Rare and Exotic Breeds of Cats

!±8± Rare and Exotic Breeds of Cats

There are numerous breeds of cat that are rare and exotic. Some breeds are rare, but not so exotic, for example the British Shorthair, which may be difficult for a lover of the breed to find.

Of course, there are some things that any prospective owner should consider before purchasing a rare breed. Not least of which is the cost. Rare breeds are, unsurprisingly, expensive, but you should not be tempted to buy one cheaply from a disreputable source.

With that in mind, if you love cats and are considering welcoming an unusual breed into your life, then here are just a few of the breeds that you may like to consider:

Abyssinian Bobtail

Aegean

American Keuda

American Miniature

Black Bengal

Brooklyn Rex

Burmilla

California Spangled

Caracat

Cheetoh

Cheub

Dragon Li

Elf Cat

Kurilian Bobtail

Minskin

Sokoke

The above cats are among some of the very rarest breeds, but there are many more rare and exotic breeds. For any cat lover interested in rare breeds, it is worth bearing in mind that new breeds are being discovered or created all the time. Some of the more popular rare breeds include:

American Wirehair

The American Wirehair was not bred, but discovered in New York, in 1966. Around this time, several barn cats had been born with a mutation of the fur, which made it wiry and coarse. Now, the American Wirehair can be found in many colors and is often seen as a genuinely American cat.

Highlander

As its name suggests, the Highlander was created from Highland Lynx. It is one of the most recent breeds, first introduced in 2004. Due to its wild ancestry, the Highlander is typically larger than a standard domestic cat, but it is also known for its friendliness and affection. In fact, many owners choose a Highlander, because its temperament is more akin to a dog's than an average cat's.

Kinkalow

The Kinkalow is another breed that has been introduced recently. It is a dwarf breed and was created by crossbreeding the Munchkin with an American Curl. Subsequently, it has features of both. The Kinkalow has a curled back similar to that of the American Curl, but it has the short legs of a Munchkin.

Lambkin Dwarf Cat

Like the Kinkalow, the Lambkin is a dwarf breed and it is also related to the Munchkin. However, the Lambkin Dwarf was developed by breeding the Munchkin with the Selkirk Rex. The Lambkin Dwarf, which is also known as Nanus Rex, was introduced in 1987. Owners find the quirky look of a Lambkin appealing. It has short legs and a long body, which means that it is visually similar to a Dachshund. Another winning feature of the Lambkin is its eyes, which, in many cats of the breed, are blue.

Serengeti

Another relatively new feline is the Serengeti, which first immerged in 1994. Although the Serengeti looks very similar to the Serval, it is bred from domesticated cats. The Serengeti can be seen in black, tabby or ebony (smoke) colors and is spotted in pattern, making it an aesthetically pleasing animal.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of rare and exotic breeds of cat, but it does detail some of the most popular and some of the rarest of breeds. As mentioned above, when thinking about purchasing a rare breed it is impetrative to visit a reputable breeder.

Equally, it is important for potential owners to realize that owning a cat is a commitment for the lifetime of the animal, so be sure to research the breed to ensure that you can offer your cat a happy, healthy home.