Cat Breed Selector

Abyssinians are highly intelligent and intensely inquisitive. They love to investigate and will leave no nook or cranny unexplored. They’re sometimes referred to as “Aby-grabbys” because they tend to take things that grab their interest. The playful Aby loves to jump and climb. Keep a variety of toys on hand to keep her occupied, including puzzle toys that challenge her intelligence.

Seemingly always in motion, she’ll slow down occasionally to curl up next to you on the couch or in bed. Although independent, she does best with another Aby companion to match her high activity levels while you’re away. Abyssinians love attention from you and respectful children and get along well with cat-friendly dogs, as well as other pets, like large parrots and ferrets.

Confident and friendly, the American Bobtail is a highly intelligent breed with a clownlike personality. Looking much like a bobtailed wildcat, this rare and athletic breed can be taught to walk on a leash. The American Bobtail has two coat varieties, shorthair and longhair, and does not reach adulthood until 2 or 3 years old. A devoted family companion, this cat interacts well with people of all ages and is ideal with children.

The American Curl has distinctive curled ears that form a graceful arc, giving an alert, perky expression. This breed is known as the “Peter Pan” of cats due to retaining its kittenlike personality throughout life. The Curl has two coat varieties, shorthair and longhair. With her outstanding temperament, the Curl is a people-oriented breed that makes an affectionate soul mate and easily adjusts to other pets and children.

Formerly used to keep rodents and vermin away from food stores, the American Shorthair still enjoys exercising her hunting skills on unsuspecting insects. As a smart, moderately active feline, she enjoys learning tricks and challenging her intelligence with puzzles and interactive toys.

She’s adaptable and good-natured, which makes her the ideal family companion. Although she loves attention from her people, including children, the American Shorthair does not like being carried and is fairly independent. She may curl up in your lap on occasion, but she may prefer to sit alongside you instead. She’ll get along fine with a cat-friendly dog, but her hunting instincts may take over with pet birds and other small animals.

Distinguished from other breeds by its wiry, dense coat that is described as feeling like steel wool, the American Wirehair is considered a national treasure. This intelligent and highly adaptable breed is playful and keenly interested in her surroundings. Easy to care for, the American Wirehair has a relaxed, loving, sweet personality, making her an ideal companion for families with children 6 and older and having other pets.

A Siamese in every nature except for her long, silky ermine coat, the Balinese, also known as the Javanese, has a distinctive luxurious tail plume. This long, slender cat is lithe but muscular. An easygoing breed with a clownlike personality, the Balinese adores people. This regal, aristocratic, intelligent cat is talkative, though less vocal than the Siamese. A healthy breed, the Balinese can live up to 20 years.

This docile house cat has what some would call a rambunctious personality. Bengal cats are playful and love to chase, climb, investigate and be part of the action. They seek out a lot of attention, are always on the move and can easily get into mischief around your home.

Most Bengal Cats are up for adventure and can even be trained to walk on a leash to safely explore the outdoors. She’s intelligent, curious and may splash in a fish tank or even hop in the shower with you.

With her marvelous, social personality, the Birman doesn’t like being the only animal in the house. She is active and playful but quiet if you are busy. This healthy, long-lived breed has an outstanding semi-long silky coat that does not mat and a luxurious, long bottle-brush tail. Brilliant blue, almost-round eyes are prominent features of her sweet expression.

The Bombay is an easy-going, yet energetic cat. She does well in quiet apartments where she’s the center of attention as well as in lively homes with children and other pets. She’ll talk to you in a distinct voice, and you’re likely to find her in the warmest spot in your home, whether that’s in the sunlight from a window or curled up under the covers in bed with you. Bombays are smart and learn tricks quickly, so keep them entertained by teaching them new tricks and providing them interactive toys to play with.

The British Shorthair is an easygoing feline. She enjoys affection but isn’t needy and dislikes being carried. She’ll follow you from room to room, though, out of curiosity. British Shorthairs aren’t lap cats, but they do enjoy snuggling next to their people on the couch.

As they age, British Shorthairs become increasingly sedentary, however males are often more rambunctious than the reserved females. They get along well with gentle and respectful children and don’t mind cat-friendly dogs.

Often called the smiling cat of France, the Chartreux has a sweet, smiling expression. This sturdy, powerful cat has a distinctive blue coat with a resilient wooly undercoat. Historically known as fine mousers with strong hunting instincts, the Chartreux enjoys toys that move. This is a slow-maturing breed that reaches adulthood in three to five years. A loving, gentle companion, the Chartreux forms a close bond with her family.