Basic Cat Breeds
Some cat breeds are very old and even unique to a particular region, like the tailless Manx cat. But some are more recent and have been engineered by breeders. There are eight basic groups of cats outlined here.
Longhairs; Persian
Persian longhairs have short noses, little ears and a lot of fur. They come in many colors and even patterns. Generally they are quiet and do not demand much attention. But, they do require at least 15 minutes a day for grooming. Even though these cats are beautiful do not consider owning one if you don't have the time to put into kitty grooming, or if you have allergies.
Longhairs; Non-Persian
The only thing these cats have in common is their fur length. This group includes Birmans, Turkish, Maine Coons, and Norwegian Forest Cats to name a few. They all have different personalities that correspond to their respective breeds, and, like Persians, require lots of grooming.
British and American Shorthairs
These all look basically the same but there are some differences. They tend to be quieter than other shorthairs, but also need extra grooming because of their short, thick coats. Because of their thick fur, they are very beautiful and look very cuddly - they can also grow very large and heavy. If you want a smaller cat, opt for another shorthair breed.
Other Shorthair Breeds
These are grouped together for convenience. But some varieties,like the Exotic Shorthair, are judged in the longhair section for their short, thick coats and persian-like face. The group includes all shorthairs that do not fit into any other category. They all have unique personalities and include Abyssians, Cornish, Devon Rex, American Wirehair, and Curl.
Oriental Shorthairs
These cats are much like Siamese with the same points but have different patterns. They come in an array of colors and patterns but have the temperament of a Siamese - which do tend to become picky and ornairy when they become adults. People with small children may want to consider a different breed if possible.
Burmese
All of these have the same type and character but have varying coat colors. They are active, need lots of attention and don't like being left alone. But in general, they are quieter than Siamese. They have such loving dispositions that they are one of the most popular pure-breeds.
Siamese
These are a very popular breed and easily obtained. They are elegant and sleek and have the most distinctive coat patterns. Like the Burmese, demand attention and are loving but have a very loud meow. As I said before, Siamese tend to get finicky with age, which might make for trouble in feeding them.
Non-Pedigree Cats
Sometimes the most beautiful cats are found in the Non-Pedigree section - aka mixed breeds ;). These cats have just about any length, color, and pattern fur. They are also probably the most inexpensive to get since humane societies and pet shelters are overflowing with unwanted pets. One should also note that these cats tend to have very likeable dispositions and can be the best for families with children. My cat Bibbs is a non-pedigree but he is still beautiful, healthy, and he loves my family very much. He was obtained through a family who's cat just had kittens so we got him for free - like the saying goes...
