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Cat Breed Personality TraitsChoosing a Purebred Kitten or Cat Based on Typical Qualities
Which breed of cat is right for you? Researching breed personalities before adopting helps to ensure a good match between owner and cat.
Each cat breed has a typical set of personality traits and behavioural qualities. Of course there will always be exceptions, but if you’re interested in adopting a purebred, you can increase the likelihood of getting a cat whose temperament is in harmony with your own by doing a bit of breed research beforehand. Making a list of qualities that you’d like in a cat can help in choosing a breed. Do you like talkative cats, or prefer a cat that is not particularly noisy or demanding? Do you want a very active cat that may be a bit more of a handful, or a peaceful, quiet cat that will sit on your lap for hours on end? Are you interested in adopting a cat that is willing to learn tricks? Are you concerned about whether or not your new cat will get along with a resident dog? The following breed characteristics may help in making a selection. Affectionate and Sociable BreedsMany people prefer an extroverted cat. Some of the more affectionate, friendly cat breeds include:
Intelligent BreedsIntelligence varies widely within each breed, so it’s impossible to rank every breed based on this trait. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the following may be among the more clever breeds overall, but there are brighter and duller cats within each breed:
Talkative BreedsFor those who like a chatty cat, the Siamese is often the number one choice. Other talkative breeds include:
Longest-Lived BreedsThere is a significant amount of variance in longevity based on medical care and whether or not cats are allowed outside. With good veterinary care and barring accidents or severe medical problems, anecdotal evidence suggests that Siamese and Manx cats are among the longest-lived breeds. Lap CatsWhile there are certainly exceptions to the rule, breeds that are more inclined toward lap-sitting include:
Tonkinese cats may lap-sit, but they are more likely to prefer sitting on their favourite humans’ shoulders. “Doglike” CatsThe Manx is probably the most doglike breed of cat. Manx cats are more amenable to learning tricks than most breeds, and many will even play fetch. They are also more likely to be comfortable traveling in vehicles, and tend to follow their favourite humans around the house. Other cats with doglike traits include:
Breeds That Are More Inclined to Get Along with DogsWhile many cats can learn to tolerate or even enjoy the company of dogs, Scottish Fold, Ocicat, and Burmese cats are actually inclined to like dogs. Laid-back breeds breeds are also more inclined to get along with other pets. Some of the more easy-going breeds include:
Any breed of cat is more likely to accept a dog or another cat if the introductions are handled properly. For information on how to smooth the first contact between a resident pet and a new adoptee, see Introducing a New Cat. Highly Active BreedsFor those who want a lively, high-energy cat, the best choices are usually:
Other Factors to Take Into AccountIn addition to personality, time may be an issue. Long-haired breeds such as Persians and Himalayans are not a good choice for those who don’t have the time to groom their cats daily to prevent tangles and hairballs. For those who like the Persian facial and body type but don't have a lot of time to spend on grooming, the Exotic, also known as "the Lazy Man's Persian," is a shorthaired variant. Another factor to take into account is cat allergies. For cat lovers who suffer from allergies, anecdotal evidence suggests that Siberian, Sphynx, and Devon and Cornish and Rex cats are less likely to produce allergic reactions than other breeds. Allergy sufferers should spend time with the cat to be adopted or a different cat of the same breed to gauge allergic reactions before adopting. References:
The copyright of the article Cat Breed Personality Traits in Cat Breeds is owned by Jennifer Copley. Permission to republish Cat Breed Personality Traits in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Dec 29, 2008 9:43 AM
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Dec 29, 2008 12:28 PM
Jennifer Copley :
Jan 3, 2009 7:18 PM
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