How many cat breeds are there in the world? How many cat breeds are there in the world? How many cat breeds are there?

Felines are already more than 35 million years old, and according to various estimates, there are now approximately 400 - 600 million domestic cats in the world, and about 260 breeds have been bred.

The number of stray cats is simply impossible to estimate.

In addition, there are 36 wild cat species that live on all continents except Australia and Antarctica.

The geographic service World Atlas has published the top ten countries that have the most domestic cats in the world , with a total of about 200 million cats. (data updated March 1, 2021)

People have kept domestic cats since ancient times, following religious traditions, to fight rodents and simply as pets.

Nowadays, life has become easier for cats to such an extent that these curious carnivores have become one of the most numerous species of mammals on our planet.

The translation of the article from the World Atlas is supplemented with my comments.

Japan (7.25 million cats)

Since ancient times, the Japanese have had such a loving relationship with cats that these animals have often become major characters in Japanese art and literature.

The country even has its own "Cat Island", namely Tashirojima Island (more commonly called simply Tashiro), which is actually part of Ishinomaki City (Tashirojima Island in Ishinomaki City), where cats thrive in large numbers and can often be found in boating port of the city (since fishermen share their catch with them every day).

This island also has a cat temple, Neko-jinja, where locals worship cats in the hope that they will bring good luck.

Pensioners whose average age exceeds 70 years still live on the “cat islands.” Young people left the islands long ago, moving to large cities. And on the islands cats have no enemies, since there are no dogs there at all.

Another paradise for cats in Japan is Aoshima Island, in Shikoku, where the ratio of cats to people is almost 100:15! These islands are also popular destinations for cat lovers from all over the world. And tourists try their best to feed the growing colonies of cats; many come to communicate and photograph the cats more than once.

In addition, growing cat populations thrive on the streets of Japan's cities and towns, and large numbers of Japanese people own cats as pets.

In many major Japanese cities and towns, cat salons, cat cafes (where people unable to keep cats at home enjoy interacting with animals while relaxing over a cup of coffee) and pet stores (offering a huge range of cat-themed products) abound ).

One of the most popular souvenirs and symbols of Japan are figurines of “calling cats” - Maneki-neko, which bring good luck and wealth.

Recent estimates place the total cat population in Japan at about 7.25 million.

The population of Japan as of 2021 is approximately 126,500,000.

Stories of the appearance of purebred cats

Cat breeds appeared thanks to the selective work of people, but certain species arose due to gene mutations. There are also native breeds of pets, that is, those that appeared in isolated areas, they are classified as naturally formed breeds:

Siberian;
Angora;
Thai.

Some breeds are hybrid. They arose as a result of the mating of wild and domestic individuals. The Bengal cat is usually classified as a hybrid cat; Asian leopard wild cats and domesticated pets participated in the creation of the breed.

the most popular cat breeds;
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Russian Aboriginal cats

Cats spread across the East European Plain almost simultaneously with the settlement of Slavic tribes. As soon as the Eastern Slavs had cities, cats settled in them. Some of the ancient aboriginal breeds in Rus' include the Russian Blue and Siberian cats. The development of such a science as felinology contributed to the emergence of new breeds that appealed not only to people located in the post-Soviet space, but also abroad.

In Russia, two breeds of hairless cats were bred at once - the Sphynx: Donskoy and Peterbald, and Ukrainian breeders bred another species - the Ukrainian Levkoy. In addition, there were:

Skif-tay-toy-don. This breed was bred in Rostov-on-Don. The name is quite symbolic, if we consider that Scythia is the land on which the Rostov region is now located. Don is a river in the same territory. Toy is a toy that indicates the dwarfism of cats of this breed. Thai - Thai state (Thailand), cats have some similarities with the Thai breed of short-tailed pets. Later, a pair of Russian kittens ended up in an American nursery, after which the breeders came up with a new name - toybob, which translated means toy bobtail, that is, a small pet with a stubby tail.
The Karelian Bobtail breed standard was first described by the St. Petersburg Commission in 1987. The short tail of the Karelian Bobtail is a dominant mutation that is passed on to generations of animals inhabiting the lands of Karelia. According to one version, the breed originates from Norwegian forest animals. Breed standards allow two subspecies – shorthaired and semi-longhaired. The tail is quite short - from 4 to 13 cm, the hair on it is longer than on the body.
The Kurilian Bobtail differs from the previous breed in size. The Kurils are more massive, heavier and more muscular than the Karelians. Representatives of the Kuril breed have a curved back, while Karelians have a straight back, with a raised rear. The Kurilian Bobtail's tail is more broken and curved than its Karelian counterpart. The name Kurilian Bobtail indicates the place of origin of the breed. The Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and Sakhalin are the distribution area of short-tailed pets. Pets were identified as a separate breed around the 80s of the last century. In 1995 the breed was recognized by the WCF, in 2004 by the FIFe, and in 2012 by the American TICA.
The Ural Rex is a native Russian pet with curly hair. The history of the breed begins with the curly-haired pet Vaska, born in the Sverdlovsk region in 1988. Babies of this breed already at 3 months are distinguished by a semi-closed curl of hair. The waviness is clearly visible in six-month-old kittens, but the curl, characteristic specifically for Ural pets, appears in cats older than 2 years. The breed is considered rare, and its representatives are common only in the Sverdlovsk and Yekaterinburg territories. Curly-haired pets are bred not only in Russia, but also in Germany.
The Neva Masquerade has blue eyes, long hair and a pointed coat, which makes it similar to the Siamese. Felinologists in Russia are breeding the Neva breed. These pets belong to the subspecies of the Siberian cat. Historical information about the breed dates back to the end of the 20th century. The breed has been officially recognized by some international organizations. The name of the breed was invented by St. Petersburg breeders. Nevskaya - by the name of the river on which St. Petersburg is located, and masquerade - by the interesting color of the fur on the face, reminiscent of a masquerade mask.
The Ussuri Shorthair supposedly originates from Siberian cats accidentally crossed with wild Amur cats. Ussuri pets have not yet been recognized by major international associations. There are very few representatives of the Ussuri, which is why the breed is on the verge of extinction.

Also watch the video of where domestic cats and cats came from:

It's impossible to count

The main work of clubs and nurseries is to improve the cat's appearance, coat color, character, etc. In rare cases, they develop new breeds or color variations, but the last word, according to them, always lies with a large “cat” organization, which prescribes and sets the standard . The most prestigious are WCF, CFS, CFF, TICA and FIFe.

Each organization develops its own list, which includes a different number of breed names. Many cats are unlikely to boast a place on this list - it only contains selected purrs who have proven with their health, appearance, temperament and other qualities that they are valuable to the cat world.

It is very difficult to count the number of breeds - there is no fixed figure. It may be approved in one organization, but not in another.

After some time, the same breed may be excluded from the list or move to another category.

Another difficulty is the classification of the breed. For example, some organizations recognize the Himalayan cat separately, while others consider it a subspecies of Persian cats. Thus, everyone has their own system - one cat organization classifies mustachioed beauties by coat type, the second takes into account body type, and the third - origin. Therefore, to accurately answer the question - how many cat breeds can exist on the globe? - very hard.

The approximate number of mustachioed purrs to which the word “thoroughbred” can be applied ranges from 80 to 120 individuals, but subspecies should also be added to this number.

Only a cat that has a pedigree can be considered a truly purebred animal.

Pedigrees are issued by special clubs of cat lovers. Clubs unite into felinological organizations. Each nursery of purebred cats must be registered with one or more such organizations.

It is important to understand the difference between a club and an association of felinologists. Clubs and nurseries are mainly engaged in breeding animals, improving their breed qualities - exterior, color, character

Sometimes they introduce new breeds or color variations, but they must be approved by the large organization to which the club belongs.

These large organizations determine which breeds can be recognized as existing and how cats belonging to them are assessed. All parameters that the animal must meet are also described by felinological associations. In addition, they are in charge of all cat shows, the time and order of their holding.

The difficulty lies in the fact that there are not one or two such organizations - there are many of them.

In addition to a dozen international ones that enjoy honor and respect in any country, there are also many small, “homemade” associations that base their work mainly on deceiving newcomers. Therefore, it is better for nurseries and buyers to cooperate with well-known associations.

Among the European ones, the most authoritative and oldest is the World Cat Federation (WCF), among the American ones - The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

This is why it is difficult to unambiguously answer the question of how many cat breeds exist in the world - each association has its own views on this, its own list of recognized breeds.

If we talk about the most prestigious organizations, the WCF has about 70 cat breeds, and the CFA has a little more than forty. In addition, there is a significant difference in the colors of different breeds, of which there are more recognized in some places and fewer in others.

The emergence of new breeds is a labor-intensive task, since it is necessary not only to achieve stability of the acquired characteristics, but also to wait for recognition in prestigious cat associations, and they are distinguished by a certain conservatism. Oddly enough, it is the American systems that turn out to be more strict in this matter, although in other respects they keep up with the times.

Unfortunately, playing on human gullibility and lack of information, many scammers pass off ordinary yard cats as true aristocrats. For example, they offer to buy “a kitten of the rarest color - Abyssinian platinum.” If you decide to get a truly purebred pet, first carefully study the standards, make sure you can distinguish a purebred animal from a fake.

Of course, love is not measured by the purity of blood, but by buying so-called kittens of a rare breed (but in fact, a non-existent one), you support scammers who, without hesitation, throw unsold kittens into the trash heap, and continue this conveyor belt of death for their own benefit.

A real breeder who is passionate about his business takes care of his pets, monitors their lives in their new homes, and is always ready to give advice and help. Such people are busy doing a wonderful job - they improve breeds and create new ones, delighting all cat lovers.

Ukraine (7.5 million cats)

Ukraine has a very large cat population, about 7.5 million.

Although Ukrainian families often keep cats as pets and as protection against rodents, the country is home to a huge number of stray animals.

The treatment of stray cats in Ukraine has often been criticized by international animal protection organizations.

The country also lacks clearly defined laws,

protecting animals and their welfare, which allows large numbers of cats and dogs to be thrown onto the street without any liability on the part of unscrupulous owners.

The population of Ukraine as of March 1, 2021 was 42,371,996 people.

Monument to the cat Panteleimon in Kyiv

Breed classification

Each international organization of felinologists works with its own classification. For example, some organizations consider the Himalayan cat to be a species of a certain breed, while others classify it as a subspecies of the Persian. In this regard, there are disagreements on such an issue as the classification of cats.

Felinologists from various international organizations classify animals based on the priorities that they consider dominant

So, one takes into account the type of coat, the other - the body type, the third - the origin. There can be a lot of such classifications

Therefore, to answer the question - how many cat breeds are there in the world? - difficult.

The most popular breeds:

Himalayan;
Persian;
Angora;
Siberian;
Abyssinian;
Thai;
British;
Ukrainian Levkoy;
sphinx;
Norwegian forest;
Maine Coon.

Why is it so difficult to say how many cat breeds there are in the world? The thing is that there are a lot of organizations of felinologists. And only a small number of them work according to the same classification. That is, different associations define breed standards differently. For example, one organization believes that the Himalayan cat is a separate breed, while another classifies it as a subspecies of the Persian. And there can be many such examples.

In general, the dominant standards that people pay attention to first are:

coat type;
body features;
origin.

The easiest way to determine a cat's breed is by its fur. It can be either long or short, or even absent altogether. The first include Angora, Persian and Siberian cats. They need regular grooming because their fur is really long and thick.

The most famous shorthair cats are British, Abyssinian and Thai. Caring for them is much easier, since the wool does not need to be brushed and washed regularly. As for hairless pets, this is still truly exotic for us. Popular breeds are Ukrainian Levkoy and Sphynx. It is clear that these are purely domestic animals, since they are very afraid of the cold.

As a rule, the weight of an adult cat ranges from two to five kilograms. But there are also unique specimens belonging to breeds such as the Norwegian Forest or, for example, the Maine Coon. Their weight can reach 10 kilograms.

Breeding and breeding is a complex science. Today there are approximately 70 officially recognized breeds, but this number is rapidly changing, and in different directions. So it is impossible to answer unequivocally how many cat breeds there are in the world.

Purebred cat - who is she?

The number of purebred cats is small - only 3% of all domestic pets. To become the chosen one, you need to go through several stages:

1. Obtaining experimental status is the first step;

2. Obtaining the status “without a champion”, when the purr can take part in exhibitions for the sake of advertising, but cannot receive various titles and awards;

3. Final recognition – champion status with all privileges. In one of the most authoritative cat organizations, WCF, there are about 70 such breeds, in others there are more.

The presence of a pedigree is one of the main confirmations of the breed. This important document is issued by the specialized Cat Lovers Club, which is part of the felinological organization.

A purebred cat must pass on to its offspring the characteristics characteristic of this breed. Large “cat” organizations identify these differences and, based on them, create a standard that describes the distinctive features of this type of cat: head shape, eye color, body length, type of coat and its color, as well as other characteristics. The standard must specify the breed's shortcomings, as well as what external signs may lead to disqualification.

Also, felinological organizations are involved in planning and holding cat exhibitions.

By the way, the first such official exhibition was held in England in 1871. The public was delighted with what they saw - blue Britons, Persian and Siamese cats, extraordinary Turkish Angoras and other mustaches showed off in front of those around them. Thus, the term “breed” acquired a new meaning - people were able to learn more about their pets and their characteristics. After this event, new “cat” clubs and associations began to emerge.

Bengal cat

The breed was created by crossing a domestic cat with a wild leopard cat. The Bengal cat is large, slender, very muscular, with a thick, low tail. The wild appearance is enhanced by the characteristic thick spotted or marbled hair coat. She has a wide head, small ears, and almond-shaped eyes with a black border. The tail is thick, tapering with a black tip. No other breed of cat has such shiny golden-pearl fur (shine effect) as Bengal cats. These beauties get very used to their caregivers. They love human company, as well as children. Bengal cats get along well with other animals. They are smart and active.

Bengal breed size chart
Height at withers (cm)	Body length(cm)	Weight, kg)
Cat	32	90	7,5
Cat	26	75	6
Kitten (3 months)	1,8

Kittens should get enough nutrients and vitamins in their food. Then the animal grows and gains weight gradually. After a week of life, the weight doubles, and after a month it slows down a little. Until the age of 2, the kitten only grows, and weight gain actually stops.

Germany (7.75 million cats)

Monument to stray cats in Braunschweig.

Germans love their cats. This is evidenced by data on the number of cats in the country, which is estimated to be about 7.75 million individuals.

The Germans have a great love for cats and strive to surround their pets with comfort, buying them the best dry food, special premium canned food, comfortable beds and claw scratchers in the form of complex trees, and they spend a lot of money on maintaining their pets. German cats are particularly well-groomed; often on the streets of Germany you can see owners walking with their pets on a leash.

However, according to recent government reports, the number of stray cats in Germany is also rapidly increasing, and there are now millions of abandoned animals in the country.

Free-roaming of unneutered cats is the main reason for the steady increase in the stray cat population.

In 2014, the Germans estimated that stray cats caused €500,000 worth of damage to urban green spaces (including trees and flowers) in one year.

However, after a nationwide survey, the German authorities were forced to impose a ban on the destruction of stray animals and limited themselves to introducing strict restrictions on the free walking of domestic cats on the streets of the country.

The population of Germany in 2021 is approximately 81,200,000 people.

How are breeds classified?

Each organization has its own characteristics and takes into account certain parameters. The most commonly used:

body shape, proportions;
health characteristics, tendency to certain diseases;
character and temperament traits;
characteristics of wool, its length and color.

The most numerous organization for cat breeds is the WCF organization. According to its data, there are 74 species, in FIFe - 51 and in TICA - 73.

Losses on the way to recognition

Here we finally return to our original question, how many cat breeds are there in the world? The fact is that each of the felinological organizations has its own approach to the recognition and assessment of the breed. One may recognize this or that breed, another may distinguish it as a variety of some other breed, and a third may not recognize it at all. For example, the WCF currently recognizes about 78 breeds, while the CFA only recognizes 42 breeds.

How many cat breeds are there?

However, if we consider not only the breeds recognized by felinological organizations, then in fact, there will be much more of them - over 100. The fact is that despite the fact that felinology has a long history, it still remains a hobby, and there are a huge number of enthusiastic breeders who now and then begin to breed new breeds at their own risk. After they manage to get at least some result, they declare their success. But what happens to the breed next is a big question.

Any new breed needs a fairly long period of development until standard animals with pronounced breed characteristics are born in each litter. In addition, this breed must become in demand and withstand competition with other similar ones.

Not everyone manages to go this route, and many breeds exist only nominally, and their breeding is supported by rare enthusiasts. Examples include the Levkoy, Ural Rex, Anatolian cat and many others. It seems that they exist, and on the Internet you will even find their detailed description and standard, but kittens of this breed are very difficult to buy, and you will not see them at major exhibitions. It is difficult to say whether they should be considered breeds in the full sense of the word.

Types of cats

To find out how many cat breeds currently exist in the world, you need to look at the list of varieties that are recognized by the three largest felinological organizations (WCF, FIFe and TICA):

1. Maine Coon.
2. Egyptian Mau.
3. Abyssinian.
4. Peterbald.
5. Balinese (Balinese, Bally).
6. Siamese.
7. Burma (Burmanskaya).
8. Cymric.
9. Persian (Kolopoint). TICA distinguishes 2 types: Persian and colorpoint, while others consider this to be one cat breed.
10. Sacred Burmese.
11. Oriental DS.
12. Oriental CABG.
13. Exotic.
14. Norwegian forest.
15. Korat.
16. American Curl DS.
17. American Curl KSh.
18. Siberian.
19. Kurilian bobtail DS.
20. Kurilian bobtail KSh.
21. British KS.
22. Don Sphynx.
23. Devon Rex.
24. Manx (Manx cat).
25. Cornish Rex.
26. Ocicat.
27. Russian blue.
28. Japanese bobtail DS.
29. Japanese bobtail KSh.
30. Ragdoll.
31. Somalia.
32. Bengal.
33. Turkish Angora.
34. Turkish van.
35. Neva Masquerade.
36. Canadian Sphynx.
37. Chartreuse.

To obtain registration of a cat variety, it is necessary to prove the “right to exist.”

Therefore, recognition takes time.

Organizations may disagree. This leads to the fact that some cat breeds are recognized only by separate groups, and the total number fluctuates:

WCF considers such varieties as Australian Mist, Tabby (Asian), Anatolian, Arabian Mau, Brazilian KSh, York, Canaani, Karelian Bobtail KSh and DSh, Mekong Bobtail, Ragamuffin, Scottie Straight, Chantilly Tiffany, Ural Rex DSh and KSh. These species are not registered in TICA and FIFe.
TICA recognizes the following: Minskin, Ojos Azules and Ojos Azules DS, American Bobtail DS and CS, Havana, Pixie Bob CS and DS, Savannah, Serengeti, Toyger and Javanese. WCF and FIFe do not consider these breeds.
FIFe recognizes Seychelles DS and KS, which others do not allow for registration.

Counting all the cats living on our planet is as difficult as counting the stars in the sky. There is approximate information about how many cats there are in the world. And then, only domestic cats are taken into account, and their wild species, poor things, are without stable statistics.

UK (7.75 million cats)

The majority of households in the UK own cats, and UK animal welfare laws are among the most advanced in the world.

And the galaxy of famous cats performing the duties of mousecatchers at the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street in London (including the famous cat Larry) is the object of close attention of cat lovers in different countries.

However, the UK also has a large population of stray cats.

According to statistics, 85% of kittens in England are born unplanned. As a result, government costs for maintaining cat shelters are increasing - from $3.1 million in 2010 to $4.0 million in 2013. Over the past few years, more than 30,000 cats have ended up in UK shelters, creating a “cat crisis” in the region. It is believed that spaying cats before pregnancy is the best preventative measure to combat this problem.

Main breeds

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Basic breeds are not always the most common and well-known; many ordinary people have never even heard of them. These include:

The Angora is the “mother” of most long-haired breeds. Features of the representatives are the presence of thick hair on the neck, visually reminiscent of a collar, and the complete absence of undercoat.
American Curl - ears are the hallmark of the breed, allowing it to be distinguished from other cat varieties. The ears curl inwards and can be bent at different angles. Feature – the auricle is covered with thick fluff. These cats are very mobile and active, retaining their playfulness until old age.
The Egyptian Mau is the oldest breed of cat. On the head between the ears, a pattern in the form of the letter “W” is clearly visible on the fur. The eyes of this breed are unusual - they are framed with a black line, as if lined with a pencil or eyeliner.
European with a short coat - the formation of this breed took place without much human intervention. These animals are very similar, both in appearance and in their genotype, to yard cats.
Scottish - the breed includes 2 subspecies: fold-eared and straight-eared. The basic one is lop-eared, from which the second subspecies was obtained through prolonged selection. This was achieved through genetic experiments, in which it was possible to isolate the gene responsible for the process of regression of ear cartilage.
British - are divided into 2 subspecies: long-haired and short-haired (basic breed). The peculiarity of individuals is their coat - it is rightfully considered ideal, it is very easy to care for, shedding is practically absent or goes unnoticed.
Siamese – This breed is the basis for many types of cats. Siamese have a very beautiful color that is characteristic of them. Representatives are distinguished by their peaceful, friendly character.
Sphynx - the breed is strikingly different from other species in the absence of hair due to underdeveloped cover. Character – peaceful, affectionate. The lack of fur forces these cats to always be near heat sources.
Siberian - has thick wool, formed under the influence of the cold climate in which representatives of the breed lived. Cats have a well-developed hunting instinct; they are especially bright in hunting mice and rats.
Bengal - the coat color is predominantly white. Animals with spotting are less common. The breed is distinguished by the fact that its representatives live both among people and in the wild.
The American Bobtail differs from other species in having a tail that is unusual for cats - it is short and very fluffy. The breed has 2 subspecies: short-haired and long-haired.
Abyssinian – the name of the breed originally sounded like “rabbit cat”. The coat pattern resembles the color of wild rabbits. The body is elegant, with well-developed muscles. The character is very peaceful and friendly.

Breeders work with these main breeds to develop new types of cats.

Organizations of felinologists

A very difficult question that is not easy to answer: “How many are there in the world?” First you need to figure out how a new breed appears, who can breed it, how and by whom is it registered? A purebred cat has its own pedigree, issued by the club of lovers of these animals, which is part of the professional organization of felinologists. Catteries that breed purebred cats must be registered with professional organizations.

There are a huge number of associations of felinologists in the world, and all of them, in fulfilling their duties, work at the international level. Each association has an excellent reputation and experience in breeding purebred cats. For example, there are the authoritative European association WorldCatFederation (WCF) and the American The CatFanciers' Association (CFA). Each has a list of recognized breeds, but their number is difficult to record.

Main types of cats

The main breeds originated from ancient ancestors, who were not always eminent. Breeders took them as a basis and, by crossing species, breed exotic pets. The foundation of the cat world are the following breeds:

Scottish;
Angora;
American bobtail;
Siamese;
Bengali;
Siberian;
Egyptian Mau;
European Shorthair;
sphinx;
Abyssinian;
American Curl;
British.

Description of the main breeds

The main types of cats were derived from the earliest, but not always the most widespread, breeds. And now breeders continue to experiment with these species, achieving new results.

These cat species have become the main ones that most breeders around the world work with, seeking to constantly expand the directories of cat breeds.

Italy (9.5 million cats)

While Italy's beloved domestic cats enjoy plenty of perks, stray cats are not far behind. They are allowed to roam freely through the streets of the country under the admiring gaze of their two-legged admirers; Italy has a large number of shelters that do not kill wild and stray cats.

One of the most famous sanctuaries in Italy is the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, located in Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome, where a large number of stray cats of different breeds take the opportunity to stop by to eat and rest before continuing their free lives.

The country also has a large number of Le Gattares - groups of female cat lovers in cities and towns across Italy who are custodians of feral and stray cat populations in their communities. They have special responsibility for feeding and caring for these animals.

The number of domestic cats in Italy is about 9.5 million.

The population of Italy in 2021 was 60,599,936 people.

Description of the main breeds

The main types of cats were derived from the earliest, but not always the most widespread, breeds. And now breeders continue to experiment with these species, achieving new results.

British.
They became the founders of two main lines: British Longhair and Shorthair, the older of which is the Shorthair. Both species are characterized by ideal hair, which is very easy to care for: it does not mat and does not shed as actively as other representatives of the cat world.
Abyssinian.
Their color resembles wild rabbits, which is why they got their first name - “rabbit cats”. Very easy-going, with a good disposition and graceful body.
Scottish.
There are 2 main forms - straight-eared and lop-eared. The basic one was straight-eared, and lop-eared was the result of genetic experiments, during which it was possible to fix the gene responsible for the regression of cartilage tissue.
American Curl.
The main distinguishing feature is the ears, which bend inward or backward at different angles. The inner surface of the auricle is densely pubescent. American Curls are very active animals; their playfulness and activity remain in them until old age.
European Shorthair.
Experts believe that this breed was formed with minimal human intervention. It is quite difficult for a non-professional to distinguish these cats from ordinary yard cats, since they are as close as possible in genotype and appearance.
Angora.
There is an opinion that she became the predecessor for all long-haired pedigree groups. A distinctive feature is the absence of undercoat and a thick collar around the neck.
Egyptian Mau.
Of all the species currently known, the Mau is the most ancient. Her image was first drawn 3 thousand years ago. Her eyes look very unusual: they seem to be lined with eyeliner, and a “W” pattern is visible between her ears.

American Bobtail.
It has a short fluffy tail, which makes it easily distinguishable from other species. There are short-haired and long-haired forms.
Bengal.
It lives not only near humans, but also in the wild. Most often it has white fur, but occasionally spotting can be found.
Sphinx.
The main characteristic is the underdevelopment of the coat, expressed to varying degrees. Due to the lack of wool, they love warm places. They have a friendly and affectionate disposition.
Siberian.
It appeared due to the harsh cold climate, which caused the emergence of this type of cat adapted to the cold. They are distinguished by excellent hunting skills, therefore they are considered excellent rat catchers and mouse catchers.
Siamese.
They appeared in the 16th century and since then have become the basis for the breeding of many new species. Very friendly creatures with beautiful colors.

These cat species have become the main ones that most breeders around the world work with, seeking to constantly expand the directories of cat breeds.

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Types of breeds

When considering the types of purebred cats, it is worth paying attention to their coat. There are short-haired animals: Thai, British, Abyssinian and others. These cats are easy to care for. The coat does not require daily brushing, and they are bathed once every two months. Long-haired cats - Persian, Siberian, Angora - require careful care of their fur, as it quickly rolls into tangles, which bring discomfort to the animal. If these cats are not looked after, they look very untidy.

There are also hairless cats, they are called hairless. These include the Don and Canadian Sphynx, as well as the Ukrainian Levkoy. Caring for such cats is not burdensome. In addition, they are suitable for people who are allergic to wool. But their pets are very afraid of the cold, so these cats should be dressed in the cold season.

How many cat breeds are there in the world, differing in size? There are very small animals. Their weight ranges from 2 to 4 kg for an adult. These are cats of the Toy Bob, Devon Rex, Singapore, and Munchkin breeds. These animals look like small kittens and are very playful. But there are also large purebred specimens, which, according to the testimony of their owners, have a calm character and are nobly beautiful. This breed includes the Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest.

The world (pictured) includes the Serengeti, toyger, and savannah.

Not everyone can afford the pleasure of having a cat that costs several tens of thousands of dollars. Videos are shot about them, photo sessions are done, thanks to this we know about such unique cat breeds.

List of the most popular breeds

The cat breeds popular in the modern world are descended from basic species that some people have never even heard of. To this day, breeders breed new individuals by crossing cats of the main breeds.

Several types of cats are now considered the most popular.

Abyssinian cat

This breed is considered one of the most ancient, because their ancestors were indigenous cats of Africa. Abyssinians were originally called "rabbit cats" because their coat color is very similar to that of wild rabbits.

Externally, Abyssinian cats resemble small pumas - their body is graceful but muscular. The color of the breed can vary from black or red-brown to beige. By type of coat they are classified as shorthaired.

By nature, Abyssinians are very friendly, affectionate and curious. They get along well not only with other members of the cat family, but also with dogs.

Average life expectancy is 18–20 years.

American Bobtail

Cats of this breed were bred in the late 60s of the twentieth century in the USA.

A distinctive feature of the appearance of American Bobtails is their short and very fluffy tail. Based on the type of coat, representatives of the breed are divided into 2 varieties: short-haired and long-haired.

American Bobtails are highly trainable, very active and playful, and love attention from their owner.

Average life expectancy is 11–15 years.

American Curl

Representatives of the breed were bred in 1981 in the American state of California.

A distinctive feature of the appearance of these cats is their ears turned back with a well-furred inner surface. Based on the type of coat, representatives of the breed are divided into 2 varieties: short-haired and long-haired.

American Curls are friendly, but they do not get along well with small children because they do not like to be cuddled. Cats of this breed are very playful and remain active until old age. They quickly adapt to their new environment, making them excellent pets for people who move frequently.

Average life expectancy is 12–15 years.

Bengal

The first representative of the breed was born in 1961 in the USA from the crossing of a wild Bengal cat and an ordinary black domestic cat.

A distinctive feature of Bengals is the so-called “wild” color. Their short, silky, shiny coat has a distinct spotted or marbled pattern of black or brown spots on a golden-orange background.

With regular communication with the owner, the Bengal kitten will grow up to be gentle and loyal, just like ordinary pets. However, genes usually take their toll, so representatives of the breed are ready to hunt almost around the clock for some insect or run after a ball like wild cats.

Average life expectancy is 12–15 years.

Bombay

These cats, despite their name, appeared in the state of Kentucky (USA) in the 50s of the twentieth century.

Bombay looks like a real smaller version of a panther. The fur of representatives of the breed is short, black, smooth, shiny, without spots or hairs of a different color, and the eyes are large and amber.

Affectionate, intelligent and very sociable Bombays rarely meow and do not tolerate loneliness well.

Average life expectancy is 13–16 years.

British cat

Representatives of this breed were bred in the 19th century in Great Britain.

According to the type of coat, British cats come in two varieties: short-haired and long-haired. The coat of both types is considered almost ideal: it hardly sheds, does not mat and does not require much care.

Like true Englishmen, cats of this breed do not like excessive attention and try to spend time alone.

Average life expectancy is 15–20 years.

Egyptian Mau

Another ancient cat breed. The ancestors of the Mau lived more than 3,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt.

A true representative of this breed must have a pattern in the form of the letter “M” above the eyes, and a pattern in the form of the letter “W” behind the ears, towards the back of the head. The Egyptian Mau is spotted in color, with spots not only on the fur, but also on the skin. According to the type of coat they are classified as shorthaired.

Egyptian Mau are very affectionate, active and sociable. They are considered the fastest cats, as they can reach speeds of up to 58 km/h. Unlike most representatives of the cat family, representatives of this breed love water.

Average life expectancy is 13–15 years.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a native cat breed that originated in Maine in the northeastern United States.

Representatives of the breed are considered the largest domestic cats in the world. The weight of males can reach 12 kg, females - 8 kg, and the body length including tail - 135 cm. Another distinctive external feature of Maine Coons is long, silky hair and “tassels” on the ears.

Despite the menacing expression of the muzzle and impressive size, representatives of the breed are friendly and calm. These cats are easy to train, treat all family members well, but they single out an owner for themselves, whom they follow everywhere.

Average life expectancy is 12–16 years.

Persian cat

The first Persian cats were brought to Europe in the 17th century by the Italian aristocrat Pietro della Valle, who traveled through Persia and Turkey.

Representatives of this breed differ from other cats in having long, thick, soft hair of various colors, a small, upturned nose and short but muscular limbs.

Persians are stubborn and have a complex character, but at the same time they are selflessly loyal to their owners and try to spend as much time with them as possible. If they don't like a person, they will avoid communicating with him. They prefer relaxing on the sofa to active pastime, although sometimes they can run after a ball or a fly.

Average life expectancy is 15–20 years.

Siamese cat

The ancestors of Siamese cats lived in Thailand back in the 15th century. These cats were brought to European countries only in the 19th century.

The main difference between Siamese and other cats is their elegant but muscular body, blue eyes, and short, color-point coat.

Siamese cats are willful and sensitive. They are very attached to all household members and do not like loneliness. True, their relationship with children under 7 years old does not work out because of the constant desire to cuddle them. Siamese cats are often jealous of their owners when they are other pets.

Average life expectancy is 18–20 years.

Siberian cat

The first mentions of cats, which were called Bukhara, but looked very much like Siberian ones, date back to the 16th century. Initially, such cats lived in Siberia, but then, together with their nomadic owners, they moved to other regions.

Siberian cats are strong, hardy, have excellent health and are still considered excellent rat catchers. Their thick, medium-length coat is considered hypoallergenic, impervious to cold and moisture, and can have a wide variety of colors (most often striped).

Representatives of the breed are energetic, fearless, inquisitive, unobtrusive, and have a sense of self-esteem.

Average life expectancy is 17–20 years.

Sphinx

The first representatives of this group of cat breeds were bred in 1966 in Canada and received the name “Canadian Sphynx”. Later, the Don Sphynx (1986) and the Peterbald (1994) appeared in Russia.

A distinctive feature of all sphinxes is the absence of fur on the body. Sometimes the body of such cats is covered with delicate fluff. Sparse and short hair is allowed on the ears, tail, groin and between the toes.

By nature, sphinxes are very affectionate and friendly. They are easy to train and get used to the tray, and also have a good memory.

Average life expectancy is 12–15 years.

Turkish Angora

Angora cats were brought to Europe from Turkey at the beginning of the 17th century. The breed got its name in honor of the capital of Turkey - Ankara. The Turkish Angora is considered the ancestor of all modern long-haired cats.

Representatives of this breed have long, crumbly, silky hair without undercoat, forming a lush “collar” on the neck. The most common are solid white Angora cats, but brown, red, smoky, cream, and tabby colors are also allowed.

Turkish Angoras are very active, curious, intelligent, and love to be the center of attention. They have the amazing ability to purr with uterine sounds with their mouths closed.

Average life expectancy is 16–20 years.

France (9.5 million cats)

France is a country where cat owners use them not only as pets (out of pure love for furry creatures), but sometimes also as a fashion accessory and a reason for communication.

I have already written in detail how the black cat Sha Noir from Théophile Steinlen’s poster became a symbol of the capital of France, and about how 50 years of French culture passed under the influence of images of cats.

The narrowest street in Paris is called "Fisherman's Cat Street" (Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche)

And in Paris, cat cafes “Cafe des Chats” are very popular.

The country has strict pet regulations and all domestic cats must be registered in a national database. Each cat must have an identification mark on itself in the form of a tattoo or microchip with information about the owner. This helps identify stray cats caught on the streets of the country.

However, despite all these measures, France still has large populations of feral and stray cats, with reports of cat attacks on people and dogs.

Today the total number of domestic cats in France is about 9.5 million animals.

The population of France in 2021 was 64,948,981.

Wild cats

Currently, the majority of varieties are registered with the WCF: approximately 74, of which 9 are newly registered varieties. FIFe and TICA account for approximately 51 and 73 people respectively.

It is also impossible to determine how many cats live in the wild on Earth. Found on all continents except Antarctica. Some species are quite well adapted to their proximity to humans. Thus, there are about a million lynxes in the world. But some cat populations are dying out before our eyes, despite constant litters, and therefore it is difficult to say exactly how many cats there are on earth. This is due to human activities and environmental degradation.

Such data is available for endangered species.
lions - less than 20,000 live today;
cheetah - less than 15,000;
tiger - no more than 6 thousand;
Asian leopard - about 100 pieces;
Uns - the snow leopard with the most beautiful fur in the world - less than 100 individuals;
white lion, several dozen.

Standards

For each cat breed there are standards drawn up by the Association of Felinologists. The standard specifies all primary and secondary requirements and possible deficiencies. The standard explains which conformation characteristics are grounds for disqualification. The variety of breeds is great. There are a large number of wool types alone:

shorthair: Thai cat, British cat and many others;
long-haired: Persian cat, Siberian and others;
hairless cats: Donskaya, St. Petersburg and Canadian Sphynx, Ukrainian Levkoy.

They take as the basis the classification of cats and sizes:

small, weighing within four kilograms: toy bob, balinese, minskin and others;
large (up to 15 kg): bob-tails, Maine Coon, Turkish Van, Chausie, Siberian, Norwegian Forest.

In all countries of the world, clubs require owners of purebred animals to approve each mating, as they monitor their frequency. Pre-registration is required for expensive cats, although not everyone can afford them. Mating of these cat breeds is not carried out just like that, without an order.

Unfortunately, even the World Cat Congress does not name the exact number of purebred cats. After all, each individual Association and each club maintains its own records of purebred cats, and the number of cats on the list of one organization may not coincide with the list of another. So, from the article the reader learned that there are approximately 40 breeds of cats in the world and they are all different in standards and classification.

How many cat breeds are there on Earth?

How beautiful nature is! Who could tell how many colors and tones cat fur can have? Not to mention the shapes and designs!

How many types of cats are there?

Combinations of the most unimaginable colors and tones create patterns, fantastic shapes, and bizarre contours on cat fur coats. The color of a cat's fur is stunningly varied: it can be snowy white, reddish and orange, almost red, it can be smoky gray, ebony black or brown, in fact, we can even meet blue cats!

And these are just the colors and tones: a cat’s coat can also be plain, spotted, polka dot, striped, the coat can be smooth or wavy, very short or long and silky. And the cat's eyes! Green, yellow, orange, blue, dark... The color of wild cats sooner or later becomes similar to their habitat.

The praise goes to the breeders

The unique color, pattern, type of coat and characteristics of different types of cats are emphasized only if a person consciously breeds them. The breeding of purebred cats first began in Asia; at that time in Europe they did not pay much attention to this; cats were used only for catching mice.

Compared to dogs, there are very few purebred cats. The difference between breeds in the case of cats may be smaller than, for example, between a German Shepherd and a Miniature Poodle. Cats began to be bred solely for decorative purposes, so today they are distinguished not by what tasks they can perform, but depending on their appearance.

It's not just the skin that matters

In all countries there are special clubs that breed officially recognized cat breeds. Each breed has its own characteristics and standards. The most important feature that distinguishes one breed from another is the color and length of the coat, as well as the shape of the head. For a specialist, no less important is the length of the tail and ears, their shape, location, color and position of the eyes.

Along with their physique, cat breeds also have unique characteristics and temperament. For example, it is common knowledge that Siamese cats are playful, intelligent, excellent companions, and have a uniquely sharp voice. On the other hand, Persian or long-haired cats are a bit phlegmatic, a little lazy, and catching mice is not their specialty, but at the same time they are modest, calm and very polite. Ragdolls have a unique feature: when you pick them up, they relax their muscles like a rag doll (hence the name).

How many cat breeds are there?

No one can give an exact answer to this question, since each club and community has its own rules regarding color, pattern, temperament and characteristics. But what is certain is that there are about one hundred officially recognized and registered cat breeds living on Earth, and each breed has almost seven hundred subspecies that have different external characteristics and unique temperament.

Many cat lovers are interested in the question: how many cat breeds are there in the world? It is not easy to answer. The debate on this matter does not subside even for a minute!

Before answering the question about cat breeds, you should figure out who is responsible for registering the pedigree of fluffy and graceful pets, who is responsible for the breed standard, for the name, monitors the legality of their breeding and who can be proud of the breeding of a new breed. Not everyone can cross two different representatives of the cat family and become the author of a new breed.

A purebred cat is a cat that has a pedigree and all the relevant documents. All pedigrees can be issued only by professional organizations of fellinologists. And nurseries for breeding purebred cats must register with such organizations.

There are clubs of the association of fellinologists that carry out their duties: in the clubs they breed purebred cats, improve color, exterior, character, breed new breeds, and the associations register everything that happens.

Each association of fellinologists determines which breed should exist and which should not, and which breed certain cats should be classified as. Also, employees of fellinological organizations establish all the animal parameters that cats must comply with. Cat shows around the world are organized only with the knowledge of fellinological associations, which approve the procedure and time.

The only drawback of such associations is that there are a huge number of them and each has the right to fulfill its duties. All of them work internationally, have an excellent reputation and experience in the cat industry. There are also many small organizations that, taking advantage of the inexperience of newcomers, breed “new breeds” and make money from it.

We suggest you read: Do-it-yourself climbing frame for cats, which one to choose and how to make it

The European association WorldCatFederation (WCF), which has many years of experience, is considered the most authoritative; the Americans have The CatFanciers' Association (CFA), whose opinion is taken into account by many other organizations. Each of these organizations has its own list of recognized breeds, so it is difficult to ascertain the number of cat breeds.

The WCF has more than 70 recognized cat breeds, while the CFA has more than 40, and each breed has a different coat color, paw length, tail size, etc.

Breeding a new breed of cat requires a lot of time, money and confidence in your business. The new breed must have all the necessary parameters, meet all standards and, most importantly, receive the approval of the most prestigious cat associations. Workers of fellinological associations have their own views on the breeding of new breeds, the severity of which does not please everyone.

With the development of modernity, all organizations have “copies”, that is, organizations that were created by scammers to scam ignorant people out of money. The work of such authorities is to sell simple yard cats, but with false documents about the breed. To avoid getting hooked by scammers, you need to study everything about the breed before purchasing: standards, color, sizes and other features. It is knowledge that will help distinguish a real purebred cat from an ordinary one.

The aristocratic origin of cats can be checked in the association of fellinologists. By purchasing an animal from an unverified organization, you become an unwitting participant in the breeding of “pedigreed cats” and those kittens that could not be snatched in are simply thrown out onto the street and they begin to breed a “new breed”. Fraudsters make a lot of money from gullible citizens!

To breed a new breed of cats, you need to know a lot, have a love not only for cats, but for all animals, be able to care for them, and even after the sale, be interested in the living conditions in the new home, and help in their future life. All cat breeders and cattery owners have the great happiness of watching how the cutest creatures on the planet are born and grow! To make sure of the number of existing cat breeds, try to visit exhibitions more often and read scientific literature!

And completely naked, massive and thin, snub-nosed, tailless and big-eyed purring beauties - every cat lover can choose a pet that meets his ideas about the ideal. Do you know how many cat breeds there are and why the same cat can be considered both purebred and not? To find out, we suggest taking a short trip into the world of felinology.

The first official cat show took place in London on July 13, 1871. It was a huge event, covered in all major print publications. Unfortunately, it is unknown how many cat breeds the audience saw on that memorable day, but this particular date is considered the birthday of modern felinology. The public admired Persians and Siamese, Russian Blue and British cats, Turkish Angoras and domestic Murks, which received special attention.

Only a cat that has a pedigree can be considered a truly purebred animal.

Pedigrees are issued by special clubs of cat lovers. Clubs unite into felinological organizations. Each nursery of purebred cats must be registered with one or more such organizations.

Sometimes they introduce new breeds or color variations, but they must be approved by the large organization to which the club belongs.

The difficulty lies in the fact that there are not one or two such organizations - there are many of them.

This is why it is difficult to unambiguously answer the question of how many cat breeds exist in the world - each association has its own views on this, its own list of recognized breeds.

If we talk about the most prestigious organizations, the WCF has about 70 cat breeds, and the CFA has a little more than forty

. In addition, there is a significant difference in the colors of different breeds, of which there are more recognized in some places and fewer in others.

The Global Footprint Network estimates that there are about 600 million small cats in the world. This includes domestic cats, stray cats and feral cats. There are about 100 million wild cat species alone, which means there are about 500 million domestic and stray cats on Earth.

All over the world, cats are the most popular pets. With the exception of Antarctica, they are found on all continents and most islands of the planet. Depending on the source of classification, there are between 39 and 49 breeds of domestic cat.

More than 10,000 years ago in the Middle East, the first domesticated cats helped people control pests. The ancestors of the domestic cat began to live near people, feeding on human enemies such as. During the 1940s, cats became full-fledged pets, and cat litter was invented to provide a complete transition to their new role.

Cats are considered the most common domesticated animals. Indeed, there are so many of them that each person can choose the right cat for themselves. They are all unique and amazing creatures. For any color, size, with or without fur... Many people are interested in the question, how many breeds of cats exist in the whole world?

Brazil – 12.5 million cats

The lack of accurate statistics does not allow us to establish the real ratio of domestic and stray cats in Brazil.

There is undoubtedly an increase in the number of pets in the country, which is clearly evident from the increase in sales of cat food - over 5 years (2007-2012) they increased by 37.6% and amounted to $869 million per year.

Apart from pets, the large number of feral and stray cats also continues to increase in Brazil every year.

Breed defining organizations

The reason why it is not possible to count how many cat breeds there are in the world is the presence of 3 different organizations simultaneously engaged in felinological activities and approving breed standards:

FIFe – is a member of the World Felinological Congress;
TICA – Association with international status;
WCF is the most revered in the world, its standards are the most demanding. The membership includes more than 500 clubs around the world.

Nuances of activity. The peculiarity of the work of these organizations is that they do not simultaneously recognize a new breed. The period of time during which all organizations confirm the development of a new breed can take several years. However, it also happens that a breed approved by one organization is not recognized by others, since the requirements in the standards may differ.

It is also impossible to count breeds because there are many enthusiastic collectors in the world who independently engage in breeding activities, crossing sometimes completely different, incompatible species. This is how new breeds appear, unrecognized by international organizations, but having the right to exist.

Cat character

How many cat breeds are there in the world? This question, as we have found out, is difficult to answer. But in the grand scheme of things, is the answer really that important? After all, the choice of a pet for the family does not depend on him. Everyone acquires a friend or companion, not even necessarily a purebred.

Sometimes people pay attention to the cat’s character. There are animals that are said to be of good character and independent. Those cats that are considered docile are playful, sociable, and affectionate. And those with an independent character are true representatives - “a cat that walks on its own.” They are proud, proud, and often consider themselves mistresses of the house...

The question of the number of cat breeds still remains unresolved, since the system of characteristics of varieties in different associations is not the same. There are 4 main felinological organizations in the world, as well as 8 large and several small ones. Only these associations have the right to register a new breed. There are different methods for identifying new cat varieties within each organization, which is why the number of "legalized" breeds fluctuates.

How many cat breeds are there in the world?

Who can answer this question?

Of course, today in the Internet world you can enter this question into a search engine, and you will be shown entire lists of various cat breeds. However, they may not be entirely accurate, because in practice, even the most experienced specialist will not be able to indicate the exact figure.

Moreover, a lot of disputes have been held between breeders about their breeds, because many cats have existed for a long time, but are still not officially recognized.

Naturally, such a process is very serious, otherwise anyone could cross two pets and demand that their offspring be registered as a new species of kittens. For example, all pet lovers know the mixed breed cat, but some people who have formed their own circles claim that they have a different name - a designer breed.

Therefore, special organizations deal with this issue.

Many lovers of furry four-legged animals are concerned with the same questions: what breeds of cats are there? What breed is the most common? How do new animal species appear? However, let's first deal with another issue.

Russia – 12.5 million cats

Russians, for the most part, love pets very much, and cats are the undoubted favorite among them.

Cats live in 60% of Russian families, and often there is more than one. Among domestic pets, there are relatively many mongrel cats taken from the street.

At the same time, Russia has its own world-famous breeds of domestic cats - for example, the Russian Blue, (and they also forgot the Siberian, Neva Masquerade, Don Sphynx, Kuril and Mekong Bobtails, etc.).

In addition, the population of stray cats in Russia is growing, both in cities and towns and in rural areas.

The Hermitage cats, serving as mousecatchers and rescuing unique museum exhibits from rodent infestations, have become one of the attractions of St. Petersburg and have become famous throughout the world since the 18th century.

In St. Petersburg, cats are treated with special love and respect, since cats saved Leningrad from the invasion of rats and epidemics during the Siege.

At the beginning of 2021, the whole world was excited by the news about a stray cat Masha, who saved a newborn baby from death in Obninsk. A child abandoned in the entrance would certainly have frozen, but the cat warmed him with her body and called people for help.

Soon Masha became a national as well as an international hero.

The population of Russia in 2021 was 146,804,372 million people.

Which breeds are considered to be the longest-living cats?

A person very quickly becomes attached to his pet, considering him a full-fledged member of the family. The death of an animal becomes a real tragedy in the home, so it is important that the pet has good good health and brings joy to people for many years. There are long-lived breeds whose lifespan is longer than that of the average cat. The following felines can be called such breeds.

BREED	LIFE LIFE
Siamese	15-20
Burmese	16-18
Savannah	15-20
Egyptian Mau	16-18
Ragdoll	15-19
Balinese	18-22
Canadian Sphynx	15-20
Maine	14-16
American Shorthair	15-20
Bombay	15-20
Russian blue	15-20

A huge variety of furry pet breeds allows you to choose the future pet of the whole family, taking into account its characteristics. It is safe to say that for everyone there is a cat that will suit the character and habits of its owner.

Main criteria

The breeds presented below are generally recognized by all organizations.

Features of wool

Depending on the length of the coat there are:

long-haired (coat length about 15 cm) - this group includes Persians, Burmese and Siberians;
shorthaired - Egyptian, Chartreuse, blue;
with curly or kinky hair - German and Cornish Rex;
wire-haired - American;
hairless - sphinx, bambino.

Color

In addition to the length of the coat, color is also important:

tortoiseshell – Persians, bobtail;
spotted - chinchilla, American with short fur;
single color - Havana and Korat;
two-color – ragdoll, Norwegian forest;
motley - angora.

Drawing

In addition to the color of the fur coat, which can combine several colors, types are distinguished according to the type of pattern:

solid – gray, black, red;
zonal – spotted, striped;
white – representatives of this species have a white color with spots of various colors and shades on the coat;
silver – smoky, cameo;
color point - the body is darker in color, and the paws are slightly lighter.

Body features and body shape

This parameter divides all breeds into 6 types:

Stocky or cobby . The most prominent representatives of the species are exotics and manxes. Their legs are short, their neck is shortened, and their sternum is widened.
Heavy breeds with a powerful body . These are Maine Coons, Siberians. Individuals have massive paws, a short neck, and their tail is also distinguished by its power.
Semi-foreign - this group includes the Russian Blue and the American Longhair. This type is the most common. Representatives of the species have average body parameters.
Semi-cobby - British Shorthair. Outwardly, the individuals are similar to semi-foreign cats, but they are a little stockier.
Oriental view . Representatives: Siamese, Balinese. Oriental cats are characterized by a graceful, elegant physique, the tail and paws are long, the muzzle has a narrowed shape at the nose.
Foreign - Abyssinians. Cats are distinguished by an elongated tail, a wedge-shaped head, and pronounced muscles. The ears are elongated, but this feature is not mandatory.

These parameters are considered the main ones for dividing all representatives of the cat world into separate species.

By what parameters are they distributed?

By coat

The second parameter for determining the breed of a cat is the color of the animal. By coat length there are long-haired (including Burmese, Siberian and Persian kittens) and short-haired (represented by Egyptian Mau, Chartreux, Russian Blue). The animal's coat can be curly (German Rex) or coarse (American Wirehair). There are hairless breeds such as the Ukrainian Lion and Bambino.

By coat color

According to the drawing

A striking feature of cats is the arrangement of spots and colored fragments on the coat. Thanks to these felinological features

Organizations have identified several types of templates:
hard (one-color wool without impurities);
zonal (stripes, marbled color);
white speckled (white fur has spots of other shades);
solid white;
color point (with darker limbs)

China – 53 million cats

China has the third largest market for pet products (after the US and UK. Russia ranks 5th), and the number of pet cats here is truly huge - 53 million.

However, in addition to domestic cats, the population of stray and feral cats in the country is also growing rapidly, with thousands of stray cats living in Beijing alone.

This has created a huge problem in the country as stray cats are often responsible for environmental pollution, spread of viral diseases and road accidents.

Before the 2008 Olympic Games, a large number of stray cats were eliminated in China.

Most stray cats are abandoned by their owners for various reasons, such as relocation and fear of cat-borne diseases such as SARS.

Luckily for cats, China has a large number of animal welfare organizations. They are trying to protect cats from suffering painful deaths and encouraging the government to implement more humane measures to combat stray cats.

Tragically, cats continue to be brutally slaughtered for food in China, mainly in the south and Guangdong province. Cat soup is considered a special delicacy here, and more than 100,000 unfortunate animals are eaten per day in Chinese restaurants (I HATE!!!)

China's population in 2021 was approximately 1,378,000,000.

What does "thoroughbred" mean?

When they say that a cat is purebred, they mean that it has a pedigree, which is an official document provided by the club. The club must be a member of one of the international organizations. A purebred cat meets a certain standard - it has generally accepted parameters (height, weight, appearance features, etc.) that are typical for the corresponding species. But it is subject to change periodically.

In addition to the main characteristics of the species that must be met, the standard describes disqualifying qualities. This is a list of flaws, both in appearance and in health, to which representatives of this breed are prone. The presence of disqualifying qualities listed in the standard does not give the right to individuals to take part in selection due to the high risks of genetic inheritance of defects by subsequent generations.

Now we come to the main point!

Only larger organizations that unite clubs can determine whether a new breed is officially recognized or not. This is how new cat breeds are created.

Associations determine whether the number of individuals of a new breed is sufficient to recognize the breed. Monitors compliance with the breed standard and the correctness of its description. And all questions regarding exhibitions (can it be held, when, where, start time, order of holding) are also in the hands of associations.

Now we have figured out how new breeds are officially recognized. It would seem that there should be nothing complicated further: we take all the known old ones, add registered new ones to them - and we have a complete list of breeds. But it was not there! The main difficulty is that there are a lot of organizations responsible for the standard. This includes about ten well-known international associations, such as WCF or CFA. And smaller regional ones.

Plus there are organizations built on outright deception: they do not care about quality issues, they are only interested in the money that can be collected from gullible newcomers! And for all these associations the number of breeds registered is different.

Therefore, it is impossible to say exactly how many cat breeds there are currently. About 70 are registered with WCF.

It must be remembered that breeding new breeds is painstaking work carried out by professional breeders. Do not fall for the tricks of scammers: if you want to purchase a purebred animal, carefully check the clubs, documents, and study the breed standard.

Before answering the question of how many cat breeds there are in the world, you should understand what the definition of “breed” is and who keeps records of breeds.

Holding exhibitions

International felinological organizations hold cat exhibitions to exchange experience in breeding, identifying and fixing new breeds.
The first such exhibition was held in 1871 in England. Even then, those who came to the event had a question: how many breeds of cats are there in the world? Their number is difficult to count. There is no fixed figure in any association of felinologists. The most prestigious organizations that set standards include, in addition to the above, CFF, TICA and FIFe. These organizations have a different number of breed names in the lists they develop. Most likely, not many domestic cats can boast that their breed belongs to one or another international list.

Description of the main breeds

The main types of cats were derived from the earliest, but not always the most widespread, breeds. And now breeders continue to experiment with these species, achieving new results.

British.
They became the founders of two main lines: British Longhair and Shorthair, the older of which is the Shorthair. Both species are characterized by ideal hair, which is very easy to care for: it does not mat and does not shed as actively as other representatives of the cat world.
Abyssinian.
Their color resembles wild rabbits, which is why they got their first name - “rabbit cats”. Very easy-going, with a good disposition and graceful body.
Scottish.
There are 2 main forms - straight-eared and lop-eared. The basic one was straight-eared, and lop-eared was the result of genetic experiments, during which it was possible to fix the gene responsible for the regression of cartilage tissue.
American Curl.
The main distinguishing feature is the ears, which bend inward or backward at different angles. The inner surface of the auricle is densely pubescent. American Curls are very active animals; their playfulness and activity remain in them until old age.
European Shorthair.
Experts believe that this breed was formed with minimal human intervention. It is quite difficult for a non-professional to distinguish these cats from ordinary yard cats, since they are as close as possible in genotype and appearance.
Angora.
There is an opinion that she became the predecessor for all long-haired pedigree groups. A distinctive feature is the absence of undercoat and a thick collar around the neck.
Egyptian Mau.
Of all the species currently known, the Mau is the most ancient. Her image was first drawn 3 thousand years ago. Her eyes look very unusual: they seem to be lined with eyeliner, and a “W” pattern is visible between her ears.

American Bobtail.
It has a short fluffy tail, which makes it easily distinguishable from other species. There are short-haired and long-haired forms.
Bengal.
It lives not only near humans, but also in the wild. Most often it has white fur, but occasionally spotting can be found.
Sphinx.
The main characteristic is the underdevelopment of the coat, expressed to varying degrees. Due to the lack of wool, they love warm places. They have a friendly and affectionate disposition.
Siberian.
It appeared due to the harsh cold climate, which caused the emergence of this type of cat adapted to the cold. They are distinguished by excellent hunting skills, therefore they are considered excellent rat catchers and mouse catchers.
Siamese.
They appeared in the 16th century and since then have become the basis for the breeding of many new species. Very friendly creatures with beautiful colors.

These cat species have become the main ones that most breeders around the world work with, seeking to constantly expand the directories of cat breeds.

Physiology of cats

It was reported that a wild cat was killed on the Cumberland Plateau in the United States of America, which was more than 1.5 meters long from the nose to the end of the tail.

How much can cats weigh? It was reported that in 1850 a tabby cat was found in London weighing 12 kg, 60 cm in body circumference, 80 cm long from the tip of the tail to the tip of the nose; height to the top of the shoulders 30 cm he was then seven years old.

How long do cats carry kittens? Normal days are about 63 - 9 weeks, but depending on the breed, the period can be from 55 to 70 days.

Cat classification

The cat belongs to the cat family, the same family as the lion, tiger, panther, leopard, puma, serval, and lynx. The family is perhaps one of the most clearly defined in biology, all of its members possessing structural features and habits that are unlike other animals. A rounded head and pointed ears, a long, flexible body covered with thin silky hair, a silent, creeping step, stepping only on the soft pads of the feet; sharp, retractable claws, large, shiny eyes, capable of seeing in the dark thanks to the wide pupil; a mustachioed upper lip, sharp teeth and a tongue covered with inwardly curved processes are common to all. In their habits and lifestyle, they are all similar: they sleep most of their time and hunt only when they feel hungry. For the most part, they are nocturnal, hunting their prey using special vision, smell and hearing that is superior to that of most other animals. Naturally, they are strictly carnivorous, not tracking down their prey with a long hunt, like the wolf and the dog, they lie in ambush or move furtively on soft legs until they jump on their prey, which they rush at with a growl. What do cats do when they attack? Whether it is a tiger attacking a buffalo or a cat attacking a helpless mouse, the method of action is the same - a leap with the whole body from a distance, a strong blow with the front paw, a grip with claws that escape from the sheath, and a tearing movement of the jaws.

Lore and legends about cats

In Egypt, cats were considered sacred to the goddess Bubastis. Its priestesses took a vow of celibacy: they spent most of their time caring for the temple's cats. This may be where the idea came from that loving cats is a sign of an old maid.

In Greece, Apollo created a lion to frighten his sister Diana, and she turned his terrible beast into a mockery, into a cat. Cats were dedicated to Diana not only when she had her real name, but also when she was called “Hecate.” The witches who worshiped Hecate always revered the cat.

The very large number of cat mummies discovered in Egypt provides ample evidence that the cat was revered on the streets of Thebes three thousand years ago. If she died a natural death, then the cat was mourned after death with many ceremonies; among others, the entire house where the death took place shaved their eyebrows. If she was killed, the killer was given to the crowd to beat to death. Cats were considered sacred during life, and when they died, they were embalmed and placed in niches in the catacombs. The Roman insult to the cat caused a revolt among the Egyptians when nothing else could excite them. Cambyses conquered Pelusis, who had previously successfully resisted all attacks, with the help of the following stratagem: - he gave each of his soldiers who took part in the attack a live cat instead of a shield, and the Egyptians, instead of harming the objects of their veneration, were defeated without inflicting not a single blow.

They say that on the island of Cyprus there was once a cape called the Cat's Cape. Here stood a monastery whose monks were forced to keep a large number of cats in order to wage war against the snakes that infested the island. At the sound of the bell, the cats would come home in droves to eat, and then give chase again. However, when the Turks captured the island, they destroyed both the cats and their home.

In the Middle Ages, animals played as prominent a role in the cult of the time as in the ancient religion of Egypt. The cat was a very important person at religious festivals. In Provence, on the feast of Corpus Christi, the most beautiful cat of the country, wrapped in swaddling clothes like a child, was exhibited in a magnificent sanctuary for the admiration of all. Every knee was bent, every hand was strewn with flowers or incense.

During the reign of Howell the Good, in 948, a law was passed in Wales that set the price for a cat, which at that time was in great short supply. Why was the cat assessed? A kitten, before it came into view, must have been worth one penny; until a guarantee was given that he had caught the mouse, twopence; after this important event. The cat was required to be perfect in her visual and hearing abilities, to be a good mouser, to have sharp claws, and to be a good mother. If, after the sale, a deficiency was discovered in any of these parts, the seller was to forfeit a third of the purchase money. If anyone steals or kills the cat that was guarding the prince's barn, the offender will lose the milking sheep with its fleece and lamb, or as much wheat as was poured onto the cat hanging by the tail, and will bury the animal to the very top of its head.

Why cats "win"

Harsh statistics give only general figures, but do not answer the question about love. Why are there still more cats?

The reasons for this may be purely practical: it is easier and cheaper to keep a cat than a dog. Animal lovers are not against two pets of different species, but more often they lean towards cats precisely because of their easy care.

You need to walk your dog for several hours a day. The dog is more likely to get injured or contract an infection, which means he will have to visit the veterinarian more often. The dog needs to be washed and dressed in bad weather. In the end, the dog needs training and often training, which means time, nerves and money. Those who are constantly with dogs do not notice all these troubles (most of them are just a joy), but if the choice is faced by a person who has never owned a dog, the cat is more likely to “win”. In addition, in cold winters, most people would rather sit in the warmth of their home next to a purring cat than run through the snowdrifts with a dog.

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