How many cat breeds are there? How many cat breeds are there in the world?

The ancestor of all known breeds is the steppe species, which was domesticated 12 thousand years ago. Since then, the number of domestic cats has grown exponentially. In the world community, felinological organizations have been formed that group felines into breeds according to certain criteria that take into account the quality and color of the coat, body type and patterns.

Holding exhibitions

International felinological organizations hold cat exhibitions to exchange experience in breeding, identifying and fixing new breeds.
The first such exhibition was held in 1871 in England. Even then, those who came to the event had a question: how many breeds of cats are there in the world? Their number is difficult to count. There is no fixed figure in any association of felinologists. The most prestigious organizations that set standards include, in addition to the above, CFF, TICA and FIFe. These organizations have a different number of breed names in the lists they develop. Most likely, not many domestic cats can boast that their breed belongs to one or another international list.

International felinological organizations hold cat exhibitions to exchange experience in breeding, identifying and fixing new breeds. The first such exhibition was held in 1871 in England. Even then, those who came to the event had a question: how many breeds of cats are there in the world? Their number is difficult to count. There is no fixed figure in any association of felinologists.

It's impossible to count

The main work of clubs and nurseries is to improve the cat's appearance, coat color, character, etc. In rare cases, they develop new breeds or color variations, but the last word, according to them, always lies with a large “cat” organization, which prescribes and sets the standard . The most prestigious are WCF, CFS, CFF, TICA and FIFe.

Each organization develops its own list, which includes a different number of breed names. Many cats are unlikely to boast a place on this list - it only contains selected purrs who have proven with their health, appearance, temperament and other qualities that they are valuable to the cat world.

It is very difficult to count the number of breeds - there is no fixed figure. It may be approved in one organization, but not in another.

After some time, the same breed may be excluded from the list or move to another category.

Another difficulty is the classification of the breed. For example, some organizations recognize the Himalayan cat separately, while others consider it a subspecies of Persian cats. Thus, everyone has their own system - one cat organization classifies mustachioed beauties by coat type, the second takes into account body type, and the third - origin. Therefore, to accurately answer the question - how many cat breeds can exist on the globe? - very hard.

The approximate number of mustachioed purrs to which the word “thoroughbred” can be applied ranges from 80 to 120 individuals, but subspecies should also be added to this number.

Main types of cats

The main breeds originated from ancient ancestors, who were not always eminent. Breeders took them as a basis and, by crossing species, breed exotic pets. The foundation of the cat world are the following breeds:

• Scottish;
• Angora;
• American bobtail;
• Siamese;
• Bengali;
• Siberian;
• Egyptian Mau;
• European Shorthair;
• sphinx;
• Abyssinian;
• American Curl;
• British.

Description of the main breeds

The main types of cats were derived from the earliest, but not always the most widespread, breeds. And now breeders continue to experiment with these species, achieving new results.

These cat species have become the main ones that most breeders around the world work with, seeking to constantly expand the directories of cat breeds.

Organizations of felinologists

A very difficult question that is not easy to answer: “How many are there in the world?” First you need to figure out how a new breed appears, who can breed it, how and by whom is it registered? A purebred cat has its own pedigree, issued by the club of lovers of these animals, which is part of the professional organization of felinologists. Catteries that breed purebred cats must be registered with professional organizations.

There are a huge number of associations of felinologists in the world, and all of them, in fulfilling their duties, work at the international level. Each association has an excellent reputation and experience in breeding purebred cats. For example, there are the authoritative European association WorldCatFederation (WCF) and the American The CatFanciers' Association (CFA). Each has a list of recognized breeds, but their number is difficult to record.

Stories of the appearance of purebred cats

Cat breeds appeared thanks to the selective work of people, but certain species arose due to gene mutations. There are also native breeds of pets, that is, those that appeared in isolated areas, they are classified as naturally formed breeds:

• Siberian;
• Angora;
• Thai.

Some breeds are hybrid. They arose as a result of the mating of wild and domestic individuals. The Bengal cat is usually classified as a hybrid cat; Asian leopard wild cats and domesticated pets participated in the creation of the breed.

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Russian Aboriginal cats

Cats spread across the East European Plain almost simultaneously with the settlement of Slavic tribes. As soon as the Eastern Slavs had cities, cats settled in them. Some of the ancient aboriginal breeds in Rus' include the Russian Blue and Siberian cats. The development of such a science as felinology contributed to the emergence of new breeds that appealed not only to people located in the post-Soviet space, but also abroad.

In Russia, two breeds of hairless cats were bred at once - the Sphynx: Donskoy and Peterbald, and Ukrainian breeders bred another species - the Ukrainian Levkoy. In addition, there were:

1. Skif-tay-toy-don. This breed was bred in Rostov-on-Don. The name is quite symbolic, if we consider that Scythia is the land on which the Rostov region is now located. Don is a river in the same territory. Toy is a toy that indicates the dwarfism of cats of this breed. Thai - Thai state (Thailand), cats have some similarities with the Thai breed of short-tailed pets. Later, a pair of Russian kittens ended up in an American nursery, after which the breeders came up with a new name - toybob, which translated means toy bobtail, that is, a small pet with a stubby tail.
2. The Karelian Bobtail breed standard was first described by the St. Petersburg Commission in 1987. The short tail of the Karelian Bobtail is a dominant mutation that is passed on to generations of animals inhabiting the lands of Karelia. According to one version, the breed originates from Norwegian forest animals. Breed standards allow two subspecies – shorthaired and semi-longhaired. The tail is quite short - from 4 to 13 cm, the hair on it is longer than on the body.
3. The Kurilian Bobtail differs from the previous breed in size. The Kurils are more massive, heavier and more muscular than the Karelians. Representatives of the Kuril breed have a curved back, while Karelians have a straight back, with a raised rear. The Kurilian Bobtail's tail is more broken and curved than its Karelian counterpart. The name Kurilian Bobtail indicates the place of origin of the breed. The Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and Sakhalin are the distribution area of ​​short-tailed pets. Pets were identified as a separate breed around the 80s of the last century. In 1995 the breed was recognized by the WCF, in 2004 by the FIFe, and in 2012 by the American TICA.
4. The Ural Rex is a native Russian pet with curly hair. The history of the breed begins with the curly-haired pet Vaska, born in the Sverdlovsk region in 1988. Babies of this breed already at 3 months are distinguished by a semi-closed curl of hair. The waviness is clearly visible in six-month-old kittens, but the curl, characteristic specifically for Ural pets, appears in cats older than 2 years. The breed is considered rare, and its representatives are common only in the Sverdlovsk and Yekaterinburg territories. Curly-haired pets are bred not only in Russia, but also in Germany.
5. The Neva Masquerade has blue eyes, long hair and a pointed coat, which makes it similar to the Siamese. Felinologists in Russia are breeding the Neva breed. These pets belong to the subspecies of the Siberian cat. Historical information about the breed dates back to the end of the 20th century. The breed has been officially recognized by some international organizations. The name of the breed was invented by St. Petersburg breeders. Nevskaya - by the name of the river on which St. Petersburg is located, and masquerade - by the interesting color of the fur on the face, reminiscent of a masquerade mask.
6. The Ussuri Shorthair supposedly originates from Siberian cats accidentally crossed with wild Amur cats. Ussuri pets have not yet been recognized by major international associations. There are very few representatives of the Ussuri, which is why the breed is on the verge of extinction.

Also watch the video of where domestic cats and cats came from:

Characteristics of cat breeds

Each breed has its own characteristics, behavior, and habits. Of course, almost all cats can be raised and trained, gradually adapting to the rules established by humans. However, some people get used to it easier, while others require a lot of work. It depends on the character.

The most affectionate cats

Affectionate breeds of cats are very loved by their owners for their tenderness and purring; they happily greet a person from work, lie on their laps for a long time or wake them up by purring softly in the ear. Such displays of love, and sometimes even care, can be expected from the following breeds:

• bambino;
• British Longhair;
• Burmese;
• Nibelung;
• chausie;
• Chartreuse (Carthusian);
• ragamuffin.

These breeds have a soft, calm character, and sometimes even phlegmatic. Even a small child can play with them without fear of getting scratched. And manifestations of aggression are completely atypical for them and rather an exception to the rule.

Bambino cat. British blue longhair cat.

Burmese cat.

Nibelung cat. Chausie cat.

Ragamuffin cat. Carthusian Chartreuse cat.

Cats similar in character to dogs

Sometimes it is difficult for a family to get a dog for a number of reasons, but it is worth looking for cats with similar characters and habits. They have a proud, independent disposition, are loyal, and very affectionate. Among these, it is worth highlighting the Bengal one. In terms of the degree of love and affection for their owner, they can compete with the smartest dogs. The Tonkinese cat has the same features.

Bengal cat. Tonkinese cat.

A Turkish Angora dog may notice. She will become a real four-legged friend. She likes to communicate with a person, play with him, even dog games, she is very talkative. They are well trained and follow commands. Usually, among all family members, they distinguish their owner, which makes them very similar to dogs.

Black and white Angora cat.

Savannah can also be a good substitute for a small dog; they like to spend a lot of time outside. Savannah is a mixture of an ordinary domestic cat and a serval, so do not forget about the complex character, which is explained by the presence of wild animal genes.

Savannah plays ball.

The most evil and harmful cat breeds

Typically, a person who wants to get a cat at home wants to see an affectionate pet purring gently on his lap. However, for some cat breeds, this behavior is the exception to the rule. It’s difficult to call them unequivocally evil. Rather, a peculiar character is taken for malice. Difficult temperament and natural harmfulness are most often observed in the following:

• Siamese;
• Mekong Bobtail;
• savannah.

These cats look like cute fluffy creatures, but sometimes the aggressive habits of their distant wild ancestors awaken in them. Sometimes it is difficult for a person to cope with such animals. You should definitely not leave small children alone with them, as they may cause scratches or bites. Neighborhood with domestic rodents and birds can also end badly - the hunter’s instinct will push the animal to go after easy prey.

Top 5 smartest cat breeds

There are a variety of intelligence ratings, one of the most interesting was presented by the Animal Planet TV channel. Journalists, together with scientists, studied the mental abilities of many breeds, and based on the analysis, the smartest cats were determined.

• Sphinx. These cats are able to sense the mood of their owner, are well trained and with effort, they can be taught even complex commands. You should not punish these pets; they have a very sensitive and vulnerable psyche and can become stressed or depressed.
• Siamese-oriental group. This includes Balinese, Bengal, Siamese and other Southeast Asian breeds.
• Munchkin. One of the smallest breeds, but its miniature size harmoniously merges with great mental abilities. These cats are very playful, curious, and affectionate. One of their peculiarities is the desire to hide the objects he likes in secluded places in the apartment.
• Norwegian forest. They have large size, good character, and developed intelligence.
• Maine Coon. The adult individual has an easy-going character, is active and very intelligent.

Such ratings are conditional in nature, since any breed has its “smart guys” and “bad students.” The mental abilities of a yard mongrel cat, whose upbringing has been given a lot of attention from an early age, can significantly exceed its eminent counterparts.

Don Sphynx kittens.

Oriental cat. Munchkin cat.

Norwegian Forest Cat kittens. Maine Coon cats.

Which cats are the best mousecatchers?

Experts consider outbred cats to be the best hunters. This is fair, since hunting ensures their existence. Genes provide continuity of hunting instincts, as well as physical strength and endurance.

As for purebred cats, it is worth paying attention to aboriginal breeds that were formed by natural conditions, that is, without human intervention in these processes. The Kurilian Bobtail, Russian Blue, and Maine Coon are especially distinguished by their developed skills. Oriental cats, Abyssinians, Thais, and Siamese have good ability to catch mice.

Russian blue cat breed.

Abyssinian cat.

Thai cat color.

Wild cats

It is also impossible to determine how many cats are in the wild on planet Earth. Their representatives live on all continents except Antarctica. Some species have fully adapted to being close to humans. Thus, the lynx totals about a million individuals in the world. But some cat populations are dying out before our eyes, despite constant offspring, and therefore it is difficult to say exactly how many cats there are on earth. This is due to human activity and environmental degradation.

There is such data on endangered species.

• lion - currently lives less than 20 thousand;
• cheetah - less than 15 thousand;
• tiger - no more than 6 thousand;
• Asian leopard - approximately 100 individuals;
• snow leopard - a snow leopard with the most beautiful fur in the world - less than 100 individuals;
• white lion - several dozen.

This is interesting: The structure of a cat's paw

Germany (7.75 million cats)

Monument to stray cats in Braunschweig.

Germans love their cats. This is evidenced by data on the number of cats in the country, which is estimated to be about 7.75 million individuals.

The Germans have a great love for cats and strive to surround their pets with comfort, buying them the best dry food, special premium canned food, comfortable beds and claw scratchers in the form of complex trees, and they spend a lot of money on maintaining their pets. German cats are particularly well-groomed; often on the streets of Germany you can see owners walking with their pets on a leash.

However, according to recent government reports, the number of stray cats in Germany is also rapidly increasing, and there are now millions of abandoned animals in the country.

Free-roaming of unneutered cats is the main reason for the steady increase in the stray cat population.

In 2014, the Germans estimated that stray cats caused €500,000 worth of damage to urban green spaces (including trees and flowers) in one year.

However, after a nationwide survey, the German authorities were forced to impose a ban on the destruction of stray animals and limited themselves to introducing strict restrictions on the free walking of domestic cats on the streets of the country.

The population of Germany in 2022 is about 81,200,000 people.

Classifications

The main classifications of cat species are divided according to 4 main criteria:

• by physique;
• by coat;
• by color;
• according to the drawing.

By physique

According to this parameter, cats are divided into 6 main groups:

• Animals with a powerful physique (heavy type). These include the largest representatives. They have the thickest and strongest tail, powerful stable paws and a large short neck. Typical representatives are Maine Coons or Siberian cats.
• Kobby (stocky). They have a dense and stocky build. The skeleton is characterized by a wide chest, a large head with a short and wide nose is placed on a shortened neck, which sometimes seems almost absent. Usually the paws are not very high, and the tail is short with a blunt end. An example would be exotics or Manx.
• Oriental. They have a graceful structure with high paws. There is a graceful neck and a narrow long tail. The head and muzzle are always tapered towards the nose. Typical Orientals are Javanese and Balinese cats, as well as Siamese cats.

• Foreign. Flexible body with pronounced muscles. High paws and long tail, wedge-shaped head, oval or almond-shaped eyes. Ears may be elongated. The Abyssinians serve as an example.
• Semi-foreign. Those with average parameters are more common than others. Representatives are American Shorthairs or Russian Blues.
• Half-cobby. Slightly stockier breeds than the previous type. A typical representative is the British Shorthair.

By coat

According to this parameter, cat breeds are divided into 5 varieties:

• long-haired with hair up to 15 cm long (Burmese, Siberian, Persian cats);
• shorthair (Egyptian Mau, Chartreuse, Russian Blue);
• curly coat (German Rex, Cornish Rex);
• Wirehaired (American Wirehair);
• without wool (Ukrainian Levkoy, Bambino, Sphynx).

By color

There are a huge number of colors, but they are all divided into the following main types:

• single-color (korat, havana);
• two-color (Norwegian forest, ragdoll);
• motley (color-point, angora);
• with specks (Persian chinchilla or American shorthair cat);
• multi-colored or tortoiseshell (bobtail, sphinx, Persian).

According to the drawing

The main variants of patterns that form the breed:

• solid pattern (red, black, brown, gray, etc. breeds);
• zonal color (striped, marbled or spotted tabby);
• white spotting (mostly a whole color with spots of different colors);
• solid white;
• color-point (light body and dark limbs);
• silver (smoky, silver, chinchilla and cameo).

Some of the drawings can be viewed in the gallery:

Italy (9.5 million cats)

While Italy's beloved domestic cats enjoy plenty of perks, stray cats are not far behind. They are allowed to roam freely through the streets of the country under the admiring gaze of their two-legged admirers; Italy has a large number of shelters that do not kill wild and stray cats.

One of the most famous sanctuaries in Italy is the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, located in Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome, where a large number of stray cats of different breeds take the opportunity to stop by to eat and rest before continuing their free lives.

The country also has a large number of Le Gattares - groups of female cat lovers in cities and towns across Italy who are custodians of feral and stray cat populations in their communities. They have special responsibility for feeding and caring for these animals.

The number of domestic cats in Italy is about 9.5 million.

The population of Italy in 2022 was 60,599,936 people.

Main breeds

Basic breeds are not always the most common and well-known; many ordinary people have never even heard of them. These include:

1. The Angora is the “mother” of most long-haired breeds. Features of the representatives are the presence of thick hair on the neck, visually reminiscent of a collar, and the complete absence of undercoat.
2. American Curl - ears are the hallmark of the breed, allowing it to be distinguished from other cat varieties. The ears curl inwards and can be bent at different angles. Feature – the auricle is covered with thick fluff. These cats are very mobile and active, retaining their playfulness until old age.
3. The Egyptian Mau is the oldest breed of cat. On the head between the ears, a pattern in the form of the letter “W” is clearly visible on the fur. The eyes of this breed are unusual - they are framed with a black line, as if lined with a pencil or eyeliner.
4. European with a short coat - the formation of this breed took place without much human intervention. These animals are very similar, both in appearance and in their genotype, to yard cats.
5. Scottish - the breed includes 2 subspecies: fold-eared and straight-eared. The basic one is lop-eared, from which the second subspecies was obtained through prolonged selection. This was achieved through genetic experiments, in which it was possible to isolate the gene responsible for the process of regression of ear cartilage.
6. British - are divided into 2 subspecies: long-haired and short-haired (basic breed). The peculiarity of individuals is their coat - it is rightfully considered ideal, it is very easy to care for, shedding is practically absent or goes unnoticed.
7. Siamese – This breed is the basis for many types of cats. Siamese have a very beautiful color that is characteristic of them. Representatives are distinguished by their peaceful, friendly character.
8. Sphynx - the breed is strikingly different from other species in the absence of hair due to underdeveloped cover. Character – peaceful, affectionate. The lack of fur forces these cats to always be near heat sources.
9. Siberian - has thick wool, formed under the influence of the cold climate in which representatives of the breed lived. Cats have a well-developed hunting instinct; they are especially bright in hunting mice and rats.
10. Bengal - the coat color is predominantly white. Animals with spotting are less common. The breed is distinguished by the fact that its representatives live both among people and in the wild.
11. The American Bobtail differs from other species in having a tail that is unusual for cats - it is short and very fluffy. The breed has 2 subspecies: short-haired and long-haired.
12. Abyssinian – the name of the breed originally sounded like “rabbit cat”. The coat pattern resembles the color of wild rabbits. The body is elegant, with well-developed muscles. The character is very peaceful and friendly.

Breeders work with these main breeds to develop new types of cats.

Losses on the way to recognition

Here we finally return to our original question, how many cat breeds are there in the world? The fact is that each of the felinological organizations has its own approach to the recognition and assessment of the breed. One may recognize this or that breed, another may distinguish it as a variety of some other breed, and a third may not recognize it at all. For example, the WCF currently recognizes about 78 breeds, while the CFA only recognizes 42 breeds.

How many cat breeds are there?

However, if we consider not only the breeds recognized by felinological organizations, then in fact, there will be much more of them - over 100. The fact is that despite the fact that felinology has a long history, it still remains a hobby, and there are a huge number of enthusiastic breeders who now and then begin to breed new breeds at their own risk. After they manage to get at least some result, they declare their success. But what happens to the breed next is a big question.

Any new breed needs a fairly long period of development until standard animals with pronounced breed characteristics are born in each litter. In addition, this breed must become in demand and withstand competition with other similar ones.

Not everyone manages to go this route, and many breeds exist only nominally, and their breeding is supported by rare enthusiasts. Examples include the Levkoy, Ural Rex, Anatolian cat and many others. It seems that they exist, and on the Internet you will even find their detailed description and standard, but kittens of this breed are very difficult to buy, and you will not see them at major exhibitions. It is difficult to say whether they should be considered breeds in the full sense of the word.

Only a cat that has a pedigree can be considered a truly purebred animal.

Pedigrees are issued by special clubs of cat lovers. Clubs unite into felinological organizations. Each nursery of purebred cats must be registered with one or more such organizations.

It is important to understand the difference between a club and an association of felinologists. Clubs and nurseries are mainly engaged in breeding animals, improving their breed qualities - exterior, color, character. Sometimes they introduce new breeds or color variations, but they must be approved by the large organization to which the club belongs

Sometimes they introduce new breeds or color variations, but they must be approved by the large organization to which the club belongs.

These large organizations determine which breeds can be recognized as existing and how cats belonging to them are assessed. All parameters that the animal must meet are also described by felinological associations. In addition, they are in charge of all cat shows, the time and order of their holding.

The difficulty lies in the fact that there are not one or two such organizations - there are many of them.

In addition to a dozen international ones that enjoy honor and respect in any country, there are also many small, “homemade” associations that base their work mainly on deceiving newcomers. Therefore, it is better for nurseries and buyers to cooperate with well-known associations.

This is why it is difficult to unambiguously answer the question of how many cat breeds exist in the world - each association has its own views on this, its own list of recognized breeds.

If we talk about the most prestigious organizations, the WCF has about 70 cat breeds, and the CFA has a little more than forty

. In addition, there is a significant difference in the colors of different breeds, of which there are more recognized in some places and fewer in others.

The emergence of new breeds is a labor-intensive task, since it is necessary not only to achieve stability of the acquired characteristics, but also to wait for recognition in prestigious cat associations, and they are distinguished by a certain conservatism. Oddly enough, it is the American systems that turn out to be more strict in this matter, although in other respects they keep up with the times.

Unfortunately, playing on human gullibility and lack of information, many scammers pass off ordinary yard cats as true aristocrats. For example, they offer to buy “a kitten of the rarest color - Abyssinian platinum.” If you decide to get a truly purebred pet, first carefully study the standards, make sure you can distinguish a purebred animal from a fake.

Of course, love is not measured by the purity of blood, but by buying so-called kittens of a rare breed (but in fact, a non-existent one), you support scammers who, without hesitation, throw unsold kittens into the trash heap, and continue this conveyor belt of death for their own benefit.

A real breeder who is passionate about his business takes care of his pets, monitors their lives in their new homes, and is always ready to give advice and help. Such people are busy doing a wonderful job - they improve breeds and create new ones, delighting all cat lovers.

The Global Footprint Network estimates that there are about 600 million small cats in the world. This includes domestic cats, stray cats and feral cats. There are about 100 million wild cat species alone, which means there are about 500 million domestic and stray cats on Earth.

All over the world, cats are the most popular pets. With the exception of Antarctica, they are found on all continents and most islands of the planet. Depending on the source of classification, there are between 39 and 49 breeds of domestic cat.

More than 10,000 years ago in the Middle East, the first domesticated cats helped people control pests. The ancestors of the domestic cat began to live near people, feeding on human enemies such as. During the 1940s, cats became full-fledged pets, and cat litter was invented to provide a complete transition to their new role.

Cats are considered the most common domesticated animals. Indeed, there are so many of them that each person can choose the right cat for themselves. They are all unique and amazing creatures. For any color, size, with or without fur... Many people are interested in the question, how many breeds of cats exist in the whole world?

Japan (7.25 million cats)

Since ancient times, the Japanese have had such a loving relationship with cats that these animals have often become major characters in Japanese art and literature.

The country even has its own "Cat Island", namely Tashirojima Island (more commonly called simply Tashiro), which is actually part of Ishinomaki City (Tashirojima Island in Ishinomaki City), where cats thrive in large numbers and can often be found in boating port of the city (since fishermen share their catch with them every day).

This island also has a cat temple, Neko-jinja, where locals worship cats in the hope that they will bring good luck.

Pensioners whose average age exceeds 70 years still live on the “cat islands.” Young people left the islands long ago, moving to large cities. And on the islands cats have no enemies, since there are no dogs there at all.

Another paradise for cats in Japan is Aoshima Island, in Shikoku, where the ratio of cats to people is almost 100:15! These islands are also popular destinations for cat lovers from all over the world. And tourists try their best to feed the growing colonies of cats; many come to communicate and photograph the cats more than once.

In addition, growing cat populations thrive on the streets of Japan's cities and towns, and large numbers of Japanese people own cats as pets.

In many major Japanese cities and towns, cat salons, cat cafes (where people unable to keep cats at home enjoy interacting with animals while relaxing over a cup of coffee) and pet stores (offering a huge range of cat-themed products) abound ).

One of the most popular souvenirs and symbols of Japan are figurines of “calling cats” - Maneki-neko, which bring good luck and wealth.

Recent estimates place the total cat population in Japan at about 7.25 million.

The population of Japan as of 2022 is approximately 126,500,000.

Bengal cat

The breed was created by crossing a domestic cat with a wild leopard cat. The Bengal cat is large, slender, very muscular, with a thick, low tail. The wild appearance is enhanced by the characteristic thick spotted or marbled hair coat. She has a wide head, small ears, and almond-shaped eyes with a black border. The tail is thick, tapering with a black tip. No other breed of cat has such shiny golden-pearl fur (shine effect) as Bengal cats. These beauties get very used to their caregivers. They love human company, as well as children. Bengal cats get along well with other animals. They are smart and active.

Kittens should get enough nutrients and vitamins in their food. Then the animal grows and gains weight gradually. After a week of life, the weight doubles, and after a month it slows down a little. Until the age of 2, the kitten only grows, and weight gain actually stops.

UK (7.75 million cats)

The majority of households in the UK own cats, and UK animal welfare laws are among the most advanced in the world.

And the galaxy of famous cats performing the duties of mousecatchers at the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street in London (including the famous cat Larry) is the object of close attention of cat lovers in different countries.

However, the UK also has a large population of stray cats.

According to statistics, 85% of kittens in England are born unplanned. As a result, government costs for maintaining cat shelters are increasing - from $3.1 million in 2010 to $4.0 million in 2013. Over the past few years, more than 30,000 cats have ended up in UK shelters, creating a “cat crisis” in the region. It is believed that spaying cats before pregnancy is the best preventative measure to combat this problem.

How many cat breeds are there in the world?

Many cat lovers are interested in the question: how many cat breeds are there in the world? It is not easy to answer. The debate on this matter does not subside even for a minute!

Before answering the question about cat breeds, you should figure out who is responsible for registering the pedigree of fluffy and graceful pets, who is responsible for the breed standard, for the name, monitors the legality of their breeding and who can be proud of the breeding of a new breed. Not everyone can cross two different representatives of the cat family and become the author of a new breed.

A purebred cat is a cat that has a pedigree and all the relevant documents. All pedigrees can be issued only by professional organizations of fellinologists. And nurseries for breeding purebred cats must register with such organizations.

There are clubs of the association of fellinologists that carry out their duties: in the clubs they breed purebred cats, improve color, exterior, character, breed new breeds, and the associations register everything that happens.

Each association of fellinologists determines which breed should exist and which should not, and which breed certain cats should be classified as. Also, employees of fellinological organizations establish all the animal parameters that cats must comply with. Cat shows around the world are organized only with the knowledge of fellinological associations, which approve the procedure and time.

The only drawback of such associations is that there are a huge number of them and each has the right to fulfill its duties. All of them work internationally, have an excellent reputation and experience in the cat industry. There are also many small organizations that, taking advantage of the inexperience of newcomers, breed “new breeds” and make money from it. It is beneficial for nurseries to have the support of well-known world associations so that every buyer can verify the authenticity of all documents for a kitten.

The European association WorldCatFederation (WCF), which has many years of experience, is considered the most authoritative; the Americans have The CatFanciers' Association (CFA), whose opinion is taken into account by many other organizations. Each of these organizations has its own list of recognized breeds, so it is difficult to ascertain the number of cat breeds.

The WCF has more than 70 recognized cat breeds, while the CFA has more than 40, and each breed has a different coat color, paw length, tail size, etc.

Breeding a new breed of cat requires a lot of time, money and confidence in your business. The new breed must have all the necessary parameters, meet all standards and, most importantly, receive the approval of the most prestigious cat associations. Workers of fellinological associations have their own views on the breeding of new breeds, the severity of which does not please everyone.

With the development of modernity, all organizations have “copies”, that is, organizations that were created by scammers to scam ignorant people out of money. The work of such authorities is to sell simple yard cats, but with false documents about the breed. To avoid getting hooked by scammers, you need to study everything about the breed before purchasing: standards, color, sizes and other features. It is knowledge that will help distinguish a real purebred cat from an ordinary one.

The aristocratic origin of cats can be checked in the association of fellinologists. By purchasing an animal from an unverified organization, you become an unwitting participant in the breeding of “pedigreed cats” and those kittens that could not be snatched in are simply thrown out onto the street and they begin to breed a “new breed”. Fraudsters make a lot of money from gullible citizens!

To breed a new breed of cats, you need to know a lot, have a love not only for cats, but for all animals, be able to care for them, and even after the sale, be interested in the living conditions in the new home, and help in their future life. All cat breeders and cattery owners have the great happiness of watching how the cutest creatures on the planet are born and grow! To make sure of the number of existing cat breeds, try to visit exhibitions more often and read scientific literature!

What does "thoroughbred" mean?

When a cat is said to be a purebred cat, it is said to have a pedigree, which is an official document provided by the club. The club must be a member of one of the international organizations. A pedigree cat meets a certain standard - it has generally accepted parameters (height, weight, appearance features, etc.) characteristic of this species. However, it changes from time to time.

In addition to the essential characteristics of the species that must be met, the standard describes disqualifying characteristics. This is a list of shortcomings in both appearance and health to which representatives of the breed are susceptible. The presence of disqualifying characteristics listed in the sample deprives a person of the right to engage in breeding due to the high risk of genetic inheritance of defects in subsequent generations.

Breed classification

Each international organization of felinologists works with its own classification. For example, some organizations consider the Himalayan cat to be a species of a certain breed, while others classify it as a subspecies of the Persian. In this regard, there are disagreements on such an issue as the classification of cats.

Felinologists from various international organizations classify animals based on the priorities that they consider dominant

So, one takes into account the type of coat, the other - the body type, the third - the origin. There can be a lot of such classifications

Therefore, to answer the question - how many cat breeds are there in the world? - difficult.

The most popular breeds:

• Himalayan;
• Persian;
• Angora;
• Siberian;
• Abyssinian;
• Thai;
• British;
• Ukrainian Levkoy;
• sphinx;
• Norwegian forest;
• Maine Coon.

Why is it so difficult to say how many cat breeds there are in the world? The thing is that there are a lot of organizations of felinologists. And only a small number of them work according to the same classification. That is, different associations define breed standards differently. For example, one organization believes that the Himalayan cat is a separate breed, while another classifies it as a subspecies of the Persian. And there can be many such examples.

In general, the dominant standards that people pay attention to first are:

• coat type;
• body features;
• origin.

The easiest way to determine a cat's breed is by its fur. It can be either long or short, or even absent altogether. The first include Angora, Persian and Siberian cats. They need regular grooming because their fur is really long and thick.

The most famous shorthair cats are British, Abyssinian and Thai. Caring for them is much easier, since the wool does not need to be brushed and washed regularly. As for hairless pets, this is still truly exotic for us. Popular breeds are Ukrainian Levkoy and Sphynx. It is clear that these are purely domestic animals, since they are very afraid of the cold.

As a rule, the weight of an adult cat ranges from two to five kilograms. But there are also unique specimens belonging to breeds such as the Norwegian Forest or, for example, the Maine Coon. Their weight can reach 10 kilograms.

Breeding and breeding is a complex science. Today there are approximately 70 officially recognized breeds, but this number is rapidly changing, and in different directions. So it is impossible to answer unequivocally how many cat breeds there are in the world.

Ukraine (7.5 million cats)

Ukraine has a very large cat population, about 7.5 million.

Although Ukrainian families often keep cats as pets and as protection against rodents, the country is home to a huge number of stray animals.

The treatment of stray cats in Ukraine has often been criticized by international animal protection organizations.

The country also lacks clearly defined laws,

protecting animals and their welfare, which allows large numbers of cats and dogs to be thrown onto the street without any liability on the part of unscrupulous owners.

The population of Ukraine as of March 1, 2022 was 42,371,996 people.

Monument to the cat Panteleimon in Kyiv

Brazil – 12.5 million cats

The lack of accurate statistics does not allow us to establish the real ratio of domestic and stray cats in Brazil.

There is undoubtedly an increase in the number of pets in the country, which is clearly evident from the increase in sales of cat food - over 5 years (2007-2012) they increased by 37.6% and amounted to $869 million per year.

Apart from pets, the large number of feral and stray cats also continues to increase in Brazil every year.

Now we come to the main point!

Only larger organizations that unite clubs can determine whether a new breed is officially recognized or not. This is how new cat breeds are created.

Associations determine whether the number of individuals of a new breed is sufficient to recognize the breed. Monitors compliance with the breed standard and the correctness of its description. And all questions regarding exhibitions (can it be held, when, where, start time, order of holding) are also in the hands of associations.

Now we have figured out how new breeds are officially recognized. It would seem that there should be nothing complicated further: we take all the known old ones, add registered new ones to them - and we have a complete list of breeds. But it was not there! The main difficulty is that there are a lot of organizations responsible for the standard. This includes about ten well-known international associations, such as WCF or CFA. And smaller regional ones.

Plus there are organizations built on outright deception: they do not care about quality issues, they are only interested in the money that can be collected from gullible newcomers! And for all these associations the number of breeds registered is different.

Therefore, it is impossible to say exactly how many cat breeds there are currently. About 70 are registered with WCF.

It must be remembered that breeding new breeds is painstaking work carried out by professional breeders. Do not fall for the tricks of scammers: if you want to purchase a purebred animal, carefully check the clubs, documents, and study the breed standard.

Before answering the question of how many cat breeds there are in the world, you should understand what the definition of “breed” is and who keeps records of breeds.

China – 53 million cats

China has the third largest market for pet products (after the US and UK. Russia ranks 5th), and the number of pet cats here is truly huge - 53 million.

However, in addition to domestic cats, the population of stray and feral cats in the country is also growing rapidly, with thousands of stray cats living in Beijing alone.

This has created a huge problem in the country as stray cats are often responsible for environmental pollution, spread of viral diseases and road accidents.

Before the 2008 Olympic Games, a large number of stray cats were eliminated in China.

Most stray cats are abandoned by their owners for various reasons, such as relocation and fear of cat-borne diseases such as SARS.

Luckily for cats, China has a large number of animal welfare organizations. They are trying to protect cats from suffering painful deaths and encouraging the government to implement more humane measures to combat stray cats.

Tragically, cats continue to be brutally slaughtered for food in China, mainly in the south and Guangdong province. Cat soup is considered a special delicacy here, and more than 100,000 unfortunate animals are eaten per day in Chinese restaurants (I HATE!!!)

China's population in 2022 was approximately 1,378,000,000.

Lore and legends about cats

In Egypt, cats were considered sacred to the goddess Bubastis. Its priestesses took a vow of celibacy: they spent most of their time caring for the temple's cats. This may be where the idea came from that loving cats is a sign of an old maid.

In Greece, Apollo created a lion to frighten his sister Diana, and she turned his terrible beast into a mockery, into a cat. Cats were dedicated to Diana not only when she had her real name, but also when she was called “Hecate.” The witches who worshiped Hecate always revered the cat.

The very large number of cat mummies discovered in Egypt provides ample evidence that the cat was revered on the streets of Thebes three thousand years ago. If she died a natural death, then the cat was mourned after death with many ceremonies; among others, the entire house where the death took place shaved their eyebrows. If she was killed, the killer was given to the crowd to beat to death. Cats were considered sacred during life, and when they died, they were embalmed and placed in niches in the catacombs. The Roman insult to the cat caused a revolt among the Egyptians when nothing else could excite them. Cambyses conquered Pelusis, who had previously successfully resisted all attacks, with the help of the following stratagem: - he gave each of his soldiers who took part in the attack a live cat instead of a shield, and the Egyptians, instead of harming the objects of their veneration, were defeated without inflicting not a single blow.

They say that on the island of Cyprus there was once a cape called the Cat's Cape. Here stood a monastery whose monks were forced to keep a large number of cats in order to wage war against the snakes that infested the island. At the sound of the bell, the cats would come home in droves to eat, and then give chase again. However, when the Turks captured the island, they destroyed both the cats and their home.

In the Middle Ages, animals played as prominent a role in the cult of the time as in the ancient religion of Egypt. The cat was a very important person at religious festivals. In Provence, on the feast of Corpus Christi, the most beautiful cat of the country, wrapped in swaddling clothes like a child, was exhibited in a magnificent sanctuary for the admiration of all. Every knee was bent, every hand was strewn with flowers or incense.

During the reign of Howell the Good, in 948, a law was passed in Wales that set the price for a cat, which at that time was in great short supply. Why was the cat assessed? A kitten, before it came into view, must have been worth one penny; until a guarantee was given that he had caught the mouse, twopence; after this important event. The cat was required to be perfect in her visual and hearing abilities, to be a good mouser, to have sharp claws, and to be a good mother. If, after the sale, a deficiency was discovered in any of these parts, the seller was to forfeit a third of the purchase money. If anyone steals or kills the cat that was guarding the prince's barn, the offender will lose the milking sheep with its fleece and lamb, or as much wheat as was poured onto the cat hanging by the tail, and will bury the animal to the very top of its head.

France (9.5 million cats)

France is a country where cat owners use them not only as pets (out of pure love for furry creatures), but sometimes also as a fashion accessory and a reason for communication.

I have already written in detail how the black cat Sha Noir from Théophile Steinlen’s poster became a symbol of the capital of France, and about how 50 years of French culture passed under the influence of images of cats.

The narrowest street in Paris is called "Fisherman's Cat Street" (Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche)

And in Paris, cat cafes “Cafe des Chats” are very popular.

The country has strict pet regulations and all domestic cats must be registered in a national database. Each cat must have an identification mark on itself in the form of a tattoo or microchip with information about the owner. This helps identify stray cats caught on the streets of the country.

However, despite all these measures, France still has large populations of feral and stray cats, with reports of cat attacks on people and dogs.

Today the total number of domestic cats in France is about 9.5 million animals.

The population of France in 2022 was 64,948,981.