Rare Breed Cats - Your Go-To Guide

There are different types of cats worldwide, each with unique features. However, some cat breeds are rarer than others.

This guide will introduce you to some rare breed cats worldwide – and provide information on their history and characteristics.

The 22 Rare Cat Breeds

1. Scottish Fold Cat Breed

A Scottish Fold Cat is licking its leg.

This breed of domestic cats has a natural mutation that causes the ears to fold forwards and down, giving the felines a distinctive appearance. Scottish Folds are prominent for their gentle, affectionate nature and make excellent companions. They are generally healthy and have a life expectancy of 12-16 years. They also enjoy playing – and you can train them to walk on a leash.

2. Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, sturdy cat with a thick coat of fur that helps it withstand cold weather. It is a gentle, playful breed that is good with children and other pets. The felines are curious and intelligent, and they enjoy climbing and exploring. But they are prone to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia and heart disease.

3. Turkish Angora

A young Turkish Angora young cat with blue eyes.

It is a breed of beautiful, elegant cats with long, silky coats. The felines are relatively small but muscular and agile. Turkish Angoras are intelligent and playful, and they’re good at climbing. They are not vocal, but these cats sometimes “chirp” or “trill.”.

4. American Bobtail

The American Bobtail cat first appeared in the 1960s. The breed is most notable for its short tail, which can be one-third to one-half the length of a normal cat’s tail. Bobtails also stand out for their large, muscular build and affectionate, people-oriented personalities.

5. Burmilla

A Burmilla cat is sitting on the ground.

The Burmilla cats are an accidental cross of a chocolate-pointed Burmese and a silver-pointed Chinchilla Persian. Today, Burmilla cats are prominent for their luxurious fur, which is soft and silky to the touch. They also stand out for their affectionate and playful personalities.

6. Devon Rex

This cat breed is prominent for its curly coat and large ears. The Devon Rex is a cross between the Cornish Rex and the Devon Rex. The felines are medium in size, with a slim build and long legs. Their coat is curly and looks like “wet wool.” The Devon Rex excels at being very affectionate with its family.

7. Egyptian Mau

A young Egyptian Mau cat.

The Egyptian Mau is a medium, short-haired domestic cat breed. These felines are the only domestic cat breed with natural spots. The Mau’s spots provide camouflage against predators in the wild. The cats make loyal, loving, and attention-seeking companions. They were first brought to the United States in 1956 by Russian Princess Natalia Troubetskoy.

8. Tonkinese Cat Breed

The Tonkinese is a cross between the Siamese and the Burmese. The breed came about in the 1960s and got its name from the port city of Tonkin in Vietnam. The cats are medium in size with a muscular build and short legs. They have triangular heads with large, almond-shaped eyes. Their coat is dense and has different colors, including blue, seal, lilac, chocolate, and red.

9. Chartreux Cat Breed

A gray Chartreux cat with yellow eyes is sitting on a couch.

The Chartreux is a medium size breed with a muscular, broad-chested build. The cats are prominent for their blue-gray fur, which looks like the color of a stormy sky. Chartreux cats also have large, bright eyes and are gentle and affectionate. They are generally healthy and have a lifespan of 12-15 years.

10. Peterbald Cat Breed

An angry Peterbald cat is meowing.

The Peterbald breed has a hairless (or nearly hairless) body. The coat is soft, wrinkled, and may be completely bald or have a downy fuzz. Peterbald cats have different colors and patterns, including point color, mink, and solid. However, the breed is prone to several health problems: skin infections, sunburn, and dental problems.

11. Sokoke Cat Breed

This cat breed is native to Kenya and has only been around since the 1980s. The felines are medium in size, with males weighing about 10 pounds and females weighing about 8 pounds. The Sokoke has a coat that is soft and silky to the touch. The cats are intelligent and stand out for being very curious and active.

12. Bombay Cats

A young Bombay cat.

Bombay cats are a cross between a black American Shorthair and a sable Burmese. They are typically medium in size with short, black fur and copper-colored eyes. The cats are intelligent and active and enjoy playing games and learning tricks. They make great companions for families and single people and are generally good with other pets.

13. Selkirk Rex Cats

The Selkirk Rex gets its name from its origin, the Selkirk Mountains in Montana, USA. The breed is notable for its unique coat, which is curly and often resembles a sheep’s. The coat also comes in different colors and patterns. These cats are medium in size and typically live for 12-14 years.

14. American Wirehair Cat

This breed’s coat has a wiry texture and springy curls. Wirehairs are friendly and affectionate and make great companions. They are also relatively healthy cats and can live for up to 16 years.

15. Sphynx Cats

A Sphynx cat is resting.

The Sphynx cats are prominent for their lack of fur. These felines are affectionate and make great companions. However, they can be expensive, as they are less common. Lastly, they need more frequent bathing than other cats, as their skin is more sensitive.

16. Korat Cat Breed

This breed is medium in size with a short, glossy silver-blue coat. The Korat originates from Thailand, the Korat plateau, and the felines are prominent for their large, green eyes and heart-shaped head. They are also social, playful, and love to chase toys.

17. Ashera

These felines are a cross of an African serval with a domestic cat. Asheras are large cats: males typically weigh approximately 30 pounds and females 20 pounds. The breed is also one of the most expensive, starting at $22,000. These cats are one of the longest-lived breeds, with a lifespan of about 20 years.

18. Ocicat

An Ocicat cat is standing.

This breed is s cross of an Abyssinian and a Siamese, then an American Shorthair to refine the coat. The result is a cat that looks like a wild ocelot, hence the name. Ocicats come in different colors, including brown, black, silver, and gold. They are medium in size with muscular bodies and long legs.

19. Cornish Rex Cat Breed

The Cornish Rex originated in Cornwall, England, and it is a result of a spontaneous mutation. The cats are medium in size, with males typically weighing up to 10 pounds and females up to 8 pounds. The breed also stands out for its large ears and long legs.

20. Singapura Cats

A purebred Singapura cat is resting.

The Singapura is a small, slender cat with short fur and large eyes. The breed is prominent for its affectionate and gentle personality, as well as its intelligence and playfulness. Singapuras are very social animals and enjoy spending time with their human companions. They are also active and love to play and explore.

21. Havana Brown

Havana Brown kittens are sitting.

The Havana Brown is a beautiful cat breed prominent for its unique brown color. The breed originated in Cuba, and the first Havana Browns were a cross of a Siamese and a domestic black cat. Havana Browns are intelligent and playful cats that make great companions. They are also generally healthy cats with few health problems.

22. Minskin Cat Breed

The Minskin is prominent for its hairless body and short legs. This breed is a hybrid of a Sphynx, a Devon Rex, and a Munchkin. The felines are small, typically weighing 4 to 8 pounds. The most common coat colors are black, blue, brown, gray, and red, and the breed typically gets along well with other pets and children.

Conclusion

These cat breeds are rare due to various factors, such as a small gene pool, lack of popularity, and difficulty breeding. For more information about rare breed cats, contact us today.

Rare Breed Cats – Your Go-To Guide

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