proud;
• know how to show restraint;
• sometimes express stubbornness;
• can be calculating;
• able to endure unpleasant situations and problems for a long time.

Summarizing these features, it should be pointed out that English cat is still pretty good... If you approach him correctly, the pet will be happy with the company of the owner and will calmly, even happily spend time on his hands or on his knees. But if you do not observe the measure and violate the personal boundaries of the animal, you can face aggression. It is the careless owners who do not know their pets well and are the main contingent of negative reviews.

The restraint of this breed should not be mistaken for stiffness. - squeezing a kitten at an uncomfortable moment, it is easy to feel the strength of its claws and teeth. "Britons" are most happy when their masters keep themselves on an equal footing and do not try to dominate.

Scottish cats are also on the list of pretty evil for a reason. Some breeders unreasonably advertise them as "real angels", which is not always true. A predator is a predator, and the mighty dictates of instinct will sooner or later make themselves felt. Reviews of direct buyers about the "Scots" are contradictory, and it is extremely difficult to predict what specific character will be in a particular animal. The negative properties of the breed are:

• obsessive demonstrativeness (love of situations when the audience focuses on the pet);
• a tendency to compete (a cat will perceive any other animal as a rival for people's attention);
• clinginess (some Scottish cats shamelessly ignore their personal space, trying to follow their owners everywhere);
• excessive persistence (some "Scots" only under the influence of very tough and consistent measures learn what the word "no" means).

But if you look for a cat that claims to be the leader out of anger, then the most accurate option will be the Pallas' cat. This species is superior in aggressiveness and "Scots" and "English", and all other breeds. Moreover, it is simply impossible to domesticate it by any means. Pallas' cat is not attached to a specific owner, and even the person with whom they are constantly in contact can suddenly get severe injuries. Moreover, the people of this wild cat are instinctively recognized as enemies.

Often, animals are taken to fiercely fight for their own territory. This happens even when there is no real danger. Pallas' cat can only be kept in nature reserves and other specially designated places.There professionals work with them who know exactly how to eliminate aggression. For the same reasons, jungle cats are not suitable for home breeding.

The Savannah cat gives a little better prospects. This is a transitional link from wild to domesticated animals, and therefore it is necessary to be very strict in working with them. Savannahs are more relaxed than Pallas' cats about the presence of people around them. However, it is recommended for them, first of all, to be kept in an aviary. There it is easier to maintain the required distance, and therefore exclude the manifestation of aggression.

Savannahs can jump 2.5m in height. Therefore, the owners will have to spend money on arranging a solid and stable fence. The animal's habituation to people occurs rather slowly, at first contact with someone new is complicated by mistrust.

Growing up, the savannah runs more and more wild. Conflicts may arise with those family members with whom the animal previously calmly contacted. The unpredictable behavior of this breed makes it unsuitable for families with small children. It is very difficult to predict how the acquaintance of such a cat with ordinary kittens and puppies will end. In the worst case, the hunting instinct will work entirely.

But the aggressiveness of savannas should not be absolutized either.... They are not angry because of natural harm. Strong assertiveness is manifested in situations where danger arises or you can incarnate yourself as a predator. It is not enough to simply separate the angry animal and the object of his anger.

Intraspecific aggression occurs when a new cat appears in the house or in the yard. It can also be an animal that has long been forgotten by a pet. Competition for resources is an even stronger causative agent of aggression towards their own kind. But there is also redirected anger, which is dangerous due to misunderstanding by inexperienced owners. Sometimes, in the absence of obvious reasons for an attack, a cat clings to a person or another animal and does not let go.

Usually frustration is the root cause. For example, the same impossibility to "really" find out the relationship with the true abuser. Worst of all, it is sometimes impossible to fully understand and explain the real reason for a redirected attack. It is much easier to avoid an attack during petting - you just need to know how to properly handle a particular breed and how not to cross the boundaries of its personal zone. But you have to act very carefully and prudently.

Even a short touch to painful points can provoke a scratching or bite. If the pet attacks the owner when touching "normal" places, especially the belly, you need urgent consultation with a veterinarian. Sometimes you have to conduct a comprehensive examination.

Aggressiveness, at least in some situations, is quite natural for such a predator as a cat. It is often believed that the predatory nature of a species is responsible for its considerable intelligence. And in fact, tracking down prey, being in ambush, stalking a victim - all this requires a certain level of intelligence, the ability to make the right decisions quickly. Any experienced veterinarian, felinologist, or just a breeder can give a number of examples when a cat simply manipulated its owners. And yet there are certain breeds that are traditionally attributed to stupidity (although everything is strictly individual).

Problems with education and the development of the necessary skills usually arise in the "Persians". Beautiful and graceful cats are naturally lazy. They play willingly, but the development of even the simplest techniques is extremely difficult. Communication between an animal and a person is very poor, in most cases the pet quietly gives a voice and looks at the owner, hoping that he will understand what is required of him.

Exotic shorthair cats it is also difficult to count as champions intellectually. True, they are more developed than their Persian counterparts. Exot can be trained in various commands, but they will have to be worked out many times. Prohibitions will also have to be worked out properly. Sometimes there are problems with potting exotic kittens. Without continuous attention, even an exotic adult can display a characteristic reflex anywhere.

Kurzhaars or American shorthaired cats quite easy to learn entry-level orders. But reaching the next level of training is possible only with great difficulty. Kurzhaar tend to communicate with the owner through facial expressions.

Devon Rex are slightly less intelligent than shorthaired pointer. No effort of trainers will help them master any complex commands. The Devon Rex tends to crawl into far corners and hard-to-reach places. The dangers are ignored. Restraining commands do not give much results, even if they are worked out flawlessly.

Knowing the intellectual level of the future pet is certainly important. But it is no less significant to imagine which of them will be the most loyal to the owner. By innate loyalty, the Mekong bobtails are considered leaders. They are always attached not to the house, but personally to people. The pet will look directly in the eyes, which allows him to easily understand human intentions. The Mekong will follow the owner, no matter the circumstances. Neither loud noises nor obvious danger will stop him.

Maine Coons are also considered loyal animals. They tend to take care of children. Maine Coon, due to its ability to establish contact with other living creatures, will delight true nature lovers. At the same time, the especially delicate nature allows you to exclude any obsession. Sensing the situation subtly, the Maine Coon will not attract undue attention if the owner is busy.

Based on the opinions of the breeders, we can say that Abyssinian cats are not inferior to Mekongs and Maine Coons in fidelity... Recognizing the desires of people without problems, the cat will fulfill them calmly and without stubbornness. He is inclined "like thread by needle" to accompany the owner. The Abyssinians help to the best of their ability.

Kurilian bobtails are also ready to become an inseparable shadow. At the same time, the accompaniment takes place without unnecessary intrusiveness, as modestly as possible. The smoker himself decides who is to be considered the master and who is not. But if the choice is made, then there is no doubt about the loyalty of the pet until his last breath.

However, one should not think that only beautiful and graceful representatives of felines are tightly attached to people. The Neva Masquerade cat, despite the severity of its appearance, is distinguished by its tenderness and behaves affectionately. When such a pet is in the hands of children, he shows extraordinary restraint.The release of claws is excluded, even if the cat is tortured because of the game. Neva animals calmly move with their owners to new addresses, no matter how difficult it may be.

Being temporarily alone or just waiting for the owner, the cat from the banks of the Neva will not get bored and meow plaintively. Observing that the owner is very busy, she will not try to attract his attention, will not require affection and care. On the contrary, he will wait calmly and without panic when the case is over. And then he will show all his emotions 100%. In addition, the Nevsky is completely uncharacteristic of rancor, the desire to take revenge and break things.

Knowing the characteristics of certain breeds does not mean that you can calm down and stop studying the problem. To choose a beautiful kitten with green eyes for an apartment or for a house, you need to familiarize yourself with other subtleties. It is required to check whether there is enough space in the dwelling for the breed you like. Also, for all the importance of appearance, the cat should not be given exceptional importance. The intellectual characteristics and loyalty of the animal play a very important role. You need to find out:

• who is a little friendlier;
• who loves water more;
• who produces a minimum of allergens.

Chasing hair that's too short isn't always wise. Sometimes it will cause the animal to freeze on cold and damp days. Experts recommend asking to hold the cat you like. If he resists or is simply indignant, it is not worth coercing obedience by force. Check for benevolence - stretching out a fist towards the cat. In this way, trainers reproduce an intraspecific greeting.

The cat rubbed its head on the hand - this means that it saw a friend in the new person. But a look to the side, especially a retreat back, means dislike or unwillingness to get acquainted. But sometimes you just need to wait a while and help develop the right habit. They do the same if the reason for mistrust is the fear of strangers and strangers.

Be sure to pay attention to the health of the animal. It is checked from head to tail. Normally, the eyes should be shiny and free of discharge. If something comes out of the nose, this is also a sure sign of trouble. The same can be said for:

• sneezing;
• bad smell from the ears;
• damage to the coat;
• hoarse breathing;
• diarrhea.

Experienced people advise to require veterinary documentation for the animal, so that all vaccines and tests taken are reflected there. A cat from a shelter can only be taken with a certificate of a feline immunodeficiency test. As soon as the animal is purchased, hand-picked, or taken from a shelter, it is worth visiting the veterinarian again immediately. Moreover, you only need to choose a well-trained specialist.

In the afternoon, especially in the evening, fatigue or contact with rude people can provoke unnecessary aggression. Even qualified specialists will not be able to recognize whether it is superficial or not. When choosing a specific breed, you will also have to study as many sources as possible about:

• animal temperament;
• nuances of care and disinfection;
• nutritional features;
• probable veterinary problems and methods of their prevention.

For a variety of cat breeds, see the next video.