Cats were domesticated thousands of years ago, and have been workers for and companions to humans for just as long. Though there is not as much variety in cat breeds as there in the canine world, there are a variety of breeds that have varying levels of popularity.
Cyprus Cat: It is believed that the oldest domesticated cat was developed in Cyprus, and the Cypriot Cat is a descendant of the ancient felines of the island. It is an athletic breed, with lots of energy and can be found all around Cyprus, from high to low elevation, and from cold to hot climates.
Chausie: The Chausie are a hybrid breed of cat crossbred between domestic and nondomestic cat breeds. Despite the cross-breeding Chausies develop a domesticated nature after the fourth or fifth generation of breeding. They are a medium- to large-sized breed, weighing as much as 15 pounds.
Chantilly-Tiffany: Also known as the Foreign Longhair is a mainly North American breed developed by crossing long-haired Asians and Burmese cats. There is also a British variety called the Asian Semi-longhair.
British Semi-longhair: The British Semi-longhair is variety of the British Shorthair and has almost identical physical characteristics except for the longer hair. It is a calm, and easy-going breed with a friendly temperament, with high intelligence and are quite playful.
Brazilian Shorthair: The Brazilian Shorthair is the first cat breed to be officially recognized that originates from Brazil. It is a medium-sized cat with exceptional agility. It has a sleek coat which comes in a variety of colors.
Bambino: Meaning ‘baby’ in Italian, the Bambino was bred to keep the appearance of a kitten. It is a hairless breed with short legs which it inherits from the Munchkin. It is a friendly, and intelligent cat that gets along well with other pets as well as children.
Asian Semi-longhair: Similar to the Asian Shorthair but with somewhat longer hair. Also known as the Tiffany, the breed was developed in the United Kingdom, and is not recognized by the U.S. based registries. It is a relatively recent breed, developed in the 1980s, and bear a close resemblance to the Burmilla cat.
Arabian Mau: The Arabian Mau is a short-haired cat that claims ancestry from the desert cat of the Arabian Peninsula. A highly devoted breed, the Mau is a loving cat that gets along well with other pets and older children.
Australian Mist: The Australian Mist, which was originally called the Spotted Mist), is a breed of cat originating from Australia. A medium-sized short-haired cat which does not have an undercoat, and require very little brushing.
Aegean: Originating from the Cycladic Islands of Greece, the Aegean cat was accepted as a breed in the 1990s. They are one of the most ancient domesticated cat breeds. They are a medium-sized breed with a muscular body.