Classification of Cat Breeds

Following are descriptions of several pure-bred cat breeds as recognized by cat breeders. These include the Domestic Short-haired cats, which are typically known as the house cat or alley cat; the Persians and Angoras, now generally considered as one breed and are also known as Long-hairs; the Siamese, typified as two — the
blue-point and the seal-point; the Manx, which has no tail; the Abyssinian; and the Peke-faced cat.

Domestic Short-Haired Cats

The domestic short-hair is the most common breed and popular as a household pet.

Color: Silver, brown, orange, blacks, whites, blues, various grey shadings, tortoise-shell / calico.
Features: A less rounded head, a longer nose, and higher-perched ears. With a deep chest, the tail tapering toward the tip and thick at the base.
Qualities: More slender than other breeds; stronger and faster.

Long-Haired Cats

Through interbreeding, Persians and Angoras, formerly considered two separate breeds, have become one and are designated as Long-hairs.

Body: A deep chest, a level back, broad shoulders and rump. The legs are strong, short and thick. The tail is fairly short and set lower than the back.
Features: The hair is long and fine over all the body. The eyes, regardless of color, are wide set, round and big, bright and expressive. The neck is fairly short, supporting a large head and
powerful jaws. They have full cheeks,  wide-set ears and a snub nose.

Manx Cats

The Manx cat is a strange-looking breed which has no tail. It is believed that the Manx cat (native to the Isle of Man in Europe) is a product of selective breeding of cats with short tails, and that eventually the result was a tail-less cat.

Body: Very short back, a well-rounded rump with high hindquarters which accounts for a quick gait.
Features: The head is large and round, but not as snubby, and a medium-sized nose.
Qualities: Brave, individualistic and loyal, they have been known to recognize their former owners despite many years after parting with them.

Siamese Cats

It is known that these cats originated in Siam and Burma for well over two centuries, as companions to royalty. (The real royal Siamese cat is the seal point and is colored a clear fawn, shading to a deep chocolate brown over most of the face, and between the ears.) Currently they are very popular among pet lovers.

Color: Two color-types, the blue point and the seal point. When born these cats are white and as they grow older, their coats turn into a brown shade.
Body: Medium in size, with a well-muscled body, and a tail that is thin and tapering and not very long. The legs are thin, and the hind legs are somewhat longer than the forelegs.
Features: The eyes are blue, with a slight oriental cast toward the nose. The darker the eye, the better.
Qualities: Very smart and are known to be good hunters. Fast and graceful, they can be trained to fetch, heel, and carry out other commands normally associated with dogs.

Abyssinian Cats

These famous sacred cats of Egypt originated from the wild Caffree cats, a species that was native to Asia and parts of Africa.

Color: The coat may be brown or silver, with traces of black or dark brown. The eyes may be hazel, yellow, or green.
Body: Medium-sized, with a long, tapering tail and small paws.
Features: Large, expressive eyes. The head is long and pointed, with
sharp ears that are relatively broad at the base. Qualities: Quiet and dignified, with a soft voice but extremely
graceful. Its particularly sensitive nature requires a kind and gentle treatment that is rewarding for its owners.

Peke-faced Cats

The Peke-faced cat, is its name implies, resembles the Pekingese dog in the contours of its head and face — the result of carefully selective breeding which has accentuated the Pekingese characteristics.

Color: The coat colors are solid red or red tabby. The eyes may be copper or deep orange.
Features: The eyes are very round, prominent and brilliant, set wide apart. The nose is short and flattened, and the muzzle is wrinkled.