Huge cats: photos and descriptions of the largest cat breeds

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Cats are one of the most popular pets suitable for apartment keeping. Someone is attracted by their independent disposition, while someone is attracted by the lack of need for regular walking and compactness. But not all of them have a miniature size and among them there are real giants. Today's publication will provide brief descriptions of representatives of huge cat breeds.

Savannah

This breed came about thanks to the breeding work of Judy Frank. She decided to breed an ordinary domestic cat with a serval, as a result of which a single cub of a wild spotted color was born. Subsequently, Patrick Kelly and Joyce Srouf became interested in such mestizos, who began to improve the breed. The official standard was approved in 1996.

Savannah is a huge cat that looks like a leopard. It grows up to 60 cm at the withers and weighs between 13-14 kg. On a disproportionately small head with a graceful elongated muzzlethere are large rounded ears and unusual green, yellow or copper eyes. The stretched body with developed muscles is covered with short silky hair of spotted color.

Savannahs are not only the largest cats in the world, but also very smart animals that can remember commands and get along well with children. They do not tolerate separation from their owners and, unlike most of their counterparts, need regular walks. And since they have a developed hunting instinct, they need to be protected from smaller animals.

Maine Coon

This is a fairly ancient breed, which is considered to be the birthplace of the North American state of Maine. Its origin is still not exactly known, but according to one version, it appeared as a result of crossing a cat with a raccoon. But there are those who believe that lynxes were among her ancestors.

Maine Coons are huge cats that can weigh up to 15 kg. On a massive head with a wide muzzle, there are expressive eyes and high-set ears, decorated with tassels. The long, well-muscled body is covered with thick hair of almost any color.

Maine Coons are endowed with an affable and friendly disposition. At the same time, they are quite confident and independent. And, despite the love for the owners, they need a personal space where they could retire. These animals have well developed hunting instincts and intellectual abilities. They not only distinguish intonations well, but also remember commands or simple tricks.

British Shorthair

Despite the fact that theseanimals have a fairly long history, reliable information about the development of the breed can be traced back to the 19th century. England is considered their homeland, and the first exhibition took place in London in 1871.

The British Shorthair is not the biggest cat, but its size is still impressive. The weight of an adult male is 7-9 kg, but there are cases of the existence of larger individuals. On a rounded head with a wide forehead and full cheeks, there are expressive eyes and small, widely spaced ears. A harmonious body with heavy bones, a flat back and a deep chest is covered with thick dense hair of different colors. Most often among them there are blue, tortoiseshell, silver, two- or three-color individuals.

The British Shorthair has a calm and friendly disposition. They are very patient, but do not like excessive attention. They are uncomfortable in noisy or unfamiliar environments.

Siberian cat

The first mention of similar animals dates back to the 16th century. Then they were called Bukhara and used to exterminate rodents. It is possible that they have common roots with the Persians and Angoras. Tribal breeding of the breed began in 1987, and already in 1990 the first standard appeared.

Siberians are huge domestic cats, whose weight can reach 12 kg. Although females are slightly smaller and lighter than males. On a proportional trapezoidal head, there are widely spaced rounded ears and expressive bright eyes. Compact body with strongskeleton and developed muscles is covered with luxurious long hair of a plain or patterned color.

Siberian cats are strong and independent animals. They have a very developed self-esteem, which means they will not adapt to someone. These cats are quite active and can hunt small rodents.

Norwegian Forest

The history of this breed began in the middle of the XVI century. A was quite popular in her homeland, but during the Second World War she was on the verge of extinction. The livestock was restored thanks to the efforts of caring breeders.

Norwegian forest seems just huge. The photo of the cat, presented just above, does not convey its true size. Depending on the sex, the mass of an adult varies between 6-11 kg. But luxurious voluminous wool visually makes it even larger. On the triangular head there are expressive oval eyes and high-set ears, decorated with tassels. The stretched body with strong bones is covered with thick two-layer hair of almost any color (except chocolate and cinnamon).

Norwegian forest cats are affectionate and patient cats with a mild, unobtrusive disposition. They have a highly developed hunting instinct and adapt well to different conditions of detention.

Pixiebob

This breed was bred in the USA, but its exact origin remains unknown. According to one version, it appeared as a result of crossing ordinary cats with a lynx, according to another - with short-tailed cats. Official recognition of the breedreceived in 1995.

Pixibob is a large cat whose weight can reach 10 kg. On a pear-shaped head with a wide muzzle and a powerful chin, there are small eyes and ears rounded at the ends. The muscular body with prominent withers and a developed chest is covered with thick red, dark brown, gray, chocolate or reddish-brown hair with black spots.

These huge cats, visually resembling a lynx, have a rather calm disposition. They are well trained and love children. Because many owners compare their habits with dogs.

Ragdoll

This breed was bred in the middle of the 20th century. She appeared as a result of crossing Angora and Burmese, and her name translates as a rag doll. Due to its youth, the breed is not yet very popular in Russia, but has already managed to spread throughout Europe.

Ragdoll is a large cat whose weight can reach 9-12 kg. On a proportional head with plump cheeks, there are oval blue eyes and ears wide at the base. The massive stretched body with developed muscles and a powerful chest is covered with soft silky hair. As for the color, the standard allows several possible options, including mitted, bicolor and colorpoint.

Ragdolls are friendly, calm cats endowed with high intelligence. They can be cunning and cannot stand swearing. These animals do not cause much trouble and are good with children.

Ragamuffin

These animals were bred in the 60s of the XX century inCalifornia. They appeared as a result of crossing ragdolls with purebred, Persian and Himalayan cats.

Ragamuffin is a huge cat breed. The weight of an adult male can reach 10 kg. Females are a little smaller and lighter. On a wide wedge-shaped head with a rounded muzzle and plump cheeks, there are expressive eyes and far-set ears. Dense massive body with a powerful chest is covered with thick soft hair of almost any color.

Ragamuffins are playful, affectionate and docile animals. They are very smart, loyal and picky. They subtly feel the master's mood and will get in the way. These cats have absolutely no hunting instincts, which means they are not suitable for catching rodents.

Kurilian Bobtail

This breed was formed in natural conditions with minimal intervention of breeders. It became seriously interested only in the 90s of the last century. The final standard was approved in 2001

The Kurilian Bobtail is a large short-tailed cat weighing 7-7.5 kg. On a large trapezoidal head with wide cheekbones and smooth outlines, there are high-set ears with rounded ends and expressive slanted eyes, the shade of which is in harmony with the main color of the coat. A strong squat body with a strong skeleton and a developed chest is covered with thick fur of almost any color. But striped, gray and red individuals are popular.

Kuril bobtails are friendly andcalm cats. They have high intelligence and independent disposition. These unobtrusive and independent animals lend themselves well to education and do not require special conditions of detention.