Bat-eared, big-eyed and wavy-coated, the Cornish Rex has a distinctive look and exceptionally silky coat due to not having guard hairs like other breeds. This active cat has a small, whippetlike body and loves to climb, leap and sprint. With kittenlike antics that last a lifetime, this feline likes to be where the action is. The Cornish Rex is perfect for those who want a cat to participate in their family life.

DID YOU KNOW? On July 21, 1950, in Cornwall, England, Nina Ennismore discovered that her domestic British Shorthair, a tortoiseshell-and-white cat named “Serena,” had given birth to a cream-colored male with tight rows of tiny curls that looked like a miniature lamb. Ennismore named the kitten “Kallibunker” and the breed Rex as it resembled the wavy fur of the Astrex rabbits she raised and exhibited.

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
• May require familiarisation before living with children

The Cymric cat breed is solidly built and chunky with a similar body type to the British Shorthair cat breed with large eyes and widely spaced ears. The lack of a tail is the breed's most outstanding feature. Its hind legs are longer than the front legs. The Cymric cat's hair is thick and provides a layer of padding over the main body, adding to the round appearance. A rabbit-like hop can sometimes be seen in Cymric cats because of the spinal deformity, similar to spinabifida, which associated with the taillessness. Cymric cats come in all colours and patterns, except the pointed Siamese cat breed type.

The need-to-know

• Playful and curious cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming every day
• Outdoor cat
• Great family cat

DID YOU KNOW? Originally, it was thought that Devon Rex and Cornish Rex shared the same spontaneous genetic mutation responsible for their curly coats. When breeders realized that the cats had separate genetic variations, the first rexed cats, the Cornish Rex, were referred to as Gene I Rex and the Devon Rex as Gene II Rex.

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
• Needs some out-door space
• May require familiarisation before living with children

DID YOU KNOW? Extremely athletic, the Egyptian Mau has been clocked running more than 48 km/hr, making her the fastest breed of domestic cat. A unique flap of skin extending from the flanks to the back knee gives this breed greater agility and length of stride than other breeds.

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
• Needs some out-door space
• May require familiarisation before living with children

Known as the lazy man’s Persian, the Exotic Shorthair has the body type and easygoing nature of the Persian but without the coat length and need for daily grooming. With her thick, dense, plush short hair and round face, the Exotic Shorthair has a soft teddy bear look. This sweet feline is affectionate and loyal. The breed is athletic, fun-loving, yet also quiet and sensitive.

DID YOU KNOW? Originally the Exotic Shorthair was named Sterling due to the breed’s beautiful silver coat. They later were named Exotic Shorthair because the silver wasn’t a colour previously found in American Shorthairs, making it exotic.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming every week
• Great family cat

One of the oldest cat breeds, the Japanese Bobtail is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. The two coat varieties, longhair and shorthair, are exactly the same except for coat length. This delightfully mischievous feline enjoys a good game of fetch and likes to carry things in her mouth. A healthy breed that lives an average of 15 to 18 years, the Japanese Bobtail is social and particularly good with children.

DID YOU KNOW? In August 1968, Elizabeth Freret, a well-known Abyssinian breeder, imported three Japanese Bobtails to the U.S. These cats became the foundation stock in this country, though the Japanese Bobtail, the national cat breed of Japan, had existed for centuries in the Orient.

The need-to-know

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

The Japanese Bobtail cat has elegant lines and well-developed musculature. The head is finely chiselled with large upright ears and large round eyes set at a pronounced slant. The tail, when carried normally, only extends about 5 to 8 cm. When the cat is relaxed the tail is carried upright. The hair on the tail is generally thicker and longer than elsewhere and grows in all directions to create the effect of a pom-pom or bunny tail. Bobtail cats can be long- or shorthaired. The coat is soft and silky and comes in many colours. The preferred colour in Japan is the tri-colour, or tortie and white (known as Mi-ke), a mixture of black, red and white, which symbolises luck -this colouring is usually found only in females.

The need-to-know

• Playful and curious 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

Khao Manee cats are lithe and muscular with a pure white, short, smooth, close-lying coat. The ears are medium to large and the nose has a gentle curve. The eye colour is the cats' most distinctive attribute and can be anything from blue to amber, yellow or green, or a mixture of blue and any of the other colours. In Thailand the odd- eyed Khao Manee cat is considered to be the best, and is often given as a good luck cat. Sometimes white kittens are born with a small darker mark on the top of the head, which has disappeared by around 1 year of age. This is normal.

The need-to-know

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

A rare Thai breed, the Korat is an affectionate constant companion that is gentle and good with children. Though this cat has an action-packed personality, the Korat moves slowly and cautiously and does not like sudden, loud noises. The breed is said to have extraordinary powers of hearing, scent and sight. The Korat’s silver-tipped blue coat, described in Thailand as rain-cloud gray, has a shimmering effect.

DID YOU KNOW? Discovered in the Korat province of Thailand, the Korat has been cherished in her native Thailand for centuries as a symbol of good fortune. The expressive, oversized eyes of the Korat have an intense gaze that is said to take one’s breath away. The eyes are blue at birth but change to amber with green around the pupil during adolescence and then luminous green in two to four years.

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
• May require familiarisation before living with children

Distinguished by her curly, rippled coat and people-oriented personality, the LaPerm is calm and friendly, yet at other times energetic and inquisitive. This feline thrives on attention and likes to be close to her human companions. Though curious, this breed is content to be a lap cat and close to whatever is going on. The LaPerm blossoms with a loving family.

DID YOU KNOW? The LaPerm coat ranges from wavy to ringlets to long corkscrew curls. Those with longhair have curly plumed tails and a full, curly ruff, and those with shorthair have more texture, no ruff and a bottle-brush type tail. The tightest curls are found on the belly, throat and base of the ears.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Average build cat breed
• Requires grooming every day
• Outdoor cat
• Great family cat

Recognised for having a bushy tail, shaggy coat and tufted ears, the Maine Coon is a hardy breed capable of enduring harsh climates. Referred to as a “gentle giant,” the Maine Coon is a popular companion that is good with children and dogs. This slow-maturing feline does not reach full growth for four or five years, yet is kittenlike well into old age. The Maine Coon loves nature and is particularly fascinated by water.

DID YOU KNOW? In 1985, this all-American breed became the official state cat of Maine.

The need-to-know

• Highly active and inquisitive cat
• Sociable and dependent cat
• Somehow talkative cat
• Larger stockier cat breed
• Requires grooming every day
• Outdoor cat
• Great family cat

The short, round Manx is known as the sprint car of the cat world due to her quick acceleration and turns. This feline has powerful back legs that enable her to jump high. One usually finds a Manx in the tallest perch of a room. This breed likes to retrieve and bury toys, much like a dog, and is fascinated by water. Sweet and affectionate, the Manx is a good family pet. The breed has two coat varieties, longhair and shorthair.

DID YOU KNOW? A very old breed, the Manx is believed to have originated 200 to 300 years ago on the Isle of Man off the coast of England.

The need-to-know

• Playful and curious 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