Ever wonder just how many different cat breeds are out there? While most of us can name a few pup breeds, cat breeds seem more elusive.
- Contrary to popular belief, there are quite a few cat breeds out there, though not as many as dogs.
- Officially recognized breeds vary depending on the association, but numbers fall between 42 to 100, including domesticated and wild.
- Domestic cats are a mix of recognized breeds and the all-too-familiar domestic long and short hairs.
- Wild cats share more DNA with your fluffy friend than you might think, roaming across the globe even in unexpected places.
If dogs are man’s best friend, where do cats stand? Maybe as the mysterious roommate who occasionally graces us with their presence. When it comes to recognizing breeds, dogs take the cake. With over 200 domesticated dog breeds recognized, cats lag behind at 40 to 71 depending on the associations you consult. The Cat Fanciers’ Association and International Cat Association each have their lists, ranging from 42 to 71 breeds. Add a few unrecognized experimental breeds, and you’ll find the number teeters between 42 and 100.
In the U.S., a whopping 95% of cats are tossed into the ‘domestic long hair’ or ‘short hair’ categories, though these are distinct from breeds like the American Shorthair. They’re the cats we most commonly encounter, even if they aren’t celebrated like their pedigree cousins.
Adding new breeds to the official register isn’t just a whimsical choice. It’s a process filled with scrutiny and debate. The cats we know all stem from similar lines, raising questions if new breeds are truly novel or just new takes on old classics. While dogs were bred for herding and hunting, cats strutted into domestication without such grand schemes. This might explain why there are fewer cat breeds compared to pooches. Cats weren’t bred for specific tasks but have adapted quite well to domestic life, charming us all the while.
Step into the wild with cats partying it up in nature. Around 36 types of wild cats exist, including the famous African Golden cat and the enigmatic Jaguar. Unlike the fluctuating numbers for domesticated breeds, wild cat breeds are much more agreed upon, hinting that these majestic creatures got some consistency going on.
Ever thought about where these wild felines hang out? They’re pretty global, showing up on every continent. Even chilly spots like Antarctica have seen cats, thanks to humans dragging them around the world. Interestingly, some of the oldest wild cat species call Africa home, while Asia boasts the hulking Siberian tiger. The Americas, not to be left out, also fostered a rich feline history, with cat sizes varying by continent. Who would’ve thought larger cat breeds once prowled Europe?
Chat with your kitty and you’re conversing with a distant relative of big cats like tigers and lions. House cats share a jaw-dropping 95.6% of their DNA with tigers, explaining their sleek predator moves even if it’s just a toy mouse they’re pouncing on. Initial cats come from the Felidae family, branching out into the diverse range we see today, from big beasts of the wild to the cuddly companions on our laps.
Feline domestication is a tale as old as time, stretching back to around 7500 BCE. Ancient Egyptians adored their cat companions, venerating them so much that even gods took on feline forms. Cats served a practical shipboard role by keeping mice at bay as Europeans ventured to the New World, spreading the feline population globally. Today, they’re one of the top pets, nestled in 34% of American homes.
There’s no denying it—our furry friends trace back to wild ancestors, carrying just enough wild spirit to keep life interesting.
