Mary Allen
There are around 40 recognized cat breeds worldwide. Sure, cat lovers know most of them. But did you already know these 10 rare cat breeds?
Around 40 cat breeds are recognized worldwide by various cat clubs. Each race has its own standard. The cat can only bear the breed title if it fulfills this requirement. Every cat lover knows cat breeds like British Shorthair or Maine Coon. But have you ever seen one of these 10 rare breed cats?
Singapore Cat
Singapore cat is the smallest pedigree cat in the world. Adult cats only weigh 2 to 3 kilograms. The petite cat is sociable and active. Its origin is disputed. However, the breed probably originated from crossing Burmese and Abyssinians in the USA. To date, the number of their breeders in German-speaking countries is relatively small.
American Curl
The American Curl cat breed originated in 1981 when the Ruga couple from California found a pregnant cat with oddly bent ears. Her kittens also had hidden ears. In 1983 the first American Curl was presented at an exhibition. Despite their special ear shape, which requires regular ear care, American Curls have no limitations and are considered to be particularly robust cats.
Ocicat
In the USA, the Ocicat, which is known for its spotted fur, was created from matings of Siamese and Abyssinian cats. Owners are delighted with the good mix of the lively and talkative Siamese with an outgoing and adaptable Abyssinian. In Germany in 1991, there was a special recognition show for the Ocicat breed.
Bombay
With its jet-black fur and copper-colored eyes, the Bombay resembles a panther. Their swaying, supple gait also imitates the big cat. And that on purpose! American breeder Nikki Horner was a big fan of the black panther Bagheera from The Jungle Book. By crossing Burmese and American Shorthair, she has succeeded in imitating the elegant form of the panther in a domestic cat.
Canaani
The starting point of the still very young racial history of the Canaani is Jerusalem. In 1990, Doris Pollatschek, a German sculptor living in Israel, discovered an injured kitten with a fascinating appearance. A genetic test showed that the kitten must have come from a domestic wild cat and a domestic cat. The breed was recognized by the World Cat Federation in 2000 as a result of successful breeding.
Egyptian Mau
The noble Egyptian Mau is actually said to be related to the cats of the pharaohs from times long past. In fact, their delicate appearance closely resembles the depictions on Egyptian murals. The country of origin of the breed is still the USA, where breeding is said to have started with the tomcat of the Egyptian ambassador.
American Wirehair
The American Wirehair is rarely found in Europe and is also very rare in its home country, the USA. Her rough, curly fur feels like that of a lamb, which is why she is also called the Wirehaired Cat. Since their special coat of fur is due to a genetic defect that can also affect the whiskers, there are repeated discussions about classifying the American Wirehair as torture and forbidding targeted breeding.
Korat Cat
Bred in Thailand since the 14th century, the Korat’s worldwide career leap only began in 1959, when the first breeding pair was imported into the USA. In her homeland, the Korat used to be called “Si-Sawat” (Engl. happiness and prosperity) and was highly coveted by the nobility. The Korat’s large green eyes are particularly impressive.
Havana Brown
The Havana Brown is a very rare breed of cat that is believed to have originated in Great Britain. It was named after the Havana cigar because of its mahogany brown coat color, which is reminiscent of cigars. As the number of Havana breeders continues to decline, the breed is in danger of disappearing unless crossed with other breeds.
RagaMuffin
The original cat of the RagaMuffin is the Ragdoll, which emerged in California in the early 1960s. Ann Baker patented the Ragdoll name in 1971. However, a small group of her cat association broke away from her. Since they were no longer allowed to name their cats Ragdoll from now on, they named the breed RagaMuffin. However, most associations do not recognize this as a separate breed.