Unusual Cat Breeds
Scottish Fold, Maine Coon, Ukrainian Levkoy, Cornish Rex & Oriental
Many cat lovers seek out unusual cats, such as those of the following assortment of quirky breeds.
The Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is the result of a mutation that occurred in 1961. The first Scottish Fold cat, Susie, was discovered on a farm in Scotland. Intrigued by the unusual cat which had flattened ears and a face like an otter, shepherd William Ross and his wife adopted one of Susie’s kittens.
A few years later, cat breeder and geneticist Pat Turner worked to develop the breed, overseeing a number of pairings to ensure that the genetic mutation became widespread. Because the flattened ear gene is dominant, if either of a kitten’s parents is a Scottish Fold, the kitten will also have folded ears.
Scottish Folds tend to have sweet, good-natured personalities and quiet voices, and usually live about 15 years. They should be bred with straight-eared cats, as breeding two folded-eared cats can cause a degenerative joint disease in the offspring.
The Maine Coon Cat
A wild-looking cat with pointed tufts on its ears and a bushy tail, many falsely believe that this breed is the result of matings between cats and raccoons. In reality, the Maine Coon is likely the offspring of shorthaired local cats and long-haired cats from overseas, such as those brought by the Vikings to North America.
A thick, water-resistant coat and large tufted feet that act as snow shoes make this cat well suited to harsh winter climates. Maine Coons tend to be very large, and continue to grow for the first 3-5 years of life, far longer than most cats. Gentle and usually laid back, they tend to maintain playful, kittenish qualities into adulthood. They don’t meow often, and when they do, it is an unusual chirping trill.
Ukrainian Levkoy
This cat is hairless and has folded ears and a long, very muscular body. Levkoys have big eyes that often appear to be partially closed, as though the cat is tired, and wrinkled skin that is very soft to the touch. The Levkoy is very active and friendly.
The Cornish Rex
Looking like aliens with their slender bodies, pointy faces, wavy fur and enormous bat ears, Cornish Rex cats are enjoyable to pat because their fur feels like silk or velvet. The Cornish Rex sheds less than other cats as well.
Cornish Rex cats are extremely affectionate. They love people and tend to be very active and playful.
The Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental shorthair is affectionate, playful and quick to purr. This breed is highly curious and needs a lot of attention.
Oriental Shorthairs, which have enormous ears, slender triangular faces and very long tails, can be found in more than 300 colors and patterns.
Further Reading
Information for this article was obtained from The Cat Fanciers’ Association, which provides detailed information on breeds, cat care and other cat-related topics. For more information on cats, please see More Unusual Cat Breeds, The Dangers of Declawing Cats and Wild Cats of Canada.
