Ancient cat. All cat breeds with photos and names

18.10.2019 -

It has long gained worldwide fame. She is distinguished not only by her amazingly delicate coat, but also by her wonderful character. Numerous nurseries around the world breed both classic pure white animals and many colored ones. The number of fans of intelligent and highly athletic pets ensures a secure future for them. The breed is not in danger of oblivion.

Story

Angora cat (photo of a typical representative white color can be seen below) is considered a descendant Accurate information there is no information about the origin of the breed, although these animals have lived next to humans for hundreds of years. Most experts are inclined to the theory that a mutation has occurred in the gene responsible for the length of animal fur. Moreover, such a mutation arose in three countries at once: Persia (Iraq), Russia and Turkey. Hybridization with other breeds is not an option. The “Turkish Angora cat” got its name from the name of the Turkish city of Ankara (formerly Angara).

Some scientists associate the appearance of Europe with the Crusades of the 14th century, others suggest that they appeared only at the end of the 16th. Most of the animals were used to improve the Persian variety. Only at the beginning of the 17th century was it recognized as an independent breed. The Angora Turkish cat appeared on the American continent in the mid-20th century.

The Turkish government treats the Angora breed very responsibly. In 1917, a program for the conservation of the snow-white odd-eyed (with blue and yellow eyes) angora. The breed received official recognition in 1973, and only pure white animals were subject to registration. Since 1978, other suits have been recognized. Today they are recognized by many felinological organizations in the world: ACFA, WCF, CFA, CFF, FIFe, TICA and others. There are two varieties - American and European, but the most prized breeding animals are Turkey.

Description

a brief description of breeds:

a graceful, medium-sized animal;
very domestic, does not like the street;
excellent mouser;
phlegmatic character;
smart, friendly.

External description of the Angora cat breed:

the body is strong, flexible, somewhat elongated, with a fragile bone structure;
the head is medium in size, tapering towards the chin;
weight - from 2.5 to 4 kg;
the ears are pointed, large, with tassels;
the neck is thin, of medium length;
almond-shaped eyes with a pink rim, the main color is amber, blue-eyed or odd-eyed individuals are often found;
hind legs somewhat longer than the front ones;
the tail is luxurious, long, very well furred;
The coat is flowing long, silky, thick on the neck, tail and belly.

Breed standards

Pedigree Angora cats, photos of which are presented in the article, must meet strict breed standards. The acceptable colors of the iris in animals are interesting. Rich, deep tones are welcome:

Blue, sky blue, sapphire.
Green, emerald, gooseberry colors.
Golden, golden green, amber with green tint.
Amber, copper.
Multi-colored combinations:

blue and green;
green and amber;
blue and amber.

Moreover prerequisite Individuals with different-colored eyes have the same color saturation.

Requirements that experts place on an Angora cat (description of the standard):

the head is small to medium in size, an even wedge in shape, with a straight and long nose, cheeks are acceptable;
ears wide at the base with sharp tips, well furred inside;
the eyes are large, expressive, slightly askew (the color is described above);
the torso is slender and long, the shoulders are the same width as the hips, the shoulders are slightly lower than the sacrum, cats are slightly larger than cats;
paws are medium-sized, graceful, round, tufts between the toes are welcome;
the legs are long and strong;
tail with full pubescence, pointed at the end, long;
the coat is fine in texture, with a silky sheen, slightly longer on the tail and collar, “pants” on the hind legs.

Animals may be disqualified for squint, stocky, rough body type, or kinked tail.

Suit

An Angora cat (a photo of a black Angora can be seen in the article) according to accepted standards can have a different color:

White. The most common, no spots, no pink pads or nose are allowed.
Bi-color

Options for the second point:

blue with white;
cream with white;
black and white.

The muzzle, belly, chest and paws must be white. An inverted “V” on the muzzle is welcome. A white collar and tail are allowed.

Blue. A light shade is valued more; the color should be absolutely even from head to tail, the paw pads and nose should be blue.
Blue smoke. Beneath the blue coat is a pure white undercoat. The white layer is thin near the skin, it is visible if the fur is pulled apart. Nose and pads are blue.
Blue-cream. Clearly defined brown spots are evenly scattered across the blue background.
Blue tabby (mackerel, classic). The main tone is pale blue, the same color for the lips and chin. The contrasting pattern is dark blue, the foot pads and nose are pink.
Red. It is distinguished by depth, richness, brilliance and brightness, without any marks. The nose and pads are a rich brick color.
Red tabby (mackerel, classic). Based on the main red tone, a dark red pattern is clearly visible, the paw pads and nose are brick red.
Cream. Beige color without markings, pink nose and paw pads. Light beige is welcome.
Cream tabby (mackerel, classic). The chin, lips, base tone are a very pale cream shade, the pattern is not too bright, the nose and pads are pink.
Brown tabby (mackerel, classic). The main tone is rich copper-brown. The pattern, chin, lips, rings around the eyes, hind legs are black. The paw pads are brown or black, the nose is brick red.
Patchwork Tabby. The base color is blue, silver or brown tabby with areas of cream and/or red.
Marble tabby. The classic elements of the design are noticeably different from the main background. A characteristic pattern on the head in the form of the letter “M”.
Tabby mackerel. There is a black stripe along the back and vertical ones go down the line of the spine. Narrow and numerous stripes are preferred. On the head there is a pattern in the form of the letter “M”. There are clear rings on the tail and paws.
Silver tabby (mackerel, classic). The main tone, chin, lips are pale silver. The pattern and paw pads are black, the nose is brick red.
Chintz and bleached chintz. White: in the first case with red and black spots, in the second - with cream and blue.
Tortoiseshell. The main one is black, spots with a clear border of red or cream. Even distribution throughout the body. Tan markings (the color of the spots) on the face are welcome.
Black. Everything should be this color: the fur, the skin, and the nose. The paw pads can be either black or brown. No shades of red or bleached undercoat are allowed.

Black smoke. A thin strip of white undercoat is visible when the animal moves. The nose and paw pads are black.

Unacceptable colors: lilac, chocolate, Himalayan or these colors in combination with white.

Feeding

Angora breed cats are quite sensitive digestive system. You cannot feed “human” food to animals. There are followers among cat owners natural nutrition and fans of ready-made food.

Dry food or canned food is only allowed in premium grade. Moreover, from a practical point of view, dry ones are better; canned food can get your pet dirty. The advantages are obvious - no hassle with questions balanced nutrition. Companies produce specialized food for all age and sex groups of animals, even taking into account their physiological state.

When feeding natural products The animal is regularly offered boiled potatoes, cereals, bread, chicken and quail eggs, cottage cheese, and low-fat yogurt. For snow-white individuals, liver, heart and any additives containing seaweed are excluded from the diet.

With any feeding options, the animal is provided with constant free access to fresh water. The herb is very useful for long-haired animals to cleanse the stomach.

Care

Cats do not cause any particular problems with care. It never falls into dense tangles or gets tangled. Wool, practically devoid of undercoat, easily cleans itself. Animals shed twice a year. It is recommended to bathe cats at this time. special shampoo to remove excess hair. Whites are bathed once every two months. To maintain the coat in good condition, it is enough to comb it periodically (at least once a week).

To prevent gum disease, animals have their teeth brushed. Checking your eyes and ears every day will help prevent health problems. Once a week it is recommended to wipe the corners of the eyes with a special lotion. Ears are cleaned as they become dirty. The claws are trimmed periodically. Purchasing a scratching post will protect furniture and wallpaper. The cleanliness of animals requires owners to be attentive to the cat's litter box. Some individuals cannot use it without timely changing the filler. It is recommended to purchase a cat corner with various toys and equipment for climbing and lying.

Character traits

The character of the Angora cat at first glance is somewhat slow and aristocratic. But in the soul of this fluffy ball there lives a real fidget. Animals love to play. They get along well with other pets. They do not tolerate loneliness well. If the owners are forced to leave the cat alone for a long time, then the cat needs a playmate.

They do not like to sit on hands, but will gladly spend a couple of minutes on the lap or shoulders of their beloved owner. They perfectly feel a person’s mood, they can “pity” and “cheer up”. Characteristic feature Angora is their talkativeness. They purr almost constantly. In general, they have a calm, balanced character.

Pet owners unanimously note the amazing intelligence of Angora cats. Animals are very smart and easily learn to order. Their intelligence is sometimes amazing; cats can easily open not only any door or drawer, but also their owner’s handbag. They are easy to train and can be taught simple commands.

It is worth noting that outdoor games in the form of very high-speed runs around the apartment, jumping (especially in height), swinging on curtains and walking along the ledge are common behavior for animals of this breed. To direct energy to the right direction They use a variety of designs for corners or even entire trees. They will help animals warm up without causing damage to the apartment.

Diseases

The Angora cat is considered by experts to be a completely healthy breed. There are only a few diseases characteristic of Angoras:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Symptoms: shortness of breath, a peculiar cough (similar to regurgitation of fur). Progressive thickening of the wall of the ventricle of the heart often ends in death. Sudden death a pet with unexpressed symptoms leads to shock for the owners. Young animals also die. This disease affects both purebred and
Ataxia. Symptoms: obvious loss of coordination of movements, the animal stops moving and dies. Develops in kittens one month old.
Deafness. It affects white animals with blue or multi-colored eyes. Breeding work with careful selection of parental pairs reduces the risk of getting deaf offspring.

In general, animals of this breed are hardy and live on average up to 15 years, many live up to 20.

Advantages of the breed

The Angora cat will be a wonderful companion for a lonely person. The animals are very affectionate and attentive. They get used to their owners very quickly. Their gentle rumbling has a beneficial effect on human psyche. The four-legged pet will fit perfectly into a family with children. He will be happy to play with them. Watching a graceful animal with luxurious fur, regardless of color, can in itself bring aesthetic pleasure. Snow-white individuals with multi-colored eyes look like fantastic animals.

Purchasing an angora for a private home guarantees the destruction of all rodents. They are natural hunters and are excellent at catching mice. The only limitation is the color of the animal. It's better to take a colored cat, White wool It will get dirty too quickly.

Kittens

Today, the spread of the breed throughout the world makes it possible to purchase good kittens. There are a lot of mixed-breed and non-purebred animals, so it is better to buy a baby from a nursery with a proven reputation. To guarantee the purchase of a purebred kitten, you can seek the help of professionals who are well versed in breed standards. It is difficult to find a purebred animal on your own; there are a lot of mixed breeds on the market.

Compared to other cat breeds, the cost of Angoras is not very high. The price for kittens in Russia starts from $80-120. It depends on the origin, color, class of the animal. The price for an elite class baby with the appropriate pedigree often exceeds $500. It is worth noting that the price of keeping a pet does not exceed the usual costs of meeting the needs of the animal: food, litter, veterinary care, purchase of care equipment (bowls, tray, combs, cat corner, toys, etc.).

Myths

There are interesting myths associated with Angoras:

The Prophet Muhammad had eyes of different iris colors. Cats with different colored eyes can freely visit mosques; they are considered sacred.
First President Republic of Turkey made an unusual prediction: his work could be continued by a person who was bitten on the leg by a white Angora cat with different eyes.

Just the facts

Known Facts:

The snow-white Angora cat with blue eyes, they have a special name Ankara Kedisi.
Samuel Marshak glorified the animal in the fairy tale “The Cat’s House.” Direct speech of the cat: “I am from an overseas family: my great-grandfather is an Angora cat.”
Many representatives of the breed love water and are good swimmers.
The Angora smoky-black cat named Mopar is one of the largest in the world, weighing 18 kg, with a body length of 110 cm.
Angoras lived with the writer Victor Hugo, Queen of France Marie Antoinette, Cardinal Richelieu, poet

The MidnightBSD computer operating system was named by its developers Carolyn and Lukas Holt after their handsome black angora.
A condition for registering animals with the CFA Cat Fanciers Association is that their ancestors must have Turkish roots.
The Angora cat is a national treasure of Turkey.

For almost 9.5 thousand years, the cat has been next to humans. Its history is one of periods of ups and downs, deification and burning at the stake of the Inquisition, worship and curses in its wake.

Who, where and when tamed the first wild cat, history is silent. But it is absolutely known that the domestication of cats occurred later than the domestication of dogs.

A cat's head made of baked clay was found on the island of Crete, which is at least 3,400 years old. A 2,500-year-old marble slab depicting a cat fighting a dog with two men watching was discovered in Greece.

The first domestic cats

According to one version, Ancient Egypt became the birthplace of the first domestic animals. The death penalty was imposed on those who intentionally or accidentally took the life of an animal. In Egypt, cats were considered sacred animals.

They very quickly replaced tame ferrets, which were trained to catch rats and mice from grain barns. They were depicted on vases and coins.

Caring for an animal was considered an honorable task; it was inherited from father to son. In case of death, the whole family mourned the cat and held a magnificent funeral.

There was a categorical ban on exporting them from the country. Many Greek smugglers tried to get their hands on an Egyptian cat; even the threat of the death penalty for this crime did not stop them.

The animal eventually found its way to Greece, and from there to Rome. Having firmly established itself in the ancient world, the animal was in no hurry to conquer Europe, and by the 11th century it was still a rarity. In Russia, judging by the references, they became widespread only in the 14th century.

IN medieval Europe it was hard for the animals. Misfortunes and misfortunes were associated with them. Only in the 18th century did the hunt for them end. But it took almost a hundred years for ancient cats to be accepted as pets.

List of ancient cat breeds

It is impossible to name the oldest cat breed today. There is no evidence confirming the age superiority of any one breed. But there are breeds that were mentioned thousands of years ago.

Siamese (Thai)

The breed is traditionally considered one of the oldest. Animals were first described in an ancient book (1350-1767) called “Poems about Cats”; there are also pictures of them. All of Siam in the XIV-XV centuries worshiped these animals. They were considered guardians of temples and protectors of the souls of the departed. Thanks to them, the Siamese appeared, and the traditional Siamese were called “Thai”, and their homeland began to be called Thailand.

Images in which the spotted Egyptian is quite recognizable appeared more than 3,000 years ago. And the first mentions of them date back to the fifth century BC. e., and they were made by Herodotus. Cats of this ancient breed are distinguished by unusually developed hunting abilities, and they can reach speeds of up to 58 km/h.

One of the oldest breeds is the Turkish Angora, which received its name from the capital of Turkey, where semi-long-haired white individuals were bred since the 14th century. There was a strict ban on the export of animals.

According to legend, it was the Turkish Van who was destined to save Noah’s Ark and its inhabitants by defeating the mouse that was gnawing a hole in it. Therefore, the breed is a living “relic” and one of the oldest in the world.

There are many references to representatives of this breed in documents from the 17th century, although at that time they were called Angora, despite the discrepancies in the description of their appearance.

They are said to have traveled with the Vikings and were brought to Europe on their ships around the year 1000. Due to their waterproof wool, they adapted to new living conditions quite quickly. The Norwegian forest cat was first described in 1599 by a priest-naturalist as a “cat of prey.”

No one knows when the Korat breed appeared, but judging by the description in an ancient manuscript from the period 1350-1767. called “The Book of Poems about Cats” (as well as about the Siamese), this breed appeared in Thailand. It received its name from the ruler of Siam after he learned that the animal was delivered to him as a gift from the province of Korat, which is high in the mountains.

Representatives of the breed are highly valued in their homeland, where they are not sold or exchanged, but only given as gifts. Only in the 19th century did people learn about them in Europe.

The cat is the oldest domesticated animal, rightfully deserving the title of “companion”, living side by side with humans for at least 10 thousand years. The experience of coexistence between humans and cats was not always smooth: along with being revered as deities, these animals were classified as demons, considered the spawn of Satan, persecuted and mercilessly destroyed. There is something mysterious and incomprehensible in the gaze of these amazing creatures, which has nothing to do with evil spirits. Cats conceal something unearthly, mysterious within themselves that the human mind cannot comprehend.

Despite their “mystical” nature, cats have faithfully served humans for centuries, protecting their homes from rodents and bringing joy to their homes with their presence.

Show all

How cats appeared on Earth: ancestors

The oldest ancestors of cats are miacids

There are several theories about the appearance of cats on Earth. Some are based on scientific research and DNA analysis, others are like a flight of someone’s imagination, others follow from biblical stories. According to another version, these are God's creatures created on Noah's ark under the threat of the destruction of the ship's supplies by mice and rats.

According to the scientific hypothesis of origin, the most distant ancestors of cats were miacids - the first predators of the Earth. Small creatures that look like martens, they lived and hunted 60 million years ago. They bear little resemblance to cats, but are the ancestors of modern carnivores (including dogs). After several million years, the miacids gave rise to a new branch - the dinictis, which in appearance resembled a cat, differing in its larger size, but with a smaller brain volume and long fangs protruding from the mouth. Further transformation led to the appearance of neophelides, which are the ancestors of three groups of cats: small, large and cheetahs.

Worship of cats in Ancient Egypt - interesting facts

Wild steppe cats

steppe cat

All pets come from a subspecies of the steppe (or spotted) cat, domesticated in the Middle East about 10 thousand years ago. Geneticists who studied cat burials in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe were convinced that the species spread across the planet in two waves:

1. The first wave coincided with the emergence in the XII-IX centuries BC. e. Agriculture: the result was the spread of individuals throughout the Middle East.
2. The second wave originates in Egypt, from where cats came to North Africa and Europe.

Populations of steppe cats have survived to this day: these animals live in North Africa and on land areas from the Mediterranean Sea to China, feeling great both in desert areas and in the foothills.

Domestication

It was previously believed that the Egyptians were the first to domesticate cats in 2000 BC. But recent research has shown that this happened in the Middle East 9,500 years ago in an area called the Fertile Crescent. With the formation of the first settlements and the development of agriculture, people began to need to protect their food supplies from snakes, rodents and birds, which is where cats came in handy. Later, archaeologists discovered a joint burial of a cat and a human in Cyprus and dated it to 7500 BC. The cat came to Cyprus, as to Ancient Egypt, from the Middle East.

It is still not known for certain whether cats were domesticated at all. They are freedom-loving animals by nature, and there is plenty of evidence that in earlier times they simply stayed close to human habitation for the convenience of hunting: excess food attracted birds, rats and mice, which were the main food of cats. It is assumed that this was an alliance of two parties who benefited from each other. Over time, people began to have a tender affection for animals - with the advent of cities and the loss of the need to hunt, cats became the pets they are now.

Cult of cats in Egypt

When talking about the history of cats, it is impossible to ignore the fact that the Egyptians worshiped these animals. There are three known species of individuals that lived in Ancient Egypt:

serval;
steppe cat;
jungle cat

The Egyptians revered these animals not only for their grace, beauty and gentle disposition, but also as irreplaceable helpers in everyday life. They made people's lives easier by eliminating pests and preventing the spread of rodent-borne infections.

Goddess Bastet statue

The favorites of the Egyptians were considered sacred animals: in the temples where they lived there was a special watcher. This rank was considered very important and was inherited. Causing harm to animals was prosecuted by law: from imposing a fine to deprivation of life. Bastet, the goddess of beauty, joy, love and fun, was depicted by the Egyptians as a woman with the head of a cat and they built a temple in her honor. Later, Egypt underwent another wave of worship: after the construction of the city of Bubastis by Pharaoh Shoshenq, the latter became a sacred place for the veneration of four-legged beauties. Celebrations were held here, drawing crowds; thousands of pilgrims flocked to the city to pay tribute to Bastet. Then the goddess began to personify motherhood, fertility and the favor of the Sun.

Cats in special cemeteries, mummies of animals in tombs buried with their owners, countless decorations in the form of cats found in burials - all this speaks of the value that pets represented for the people of Ancient Egypt.

Since these animals were of undeniable value as rat hunters, sailors began to take them with them on ships, giving them the opportunity to spread throughout the world. The export of cats was smuggling and was punishable by law with the death penalty.

Cats in Rus' and in modern Russia

On Russian soil, cats were revered no less than in overseas countries. According to some sources, they got here in the 2nd century AD, although the main sources date back more late date- 11th century. Having quickly spread throughout Rus', cats gained popularity in the hearts of commoners and nobles, and the nickname “goddess of the hearth” was immortalized.

The cat was a welcome inhabitant of any peasant hut

Cats were valued very dearly: the expression “worth their weight in silver” had a direct meaning in relation to these animals, which no one could replace on the farm. At that time, when furry mouse hunters had not yet proliferated, but rumors about their existence were already spreading, everyone dreamed of having a gray evil spirits exterminator living in the hut and barn. It is difficult to imagine how people in “pre-cat” times coped with rodents, but with the advent of four-legged helpers, it became much easier for them.

Even Orthodox Church took cats under protection, allowing them to live in churches and monasteries. This is not surprising - after all, mice are found everywhere. The church's loyalty to cats is confirmed by the fact that in many Russian cities holes have been made in the doors of churches.

Breeding of individuals began as soon as people saw that cats differ from each other in character, health, agility and beauty. Kittens from a mother-hunter were most valued: this is how the abilities of the best felines were strengthened. Peter I himself issued a decree that “thunderstorms should be kept at the barns to intimidate pests,” and Peter’s daughter, Elizabeth, ordered the most hunters from Kazan of the best blood local breed.

Real breeding work began in Russia in the eighties of the last century, when clubs for cat lovers began to be organized, holding exhibitions, demonstrating outstanding pet data, and offering kittens for sale. Currently, there are 9 new breeds in Russia:

1. Kurilian Bobtail.
2. Karelian Bobtail.
3. Thai Bobtail.
4. Ural rex.
5. Don Sphynx.
6. Peterbald (Petersburg Sphinx).
7. Neva Masquerade.
8. Russian Blue.
9. Siberian.

All of them are no less beautiful and intelligent than other breeds from all over the world, and are an effective indicator of the painstaking work of felinologists.

Interesting fact: on the first day of spring - March 1 - Cat Day is celebrated in Russia. The holiday was proclaimed in honor of the Russian people’s worship of these animals and was first held in 2004 on the initiative of the Cat and Dog magazine and the Moscow Cat Museum.

Known and Unknown

During the existence of cats, many legends and interesting facts about these amazing animals:

Cats' ears can rotate 180 degrees.
Having climbed a tree, inexperienced pets often get stuck there for a long time: their claws are designed in such a way that they can easily climb up, and can go back down the same way, but not upside down.
They make ten times more sounds than dogs.
The same sectors of the brain are responsible for emotions in cats, unlike in dogs, as in humans.
Capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Cats are record holders for high jumps: they are able to overcome a distance five times their own height.
Black cats in some European countries, unlike Russia, are given honor and respect.
They know how to squint their eyes.
There are already cloned individuals in the world: one of them cost the owner $50,000.
Their unique ability to find their way back home has not yet been thoroughly studied.
The meowing of cats is only for people. For their own kind, they have other sounds in their arsenal.
A fascinating look into the soul has led to the fact that more than half of the people surveyed believe that their pets can read minds.
Everyone knows that if a cat’s head fits through a hole, then everything else will go through. It's true: they don't have collarbones.
Their heart beats almost twice as fast as a human's.
They are extremely prolific: in 7 years, a pair of cats and their offspring can give birth to almost half a million kittens.
They see poorly at close range: their natural visual acuity is expressed differently than that of humans.
When a pet, arching its back, rubs against its owner’s legs, it is not so much showing love and respect as it is leaving a secret secreted by its glands on it: this is how the animal secures the status of “one of its own” for the person.
Magic glow cat eyes in the dark is explained by the ability to reflect some of the light from the retina.
The incredible ability of cats to stay alive after falling from a height is due to the ability to group and change direction during the fall: cats land on all four paws.

Cats are smart, sometimes capricious, affectionate, capricious, and beautiful. Some show devotion, others happily live on their own. They have such facets of character and behavior that they sometimes resemble humans. They cannot be broken - only love and respect will help you live in harmony with them for many years.

The same source contains the estimated life date of a single common ancestor 13 thousand years ago. The process of cat domestication was completed 12–9 thousand years ago in the Middle East, from where they spread to Europe and North Africa.

A cat breed is a population of individuals belonging to the species Felis silvestris catus (domestic cat), having similar characteristics and consistently passing on these characteristics to their offspring. Various felinological systems around the world use this concept to identify such populations, describe their standards and register. It should be noted that various felinological organizations recognize breeds according to their own standards and in different periods.

There is no unambiguous archaeological evidence about the age of this or that ancient cat breed. However, the leaders claiming the title of the most ancient breed are the Egyptian Mau, Angora and Thai cats.

Since the first domestic cats appeared in the ancient Near East, the most ancient breed It’s logical to look for cats there. Images Egyptian cat were created about 3 thousand years ago. This cat had a slender build, high legs, and a long strong neck. This cat had a spotted color and small folds of skin in the area of the hind legs. This breed was recreated by American felinologists and is now called the Egyptian Mau.

In the 14th and 15th centuries AD, Thai (Siamese cats) were considered protectors of souls and lived in the temples of Siam, later renamed Thailand. The Thai breed has been preserved unchanged thanks to a group of enthusiasts, and Siamese cats are now called a younger breed of cats, which also originated from ancient Thai cats.

In the 16th century AD, white blue-eyed, yellow-eyed and odd-eyed cats called Angoras appeared in Europe, which were brought from Eastern Anatolia. The Turkish Van is also an ancient native breed that was brought to Europe from Turkey in the 16th century during the Crusades. Many travelers described this cat, mistakenly calling it Angora, despite the difference in color.
Thus, researchers have not developed a consensus on which cat breed is rightfully considered the first in the history of felinology. Perhaps future research and archaeological evidence will lift the curtain on this mystery.

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There are more than 250 breeds of cats in the world: hairless and fluffy, wayward and friendly, affectionate and freedom-loving. But there is one thing that unites them all: they are incredibly beautiful. Anyone who wants to make a meowing friend can adopt a kitten from a shelter, or buy one from an elite nursery.

We are in website We became interested in how much the rarest cat breeds cost, and, to be honest, we were surprised. We invite you to find out prices for the most exotic representatives of the cat world.

Norwegian forest cat

The ancestors of this cat were bred by the Vikings 2,000 years ago. Cute and fluffy, this cat can withstand severe cold and is an excellent hunter. The price of a kitten varies from $600 to $3,000.

Himalayan cat

This breed is very similar to the Persian, but differs in blue eyes and color point coloring (light body with a dark muzzle, paws, ears and tail). This breed was developed in 1950 in the USA. Himalayans are affectionate, obedient and friendly cats with a calm nature. A kitten of this breed will cost $500–$1,300.

Scottish lop-eared

The calling card of this breed is its cute ears, which do not stick out upward, like those of ordinary cats, but hang down. This unusual detail of their appearance is a consequence of a gene mutation. This smart cats who get along with everyone in the family and are never averse to playing. Another one distinctive feature of this breed - they know how to stand on their hind legs and look at what interests them. A kitten costs from $200 to $1,500.

Peterbald

The Peterbald, or St. Petersburg Sphynx, was bred in Russia in 1994. These elegant cats have a slender body, a long head shape and large, set-back ears. The body may be bald or covered with down. Cats have an affectionate and sociable character and are easy to train. Such a kitten will cost $400–1,200.

Egyptian Mau

The appearance of these cats has changed little in 3,000 years - since the times of Ancient Egypt. The spotted color of this breed appears not only on the coat, but also on the skin. To become the owner of an ancient Egyptian cat, you need to spend $500–1,500.

Maine Coon

This is one of the largest cat breeds. Representatives of this breed can weigh from 5 to 15 kg, and the body length of an adult Maine Coon can reach 1.23 m. But despite their formidable appearance, these are affectionate, gentle and playful animals. The price of a giant kitten varies between $600–$1,500.

Laperm

This is one of the most unusual breeds, which appeared in 1980 in the USA. In addition to their curly hair, cats of this breed have another feature: they are hypoallergenic, so they are perfect for families with allergies. A kitten of this breed costs $200–2,000.

Russian blue

Serengeti

This breed was developed in 1994 in California. She belongs to large cats: the weight of an adult Serengeti is 8–12 kg. They have a strong build, large ears, spotted coloration and very long legs. You can buy such a cat for $600–$2,000.

Elf

This young cat breed was bred in the USA in 2006. Elves are very friendly, intelligent, mischievous, sociable, inquisitive and loyal creatures. Those wishing to purchase such a unique pet will have to pay a considerable amount - $2,000.

Toyger

This large breed The cat's color resembles a tiger, which is why it got its name. The creator of the breed claims that the Toyger was bred to inspire people to care about the conservation of tigers in wildlife. You can get inspired to save tigers for $500–$3,000.

American Curl

This breed was developed in California in 1981. Newborn kittens are difficult to distinguish from ordinary cats, but by the 10th day of life their ears curl back like small horns. This feature touches hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can join the curl enthusiasts for $1,000–$3,000.

Bengal

This breed was developed by crossing an Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat. These cats love to swim, and despite their impressive size (4–8 kg), they often climb onto their owner’s shoulders. You can buy a mini leopard for $1,000–$4,000.

Safari

This rare breed appeared due to the crossing of common domestic cat and South American wild cat Geoffroy. The first representatives of the breed were bred in the United States in the 1970s to study leukemia. The weight of an adult cat is on average 11 kg. You can become the owner of a pet predator for $4,000–$8,000.

Khao-mani

The earliest mention of this breed is in the Tamra Maew, or Cat Book of Poems (1350–1767). In ancient Siam, kao-mani lived only in royal families and were considered a symbol of good luck, longevity and wealth. You can buy an oriental talisman for $7,000–$11,000.