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- Also called:
- house cat or domestic cat
News •
Cats in Oregon euthanized after eating raw pet food tainted with bird flu
• Feb. 14, 2025, 5:33 PM ET (AP)
Cats won't be banned in Scotland, the government confirms
• Feb. 4, 2025, 11:25 AM ET (AP)
A selection of longhair breeds of domestic cats is given in the table.
| name | origin | characteristics | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Balinese | U.S. | long svelte body; sapphire-blue eyes | mutation of Siamese; tail sways when walking, resembling Balinese dancers |
 |
Birman | Burma (Myanmar) | deep blue eyes; bushy tail; white-gloved paws | known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma” |
 |
Cymric | Canada | stout with heavy chest; tailless | a longhair Manx |
 |
Himalayan, or Colourpoint Longhair | U.S., Europe | cobby body; short full tail; sapphire-blue eyes | cross between Siamese and Persian |
 |
Javanese | U.S. | graceful with long lithe body; silky coat | cross between Balinese and Colourpoint Shorthair |
 |
Maine Coon | U.S. | large and well-muscled; shaggy coat | oldest American breed |
 |
Norwegian Forest | Norway | robust muscular body; double coat | a favourite of the goddess Freya in Norse mythology |
 |
Persian | exact origin unknown, possibly Iran | cobby body; massive head | one of the oldest and most popular breeds; many varieties |
 |
Ragdoll | U.S. | heavy and powerful build; blue eyes | relaxes muscles when picked up, resembling a floppy rag doll |
 |
Somali | U.S. | lithe and muscular body; green or golden eyes; full brush tail | a longhair Abyssinian |
 |
Turkish Angora | Turkey | long plumed tail; large pointed ears | one of the first longhair cats in Europe |