Look out Golden Retrievers--there are some new sets of paws in town out to be man's best friend, and this time, they're cats! While most people probably couldn't name more than a couple of cat breeds, these friendly, lovable kitties are here to prove their worth as common knowledge pedigree pets, and to look good doing it too!
1. The Classic Persian
Classic Persian actually had much longer snouts, and as such were far less prone to many of the health issues the popularized breed faces now. Compared to the selectively bred short-nosed show Persians, Classic Persians are known to live longer, healthier lives, and make great cuddly companions. If you're thinking of getting a Persian, consider adopting a healthier Classic Persian rather than the popular short muzzled version to avoid long-term health issues in your kitty companion.
2. The Munchkin
The Munchkin cat is easily one of the cutest damn cats we've ever seen. I mean, come on. They look like little bitty tubes with little bitty feetsies. And the best part? They don't share any of the breed-specific health issues found in other short-legged animals such as Dachshunds or Corgis. That's right, these kitties are deformity free and living life to the fullest! The biggest complication found in the Munchkin breed is the actual breeding process, which can lead to a pretty massive price tag for such a small critter.
Since the gene giving these kitties their characteristic tiny legs is homozygously lethal, it's impossible for two short-legged Munchkins to give birth to viable offspring. Instead, a short-legged Munchkin must be bred with a long-legged cat that also carries the Munchkin gene, resulting in some of the litter donning short legs, and the other sporting long ones.
The complexities involved in the breeding process makes the adorably popular kitty a pain to place in the hands of willing buyers, so if you're planning on getting one, prepare to dish out a fat wad of cash to sit on a very, very long waiting list. Ah, the things we do for cute animals.
3. The Sphynx
Yes, they're hairless. Yes, they look a bit like naked mole rats. But does that stop them from being absolutely adorable? Not a chance. I mean, come on, just wook at dowes wittle wrinkles.
Believe it or not, their lack of fur doesn't make these special kitties act any less like household royalty, and are actually one of the friendlier, more dog-like breeds of cats.
Despite not having any fur to groom, these wrinkly babies still require a unique level of maintenance. The access buildup of skin oils that would normally be absorbed by a cat's coat can become a problem for Sphynx kitties, and as such means weekly or bi-weekly baths are required to keep these kitties healthy. They can also be prone to skin cancer from sun exposure, and many Sphynx owners recommend special kitty sunscreen to keep them from getting a little too toasty. They also need sweaters in the winter, and if that's not just the cutest goddamn thing, then I don't know what to tell you.
4. The Siamese
One of the most distinctly characterized and well-known breeds, the Siamese can be identified by its triangle-shaped head, large ears, and beautiful almond-shaped blue eyes. The breed originates in Asia, specifically bred from localized cats native to present-day Thailand. If they look a little familiar, it's probably because they're the base breed for the hairless wonder above, as well as for other popular breeds such as the Bengal and Peterbald.
Like their hairless relatives, Siamese cats are known for their extroverted personalities and are even said to indulge in games of fetch with their owners.
Similar to many other popularized breeds, the original Siamese was not much like it's present-day counterpart. Most of the long, angular traits associated with the Siamese cat are a fairly recent trend, the look gaining tracking with breeders around the 1950s and continuing into the present.
While the breed can be increasingly dependent on their human counterparts, they are treasured as loyal companions by cat owners all over the globe for their loving personalities.
And now, finally, for our last cat...
5. The Skipper
By far the greatest, superior cat breed is that of my own cat, Skipper. If I had to guess I would have to assume her genetics are something like 75% dystopian dictator and 20% benevolent royalty, with 5% set aside specifically for ass-kissing in regards to meal time.
Her favorite pastimes are destroying posters I like and sleeping in places she should be physically unable to fit. Also eating weird things off the floor and spontaneously appearing in places she shouldn't be, like bathtubs.
So yes, maybe Skipper is a weird, hodge-podge of genetics and questionable personality traits rather than a pedigree with a lineage, but she is also the best cat I've ever had.
So if you weren't overly attached to any of the breeds you've seen today, always remember there could be a Skipper waiting for you at your local shelter. Every day thousands of unadopted shelter cats are euthanized as non-profit adoption agencies struggle to make room for more animals in need.
Choosing adoption may not be the best option for every pet owner, but it certainly never hurts to keep your eyes open. Who knows, you might just bring home a Skipper!
