Some Information on Cat Breeds

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Some Information on Cat Breeds

Originally, cats were kept around to reduce the pest population, not to be pets. However, over the years, humans began to breed cats specially to produce different varieties with specific characteristics. Now, there are many different breeds of cats, each with their own unique qualities. In fact, there are over seventy breeds recognized through various breed registries.

Some registries don't recognize the whole array of cat breeds. Most will acknowledge around forty breeds each, and may exclude common types, such as tabby. In each breed, there are a lot of individual variations as well. Different cat breeds have been around for different lengths of time. Some, like the Japanese Bobtail, have a history spanning over a thousand years. These cats were common in medieval Japan. However, their numbers are reduced in the modern era, so you're unlikely to see one of these distinctive cats today.

In North America, you're likely to see Persians and Siamese cats, and their descendants. Types that aren't recognized as breeds, but are still distinctive include long haired cats and the typical mixed breed alley cat. Fancier breeds can be very expensive, and may, like Persians, require extensive upkeep and grooming. The most common type of cat in North America isn't one type at all. They might be called alley cats, barn cats, or Domestic Shorthairs. There are thousands of them on the continent, and they make great pets. However, there are more feral cats around than most areas can support, because cats can produce so many kittens in a year. This is one reason you should always have your pet spayed or neutered, and resist the temptation to have just one litter.

When trying to determine a cat's breed, appearance is the easiest method. Some people will use color as a determinant, but individuals from a breed might not show the typical coloration. Instead, look at the way the cat is built, as well as its fur type. This makes it easy to sort cats into broad breed categories. Identifying subtle differences can be more difficult, however. Since the cat has been a part of our lives for thousands of years, there are lots of breeds to choose from. Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, in fact. When choosing a cat, be sure to consider its breed. Many breeds have well known personality traits that could be a problem. For instance, Siamese are notoriously talkative. If you're looking for a quiet cat, you should probably avoid this breed. Carefully comparing the breeds is the best way to get the right cat for you.

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