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The Turkish Van is a breed that was developed in the UK in the 1950s from a selection of cats taken from various cities around southeast Turkey. While some believe that the breed originates from the area around Lake Van, the original breeders' own writings indicate that none of the breed's foundation cats came from that area.
Originating in Sweden, the European Shorthair has been bred for longer than the British Shorthair and the American Shorthair. It's the national cat of Finland.
While the origin details are foggy, it's generally agreed that Ragamuffins were created by Ragdoll owners who crossed the breed with other longhaired cats. The Ragamuffin was established as its own breed in 1994.
An all-American breed, the American Shorthair is believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect cargo from mice and rats.
A rare breed from France, the Chartreux was first mentioned in 1558 by Joachim du Bellay in a poem entitled Vers Français sur la mort d'un petit chat, or "French verse on the death of a small cat."
Originating from Myanmar (formerly Burma), the Burmese cat is believed to have its roots near the present Thai-Myanmar border.
Originating in the US, the Nebelung is a rare pedigree breed of domestic cat. It's related to the Russian Blue, but has longer, silkier hair.
First brought to England from Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), genetic studies place the breed's origins in Southeast Asia and the coasts of the Indian Ocean. Compared to the smaller Somali cat, the Abyssinian is medium-sized and with a short coat.
Originating in Phimai, Thailand, Korat cats are known for their silver-colored fur. Traditionally in Thailand, they're given in pairs to newlyweds or people who are highly esteemed, for good luck.
The Toyger is a breed from the US, created in the 1980s by Judy Sugden, the daughter of Jean Mill, who was the original breeder of the Bengal cat. Sugden crossed a striped domestic shorthair with a Bengal, and thus the Toyger was born.
Despite the name, the Balinese cat didn't originate in Bali. This breed actually originated in the US, and is related to the Siamese cat.
A combination of the Siamese and American Shorthair, the Snowshoe originated in Philadelphia in the 1960s.
One of the smallest cat breeds around, the Singapura cat is believed to be a cross between Burmese and Abyssinian cats dating back to the 1970s in Singapore.
The Scottish Fold is known for a natural dominant gene mutation that affects cartilage throughout the body, causing the ears to 'fold.' The original Scottish Fold was a white barn cat named Susie, who was found at a farm near Coupar Angus in Tayside, Scotland, in 1961. Susie's ears had an unusual fold in their middle, making her resemble an owl. The mutation became a dominate gene passed down through generations of kittens.
Researchers aren't sure how cats first reached the British Isles, but one theory indicates that British Shorthairs are descendants of domestic cats with wild native cats from ancient Rome.
The Somali cat is the result of a recessive gene in Abyssinian cats, though how the gene was introduced into the Abyssinian gene pool is unknown. Although their name may suggest that they're from Somalia, this name was instead given because the country of Somalia borders what was once Abyssinia (now Ethiopia).
Known for their distinguishable silky coat and piercing blue eyes, there is no clear record of the Birman's origins. But many claim that these cats originated as the companions of temple priests on Mount of Lugh in Myanmar (formerly Burma).
The Turkish Angora is a natural breed that originated in central Anatolia (Ankara Province in modern-day Turkey). The breed has been documented as early as the 17th century.
The Siamese cat is one of the first distinctly-recognized breeds of Asian cat. Derived from the Wichianmat, it's one of several varieties of cat native to China and brought to Thailand. The Siamese cat rose to popularity in Europe and North America during the 19th century.
The British Longhair originates from breeding British Shorthairs with Persian cats. They were developed in Great Britain during the mid-20th century.
The Himalayan is a breed or sub-breed of long-haired cats that were bred from crossing Persian and Siamese cats to achieve their color points.
The Bengal cat is a domesticated cat breed created from hybrids of domestic cats, the Asian leopard cat, and the Egyptian Mau. The breed's name derives from the Asian leopard cat's Latin name, Felis bengalensis.
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed, and also one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Unsurprisingly, the breed originated in the US state of Maine, where it's the official state cat.
A beautiful silver-blue coat and vibrant green eyes make the Russian Blue cat stand out among short-haired breeds. They're a naturally occurring breed that may have originated in the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia.
The Siberian cat is an ancient breed that originated in Siberia, Russia. From midsize to large, this breed is alert and generally receptive to human attention. Though not proven scientifically, the Siberian cat is considered hypoallergenic.
The Norwegian Forest cat is a domestic cat breed originating in Northern Europe. Adapted to very cold climates, its ancestors may have been a landrace breed of short-haired cats brought to Norway around 1000 CE by the Vikings.
There are two different variants of the Bombay breed that are both referred to as just Bombay. The American Bombay was developed by crossbreeding American Burmese and black American Shorthair cats. The British Bombay originated from three mismatings of European Burmese cats with black domestic short-haired cats. The breed is named after the Indian city of Bombay (Mumbai), referring to the habitat of the Indian black leopard.
With silky fur and blue eyes, this breed was developed by American breeder Ann Baker in the 1960s. The Ragdoll is believed to be a mix of Burmese, Birman, and Persian cats.
One of the few naturally spotted breeds of domesticated cat, the Egyptian Mau originated in Egypt, of course. The first Egyptian Mau was brought to the US in 1956 by a Russian princess named Nathalie Troubetzkoy.
The first breeder of Ocicats was Virginia Daly, of Berkley, Michigan, who attempted to breed an Abyssinian-pointed Siamese in 1964. The first generation of kittens appeared Abyssinian, but the surprising result in the second generation was a spotted kitten. Further breeding with the Abyssinian and a Siamese produced more spotted kittens, and became the base of a separate Ocicat breed.
Sources: (Parade Pets) (The Spruce Pets) (Forbes)
See also: Things humans do that cats hate
Dog may be man's best friend, but cats aren't far behind! Having long been treated like royalty, cats have been worshiped since ancient Egypt. And whether it's for their unique physical characteristics, or their affectionate personalities, cats have left a lasting, positive impression around the world. When it comes to their breeds, cats are either domestic, purebred, or hybrids. Domestic cats don't have a pedigree history of their lineage, while purebred cats do. Hybrids are domesticated cats crossbred with wild feline varieties.
Are you curious to know the origin of your feline friend? If so, check out this gallery to discover the origins of the most popular cat breeds around.
The origins of the most popular cat breeds
Do you know how your furry friend came to be?
LIFESTYLE Pets
Dog may be man's best friend, but cats aren't far behind! Having long been treated like royalty, cats have been worshiped since ancient Egypt. And whether it's for their unique physical characteristics, or their affectionate personalities, cats have left a lasting, positive impression around the world. When it comes to their breeds, cats are either domestic, purebred, or hybrids. Domestic cats don't have a pedigree history of their lineage, while purebred cats do. Hybrids are domesticated cats crossbred with wild feline varieties.
Are you curious to know the origin of your feline friend? If so, check out this gallery to discover the origins of the most popular cat breeds around.