In order to decide what cat to get, you first need to do a little research into the different breeds that are available. Just like any other type of animal, different breeds can mean different mannerisms and behaviours. There are many different breeds to choose from and what type of cat that you will chose will depend largely on if you are looking for a cat to have in your home as a pet or one that you can breed. 

There are plenty of ways to learn about cats and what breeds fit your personality. The choice can come from having an indoor, outdoor or indoor and outdoor cat. The tough and smart survive in the out of doors. Small cats are often pray for birds and other wildlife and should be kept indoors. Tomcats, a mixed breed, are great at surviving outdoors and mousers. So let us look at a few breeds of cats and then you will be able to choose which one may be right for your lifestyle.

Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves.  In the beginning, they were used for one purpose - hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Now days, there are several different breeds of cats - which you can tell if you look closely.

These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries.  There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history.  Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat.  Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper.

The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be.  Some people choose to go by colour, although colour isn’t as easy to identify. Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats. Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their colour and their eyes. Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair.

Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along.  Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular. Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet - including dogs. No matter breed of cat you get - you’re sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.

Listed below are many of the popular and common cat breeds that might aid you in your decision as to what cat is going to be the best fit in your life. There is a wealth of information throughout this book that that will help you decide what kind of cat to get or even if a cat is right for your life right now.

Have you always wanted a cat, but heard some breeds make better pets than others? Maybe you have always wanted a cat, but do not know anything about them? There are plenty of ways to learn about cats and what breeds fit your personality. The choice can come from having an indoor, outdoor or indoor and outdoor cat. The tough and smart survive in the out of doors. Small cats are often pray for birds and other wildlife and should be kept indoors. Tomcats, a mixed breed, are great at surviving outdoors and mousers. So let us look at a few breeds of cats and then you will be able to choose which one may be right for your lifestyle.

Abyssinian Cat

The Abyssinian tends to have a lot of energy, and tends to be very active and playful. This cat is a great pick if you are looking for a feline friend that is fun and entertaining. Plus there is the factor that the Abyssinian is a very attractive cat. They are a midsize cat, with beautiful green and gold eyes of an almond shape, and a striking ticked pattern. There are generally three different breed colours.

The first is called ruddy; this is where the cat is an orange and brown colour that is marked with dark brown or black. The second colour for this breed is red; the cat has a warm colour of fur that has chocolate brown spots. The last colour of this breed is blue; this is a unique colour where the cat looks like they have a mix of different shades of slate blue. They are a graceful and regal looking feline with soft, silky coats, and their hair is medium in length. 

Burmese Cat

If you are looking for more of an affectionate cat that isn't going to freak and claw you, a Burmese cat might be just what you are looking for. The Burmese cat is of medium size with quite a muscular body. Because they have more of a solid build, it might come as quite a surprise when you pick them up and feel the full effect of their weight. They are quite beautiful with a short glossy coat. With breeding over the years, there have come to be three different types of Burmese; there is the contemporary, traditional, and the European.

The contemporary has more of the stocky body, rounded head, and very pronounced round and spaced eyes. You can find them in colouring such as sable, champagne, blue, and platinum. The traditional has closer ties to the original breed. They are more of a sturdy yet muscular build with a very different head. Unlike the contemporary, the traditional breed has a more rounded head and the face takes on a full look. They come in the same colours as the contemporary breed does. European takes on a more foreign look, much as the name suggests.

The European is more of an elegant looking cat with a slim body type. Their eyes take on a slightly slanted look and they can be found in more colours such as brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, seal tortie, brown tortie, blue tortie, chocolate tortie, and lilac tortie. In addition to being a beautiful feline, they are also a very loving and stay with you wherever you go. They love to be with their owners and are very smart cats and great companions. 

Egyptian Mau

If you are looking for a spotted cat, the Egyptian Mau is the way to go. They are the only natural breed that sports spots. They are a very beautiful and graceful feline that is also extremely muscular as well. This breed of cat is actually the fastest breed of domestic cat that there is. Although quite muscular, they are not that heavy of a cat. They have heads that have sort of a rounded shape. They have alert looking ears that can be either of a medium or large size and their eyes are the pretty almond shaped eyes with a slight slant and green colour. What sets the Egyptian Mau apart from many other breeds of cat is that they have spotting around their body that can vary in shape, size, and location.

They also tend to have an M shaped mark on their forehead that only makes them more unique. They have beautiful coats that are of medium length and can be found in various beautiful colours. They are a very smart cat that is quite active, and extremely loyal to their owners. 

Himalayan

Even if you are not familiar with the name of the breed, it is probably quite likely that you have seen this cat many times, either at a friend's house or on television. The Himalayan is a very popular cat. The only thing is that although this is a very sweet and affectionate cat, it is also a very time consuming feline to have as well when you take into account all the combing of their fur that you will have to do in order to keep them from looking scraggily.

The Himalayan is not of the petite variety, but more of a heavily boned feline. They have round body and are very broad, plus their coats only add to the rounded look that they already have going. There are two main facial types when it comes to the Himalayan. There are the extreme and the traditional.

Both have small and rounded ears that are set low on the head. They have round eyes with full cheeks and a prominent chin. The extreme face gives the cat a round and flattened look.

The traditional also has a round head, but the nose is different and they have an up turned mouth. It has been observed that the traditional breed experiences fewer health related problems than the extreme. These cats are great as indoor pets. They are great if you are looking for a calmer type of cat that also has a streak of playfulness in them. This type of cat needs the affection of their owner and loves to be combed and loved.

Manx

 
If you want a cat but don't want to have to worry about its tail swishing you in the face or knocking down knickknacks, you might just find yourself interested in a Manx. Believe it or not, the Manx is the only breed of cat that has no tail. Although this feline has no tail it is defiantly all cat. They have a round sort of look to them, from their round head to their round behind.

They are a muscular and solid breed. What adds to their beauty is the short, glossy coat that they have. Although they are tailless, they do possess a sort of stub at their spine. The Manx has a great personality, are quite intelligent, and has an even disposition.

Often a Manx can suffer from worms and other parasites due to improper cleaning and not having the protection of a tail. This does not mean you should discount the Manx as a breed. The Manx breed is extremely intelligent and playful. They are a lot like dogs in the play area because they can fetch when you through toys and bring them back to you. They are very social animals and depend on human care. They don’t like to be left alone for too long, so it is wise to have other cats to play with when you are gone during the day. The best home for a Manx is one filled with children. 

This cat tends to find one companion in particular that they truly love, but are great with all family members. They are playful, active, and adjust well.   

Persian

 
Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions.  Persian cats can be very expensive, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.

If you are truly looking for a cat that you can pet, groom, and fawn over the Persian might be just what you are looking for. The Persian is an extremely popular cat that has a ton of hair. There is no doubt that these cats look absolutely regal and beautiful, but there is defiantly a fair amount of grooming to do. What makes this particular feline so popular is that they are very sweet, loyal, and affectionate cats. Another great feature about choosing a Persian is that you can find one in almost every colour or pattern imaginable.

Although a furry feline, the Persian is a heavy bones and broad cat, it definitely gives the impression of roundness all over due to both body and fur. If you are looking for a cat that will sit and watch television with you, getting a Persian is a sure bet. They love to sit around and laze away the day with their owner. They are gentle, sweet tempered, and trusting. Although they do enjoy lounging, you can also expect them to find the time to play after a good nap. This type of cat needs the attention of their owner, but they won't be obsessive about it.  

Siamese

 
Even if you aren't quite a guru when it comes to cats, you are probably well aware of what a Siamese looks like. This cat has been displayed in cartoon animations such as The Lady and the Tramp as well as other movies such as That Darn Cat. They are definitely a widely recognized breed no matter where you go. There is absolutely no denying that the Siamese cat is a beautiful animal. They have beautiful big blue eyes and a gorgeous coat.

The body of the Siamese is a light colour and the face, tail, paws, and ears are darker. They are a shorthaired cat if you are looking for a feline companion that doesn't require an enormous amount of grooming and doesn't shed like crazy. They are a medium to large size cat that is considered very muscular. As you might have observed in many movies, the Siamese cat is a very intelligent feline. In the same light, although intelligent they can also be quite annoying at times when they try to communicate with their owners through a very distinctive yowling sound.  

If you are looking for a quite cat, the Siamese might not be a great choice. This is a cat that will try to get its way and is very needy. They are also active and affectionate animals that can be a lot of fun to have if they fit your personality and lifestyle.

Obviously these are not all of the cat breeds that are available to choose from. Listed above are a few of the more common breeds that many people find enjoyable to have in their home. There are many books or other resources that will list almost every type of cat breed imaginable if you wish to keep looking for a breed that fits you. Just as with any other type of animal, every breed is different and offers distinctive qualities just as every cat has a different personality.  . 

Alley Cat

Alley cats are the most common in North America.  There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats. They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence. Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped. Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless - and have nothing to do but breed.