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List of selected shorthair breeds

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Also known as: Felis catus, domestic cat, house cat
Written by
J. Anne Helgren
J. Anne Helgren is the author of six books on cats.
J. Anne Helgren
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Also called:
house cat or domestic cat

News •

Football: It’s going to be more than a catfight for Kuching in clash with Sabah • Dec. 1, 2024, 11:07 AM ET (The Star)
Harold W. Sims Jr., Whose Museum Honored the House Cat, Dies at 89 • Nov. 23, 2024, 4:19 AM ET (New York Times)
Essington animal rescue: 50 cats, dogs and tortoises seized • Nov. 20, 2024, 9:15 PM ET (BBC)
Golden Retriever Allows 15lb Cat Sibling To Beat Him Up in Viral Clip • Nov. 19, 2024, 8:01 PM ET (Newsweek)
Senior Cat Neglected for 7 Years Looking for New Home After Amputation • Nov. 18, 2024, 8:08 AM ET (Newsweek)

A selection of shorthair breeds of domestic cats is given in the table.

Selected shorthair breeds of cats
name origin characteristics comments
Abyssinian cat
 Abyssinian probably Egypt regal appearance; lithe body with long slender legs resembles the sacred cat of ancient Egypt
American Shorthair cat
 American Shorthair U.S. broad muscular body; thick dense fur hardy; natural hunter
American Wirehair cat
 American Wirehair U.S. medium to large in size; curly coat rare outside the U.S.
Bengal cat
 Bengal U.S. spotted coat; hind legs shorter than forelegs cross between Asian leopard cat and American Shorthair tabby
Bombay cat
 Bombay U.S. elegant appearance; resembles Indian black leopard cross between Burmese and black American Shorthair
British Shorthair cat
 British Shorthair England broad body with short legs; short thick tail oldest natural English breed; many varieties
Burmese cat
 Burmese Burma (Myanmar) medium-sized; glossy, thick coat related to the Siamese
Chartreux cat
 Chartreux France robust; all shades of blue-gray one of the oldest natural breeds
Cornish Rex cat
 Cornish Rex England curly short coat; large ears named after the Rex rabbit
Devon Rex cat
 Devon Rex England coat slightly coarser than Cornish Rex; pixie face nicknamed “poodle cat”
Egyptian Mau cat
 Egyptian Mau Egypt graceful body; distinct spot pattern and banded tail mau is Egyptian for “cat”
Japanese Bobtail cat
 Japanese Bobtail Japan triangular head with large ears; rabbitlike tail symbol of good luck
Korat cat
 Korat Thailand silver-blue coat; heart-shaped face native name Si-Sawat; considered to be good luck
Manx cat
 Manx Isle of Man tailless or with stump; double coat (soft undercoat beneath longer, coarser hairs) tailless gene can cause skeletal defects and stillbirths if not bred with a tailed cat
Ocicat
 Ocicat U.S. typically cream coat with dark or light brown spots and markings cross between Abyssinian, American Shorthair, and Siamese
Oriental Shorthair cat
 Oriental Shorthair U.S., U.K. long lithe body; vivid green eyes numerous colours unique to the breed
Russian Blue cat
 Russian Blue Russia blue with silver tipping; plush double coat; fine-boned but muscular considered omens of good luck
Scottish Fold cat
 Scottish Fold Scotland typically folded ears; short, round, well-padded body folded ear gene can cause crippling when two such types are mated
Siamese cat
 Siamese Asia sapphire-blue eyes; long lean body noted for its intelligence and unpredictable behaviour
Sphynx cat
 Sphynx Canada hairless; large ears rare outside North America
Tonkinese cat
 Tonkinese U.S. blue-green eyes; medium-sized cross between Siamese and Burmese