15 Best American Cat Breeds: Which One Is Right For You?

15 Best American Cat Breeds This American cat breed is another example of domestic. Cats intentionally bred to resemble a wild cat. The Ossicat's spots, stripes, and large expressive eyes bring to mind the Ocelot. Originally an unintentional creation, the early version of the Ossicat was meant to be a Siamese cat with the coloring of the Abyssinian breed. Several crosses of this type produced a cat with both stripes and spots that resemble an Ocelot. Here are 15 cat breeds that come from the United States. American Shorthair The American Shorthair has a pedigree stretching back to early U.S. history. This breed's claim to fame is its voyage on the Mayflower. Its believed pilgrims brought skilled feline mousers from Europe to keep rodents under control on the transatlantic voyage. Once settled in their new homeland, these early ancestors of the breed continued to prowl for rodents and eventually came to be known as the American Shorthair. The breed received official recognition in 1966. American Curl One glance at the backward curled ears of this American cat breed, and you'll understand how it got its name. These cats have a natural genetic mutation that results in the peculiar ear shape. The mutation was first discovered in cats of the early 1980s, and efforts quickly got underway to selectively breed for the trait. Unlike some other gene mutations, this one is dominant, meaning just one parent needs to have the gene for the trait to appear. Bengal The Bengal cat was developed in the U.S. in the 1970s. The breed got its start when an African Leopard cat was successfully crossed with a domestic cat. The Abyssinian, American Shorthair, and Egyptian Moe were also early contributors to the breeding program. Third generation Bengals generally exhibit the personality of a domestic house cat, but they retain the striking spotting and marbling of a leopard. Exotic Shorthair The Exotic Shorthair looks like a Persian cat with a haircut. This American cat was deliberately bred to have a short, plush coat with the distinctive round, flat face of the Persian. Often referred to as the lazy man's Persian, these cats share similar traits and are held to the same breed standards. The biggest difference is that Exotic Shorthairs are easier to groom. Maine Coon The Maine Coon is known as a gentle giant of the cat world due to its large size and easy-going nature. The modern history of this American cat breed begins in Maine. The cat's medium-length fur with a prominent ruff on the chest and tufts of fur on the ears and feet no doubt helped it handle the harsh northeastern weather. Still, these cats are surprisingly easy keepers and only require weekly grooming. Ragdoll The Ragdoll is a California original. This American cat breed was developed on the West Coast in the 1960s. Today, these cats are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. Unlike many cat breeds that tend to be selective about when and how they're held, the Ragdoll generally seems to enjoy any type of human interaction and has a tendency to go limp when carried. Balinese The Balinese shares many traits with the Siamese, but a luxurious long-haired coat sets this breed apart. Originally occurring as a natural gene mutation in a litter of Siamese cats, the Balinese was initially referred to as a long-haired Siamese. However, enthusiasts of the breed worked to selectively develop cats with the traits that today define this American cat breed. Selkirk Rex The Selkirk Rex is another American cat breed that came about from a naturally occurring genetic mutation for its trademark curly coat. The breed has been developed with the help of Persian, British Shorthair, and Exotic Shorthair crosses. These cats tend to be very sweet and mellow, and they get along well with people and even other pets. Bombay This American cat breed was intentionally bred to look like a small black panther. But fortunately it proves to be a much more affectionate and sociable house companion. Originally developed in Kentucky in the 1970s, the Bombay came from breeding stock of black American Shorthair cats and sable-colored Burmese cats. Everything about today's Bombay cat is blacka. It's fur, nose, and pawpadsa. With the exception of its eyes, which are gleaming gold or copper. Pixiebob The Pixiebob is a smaller lookalike version of a wild bobcat. The breed is said to have originated from crossing a wild bobcat with a domesticated cat. While it might look a bit wild and is larger than the average house cat, the Pixiebob is known to be both playful and affectionate. Loperum A soft coat of curls characterizes Loperum cats. The breed originated from barn cats breeding in Oregon in the 1980s. That introduced a wide range of coat and eye colors, giving the breed variety and beauty. Although the cat's coat is somewhat long, it doesn't shed much and requires a quick comb a few times a week to reduce mats and dangles. American Wirehair Closely related to the American Shorthair, this cat breed was originally developed in New York. Today, the American Wirehair remains rare but stands out for its coarse, wiry coat and whiskers. The gene responsible for this cat breed's unique coat is a spontaneous dominant mutation. The breed also has a slightly different facial structure than American Shorthairs. American Bobtail The American Bobtail stands out for its tail or lack thereof, instead of the long, flicking tail familiar to most cat lovers. This American cat breed has a tail that is significantly shorter. It can be straight, curved, or kinked. Bred from a wide range of cat breeds, the American Bobtail has a deep pool of genetic diversity and isn't plagued with many common health problems. Ossicat This American cat breed is another example of domestic. Cats intentionally bred to resemble a wild cat. The Ossicat's spots, stripes, and large expressive eyes bring to mind the Ocelot. Originally an unintentional creation, the early version of the Ossicat was meant to be a Siamese cat with the coloring of the Abyssinian breed. Several crosses of this type produced a cat with both stripes and spots that resemble an Ocelot. Lykoi The Lykoi has often drawn comparisons to a creature of myths, the Werewolf. Its sparse coat and bright copper eyes make it easy to see how the breed, which hails from Vaughanore, Tennessee, is often called the Werewolf cat. The breed's unique appearance resulted from a natural genetic mutation. Known to be playful and intelligent, these cats make excellent pets. In the end, if you want to own an American cat, you have to choose the closest to your heart. We will talk in detail about each type, follow us, and welcome to our family.