Types of Long-Haired Cats

Long-haired cats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Most breeds derive their names from their geographic origins, whereas others, such as the American Curl cat with its backward-curling ears, are named after distinctive features.

  1. American Cats

    • The American Bobtail is a completely domestic cat with no wild strains in its genetic background. The original bobtail bloodline emerged from a liaison between a brown short-haired tabby male and a Siamese female, although Birman, Himalayan and Siamese bloodlines have since been added to the mix. Bobtails were first introduced to the U.S. in the 1960s. Brown tabby patterns dominate, and the cat has a wedge-shaped head, shorter than average tail, athletic body and large almond-shaped eyes. Bobtails are gentle and affectionate. Despite being a long-haired breed, they need minimal grooming, as their fur doesn't mat. The American Curl cat's long coat comes in a variety of patterns and colors. This whimsical feline gets its name from its backward-curling ears, originally the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation.

    Asian Cats

    • The Balinese cat derives its name from the sinuous flowing movements of Balinese dancers. Its long, tubular body and wedge-shaped head are softened by its semi-long coat. Its coat has chocolate, seal, lilac and blue points. This intelligent cat's affectionate, gentle nature makes it a good choice if you have children and other pets. Birman cats are known as the "sacred cat of Burma." These polite and sociable felines have darker colors on their legs, tail, ears and face. An occasional bath and weekly brushing keep its long, fluffy coat soft and shiny.

    Turkish Delights

    • Both the Turkish Angora and Turkish Van felines' coats are celebrated for their luxuriously silky texture. Turkish Angoras are fine-boned and make adoring and adorable companions, as they quickly attach themselves to their owners. The Turkish Van originates from Turkey's Lake Van region and its tail is soft as cashmere. This cat is attracted to water and loves playing and climbing.

    Persian Cats

    • Persians are famed for their long, flowing coats, sweet faces and easygoing personalities. Cat-competition organizers divide Persians into seven categories: silver/golden, solids, tabby, smoke/shaded, Himalayan, bicolor and parti-color. Persians should be groomed daily. Himalayan cats are considered either a separate breed or a color variation of the Persian breed. This gentle but playful cat has the Persian's large build and flowing coat. It was originally bred from crosses between Persians and Siamese cats.