Herb Zerden: Cat Breeds
Abyssinian Cat
The Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds of cat and there is some uncertainty as to its history. The Abyssinian resembles the cats shown in Ancient Egyptian paintings and sculptures. The name "Abyssinian" is not related to its believed origins but the fact that the first Abyssinian exhibited in England was reported to have been imported from Abyssinia.
The coat can be either ruddy brown ticked with dark brown-black (the original colour known as Ruddy), red ticked with chocolate (known as Sorrel or Red), beige ticked with slate blue (known as Blue), beige ticked with brown (known as Fawn) or silver ticked with a black (known as Silver). Chocolate and Lilac also exists. The ticking throughout the coat is distinct.
Size of the Abyssinian Cat
The Abyssinian is a medium sized cat.
Requirements of the Abyssinian Cat
No special requirements.
Character of the Abyssinian Cat
The Abyssinian is intelligent, alert and active - a cat that likes to be busy. The Abyssinian likes people but is independent and will try to dominate the household.
Inherited Defects of the Abyssinian Cat
The Abyssinian can be prone to patellar luxation (dislocation or slipping kneecap), renal amyloidosis (kidney disease), retinal atrophy (a rare eye condition that leads to impaired vision).
Burmese Cat
Burmese cats originate from Burma, Thailand and Malaya and the Burmese cat of today was developed from a single cat named Wong Mau that was brought from the Orient by a sailor and given to Dr Joseph Thompson of San Francisco in 1930.
Appearance of the Burmese Cat
The Burmese has a rounded head with large, expressive eyes set well apart and short muzzle. The body is muscular and compact. The coat is short, fine and glossy. The coat can be Sable Brown (known as Sable), Red, Cream, Blue, Lilac (also known as Platinum), Chocolate (also known as Champagne), Brown Tortie, Blue Tortie, Chocolate Tortie, and Lilac Tortie.
Size of the Burmese Cat
The Burmese is a medium sized cat with substantial bone structure giving it a surprising weight for its size.
Requirements of the Burmese Cat
The Burmese is healthy and strong and does not require any special attention. The short coat requires only light grooming.
Character of the Burmese Cat
The Burmese cat is quite lively, clumsy and playful as a kitten, remaining playful well into adulthood. As they mature their intelligence grows and they are a charming cat. They enjoy human company, are highly affectionate, good with children and many will tolerate a family dog if introduced at an early age. They are almost dog-like in their character, craving human company, capable of learning to retrieve and enjoying being petted. They love to be the centre of attention, are energetic and playful but can also be mischievous and stubborn.
The Burmese is trusting and relies on its soulful eyes and charm to get through life. This makes the "outside" world a dangerous place and so they are best kept indoors.
Cornish Cat
Appearance of the Cornish Rex Cat
The Cornish Rex cat has a small head with prominent high cheekbones, large eyes, hollow cheeks, strong chin, high bridged roman nose with the muzzle narrowing slighting towards the end. The ears are large and set high on the head. The neck is long and graceful and the body is arched and slender, being deep in the chest with a small waist and fine legs - similar to a whippet dog.
The coat is short and wavy lying close to the body, extremely soft to the touch and can be White, Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Silver, or Tabby, Tortoiseshell, Pointed (with with coloured points) and Smoke (white tipped with colour) in any of the colours available. The whiskers are curled.
Size of the Cornish Rex Cat
The Cornish Rex is a medium sized cat.
Requirements of the Cornish Rex Cat
No special requirements.
Character of the Cornish Rex Cat
The Cornish Rex is jolly, active, agile, acrobatic, affection, fast and extremely playful throughout its life. They eagerly learn how to play games such as fetch or catch.