An Overview of Cat Breeds

Cats were one of the last animals to be domesticated. They were
first found in households in Egypt about 5000 years ago.

Currently they are the most popular house pets, outnumbering
dogs by more than two to one.

The earliest domestic cat was probably a Tabby, descended from
the wild tabby cat.

The first cat show was held in London in 1871. There were 17
breeds listed at that show. oday there are 37 distinct breeds
recognized in the United States, though other countries may list
more or less.

Though dogs were initially bred to do specific jobs, such as
pulling, hunting or herding; cats have been bred for looks alone.

As with dogs, the desired physical trait that is bred for often
carries with it undesirable defects.

Manx cats (which are tailless) for example often are born with
malformed urinary tracts. Persians can have lethal defects of
the eyes, nose and jaws.

Both Persians and Siamese have a high incidence of cleft palate.
Blue-eyed white cats are often born deaf, and may be sickly in
general.

Cat breeds are first classified by coat type, longhair or
shorthair. Then each breed is divided into accepted color
classes.

The most common and most popular “breed” is not a breed at all,
but the ordinary housecat, known as the domestic shorthair or
the domestic longhair. They are also commonly called tabby cats,
though this term actually refers to specific markings and
coloration.

Of the purebred cats, the currently most popular are the
Persian, Maine Coon and the Siamese.