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Before you decide

CAT BREEDS AND DESCRIPTIONS
This page: Breeds J through Z
See: Breeds A through H

We'd like to feature your cat on this page. If you have a good (but small) jpg or gif headshot of your cat that you're willing to share with others please let us know. We also invite your brief descriptions of your cat. What is its temperament, personality, traits, etc? We want the good and the bad. Your insights along with your contact email address will serve as a resource for others. Send comments or questions to the staff.

Maine Coon Photo courtesy of Ulrika & Peter Olsson A more playful breed. A better companion. Janet Amidon of Maynetree Maine Coons remarks "Maine Coons are not especially vocal unless in heat. They have very quiet chirpy voices". Good with kids. Easy going. Large sized. Long Coat Minimal grooming required. Long tail. Genetically sound. Marilyn and Scott McBane Catgo Cattery add "They are very adaptable and want to be a member of the family, they like water, and are highly intelligent".

Norwegian Forest Cat Photo and quoted comments courtesy Barbara & Brandy Midura, Ouijakatz Norwegian Forest Cats. A moderately playful breed A better companion. Less vocal. Medium activity level Medium sized. Large sized. Long Coat Minimal grooming required. Long tail. Genetically sound. "Wegies can be talkers with a very distinctive murring sound. They will lose their undercoat in the summer making having a 'wegie' almost like have two different cats! Short haired in the summer, long in the winter."

Oriental Shorthair Mark Delman's Grand Champion Oriental Shorthair. Her registered name is Catbrier Flite O Phoenix of Mar-Sal. Friends call her Phoenix. Photo credit Chanan Photography A more playful breed. A better companion. More vocal. High activity level Good with kids. Medium sized. Short Coat Minimal grooming required. Long tail. Genetically sound.

Persian Photo and comments courtesy Donna DeGroot, Prideomine Persians A moderately playful breed A good companion. Less vocal. Relaxed demeanor. Medium sized. Large sized. Long Coat Long tail. Genetically sound. Kathy Joiner notes, "(Some)Persians require lots of grooming. The hair of some has been referred to as "cotton candy like" and must be groomed often or else the knots and mats become unbearable for the cat and owners (True, fortunately "cotton candy" occurs less than half the time. More often the coat requires less attention-DeGroot) Persians have an occasional health condition referred to as PKD that receives a lot of attention (To follow up on Kathy's thought, one third of all Persians have PKD, and most will live a normal life even if they have it -DeGroot.) On a side note, if it is a show quality Persian with the extreme smooshed nose look, their eyes require daily wiping." (This problem is due not to sinus obstruction but blocked tear ducts that cause the tears to spill oner the eye lid and stain the Fur under the eyes. -DeGroot)

Ragdoll Photo and quoted comments courtesy Marilyn Wagner A moderately playful breed A better companion. Less vocal. Relaxed demeanor. Good with kids. Large sized. Long Coat Minimal grooming required. Long tail. Genetically sound. "Ragdoll...what a funny breed name! Ragdolls should be a large, gentle, affectionate, blue-eyed, pointed (as in Birman/Siamese/Himalayans) breed. You must keep in mind that these characteristics have to be bred for though!"

Scottish Fold Photo courtesy of James & Sheila Dunn of Fold Gently Cattery A moderately playful breed A good companion. Less vocal. (Inconclusive, more data needed) Good with kids. Medium sized. Short Coat Long tail. Fold-to-Fold breedings can produce a percentage of kittens with short, inflexable tails and hindquarter crippling.

Selkirk Rex Photo and additional courtesy of Debra, La Purr'fect Cattery "Above is a young long hair curly black Selkirk Rex male. Blacks often look brown when young. He was only eight months old in this picture. The Selkirk Rex usually go somewhat straight during the fourth to the eight month with curls coming back slowly through each molt until they are two. He has never lost his curls. He loves to be held. His mother looks just like him and is continuing to produce extra curly kittens." A better companion. Good with kids. Medium sized. Short Coat. Long tail. Playful cats, but can be moderately to less active. More inclined to climb than the Folds. They are also a quiet breed. Good companions. Good with kids & dogs. Medium to large in size. They are both short & Long coated. Genetically sound.

Somali Photo and quoted comments courtesy of Bethany T. Tod of Tadofa Somalis. A more playful breed. A better companion. Less vocal. Extroverted, lively, alert. Good with kids. Medium sized. Long Coat Minimal grooming required. Long tail. Genetic problems include renal amyloidosis and Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia. "Somalis are extroverted, lively, alert cats that love to play, love attention, and thrive on human companionship. They are very curious, captivating, and expressive, with alluring personalities. Somalis are intelligent, learn quickly, remember remarkably well, and show a playful sense of humor. They are natural show-offs and born clowns. Somalis have a naturally happy disposition, desire the company of humans, and demand to be treated as one of the family. Somalis are recognized in four colors by the Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. - red, ruddy, blue, and fawn."

Tonkinese Photo courtesy of Linda Vousden (Mymystic Tonkinese, UK) A more playful breed. A better companion. More vocal. Medium activity level Good with kids. Medium sized. Short Coat Long tail. Genetically sound.

Turkish Angora Photo courtesy of Hanny Olsen, Wi'nte Sams Turkish Angora & Turkish Vans A moderately playful breed A better companion. Less vocal. Small sized. Medium sized. Long Coat Minimal grooming required. Long tail. Genetically sound.

Turkish Van Photo and additional comments courtesy of Ulrika & Peter Olsson A very playful breed. An excellent companion. Dr. Karen Hooker, of Pairodocs Turkish Vans, notes "Vans are definitely not vocal. The only time that they are is when they are in season (females) or responding to one (boys). Then they can wake the dead!" (See Karen's site for more information) Medium to large sized. Long Coat. Minimal grooming required. Long tail.