Regal and highly intelligent, the Abyssinian is best described in one word: busy. Not a lap cat, this insatiably curious breed is always on the move, except when eating or sleeping. A fascinating, gorgeous breed, the Abyssinian is a natural athlete, with a muscular body and no fear of heights. The Aby is an affectionate, loyal, people-oriented companion that is well-suited for families with children older than 6.

DID YOU KNOW? The Abyssinian, one of the oldest cat breeds, was named for cats exhibited in shows in England in the late 1800s that were thought to have come from Abyssinia, the former Ethiopia.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Friendly but independent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Outdoor cat
• Great family cat

As its name suggests, it's the coat that characterises this American Wirehair cat breed. The American Wirehair is on the large size and has a harsh, springy and wiry coat - each short-to-medium hair is thin and crimped, or hooked. The whiskers are often curly. The full extent of the 'wiring' only becomes apparent when the cat is mature; American Wirehair kittens that appear to have very curly coats when they are young can grow up into merely wavy, rather than wiry adults, and vice versa. They come in all sorts of colours, patterns and markings.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Friendly but independent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Outdoor cat
• Great family cat

Asian cats have long medium-sized, quite muscular bodies and a tail that tapers to a rounded tip. Female Asian cats are much smaller and daintier than males. The head is wedge shaped with a gently rounded dome, medium sized wide-set ears and large eyes with a silvery rim. The coat, which can look like watered silk, is short, fine and lies close to the body. A wide range of colours and patterns are available in this group.

The need-to-know

• Playful and curious cat
• Friendly but independent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Lean and elegant cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Needs some out-door space
• Great family cat

Australian Mist cats are a medium-sized shorthaired breed, with a round head and large, expressive eyes in a range of greens. There is nothing extreme about Australian Mist cats - they are of moderate size and medium boned with a friendly face. The coat has a pale background with some ticking which seems to give it a misted look, as well as a pattern of fine spots or marbled swirls, with legs and tail ringed and barred, and the face lined. Australian Mist cats come in seven colours: brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, gold and peach.

The need-to-know

• Playful and curious cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming everyday
• Needs some out-door space
• Great family cat
   

The Balinese cat is a beautiful elegant medium-sized cat breed with the same long svelte lines as the Siamese. The body is slender and graceful and the head has a straight profile with large ears which may have tufts. It has a fine, silky flowing coat which can be from one to several centimetres long and lies flat against the body. The tail is long and plumed with much longer hair. Th Balinese cat has no woolly undercoat and so it is classed officially as 'semi-longhaired'. The eyes are bright blue and oriental in shape and setting. The coat features the same coloured points (ears, face, legs, feet and tail) and mask as the Siamese. In the USA Balinese-type cats with additional markings to those accepted for the Balinese are known as Javanese.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Friendly but independent cat
• Very talkative cat
• Lean and elegant cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Outdoor cat
• May require familiarisation before living with children

The regal beauty and alluring charm of the Bengal make this feline one of the most popular breeds. Its richly coloured, highly contrasted coat of vivid spots or distinctive marbling, similar to jungle cats, is stunning. A docile, civilised house cat, the Bengal enjoys playing, chasing, climbing, and investigating. This breed is affectionate and adores being wherever you are.

DID YOU KNOW? The Bengal, which takes its name from the scientific name for Asian Leopard Cat, Priionailurus bengalensis, is the only domestic cat that has rosettes like the markings on leopards, jaguars and ocelots.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Friendly but independent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Lean and elegant cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Outdoor cat
• May require familiarisation before living with children

With her marvelous, social personality, the Birman doesn’t like being the only animal in the house. She is active and playful but quiet if you are busy. This healthy, long-lived breed has an outstanding semi-long silky coat that does not mat and a luxurious, long bottle-brush tail. Brilliant blue, almost-round eyes are prominent features of her sweet expression.

DID YOU KNOW?: A cat of mystery and legend, the Birman was the sacred cat of Burma, believed to be the companions of the priests of the temple.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming everyday
• Needs some out-door space
• Great family cat

A people-oriented breed, the Bombay enthusiastically greets visitors. This easygoing feline is sweet, affectionate and curious. The Bombay enjoys playing fetch, going for leash walks and inventing entertainment. This breed is known for its beautiful gold to copper eyes and short, flat, gleaming coat that accentuates a solid, muscular body. A devoted companion, the Bombay gets along well with children and other pets.

DID YOU KNOW? The Bombay was developed by breeder Nikki Horner of Louisville, Ky. Through a long process of careful selection, she consistently produced a hybrid black cat that combines the easygoing temperament of the American Shorthair and the social, inquisitive, lap-loving character of the Burmese.

The need-to-know

• Calm cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Needs some out-door space
• Great family cat

The British Shorthair is affectionate without being clingy and enjoys curling up beside you rather than being a lap cat. The Brit is a healthy, hardy feline that matures slowly in three to five years. Playful, alert and intelligent, this cat loves children. Though reserved with strangers, this breed quickly warms up when love is given in return. The British Shorthair is compact, well-balanced and powerful, with a short, dense, plush coat.

DID YOU KNOW? The oldest English cat breed, the British Shorthair traces its ancestry to the domestic cat of Rome. Originally a working cat used to control rodents, the breed eventually was appreciated for its beauty, strength and loyal companionship.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Outdoor cat
• Great family cat

An extremely people-oriented breed, the Burmese is frisky and mischievous well into adulthood. Craving close contact, she loves to cuddle in warm laps. With an almost doglike personality, the Burmese can be taught to retrieve. This breed is good with children and tolerates cat friendly dogs. Having a short, satinlike coat and compact body, this cat has large, expressive eyes that are one of the breed’s endearing traits.

DID YOU KNOW? The Burmese originated from cats that came from the Malay Peninsula of Southeast Asia, where these highly prized felines were the personal pets of the head priest. Referred to as “Rajah” cats, they were loved and honored by old Burmese kings.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Very talkative cat
• Lean and elegant cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Outdoor cat
• Great family cat

The Burmilla cat breed is of medium build, similar to Burmese cats, with a sturdy, well muscled body and a strong straight back. The female is much smaller and daintier than the male. The head has a gently rounded dome, a wedge shaped muzzle and wide set ears. The expressive eyes may be any colour from gold through to green. The coat is short and close lying with a pale undercoat and even 'tipping' (darker colour at the tip of the hairs) over the rest of the body and a distinct 'M' marking on the forehead.

The need-to-know

• Playful and curious cat
• Friendly but independent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming once a week
• Needs some out-door space
• Great family cat

The Chinchilla cat comes in one colour - white with green eyes. It has a broad head with small wide-set ears and a short open face. The eyes are large and round with brilliant colour. Although the Chinchilla cat tends to be more finely boned than most Persian cats, its legs are still fairly short, thick and strong. The tail is short and bushy. The coat is long, thick and luxuriant with a dense, soft undercoat.

The need-to-know

• Calm cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Quiet cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming everyday
• Needs some out-door space
• May require familiarisation before living with children