BREEDS OF CATS
There are numerous breeds of cats. There is the Pedigree or
pure bred cats (a cat whose ancestry in a recognized breed has been
recorded and registered through at least four generations) and the Non
Pedigree or the cross bred cats. It was in the 19th century that the first
pedigree (with a family lineage) breeds were developed. Among the pedigree
ones itself, there are more than 300 breeds and varieties recognised now, with
the main distinguishing characteristics being body type- head shape and the
length of hair. The latter feature is, perhaps, the most straightforward
method of categorising pedigree and non-pedigree cats.
Depending on their length of hair pure bred cats are
classified into long hairs, semi long hairs and short hairs. There are two
basic body types, one is 'cobby' with a compact sturdy body and a deep chest,
broad shoulders and hind quarters, short legs and tail and a short, round head
(eg. British short hair and the Persian) and the other non cobby type is
slender and lithe with long legs and the head narrow and wedge shaped (eg. the
Siamese). There are various intermediate types in between these two extremes.
Classification of breeds differ in different countries. The number of cats in particular breeds
also varies enormously.
Anyone venturing into the pedigree world as a new comer would
be well advised to choose one of the older breeds as larger and longer a breed
has been established, the more likely it is that any problems have been bred
out. There are so many cats varying greatly in appearance and, to some degree,
temperament-from which to choose. Some of the breeds and their features
are given below.
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