Cat Breeds you might not have heard of!

Introduction

Hey there ailurophiles and cat enthusiasts, you might have heard of common cat breeds such as the Domestic Shorthair, Maine Coon, Siamese, Persian, Burmese, Sphynx cat and others of the sort. Well all of these above mentioned cats are extremely cute and adorable, but do you know that there are a plethora of breeds out there, some of them which you might not have heard of before. The kingdom of domestic felines is pretty huge and you might be surprised to know that there are numerous lesser known breeds that deserve recognition for their distinctive features and unparalleled charm. So here is the list of top 5 cat breeds that cat lovers like you need to know about :

1)     Turkish Van

2)     LaPerm

3)     Minskin

4)     Burmilla

5)     Tonkinese

Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is a comparatively large and muscular breed of cat with its origins from Turkey. The Turkish Van may have sparkling amber or blue eyes. This breed can be identified by its white coat of fur with patches on its head and tail. This feature is said to be due to the expression of the piebald gene. It possesses a single coat unlike some other breeds whose texture is similar to that of cashmere. The origins of this breed can be traced to the present day middle east and turkey. In 1955, a couple of British photographers brought the breed to the UK for the first time and this breed was simply known as the Turkish cat. They were later renamed Turkish Van to avoid confusing it with another breed known as the Turkish Angora. It gets its name from Lake Van in Turkey. The Turkish Van is intelligent, playful, mischievous and requires playtime to spend its energy. The Turkish Van with its majestic and regal appearance is genuinely a symbol of class and a pleasure to have around.

Lifespan : 12-17 Years

Height : 10-14 Inches

Weight : 4-8 Kilograms

Origin : Turkey

LaPerm

Originating in the United states, in the state of Oregon, this affectionate breed of cat can be recognized by its unique characteristic curly hair. The breed is relatively new without much history since it was first bred in the year 1982. The birth of this breed was not planned but was the result of spontaneous serendipity. It occurred by chance when a barn cat in Dalles, Oregon was born with a genetic mutation called the “Rex” mutation. The LaPerm is sweet, friendly, energetic, intelligent and curious. The breed is known to be loving towards people, compatible with dogs and other cats, patient around children and is very playful making it the ideal choice for families. The LaPerm comes in a variety of colors including red, tabby, calico, white etc and may be bi-coloured or covered in patches. Its eye colors also constitute a wide range including copper, gold, green or aqua. Brimming with elegance and grace, filled with energy and known for its high-spirited and outgoing personality, these curly coated cuties would serve as a lovely addition to your family.

Lifespan : 12-15 Years

Height : 10-14 Inches

Weight : 3-5 Kilograms

Origin : Oregon, United States

Minskin

This breed of cat was the outcome of selective cross-breeding between the Munchkin and Sphynx breeds along with the Devon and Siamese breeds. The breed was developed by a single man named Paul McSorley in Boston. Minskin cats are small to medium sized with short legs and a stocky body. They are nearly hairless due to their ancestors being the Sphynx cat, rounded head with large round eyes and large wide ears giving them an out of the ordinary exotic look which some people might describe as outlandish or even alien-like. The Minskin breed is extremely rare and is still being actively bred in parts of the United states and Canada. The breed is still not officially recognized by major cat registries such as TICA (The International Cat Association) or CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association). Minskin cats are known for their playful and outgoing nature, loving and affectionate personality, sociable and children friendly characteristics making them a fantastic option for families. Due to their stature they look like kittens even in adulthood serving as super cute and adorable companions.

Lifespan : 12-15 Years

Height : 5-7 inches

Weight : 2-4 Kilograms

Origin : Boston, United States

Burmilla

This breed of domestic cat originated in the United Kingdom in the Year 1981. It is the culmination of cross-breeding due to accidental mating between the Persian Chinchilla and Burmese cat breeds. The Burmilla breed is medium sized, has a muscular athletic build and is renowned for its silver coat. Their fur is soft and silky. These cats form deep bonds with their human friends, are loving and affectionate but do require their share of independent time. They are intelligent, sociable and most importantly desirable and cute. They love attention from their owners, getting belly rubs and being petted. Burmilla cats come in a variety of colors including brown, black, lilac, white, red, calico and so on. Having one of these cats around would guarantee a memorable time, leaving a lasting impression on you and your family.

Lifespan : 10-15 years

Height : 10-12 Inches

Weight : 3-6 Kilograms

Origin : United Kingdom

Tonkinese

The Tonkinese cat is a perfect blend of the Siamese and Burmese cat breeds and offers the best of both breeds. The Tonkinese cats were previously referred to as the “Chocolate Siamese”. Although the Name “Tonkin” translates to Vietnam, this breed was developed in the United States. The Tonkinese cat is very intelligent, charming, playful, friendly and breathtakingly pretty. The cat loves attention although it may not seem dramatic when compared to other cats. These cats are energetic, chatty and are not your regular lap cats. They come in a wide range of colors including chocolate, cinnamon, platinum, blue, cream colored and so on. Their almond shaped eyes are exceptionally gorgeous ranging from hues of green to blue. Having one of these endearing and adorable kittens in your house is sure to cheer you up and add liveliness and vibrancy to your home.

Lifespan : 10-16 Years

Height : 7-10 Inches

Weight : 2.5-5.5 Kilograms

Origin : United States

Conclusion

Out of the myriad of domestic cat breeds that are out there, These breeds stand out with their beauty, charm, elegance and rarity. One might be drawn to the allure of the Minskin, the elegance of the LaPerm, the classiness of the Turkish Van and the playfulness of the Burmilla and the Tonkinese. A person would truly be lucky to welcome one of these rare and remarkable breeds into their homes. Note that there are several more Cat breeds out there, some of which you might not have heard of. So there you have it people, we hope you have a wonderful time with your furry and friendly felines.