Cats are graceful freedom-loving creatures that live next to humans for many centuries. Each of them has an individual, unique character and a special appearance. This article describes the most beautiful cat breeds.
Instead of the foreword
Today it is impossible to say exactly about the number of existing cat breeds. This is due to the fact that several felinological organizations operate in the world that have their own opinions on this issue. But be that as it may, all bred varieties are unique in their own way and are popular with lovers of these beautiful creations.
Someone likes beautiful simple cats, and someone prefers that an expensive thoroughbred animal lives next to him. Each potential owner wants his pet not only to have a gentle and playful character, but also an attractive appearance that pleases the eye. When choosing a future cat, people often pay attention to the general appearance, color, length and density of the hair of representatives of a particular breed. Below you can find the rating of the most beautiful furry pets.
1st place: Siberian cat
The origin of these graceful furry animals is shrouded in myths and legends. According to one of the most plausible versions, their ancestors are wild cats that lived in the Trans-Urals. The first mention of these animals dates back to the 16th century. In those days, they were common throughout the Russian Empire and were called Bukhara cats. According to another version, they have common blood with Persians and Angora were brought to Siberia by Central Asian merchants.
These beautiful thoroughbred cats have a powerful physique with well-developed muscles. The weight of an adult varies from 4-9 kg. Despite their rather large size, they give the impression of elegant and fit animals. On a neat proportional head with low set cheekbones and a rounded forehead, there are oval, slightly slanting eyes and small ears. The entire body of a typical representative of this breed is covered with long thick hair of smoky, tortie, silver, golden, chinchilla, marble, white or tiger color.
As for the character, these animals, when you look at which it immediately becomes clear that you have one of the most beautiful cats in front of you, are distinguished by a bold, independent and decisive disposition. They really value freedom and love walking. Therefore, this breed is not very suitable for maintenance in a city apartment. The nature of Siberians miraculously combines the habits of domesticated and wild cats. They have a very developed hunting and paternal instinct. Siberian cats are able to live their whole lives in tandem with one partner and often help to breed offspring.
2nd place: Turkish Angora
This is one of the oldest breeds of cats. Its formation took place on the territory of modern Turkey. According to one version, it appeared as a result of a mutation, the consequence of which was the appearance of a gene of long hair. Over time, these animals were introduced into Tibet, Persia and Asia Minor.
A typical Turkish Angora is a white cat with blue eyes. But the standard also allows other colors. The weight of an adult varies between 2.5-4.5 kg. On a beautiful triangular head with a rounded chin and a slightly sloping nose, there are short pointed ears and large expressive eyes of a blue or light amber color. Under the proportional flexible body, covered with long hair, there are very strong long limbs.
These white cats with blue eyes are affectionate. They quickly become attached to their owners and subtly feel their state of mind. Representatives of this breed do not like to be alone. They are very active, intelligent and smart. Turkish Angora has good health and does not require special care.
3rd place: Persian cat
This is one of the oldest breeds with a rich history. The first mention of these animals dates back to the 11th century. Iran is considered their native, from which they came to Italy, France and other European states.
Today, there are three varieties of this one of the most beautiful breeds of cats. Depending on the structure of the muzzle, classical, modern and extreme Persians are distinguished. On a beautiful wide head with upturned nose there are small neat ears and large rounded eyes. A distinctive feature of the representatives of this breed is the luxurious long coat of black, blue, chocolate, white, cream, red, smoky or tortie color.
In addition to their amazing appearance, these fluffy snub-nosed cats with beautiful eyes have a soft character. They are very calm, affectionate and lazy. Persians are not able to take offense for a long time and will never take revenge. They do not differ in active temperament and can sleep all day in a comfortable chair.
4th place: Russian blue
This is one of the most beautiful cats with an elongated body, well-developed muscles and a thin, strong skeleton. She gives the impression of a flexible and graceful animal. The weight of an adult is 4-6 kg. On the wedge-shaped head with a practically absent foot and unexpressed mustache pads there are wide-set triangular ears and almond-shaped bright green eyes. The graceful body of a typical representative of this breed is covered with short soft wool of a blue hue.
These calm, but not phlegmatic animals lead a measured lifestyle. They quickly become attached to their owners and have the ability to treat people. Russian blue cats get along well with children and do not get depressed from prolonged solitude. They are tolerant of other pets who do not seek to infringe on their rights.
5th place: Burmese cat
This breed has very ancient roots dating back to the 15th century. There is a theory that it was these animals that lived at the temples and were considered the talismans of the wealthy citizens of Bangkok. They came to Europe in 1930 as a gift to a certain doctor Joseph Thompson.
At first glance at Burmese, no one doubts that in front of him is one of the most beautiful cats. To date, there are two standards for this breed - European and American. Animals belonging to the first type are distinguished by a more elegant structure. Their entire body is covered with a short, brilliant, one-color outer hair, under which there is practically no undercoat. American burmese gives the impression of a stocky beast with a strong bones.
The behavior of representatives of this breed is almost identical to that of a dog. They quickly become attached to their masters and are very bored in their absence. Burmese are extremely friendly and get along with other pets without any problems.
6th place: Scottish fold
The history of modern representatives of this breed began with a cat named Susie, whose appearance struck Scottish farmers from the county of Perthshire. Shortly before her tragic death, she managed to give birth to several babies, one of whom became the ancestor of Scottish folds.
These beautiful lop-eared cats differ in the average sizes and proportional addition. The strong dense body of these animals is covered with thick, short silky hair of black, blue, red, cream, smoky, shaded or chinchilla color. They are distinguished by a calm, affectionate nature and never show excessive obsession.
7th place: British Shorthair
The history of these beautiful animals began in the 1st century AD. It was at that very distant time that the ancestors of modern Britons entered Europe. But purposeful breeding work with representatives of this breed began only at the end of the XIX century. To improve the gene pool, they began to be crossed with Corats, Burmese, Chartreuse and Persians.
Chunky, plush British can also compete for the right to be called the most beautiful cats. The weight of these animals ranges from 6 to 8 kg, and the mass of the largest individuals is about 10 kg. The main pride of the representatives of this breed is considered to be short, thick, shiny fur of white, black, blue, cream, gray, red, lilac, marble or tortie color. They are distinguished by an affectionate, friendly and balanced disposition, which makes them ideal pets.
8th place: Siamese cat
This is one of the oldest and mysterious rocks, a description of which is found in chronicles dated to the XIV century. Siamese cats lived at the royal courts and were revered by the ministers of the church. A lot of myths and legends are associated with them, one of which tells that these animals accompanied the souls of deceased people to another world.
Siamese cats have a flexible, elongated, proportionately folded body with a long slender neck. On the graceful head with pronounced superciliary arches and a narrow muzzle there are large triangular ears and slightly slanting almond-shaped eyes. The entire body of the animal is covered with short outer hair, under which there is no undercoat at all. Representatives of this breed are endowed with an unpredictable, jealous disposition and excellent memory. They are very jealous and do not tolerate rough treatment.
9th place: Maine Coon
These large beautiful cats are impressive in size. The height of an adult reaches 30 cm, and the mass varies from 10 to 13 kg. Maine Coon has a large powerful head with expressive cheekbones, strong jaws and high-set ears, on the ends of which there are characteristic brushes. The stocky strong body of the animal is covered with thick hair of different lengths. On the back and head it is quite short. Hair growing on the tail, stomach, legs and chest is much longer.
Maine Coon is a kind, patient cat, trying to avoid conflict situations. He has high intelligence and is able to reproduce sounds reminiscent of human speech.
10th place: Bengal cat
In the process of breeding this breed, breeders sought to preserve their “wild” exterior. At the same time, individuals inheriting aggressive and closed behavior were discarded from the breeding. As a result of long and serious work, the felinologists managed to get a beautiful powerful animal with a loyal, peace-loving disposition.
The Bengal cat has a strong, flexible, slightly stretched body with well-developed muscles. The forelimbs of these animals are noticeably shorter than the hind limbs. On a large rounded head there are small frontally oriented ears and oval eyes. The entire body of a typical representative of this breed is covered with thick, short hair of any contrasting color.