If you have decided to get a purebred cat, you have many breeds from which to choose. Find out some characteristics of popular breeds to help pick the best feline for you. Bear in mind that these traits are generalities for the different breeds. The behavior of individual cats can differ markedly from known breed standards.

Do you want a breed that is friendly to strangers? An Abyssinian would be a good bet in this case. For homes with kids, an American Shorthair or Ragdoll would be good. Maine Coons are especially good with other cats unlike most kitties who would really prefer to be the only feline in the house.

Do you have time to devote to grooming? If so, you might like a Persian or Angora for their beautiful flowing coats. Daily brushes and frequent bathings are a must with these kitties. If you prefer a lower-maintenance pet, then get a short-haired variety.

Do you want an energetic cat or one that prefers to bask in a sunny spot? Burmese, Abyssinians, and Bengals are very lively animals that needs lots of playing space. Ragdolls, Bombays, and Russian Blues tend to be more docile and quiet.

Check for any diseases known to occur in specific breeds. For example, Maine Coons have a higher rate of cardiomyopathy while Persians are known for respiratory issues. If you are considering a cat from a breed that does have genetic issues, be sure to ask for documentation that the cat’s lineage has been free from the disorder, or you may want to get testing for your potential pet if this is feasible for that particular medical condition.

Before purchasing a purebred cat, be sure to research the breed characteristics and consider how they will fit in with your lifestyle before you decide on your new pet.

Have you ever wondered how a new breed of cat is developed? Find out the two ways that new feline breeds come into existence.

The first way is by a breeder consciously choosing to cross two different breeds. One example is the Himalayan which has the coat of a Persian combined with the coloring points of a Siamese. The California Spangled cat is another example of a carefully produced cat that has predominantly Bengal cat origins.

The second way is through spontaneous mutations. For example, the Scottish Fold cat can give birth to normal kittens along with those that carry the fold gene. Munchkin cats have short legs and a normal body while the La Perm breed has a spontaneous mutation that causes kittens to have beautiful curly coats.

While a new breed of cat may be attractive, care needs to be taken to make sure that other genetic abnormalities are not present. The Munchkin cat’s short legs may be accompanied by curvature of the spine which is not healthy.

Getting recognition of a new breed can take a long time. Usually, the first step if submitting an application for registration, which includes a breed standard and details of several specimens of the new breed. The breeder must demonstrate that the new breed is different than any other existing breed and why recognizing the new breed would be advantageous to the cat community. After this process, the breeders will increase the number of felines registered to the breed and establish a breed club.

While establishing a new breed can be hard work and take a lot of record-keeping, the end results can be very rewarding, and cat fanciers are indebted to these pioneers.