Since they first hit the shores of this country, the Maine Coon cat has been a boon to humans where ever they dared inhabit.  And the Maine Coon with its plush coat and savvy personality has been keeping life in the colonies civilized since the start of our nation, so it is no small wonder that the Maine Coon cat is such a popular breed.  Second in fact, only to the Persian.

Colors Allowed

Every color save Siamese pointing is allowed by the CFA.  There are several varieties of tabby, in a plethora of colors.  The only color allowed blue eyes is the white.  Most colors provide for a pink nose, and it is clear to see why the early Pixie Bob breeders chose Maine Coon cats to give their breed its wild look, as the brown ticked Maine Coons with their pink noses and black tufted ears do look very feral, especially on that shaggy coat.

About the Maine Coon Cat

 Affectionate cats fluent in every discipline of cat life, the Maine Coon Cat is at home almost anywhere.  Harsh snowy environments welcome the Maine Coon with its dense and rugged coat, large ears, keen senses and natural snowshoes.   This doesn’t mean they don’t love a good family when they find one though, and they are more than content to sit around and be huge couch potatoes too.  Maine Coons owners enjoy the gentle chirps and soft noises that their cats offer and the average activity level keeps them from climbing the walls all day long.  This is a laid back easy to handle breed that adapts easily to almost every situation.  They love water, and are not notorious lap kitties, which is really a blessing as this is one of the larger cat breeds. They are slow to mature and usually take to the age of about four to reach full size and build.  No outcrosses are allowed.

History of the Maine Coon Cat

The Maine Coon Cat dates back to the first colonies, the cats that came off the ships that the first settlers arrived on were called “Shags”, probably due to their scruffy coats.  They adapted easily to their new environment, eating pests and prowling barns across the countryside until they became the first champion show cat in the US.  They were popular, shown as early as the 1860’s, but were declared extinct in the 1950’s, but recovered and were accepted to the CFA in 1975 and granted championship in 1976, today they are one of the most popular long haired breeds, having been accepted as the official state cat of Maine in 1985.  There is absolutely no reality to the legends of them being wild crosses or half raccoon, as has been suggested. 

Similar Breeds of Cat

                If you are looking for something a little further to the wild side, try a Pixie Bob.  Made to be a mimic of a miniature Bob Cat, the Pixie Bob is getting pretty wild looking, but is not actually wild at all.  If you are looking for something with a tail, try the Norwegian Forest Cat.  Around for centuries, these guys are pretty good clones of the Maine Coon Cat and may well be related to them more than just a little bit.  Both are excellent mousers and pets, who will love you and your family for a very long time.

The Care of the Maine Coon Cat and Maine Coon Kittens

                Solid and large, the Maine Coon cat is unfortunately subject to hip dysplasia as well as feline heart disease, and a few sport muscle disease later in life.  The coat, in spite being long, is easy to maintain with minimal grooming requirement, simply keep them flea free and you will have no issues with your Maine Coon Cat.  The darker cats tend to have less coat, the lighter cats tend to have more, and they are seasonal shedders.

Like all domestic cats, the genus of the Maine Coon Cat is Felis.

The Burmese, commonly referred to as a brick wrapped in silk, is a lovely creature enduring on so many levels, from his amazing eyes to his silky shiny coat.  Even people not fond of cats find themselves wishing to cuddle Burmese kittens, their appeal is universal.  This is the cat almost anyone can own and it is no small wonder why they are so popular throughout Europe and the United States.

Colors Allowed

 The only four shades allowed by the CFA are Sable, Champagne, Platinum, and Blue.  All will have striking, bright yellow eyes.  In these shades, you will find a wide array of fur tones in those four colors to satisfy your needs.  The points should, like the Siamese, be darker than the body, but the body should not lack generous amounts of base color unlike the Siamese which would be penalized for such.  Champagne, Platinum, and Blue are considered dilutions of Sable and are shown accordingly.  Many people find that they enjoy collecting colors, and having one of each is a definite prize in the world of cats.

About the Burmese

                Burmese cats are Velcro kitties for sure, glued to your rear all day long like small dogs.  Forget a trip to the bathroom on your own, and those yellow eyes will be following you everywhere from the moment you first take them home.  The Burmese is talkative, with a soft voice unlike that of the raspy Siamese, and is also a highly active cat. Great with kids, the compact and sturdy Burmese also likes to travel, so if you enjoy an RV, best know that you will be taking the cat long as well.  These guys do not enjoy sitting home alone and if you are gone most of the time, consider that the Burmese is not the cat for you.  They will just pine alone and will not be a happy cat. 

History of the Burmese Breed

                Originally from Rangoon, Burma (now modern day Myanmar)and brought to this country in the 1930’s by a sailor, the first Burmese named Wong Mau was then given to Dr. Thompson, who promptly bred her to a Siamese stud to create the first litter of Burmese kittens.  It is now known that Wong Mau was likely a Burmese Siamese mixed cat, as she produced Siamese kittens in her various litters.  Siamese was crossed into the strains well into the 1930’s and 1940’s, the Burmese was accepted by the CFA in 1936, but their registration was suspended in 1947 due to misuse of the Siamese out crossing.  Thankfully, dedicated breeders regained their status in 1953 and achieved championship status in 1957.

Similar Breeds of Cat

      Any one can tell you that Burmese breeders hold their charges in the highest acclaim, as evidenced by their price tags.  If you should find a Burmese outside your price range, try a Bombay.  A breed originally created in part by the Burmese, they aren’t usually the same sticker shock that the Burmese kitten tends to be.  The Bombay is a loving, wonderful cat that in most ways (all the ways that matter), compares to the Burmese and will give you years of quality companionship.  They are easier in most areas to find and have very few issues.

       This is a remarkably healthy and solid breed, and their stomach’s aren’t usually as sensitive as that of the Siamese, plus their super sleek coat is extremely easier to care for, especially since they have very little undercoat, keeping shedding down on most animals.  A bath now and again, decent flea juice, and quality feed will keep your Burmese in top shape and looking its best.

Like all domestic cats, the genus of the Burmese cat is Felis.

One of the many breeds created for the “holy cow what the heck is that” effect, the Pixie Bob is a cat in good company with some of its more exotic counterparts.  In spite of the supposed “Legends” and clouded history of the animals, people are welcoming into them into their home at a surprising rate.  If you find yourself wishing to walk on the wild side then maybe a Pixie Bob will be right up your alley.

Colors Allowed

Varying shades of brown and silver are permitted, with spots and bars differing in both depth and color.  Markings preferred are mascara like lining around the eyes, barring on the whisker pads, and heavy, natural looking coat shading, lighter at the soft parts of the muzzle, belly, and under the tail.  This should be a heavy, shaggy kind of coat which in spite of its length should be easy to keep clean and groom, mats at debris falling out of the coat with minimal prodding.  Black striping around the ears and black ear tufts are also highly desirable.

About the Pixie Bob

                Much that isn’t true is often said of the Pixie Bob, and I think that rather than all the superstition and hype the cat community would prefer the truth of things instead.  Pixies are large cats and can weigh upwards of over twenty pounds, their massive paws can sport extra toes (the only breed allowed by the CFA to be polydactyl), and their tufted ears and bob tail make them look like they could take down moderately sized prey animals.  They seem fairly intelligent and as such adjust well to dogs and kids.  They are quiet cats who, though they make a wide range of noises, are not prone to mewing a lot.  They like their people and bond easily into their new families, and are one of the cat breeds known to travel well.

History of the Pixie Bob Breed

                There is a lot of myth and superstition plaguing the Pixie Bob breed, and much of it has to do with the breed’s founder, Carol Ann Brewer of Washington State.  Brewer claims to have found the early litters (the so called Legend Cats) as wild crossed cats including Bob Cat heritage, that the common story was a claim that a pet had come home, badly scratched, and then she would produced kittens supposedly sired by a wild Bob Cat.  There is no scientific base for this superstition, and all reliable testing to date refutes the theory completely.  Breeders are extremely fond of touting these myths, and many would have you believe that the “Legend Cat” is real, but the real story more likely includes many domestic animals, started by an accidental breeding that just came out kind of cool.  The better breeders got much of the desired “look” from the Maine Coon Cat, one of the more popular long haired breeds, and this would certainly explain the ear tufts and shaggy, natural coat.

Similar Breeds of Cat

                If the Pixie Bob crowd is a little too much to bear, consider the Maine Coon cat, this cat boast a very similar look, and the same rumors about its past, which dates to colonial times.  These cats are more widely available and are likely to be a little more affordable.  The major differences being that they have a normal amount of toes and a longer, normal length tail, but even their color is in line with the Pixie Bob and with striking markings is likely to be just as exotic a pet.

The Care of Exotic Pixie Bobs and Pixie Bob Kittens

                I keep hearing rumors that you shouldn’t vaccinate these cats due to their “wildness”, that they like Bob Cats have problems with the Rabies and other vaccines.  Being that these cats have no wild blood at all, that sounds like total garbage to me, and all pets should be vaccinated by a qualified veterinarian, anything else is just foolish.  That said, if a breeder is ethical enough to confess a weakness like a vaccine allergy, you will want to inform your vet of this when the pet is taken in as a kitten.  Other than this, because it is a mutt cat breed, the genetic base was pretty wide and as such the breed is fairly healthy and hardy.

Like all domestic cats, the genus of the Pixie Bob cat is Felis.

Frequently referred to as the lazy man’s Persian, the Exotic Shorthair is actually so much more.  Held to the same standard as the Persian cat is, the Exotic Shorthair show ring is the wet tee shirt contest of the cat world with no long beautiful pelt to hide poorly placed or shaped ear,s and no forgiveness for faults easy to hide under all that hair.  With all this laid onto the fact that modern life lends less and less time for such chores as such a laborious coat demands, it is no secret that the Exotic Shorthair breed will be going well into future with us.

Colors Allowed

Any color that the Persian registry allows, the Exotic Shorthair standard allows for as well.  All number of patterns and colors abound, from tabby to pointed, all black to calico and bright white.  These cats may not gain the benefit of colors like silver or smoke, due to the fact that the hair shaft is so much longer.  This unusual cat, regardless of color, is sure to turn heads where ever it goes.

About Exotic Shorthairs

                The same cat as the Persian, ideally, and should have very similar laid back and easy going personalities.  Like Persians, the breed sports both doll faced and extreme varieties, and a good specimen of either is going to put you back a few thousand bucks.  They have small ears, large jewel like eyes, and very round features.  This is a small, solid pet that will love you for the better part of two decades so the substantial investment pays off in dividends.  They are gentle, affectionate, and lovable with intelligent personalities lent to them from their British shorthair ancestors, and also a tad more active than the Persian tends to be.  Exotics are not terrible talkers, but need tons of attention and are a popular type of “Velcro” kitty.

History of the Exotic Shorthair Breed

                These guys hit the scene in the 1960’s courtesy Jane Martinke by the cross breeding of Persians and British Shorthairs and Persians, and were formally recognized by the CFA in 1967.  The only modern outcross is the Persian today, which is why one quarter of kittens born will have long hair.  Not all Exotic Longhairs carry genes for long hair, but most do.  The offspring with long hair are referred to as Exotic Longhairs, and having owned one I will attest they are an amazing pet.  I feel it is unfortunate that Longhairs are ineligible to show to championship with the CFA, but it also makes sense as the goal is a shorthaired breed.  Both varieties are extremely popular in England.

Similar Breeds of Cat

                Exotic Shorthairs are unlike any other breed of cat, but if a low maintenance coat with an exotic look is what you crave, try the Sphynx.  The coat doesn’t get much more low maintenance then that of the Sphynx, and you cannot deny that this is a pet that will turn heads, probably only one of a very few that people will actually stop and stare at.  Loveable and cuddly, at least to their owners, there is a devoted following of cat owners who feel at least one thing in common with Dr. Evil.

The Care of Exotic Shorthairs and Exotic Shorthair Kittens

                These cats aren’t unhealthy animals, if anything they will share issues in common with Persians, and maybe a few cardiac issues.  For all the hype and fuss about the ultra exotic face people make they are don’t really have near the issues critics claim.  They don’t tend to like the cold, I have fewer aspiration issues with my ultra faced cats in warmer air, so keep up the thermostat a little and things should be fine for all but the very poorest bred cats.  Exotic Shorthair kittens don’t require much out of life short of quality chow and tons of love.

Like all domestic cats, the genus of the Exotic Shorthair cat is Felis.