There is nothing quite as majestic and sophisticated as the long-haired feline. In this post, we pay homage to the bushy beauty (not to mention their hard-earned care) of 14 long-haired cat breeds.
facts about long-haired cats
Long-haired cats, including hybrid and artificial cat breeds, are not as common as short-haired cats. this is because the gene for long hair is recessive.
About 1 in 10 domestic cats in the U.S. uu. is a domestic long-haired cat, or a long-haired cat of mixed ancestry not belonging to any specific recognized breed of cat.
Where did long-haired cats originate?
It is speculated that long-haired cats arose from cat populations in northern Russia, Iran, and Turkey. the gene for long hair was naturally selected among these cats as a way of surviving the harsh, cold climates of tundra and mountainous regions.
Maine Coon
One of the largest cat breeds, the Maine Coon is reminiscent of a good-natured American buzzard. their tendency to be polydactyls (having extra fingers) makes them excellent hunters and climbers. They are the state cat of Maine and were a popular competitor at early cat shows in Boston and New York.
The maine coon’s guard coat is long, furry, and waterproof. Although his coat is thick and heavy, matting is minimal with a regular grooming session. While many Maine Coons are brown tabbies, the coloration and patterns of their coats vary widely, including solid, tortoiseshell, bi-color, and more.
rag doll
The plush, silky coat of the ragdoll cat requires little routine grooming. These gentle giants take four years to reach maturity and have been known to fall limp in the arms of anyone who holds them. In the 1960s, breeder Ann Baker used free cats she found in her California neighborhood to develop this gentle and placid breed.
Ragdolls are most recognized for their colorpoint coats, including these 5 coat pattern variations: colorpoint, mitted, bicolor, lynx point, and tortie point. although the ragdoll’s coat is long, the undercoat is sparse, meaning it tangles less than other long-haired breeds.
Persian
Of all the long-haired cat breeds, the Persian cat may be the first that comes to mind. This very ancient breed is believed to have originated from Turkish Angora cats crossed with other longhaired breeds from Asia.
Sweet, gentle, and calm Persians are famous for their silky white coats, though they now come in a variety of other colors. In terms of grooming, this is a high-maintenance breed – the long, luscious coat you’re likely drawn to will require daily grooming to make sure it doesn’t become matted and matted, as well as monthly baths.
Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat’s large, muscular body and dense, waterproof fur helped it survive many generations in the harsh climate of Scandinavia. Legends surround the official cat of Norway, including those that say it traveled on Viking ships and pulled the chariot of the Norse goddess Freya.
These easygoing, adaptable, and friendly cats have a double coat: the undercoat is thick and dense, and the topcoat is glossy and waterproof. Norwegian Forest cats’ coats require constant care to maintain. They can have a variety of coat colors and patterns, with brindle and white being the most common.
Siberian
Some believe the great Siberian cat is the mother of all long-haired cat breeds. The Siberian’s coat is long, thick, and protective, a long-standing trait that can be attributed to the subarctic climate of its Russian homeland. references to Siberians date back at least 1,000 years; however, they were not exported until after the cold war.
These affectionate, playful, and intelligent cats sport a coat made up of three layers called the triple coat: There’s an outer coat made of guard hairs, a middle coat consisting of awn hairs, and a soft undercoat. in warmer weather, the Siberian cat will shed most of its coats. in winter, the coat will be extremely full. light, regular grooming is best suited to this breed.
himalayas
The Himalayan cat has a famous appearance among long-haired cat breeds as a cross between a Siamese and a Persian. This sweet and docile cat doesn’t have a lot of energy to spare, making him a good candidate for a serene home with little to no change.
Himalayans love to be petted, but their level of shedding requires fairly frequent brushing. Their long, silky coat, which includes a dense undercoat, mats and mats if not regularly combed with a wide-toothed comb. luckily, himalayans love having their family members groom them, making for a wonderful daily bonding experience!
Balinese
The elegant Balinese cat is the long-haired version of the Siamese. His colorpoint coat is fine and silky, with a tendency to wave where it is longest, and his eyes are a beautiful sapphire blue. they are vocal cats that will follow you around, demanding your full attention and conversational skills.
Balinese cats are relatively low maintenance when it comes to their care. They don’t require much grooming because they don’t have an undercoat and don’t shed as much. their coats can show various colored points, including lilac point, chocolate point, seal point, and blue point.
Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora cat is known for its beautiful looks (favored by bond villains everywhere). This long-haired cat came to Europe in the 16th century from Persia and Russia, but the history of this breed goes back much further. this majestic breed is also friendly and affectionate.
Although Turkish Angoras are associated with a white coat, they actually come in a variety of colors. Because its coat is semi-long and fine with no undercoat, it is less susceptible to matting. brushing their coats once or twice a week can keep them from shedding and getting a lot of tangles.
Burmese
The Burmese cat has a distinctive appearance with long, silky point-colored fur, pretty white paws, and striking blue eyes. Legends surround the “sacred cat of Burma”, including being companions to temple priests in northern Burma (present-day Myanmar). This affectionate and docile breed originated when Siamese cats were mixed with long-haired white cats.
The Burmese’s silky coat is medium to long in length, but does not mat easily. Grooming him once or twice a week will help remove loose fur and debris. Burmese show 4 main color point coat patterns: seal point, blue point, chocolate point, and lilac point.
ragamuffin
The ragamuffin cat is very similar to its cousin, the ragdoll, except that it comes in more colors and patterns. And like the ragdoll, they’re a low-maintenance cat breed, even when it comes to their luxurious long fur, which doesn’t easily mat or mat. they have a docile nature and love to be held like a baby.
how do you tell the difference between a rag doll and a rag? while a ragdoll only shows a spiky pattern, ragamuffins can be tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, solid color, tuxedo (or bi-color), and even shaded or smoked.
Somali
The impressive Somali cat is the long-haired version of the Abyssinian. They look just like a little wild fox with their bushy tail, fluffy ears, and fluffy fur. As their name suggests, they were once thought to have originated in Somalia. new evidence shows they are more likely to have come from parts of Southeast Asia.
Somali cats have a fine, silky coat that needs frequent grooming (at least twice a week) to prevent matting and knotting. these kitties are outgoing, adventurous, and entertaining – you might even call them crafty, as their fox-like appearance suggests!
nebelung
The shy and gentle Nebelung looks like a long-haired version of the Russian Blue. their silky blue fur gleams with silver at the tips and their thickly feathered tail trails behind them gracefully. This breed originated when a Russian Blue was mated with a black domestic shorthair cat, surprisingly resulting in a longhaired blue kitten.
With fine, medium-long hair and a soft undercoat, the Nebelung needs to be brushed at least once a week to reduce shedding. This breed is loyal and tends to bond with a select few family members, making grooming sessions an ideal bonding time.
selkirk rex
although the selkirk rex can have coats of different lengths, we find them especially adorable in their woolly sheep state. As one of the newer breeds, this naturally curly-coated cat originated from a Montana domestic cat. they are sometimes crossed with Persian Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and British Shorthairs, giving them a sweet, round-eyed expression.
This breed requires little grooming from its human companions and sheds minimally. Selkirk rex kittens sometimes lose their curls in the first few months after birth. but at 8 to 10 months her curls return and increase in curls up to 2 years of age.
Turkish van
A cousin of the Turkish Angora, the Turkish Van is another ancient breed of long-haired cat known for its beauty and agility. Their semi-long fur protects them from the harsh mountain climate where they originated and aids in their love of water. in fact, the Turkish van is known as the “swimming cat” and takes its name from the lake van in southeastern Turkey.
How do you tell the difference between the Turkish Angora and the Turkish Van? the Turkish van is usually larger and recognizable by the colored spots on the head and tail.
Of all the luxurious coats that belong to these long-haired cat breeds, which one do you fancy running your fingers through the most? We recommend taking a tour of your local cat shelter to see all the long-haired beauties in need of a home!
photo credits:
- national long hair: madalyn cox via unsplash
- Persian: Maxim Mushnikov via Unsplash
- Turkish Angora: © moyan brenn / wikimedia commons / cc-by-sa-2.0
