The Best Cat Breed for You
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019Cats, like humans, come in all different sizes with certain personality traits. Use our guide to find a breed that suits your lifestyle and personality.
LONGHAIR BREEDS – Persian
The docile, affectionate Persian is one of the most popular cat breeds and makes a great indoor cat. Like all longhaired cats, it requires regular grooming to stop its coat from matting. The Persian comes in a variety of colours, but be careful if you’re interested in one with white fur and blue eyes, as those traits often indicate deafness.
Birman
Supposedly a holy temple cat in its native Burma, the Birman has an appropriately meditative and peaceful personality. It makes a great lap cat but can get stressed if left alone too often.
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon’s heft and bushy tail led American settlers to believe it was a cross between a raccoon and a cat―hence its unusual name. This active and affectionate breed can get as big as 8.2 kg, though most are smaller, and it has a trademark mane of neck fur. The Maine Coon’s independent nature and thick, waterproof coat makes it a great outdoor cat.
Ragdoll
The Ragdoll’s tendency to go limp in an owner’s lap gave the breed its charming name. Its adorable habits also resulted in some funny myths: legend has it that the mother of the first litter was hit by a car and gave birth to “floppy” kittens, and that its affectionate nature makes the Ragdoll utterly defenseless. While intelligent, this docile cat requires less space and exercise than other breeds.
SHORTHAIRS – Abyssinian
Two dark bands on each of the Abyssinian’s hair give its coat a striking similarity to that of a wild rabbit. Largely unchanged since it arrived from Africa in the nineteenth century, the Abyssinian is playful and enjoys learning tricks. While it requires constant human attention, this breed doesn’t always get along well with other cats.
Burmese
The Burmese is now nearly as popular as the Siamese, thanks to its intelligence and hunger for attention. You might even mistake this energetic, amusing breed for a dog: it often loves to play fetch with small objects and can be trained to walk on a leash. The Burmese’s short, soft coat makes it ideal for owners leery of grooming. It is also one of the longest-lived breeds, often living into its late teens.
Ocicat
Another dog-like breed, the beautifully-spotted Ocicat demands constant attention and relishes learning tricks. This active breed is not suited to small homes or absent owners.
Siamese
When it was first shown in London in 1871, the Siamese was described as “an unnatural nightmare kind of a cat.” But now that selective breeding has eliminated some of its strange genetic defects, the Siamese has become one of the world’s most popular pedigree cats. The Siamese is loving, loud, active and smart, and like the Burmese can be trained to do tricks. Siamese owners can expect a long-lived companion that refuses to be ignored.
Tonkinese
A cross between the Siamese and the Burmese, the Tonkinese shares their beautiful looks and outgoing natures.
Cornish and Devon Rexes
The unusual-looking Rexes have huge ears and fine, rippled coats. They shed less, and owners with cat allergies often say they are affected less by Rexes. The Devon has shorter fur and lower-set ears than the Cornish, and both breeds are playful, loving attention hogs.
