We are devoted, for instance, to the Siamese breed. We had never really thought about getting a Siamese until we managed to clean up an abandoned Siamese kitten – and, after several weeks of trying to find it a new home, decided to keep it ourselves. Since that time, we have had several Siamese cats, and they all have the specific qualities that we like in cats: they are very affectionate, want much attention, are pretty talkative, and have a very striking appearance.
Since we also want a female cat for breeding, our preference for Siamese has led to us more or less trying to find Siamese breeders who have a spare queen. There are undoubtedly many people who prefer a specific breed of cat. It may be because they have set ideas about how a cat should look, because of some specific qualities that they have experienced with a particular breed, or because they have previously owned a cat of that breed. For some, the best cat is a specific color.
That “There are no ordinary cats” – Colette – and, for the most part, she’s right. But some cats are just a bit more special than others. Most of us have definite ideas about the particular type of cat that we like. Some of us, for instance, are only interested in pedigree cats.
Definition of Cat Breeds
The cat (Felis domestica) is a member of the mammalian order Carnivora and an animal of prey. It exhibits all the characteristics of a highly specialized predator. The fact that it is also an animal of very pronounced and discriminating habits, frequently conservative and sometimes wilfully stupid, has resulted in a creature that is ordinarily well-adapted to its environment but one that is by no means an instance of uniformity in nature. As a predator, the cat is primarily an independent hunter, and it follows that the various breeds of cats have evolved under the influence of different environments but never of man. Over some time, specific local conditions particularly suited to cat life—for instance, an abundance of mice, changes in temperature in which fur color and length may become a factor, or even social and economic conditions peculiar to the man himself—have led to a modification of the cat.
However, that man has rarely been the direct agent in producing a cat breed, which is best evidenced by the fact that most wild cats found in those same areas are also of corresponding breeds. A breed, a stock, a line of descent—call it what you will—is a convenient term to include all the animals of a particular stock, from whatever cause they may have. It is a matter of common knowledge that different countries are inclined to specialize in various breeds of animals. Some breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and dogs are better adapted than others to the circumstances in which they have to live.
Now and again, it may also happen that some particular breed has undergone a modification mainly due to the influence of man, which originated in the domestication of the animal in question. And this is pre-eminently the case with the domesticated cat. Cats are highly conservative animals and frequently become wild offshoots from a domestic stock; with some certainty, most breeds can return to a wild stock.
Importance of Popular Cat Breeds
Because one in three British households owns a cat and the US has the highest cat population of all (a staggering 76 million), it makes sense that there should be a relatively large number of cat breeds! There are well over 70 cat breeds; some say many more than that. Different registries may vary in terms of the exact numbers. Not all registries will recognize all breeds, and some may remember the same breed under a different name. But as a guide, we look at the most popular cat breeds, which are more likely to be available in your locality. Any less common breeds come with a substantial price tag, and a kitten may require a fair amount of traveling. In contrast, one of the more popular breeds is more likely to be readily available at a cheaper price and possibly just a short drive away.
