Bengals are fun-loving, curious, playful cats known for the leopard-like pattern of their short-haired coats. They are the result of breeding an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat. Brave kitty! Bengals love to climb, explore and occasionally even play with water.
Ragdolls are relaxed, chilled out, easy-going cats. In other words, the surfer dudes of the cat world. Much like their name suggests, Ragdolls go limp in your arms when you pick them up. Rumour has it that the mother of the first Ragdoll was hit by a car before being used for breeding and would often go limp when picked up.
Birman cats have distinctive blue eyes and pure white feet called gloves or socks. There is no accurate record of the Birman’s origins. Still, the first examples may have arrived in the western world as early as 1919.
Persians are a prevalent breed known for their long coat and characteristic short nose and muzzle. Some breeders have taken this to the extreme, and associations see flat-faced Persians with very short noses as the show standard. Persians can suffer from a variety of problems, including:
Life with a Siamese is never dull. They are super intelligent, playful, affectionate attention seekers. Their triangular head and almond-shaped blue eyes, coupled with their distinctive coloration, give them a unique appearance.
The Exotic Shorthair is essentially a short-haired version of the Persian. They have a similar body shape and the same distinctive flattened face. Exotics are gentle, playful, affectionate cats that love some attention from their humans.
The Sphynx is a hairless breed of cat. The breed originated from a natural mutation that resulted in a domestic cat being born without hair. Sphynx cats aren’t actually bald; they are instead covered in a fine down coat. They are smart, curious cats who love company.
Munchkins are characterized by their short legs. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare explains that the Munchkin’s short legs are the result of a genetic mutation. The bones in their legs don’t grow properly, so they can’t move like a typical cat. It can also lead to osteoarthritis and a lot of pain.
We know Manx Cats for their stumpy or missing tails. However, the gene responsible for this trait can cause health problems too. Manx Cats can suffer from arthritis and corneal dystrophy, an eye disease.
The Scottish Fold may be cute in appearance with ears that fold down and forward. However, the gene responsible for this causes other deformities. RSPCA Australia states that the inherited defect affects the cartilage and can lead to abnormal growth of bones and joints.