Cat Breeds

The Kurilian Bobtail is a cat breed originating from the Kuril Islands of Russia. It has a semi-cobby body type and a distinct short, fluffy tail. The backs are slightly arched with hind legs longer than the front, similar to that of the Manx.

The Kurilian Bobtail is recognized by the World Cat Federation, The International Cat Association and the Fédération Internationale Féline but not the Cat Fanciers Association.

Korats are a slate blue-grey shorthair domestic cat with a small to medium build and a low percentage of body fat. Their bodies are semi-cobby, and surprisingly heavy for their size. Korat cats are intelligent, playful, active cats and form strong bonds with people. Among Korats' distinguishing characteristics are their heart-shaped heads and large green eyes. They are one of a few breeds where individuals have only one color (some are yellow-green, rather than blue-grey).

The Korat cat is one of the oldest stable cat breeds. Originating in Thailand, it is named after the Nakhon Ratchasima province (typically called "Korat" by the Thai people). In Thailand it is known as Si-Sawat, meaning "Color of the Sawat Seed". They are known colloquially as the "Good Luck Cat" and are given in pairs to newlyweds or to people who are highly esteemed, for good luck. Until recently, Korats were not sold, but only given as gifts.

However, Korats are no longer seen in Thailand, having long since interbred with cats brought by, e.g., U.S. personnel during the 2nd Indochina War (Vietnam War). (Korat, for example, was a major R-n-R town due to its proximity to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.) Korats now exist due to the diligent efforts of a few cat breeders, most (perhaps all) of whom are outside of Thailand.

The first mention of the Korat cat is in "The Cat-Book Poems" authored between 1350 and 1767 AD in Thailand, now in the National library in Bangkok. However, the illustration of the Korat in this book is not detailed enough to be definitive as to the breed portrayed. In recent years the Korat has graced a postage stamp in Thailand. An example hangs prominently in the city of Korat's post office.

Korats first appeared in America in the 1950s and arrived in Britain from there in 1972. Jean Johnson introduced Korats to the US in 1959. She had lived in Thailand, where she encountered the cat breed. Her first pair were named Nara (male) and Dara (female). The Korat was introduced to the UK by Miss Betty Munford of The High Street, Hungerford. Betty was affectionately known as the Cat Lady of Hungerford. Betty died in June 2009.

Although it is quite rare, some Korats may occasionally possess strikingly or faint white markings or spots or even very faint gray stripes. Sometimes these spots increase in size with age. These are seen as flaws, and the cats are not allowed to be displayed in cat shows, although of course it has no effect on their personality or health.

The Javanese cat is a recognized cat breed of domestic cat. Javanese have a long, silky coat, that comes in a variety of colors. Javanese cats, like their Siamese relatives, are noted as being very intelligent and talkative. Similar in coat style to the Balinese, Javanese are pointed cats that fall outside of the typically accepted point colors seen in Balinese cats (seal, blue, chocolate and lilac). Instead, Javanese are referred to as color point cats, showing odd or rare colors, such as red or white, as well as patterns such as tabby and tortie. As they are directly related to Siamese and Balinese cats, they can suffer from some of the same genetic defects. Generally, these defects are bred out of the active lines and are becoming rare. They are very social cats which can become depressed if they are left alone too often. They are generally very playful pets, and are markedly good at jumping. However, they do have a tendency to become overweight if they do not receive adequate exercise. Javanese cat are also quite vocal like the Balinese, and most will "talk" for no particular reason.

The Japanese Bobtail is a breed of cat with an unusual 'bobbed' tail more closely resembling the tail of a rabbit than that of an ordinary feline. The short tail is a cat body type genetic mutation caused by the expression of a recessive gene. Thus, so long as both parents are bobtails, all kittens born to a litter will have bobtails as well.

The Japanese Bobtail is a small domestic cat native to Japan and Southeast Asia, though it is now found throughout the world. The breed has been known in Japan for centuries, and there are many stories, as well as pieces of ancient art, featuring it.
Japanese bobtails may have almost any color, but calicoes, are especially favored by the Japanese. Much like any other breed, the colors may be arranged in any number of patterns, with van patterns and calico being common among purebred cats, though other colorations are also accepted.

The standard described below is a general description of the cat breeds standard - links for each registration authority's exact details are provided in the cat breed infobox at the top of the article. The Japanese Bobtail is a recognised breed by all major registering bodies, with the exception of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.

• Head: The head should form an equilateral triangle. (Not including ears)
• Ears: Large, upright, set wide apart but at right angles to the head and looking as if alert.
• Muzzle: Fairly broad and round neither pointed nor blunt.
• Eyes: Large, oval rather than round. They should not bulge out beyond the cheekbone or the forehead.
• Body: Medium in size, males larger than females. Long torso, lean and elegant, showing well developed muscular strength. Balance is also very important.
• Neck: Not too long and not too short, in proportion to the length of the body.
• Legs: Long, slender, and high. The hind legs longer than the forelegs.
• Paws: Oval. Toes: five in front and four behind.
• Coat (Shorthair): Medium length, soft and silk.
• Coat (Longhair): Length medium-long to long, texture soft and silky gradually lengthening toward the rump.
• Tail: The tail must be clearly visible and is made up of one or more curves.

The Himalayan cat is a cat breed of long-haired cat identical in type to the Persian, with the exception of its blue eyes and its point coloration, which were derived from the crossing of the Persian with the Siamese. In Europe they are referred to as Colourpoint Persians.

While the Himalayan is considered a cat breed separate from the Persian by The International Cat Association, it is grouped together with the Persian and Exotic Shorthair (shorthaired version of the Persian) under a "Persian Cat Breed Group standard". The Cat Fanciers' Association considers the Himalayan a color variation of the Persian rather than as a separate breed, although they do compete in their own color division.

Like Persian cats, the Himalayan cat tends to have a round (cobby) body with short legs, which makes it harder for them to jump as high as other cats do. Some do have more of a Siamese like body, though, and can jump as high as seven feet.

These cats are sweet-tempered, intelligent and generally very social and good companions. Because of their heritage from the Siamese cats they tend to be more active than Persians.

Due to their Persian ancestry, some Himalayans may have the gene that causes Polycystic kidney disease, (PKD), but a genetic test can reveal which cats carry the PKD gene, so that they may be spayed or neutered.

Like many long-haired cats, Himalayans need to be brushed daily to keep their coats looking their best and healthiest. In addition, they may need their face wiped daily, depending on the cat. Bathing a Himalayan is also recommended by some breeders, to help reduce the amount of oil on the cat's fur and skin. The fur on the body of a Himalayan is white or cream, but the points come in many different colors: seal (or black), blue, lilac, chocolate, red and cream. The points can also be tabby or tortoiseshell-patterned. The chocolate and lilac point Himalayans are the most difficult to produce, because both parents must carry the gene for chocolate/lilac to produce a chocolate or lilac kitten, as the trait is autosomal recessive.

Show Himalayans display a nose break as do show Persians (the "Peke" or "Ultra-Face" variety), and have very large, round eyes with the nose leather right between the eyes. Breeder or pet Himalayans generally have longer noses than the show cats, and may display a longer muzzle and smaller eyes than the show cats do. All three types of cat are Himalayans, however.