The most beautiful cat breeds: description and reviews. Ragdoll. American shorthair cat. Selkirk rex. munchkin

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

Cats are amazing creatures that make our life brighter and more interesting. Some of them were bred as a result of the painstaking work of breeders, others appeared as a result of a random mutation. Because they are very different from each other and appearance, and character. All of them are attractive in their own way and can compete for the right to be called the most beautiful cats. A description of the breeds claiming this title will be presented in today's material.

Munchkin

The first mention of this American breed dates back to the 30s of the XIX century. Her ancestor is considered to be a short-legged cat named Blackberry, found by the inhabitants of Louisiana. She received official recognition in 1991 and quickly spread throughout the world.

Cats of the Munchkin breed are distinguished by their unusual appearance and dwarf size. Height of an adultdoes not exceed 16 cm, and the weight varies between 2-4 kg. On a wide, wedge-shaped, smoothly outlined head with a flat forehead and a rounded nape, there are expressive almond-shaped eyes and high-set ears. The stretched, squat body is covered with silky short or long hair in almost any color. Of particular value to breeders are chocolate and marble individuals.

Munchkin is a breed endowed not only with a funny appearance, but also with a wonderful character. These affectionate, sociable and playful creatures get along well with other pets. They are extremely calm, sociable and completely forgiving. They are very tactful and unobtrusive, but at the same time, they will be happy to soak up the owner's lap.

Canadian Sphynx

Bald cats, reminiscent of representatives of this breed, lived in the ancient Aztecs. But over time, they almost completely disappeared. According to the official version, the progenitor of modern sphinxes was an ordinary domestic cat, which gave birth to several hairless babies, one of which was named Prut. He was subsequently mated to his own mother. As a result, a whole litter of hairless cubs was born.

The Canadian Sphynx is a bald cat with an exotic appearance and weighing between 3.5-7 kg. On a rounded wedge-shaped head with a short muzzle, there are huge, wide-set ears and expressive, slightly slanting eyes. A graceful, muscular body with a massive chest and a thin long tail is covered with velvety skin, which does not have any hair at all.

Canadian sphinxes –affectionate, unpretentious and absolutely non-conflict animals, perfectly adapted to keeping in city apartments. they love comfort and love to be warm. In addition to their unusual appearance, which makes them look like aliens, representatives of this breed are endowed with high intelligence. They are very curious and very clean. They quickly learn to go to the tray and do not shit in places not intended for this. Caring for these unearthly creatures comes down to regular rubbing of the skin, cleaning the ears and trimming the claws.

Ragdoll

This breed appeared in one of the US states in the 60s of the XX century. According to one version, it was bred by crossing Burmese and Angora. According to another, no less plausible theory, there are long-haired Persians among her ancestors.

Ragdoll - a cat that is quite large in size. Depending on the sex, the weight of an adult is from 7 to 10 kg. On a rounded head with a wide nose and plump cheeks, there are neat ears and large oval eyes. The massive, stretched body with well-developed muscles and a powerful chest is covered with fluffy long hair of chocolate, blue, lilac, two-tone or Siamese color.

Ragdolls are cats endowed with a calm, friendly disposition and high intelligence. They are naturally somewhat lazy and unhurried. They are very accommodating, contact and complaisant. These fluffy beauties quickly become attached to their owners and do not tolerate long separation. Often left alone, cats begin to feel sad andto wither. Ragdolls are completely non-aggressive and are great as a pet for children. They are endowed with a soft, almost inaudible voice and high sensitivity to loud screams.

American Curl

The birthplace of these unusual contenders for the right to be called the most beautiful breed of cats is the provincial town of Lakewood, located in California. The Ruga family, who lived there, sheltered a pretty creature with outward-turned ears. It was this unique cat named Shulamith that became the progenitor of the new breed.

Curl is a small cat weighing between 3-5 kg. On a proportional, smoothly outlined head, the shape of which resembles a wedge, there are hazel-shaped eyes and wide, outward-turned ears. The graceful, harmoniously developed body is covered with soft, silky coat of a solid, two-color or spotted color.

Representatives of the American Curl breed are considered well-mannered, intelligent animals, endowed with a lively mind and active temperament. They quickly get used to their owners and do not tolerate a forced separation. These cats are incredibly mobile, playful and perky. They retain their childish spontaneity and restlessness until a very old age. They are great with children and are often the best play and prank companions.

Scottish Longhair

This one of the most beautiful breeds of cats was obtained relatively recently. In a nursery specializing in breeding standard Scots, fluffy babies were born. breederslong hair was considered a defect and did not attach much importance to it. Over time, more and more of these animals began to appear in the breed, as a result of which they had to be recognized as a separate breed.

The Scottish Longhair generally resembles its standard counterparts. Depending on the sex, its weight varies between 3.5-5 kg, therefore it is difficult to attribute it to large breeds. On a large rounded head with full cheeks and a strong chin, there are huge amber eyes and erect or hanging ears. The massive body with well-developed muscles and moderately long tail is covered with fluffy fur of tortoiseshell, blue, black, lilac or red color. Bicolor or ticked individuals are also not uncommon in the breed.

Scottish Longhairs are endowed with a patient, accommodating and good-natured character. They do not tolerate loneliness well and quickly become attached to their owners. These peace-loving fluffy beauties subtly feel the change in the master's mood and get along with other pets without any problems. Even a teenager can easily handle caring for them. It comes down to regular brushing, trimming nails, brushing ears and teeth. Bathing a cat should be no more than twice a year or in case of severe pollution. It is important to remember that a neglected pet will quickly lose its visual appeal, and its luxurious coat will begin to tangle.

Mekong Bobtail

There are many legends associated with these unusual immigrants from Thailand. According to the most common of them, representatives of one of the most beautiful breeds of cats guarded the treasures of Thai princesses andaccompanied their noble mistresses on walks. According to legend, jewels were hung on their tails. As for the origin, they have common roots with Siamese and Thai cats. They came to Europe at the end of the 19th century and quickly gained well-deserved popularity.

Mekong bobtail - a cat weighing between 2.5-4 kg. On a beautiful, smoothly defined head with a pronounced chin and a strong lower jaw, there are small, wide-set ears with rounded tips and slanting blue eyes. The graceful body with well-developed muscles and arched back is covered with short smooth hair of Siamese or point color. The main distinguishing feature of these animals is a short tail, consisting of three vertebrae.

Besides the interesting appearance, the Mekong Bobtail is endowed with a very unusual character. In terms of behavior, he is more like not a cat, but a dog. He is very mobile, active and able to learn simple tricks. And one of the most favorite activities of such a cat is playing with a ball.

Singapore

South Asia is considered to be the birthplace of these miniature animals. There they lived in drainpipes and ditches, without attracting much attention from breeders. The rapidly growing population was threatened with destruction by local authorities and was saved from extinction by an American named Meadow. He became seriously interested in these creatures and brought several individuals to the United States. From that moment, work began on breeding a new breed, which received official recognition in 1984.

Singapore cat weighs only 2-3 kg, thanks to which it was listed in the Guinness Book of Records. On a rounded head with a neat muzzle and a slightly blunt nose, there are large ears and huge slanting green or yellow eyes. The proportionate, athletic body is covered with short, soft coat of brown-sable or golden-cream color.

Singapores are gentle, friendly creatures, not prone to aggression. They are quite shy and do not endure quarrels. These predictable animals are not capable of any tricks and are very sensitive to changes in the master's mood. They adore children and get along well with various domestic animals, such as dogs, parrots and even hamsters.

Selkirk Rex

The ancestor of this breed is a cat named Miss de Pesto, who was born in the Sheridan cattery. She had unusually curly fur of a creamy-white-bluish hue. Subsequently, she was mated to a black Persian and gave birth to six kittens, three of which inherited a curly coat. Exotics and British shorthairs took part in the further formation of the breed.

These animals are relatively large. Depending on gender, the weight of an adult is 5-8 kg. On the rounded head of a typical Selkirk Rex cat, ears are wide at the base and expressive, far-set eyes. The proportional muscular body is covered with long curly or short plush hair of different colors. Most often among themthere are chocolate, lilac, striped, two- and three-color individuals.

Selkirk Rex are silent, calm animals, boundlessly devoted to their owners. They successfully combine the playfulness, softness and ease inherent in the breeds that participated in their formation. They are not prone to aggression and are not afraid of strangers.

Bengal cats

The history of this breed began in 1961. It was then that an American woman named Jane Mill acquired an Asian leopard cat named Malaysia. A few years later, she gave birth to offspring, whose father was an ordinary short-haired cat. The result of painstaking selection work, which lasted almost three decades, was a new breed known as the Bengal.

These animals are relatively large in size. The average weight of an adult is within 8 kg. On a proportional wedge-shaped head with a wide nose, powerful jaws and a straight profile, there are huge oval eyes and neat ears. The main distinguishing feature of Bengal cats is a narrow tail, the length of which reaches 28 cm. A short, flexible body with well-developed muscles is covered with smooth, shiny coat of golden, orange, brown, yellowish or silver color with dark or light markings that form a marble, spotted or rosette pattern..

Bengals are very smart and cunning cats that require careful handling. They have dormant wild instincts that can be activated at the most inopportune moment. They are well trained andquickly accustomed to cleanliness. It should also be remembered that representatives of this breed should not be left unattended for a long time. A bored cat can easily destroy an apartment.

American Shorthair

The ancestors of these animals came to the US from Europe and were used to catch rodents. However, the popularization of exhibitions, which showed not only thoroughbreds, but also working individuals, led to an increased interest in the American Shorthair. In 1986, she received official recognition from the CFA and breeders began to work to consolidate the basic qualities of the new breed.

The American Shorthair cat, which is difficult to describe in a few concise paragraphs, is relatively large in size. Depending on the sex, the mass of an adult is 5-7 kg. On a large head with a moderately convex forehead, a square muzzle, strong jaws and a smooth stop, there are bright round eyes of a copper, golden, green or blue hue. A flexible, muscular body with a developed chest and a wide, even back is covered with short, dense hair of almost any color.

These calm and balanced cats adapt well to being kept in city apartments. They do not require special care and tolerate loneliness well. Unlike their wild counterparts, American Shorthairs are not prone to damage to property and are unlikely to climb curtains or jump on cabinets. They are independent, self-sufficient andease. Therefore, they will not bother the owners, insistently demanding attention. However, they are quite sociable and will gladly accept an offer to play.

Owner Reviews

Of course, every owner considers his four-legged pet deserving of the highest titles, titles and awards. Therefore, the list of the most beautiful cat breeds discussed above is very arbitrary. It presents very different and dissimilar animals. Big and small, fluffy and completely bald, snub-nosed and even bob-tailed individuals got here.

All of them deserve the highest praise, as evidenced by the reviews of the owners. According to most people in whose houses representatives of the breeds discussed above live, each of them is good in its own way and has every right to be considered the very best.