The American Shortahir breeders like to say their breed started in 1620 when the first domesticated cats reached North America aboard the Mayflower. As pioneer families trekked inland, their cats accompanied them as part of their stock, and in this way the domestic cat gradually spread across the whole continent. The tough conditions under which the cats lived, resulted in equally tough cats. This was the beginning of the American Shorthair. As a result, the American is exceptionally strong and hardy. In the beginning, this breed was originally known as the Shorthair, but it soon came to be called the Domestic Shorthair. The domestic shorthair was upgraded by the infusion of pedigree shorthair blood from animals imported from Britian at the turn of the century. The breed was renamed the American Shorthair in 1966. Here's more information about the American Short Hair Cat.
Norwegian Forest Cats are a historic breed of large, robust, natural cats who really do come from Norway. A good Forest Cat has a special expression - intelligent, calm, dignified, maybe even a bit wicked - which makes it different from any other breed. This is known as the "NFC look". Forest cats are the result of Viking sailors bringing home cats from as far afield as Turkey, Spain, Africa and Russia. (There are no other small cats indigenous to Scandinavia.) These varied cats then interbred, and only those with the most rugged coats and constitutions could survive the harsh conditions and thrive to become the companions of isolated farmers all over Norway and Sweden. In the mid twentieth century, Scandinavian urban expansion threatened the Norwegian Forest Cat, so a special breeding program was put in place in Norway to save them. Nowadays they are very popular, not only because they are so handsome and easy to care for, but also because they make such easy-going, loving and interesting companions. Here's more information about the Norwegian Forest Cat.
Credit for the Persian breed is generally given to Turkey, Iran (formerly Persia), and the neighboring countries. Longhaired cats were associated with these countries from about the 16th century, and possibly earlier. During that period the first cats of this kind began to arrive in Europe. It is assumed that the long coat arose from a mutation in shorthaired cats that maybe were of Egyptian origin. The colder climates of Turkey and Iran certainly favored such a mutation. The long coat aroused great interest among cat owners and made the cats more valuable. Here's more information about Persians Cats.
The Human obsession with the Ragdolls started back in 1963 back in California by a lady called Anne baker. Since then their popularity has escalated this is surely due to their wonderful character. All Ragdolls although they can be different, they all share the same characteristics. A surberb gentle temperament, happy to live along side anyone, they are very friendly and chatty to children and adults alike. They are a semi long hair cat with a soft silky easy to manage coat and they just love to be groomed. They are a large breed with males ranging up to 20lbs plus. The females are a little more petite at up to 12lbs. As kittens they are very affectionate and playful and I think almost dog like, they soon follow you around and will retrieve balls and other toys. Combine beauty, brains, blue-eyes and the laid back attitude and you will surely have the perfect cat. Here's more information about the Ragdoll cat.
The Siamese breed has existed for many centuries although there is much disagreement as to their true origin. While there are many legends and stories about the origination of the Siamese breed, the most probable theory is that the breed had it's origins somewhere in southeast Asia, in what are known as the Malay States, Indo-China, Burma or the Himalayan region. This theory is reinforced by the similarities between Siamese and the cats of this region (kinked tails, svelt appearance, & long headed). For many generations the Royal cats of Siam where jealously guarded by the King of Siam at his Palace in Bangkok. It is probably owing to this confinement of the 'Palace' cats that there is little known of their true origins. The original Palace or Temple cats of Siam were said to be dark-colored with yellow eyes, not exactly what we would expect now as Siamese. In any event, sometime in the past centuries either one or several mutations occurred which caused the distinguishing 'Points' and Blue eyes that make the Siamese so distinctive. It is unfortunate that there are no records of who was responsible for encouraging and breeding this mutation, for without this person or group of persons, the Siamese breed may never have come into existence. While the true origins of the Siamese may always be conjecture, we do know when the breed first began to appear outside of Siam, or Thailand as it is called now. In 1884, pair of Siamese cats were brought to Britain by Mr. Owen Gould, then the British Consul-General in Bangkok. This pair was given to Mr. Owens sister, Mrs. Veley who went on to cofound the Siamese Cat Club in 1901, and were shown at the Crystal Palace in 1885. During 1886, another pair of Siamese cats and two kittens were imported by a Mrs. Vyvyan and her sister into Britain. These cats along with several others brought into Britain in the following years comprised the base breeding pool for the Siamese breed. Therefore, all modern Siamese, especially those in the US, can trace their lineage back to these original Siamese brought into Britain during this time. This has been estimated to be at most only eleven cats! Here's more information about the Siamese Cat.