8. The exotic shorthair
This is the short-haired version of the Persian. With its squashed face and rounded ears, the exotic shorthair looks more like a cuddly teddy bear than a cat. While having a similar temperament to its long-haired cousin, this cat is a bit more lively and inquisitive, but can still be very calm and laid back. The exotic shorthair is a great choice for someone who wants a Persian but doesn’t have the time or desire to devote to grooming.
A word to the wise: These kitties may look a bit too teddy bear-like for young children to be around. They’re not terrible with kids or other pets, but they don’t fall into the excellent category, either.
9. The Maine coon
This beautiful cat is a native to Maine and also the largest of the domestic cat breeds at an average size of up to 18 pounds, though some have tipped the scales at as much as a healthy 20. It looks very feline and takes three to four years to reach full physical maturity. It has very thick fur with a waterproof layer, large wide paws that act like snow shoes for walking easily across snow and a long, thick tail used to wrap about its face during harsh weather. The Maine coon is not only a popular breed because of its temperament, but it’s also a great mouser. Plus, it’s also healthy and hardy, and is great with kids and other animal, including dogs.
More: 9 of Your Most Pressing Cat Health Questions Answered
10. The Persian
Everyone knows the Persian cat. Renowned for its long, silky fur, expressive eyes and squashed face, the Persian is also one of the oldest cat breeds. Calm and sweetly affectionate, this cat loves habit and serene environments (which means it’s probably not the best kitty for families with small children or pets). Persians are the quintessential indoor cats; it is best to keep this breed exclusively indoors. The Persian does require regular baths and daily grooming, as its fur is too long for it to self-groom thoroughly and it is prone to matting. For Persian fanciers, grooming is but one of the many pleasures of having this cat as a companion.
So there you have the top 10 cat breeds. Of course, please don’t share any of this information with your cat. It probably thinks it is most special cat in the world and the only one worth talking about. But, isn’t that all of them?
Related information
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