30 Rare Cat Breeds You Didn’t Know Before!

Some cat breeds are easy to find, such as Persian or Siamese. But what about looking for a Sokoke or Peterbald? Cat lovers are often curious about different cat breeds, and they love to hear about them. Therefore, we are here with some rare cat breeds that are common and easy to find. Every cat breed has its unique qualities and features that one wants to learn about.

If you are looking for a cat for yourself, then you are in the right place. We are going to discuss some rare cat breeds that you will love to learn about. With the information below, you will easily choose a cat that will perfectly suit your personality type. So stay with us and be patient to hear about some rare cat breeds.

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30 Rare Cat Breeds You Must See

1. Turkish Angora Cats:

Among rare cat breeds, the Turkish Angora is one of the most ancient and rare cats that originated from Turkey. Sometimes they are called Ankara cats and by different names as well. They are well known because of their beauty, and have white color and long hair. They are known for their shimmery and white posh tail with long hair.

Turkish Angora cats are intelligent, have friendly behavior, and are playful, and get attached to humans easily. They are smart and also love to connect to humans. The mutation of Turkish Angora also developed Persian cats.

2. American Bobtail Cats:

As their name suggests, “Bobtail,” these cats are known for their small tail. These cats are brilliant and love to share a bond with humans. They have a rugged appearance, and their size is medium to large.

They are quiet in behavior. A baby Bobtail takes two to three years to reach the adult size. Their weight is quite heavy, having a broad chest and slightly higher hips. They are also known for their love for games, whether hidden and seeking or hunting insects.

3. European Burmese Cats:

The European Burmese cats are originated from Burma and are considered among rare cat breeds. These cats are medium-sized and have short hairs, and their body is quite elegant. The European Burmese can become friends quickly with all the family members and household nearby cats and even dogs.

They have two breeds, one is the European Burmese, and the other is Burmese. The main difference between the two is their color. The European Burmese comes in brown and chocolate color while Burmese has blue and lilac color. Also, the European Burmese has a quite elegant body, while Burmese has a well-rounded appearance.

4. Chartreux Cats:

It is one of the rarest cat breeds that originated from France. Chartreux has a larger muscular body. They have short hairs that are thick in texture and have speedy reflexes. Their behavior is quiet, and often some Chartreux are found to be mute.

They are quite intelligent and love to hang around and play. A baby Chartreux takes two years to reach its adult size. Their health is perfect, and they love to play with children and other animals. They generally bond with one person in their house. They are also known for their cute smile and are included in the rare types of cat breeds.

5. Korat Cat:

The Korat cat is one of the large rare domestic cat breeds that originated from Thailand. They are intelligent and love to bond with humans. It is one of the oldest cat breeds. Their heads are heart-shaped, and generally, they have green eyes.

They are also known as “Good luck, cats.” In Thailand, they are also called “Si Sawat.” The baby Korats take two to four years to reach their adult size. They have one color that is referred to as “rain-cloud grey.” They have a good memory and are often given to newlyweds, referred to as good luck cats.

6. Havana Brown:

The Havana Brown cat is a brown-colored cat that originated by breeding Siamese cats with domestic black cats. It is a well-balanced and average-sized cat. They generally have a brown or reddish blue color. Their head is quite long, and the male Havana cats are slightly larger than female Havana Brown’s.

They are intelligent and love to spend time with owners, and quickly get attached to the family members and the other pets. They require very little grooming. It is also known as the “Swiss Mountain Cat” or “Chestnut Brown.” 

7. Burmilla:

The Burmilla is one of the rare cat breeds, and it is a medium-sized muscular cat that originated in the United Kingdom in 1981. It was developed by the breeding of a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese. These cats weigh between 3-6 kg. They have a rounded head structure with large ears. They come in two types of coats, one is semi-long hair, and one is short hair.

The semi-long hair Burmilla is known as “Tiffanies.” It has a very silky and soft feel. They are quite irreverent and adore their owners. These cats are friendly, playful, and like to eat raw meat. They range from Black, Brown, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, and Silver, dark and cold.

8. LaPerm:

The LaPerm cats were originated in the United States. They are rare domestic cat breeds and are unique and different from other species of cats. Their hairs are very curly and have a variety of colors and patterns. They generally have an affectionate personality.

The LaPerm cats have an athletic build with swift reflexes. The most significant feature of this cat is its coat, which comprises very curly hairs and ringlets. These are medium in size and generally have longish necks and legs. The skin has a textured feel, although it is not silky.

9. Turkish Van:

The Turkish Van is a semi long-haired domestic cat which is originated from Turkey. There are a lot of rare domestic cat breeds, and the Turkish Van is one of them. These cats are well known for their Van pattern, in which the color of head and tail is restricted, and the rest of the whole body of the cat is white. The colors are mostly bluish and amber.  

10. American Wirehair:

The American Wirehair is moderate-sized cats weighing from 8-12 lbs of females and males are greater than 12 lbs. They are originated from America. Their coats are generally crimped, and the lengths of hairs are short or medium.

They are robust with a broad chest and a muscular neck and have a delightful behavior. They do not require much attention. It is a loving cat that will readily attach with all the members of the family. However, the nutrition of this cat must be controlled because of its heavy boning.

11. Devon Rex:

The Devon Rex is one of the rare cat breeds, and it is a breed of intelligent cat that originated from England. They have curly, soft, and concise hair. This curl is because of the mutation of Cornish Rex or German Rex with a Devon.

Devon Rex cats are medium-sized cats and have a unique appearance due to which they are called “Alien cats.”  They have slightly rounded ears and broadheads. They have large eyes and upturned noses. Because of their less weight and great reflexes, they are usually high jumpers and are very intelligent. They are often called a cross between monkeys and cats.

12. Kurilian Bobtail:

As from the name, these cats are also known for their Bobtail like American Bobtails. They are originated from the Kuril Islands in Russia. They have a semi-longhaired coat and have a cobby body type. These cats are good hunters and fishers as the Kuril Islands people love to play with water in the wild.

They are smart and gentle and have a short and fluffy tail. These are some of the rarest cat breeds.

13. Norwegian Forest Cat:

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an ancient and rare cat brought to Norway by Vikings about 1000 AD. These cats are adapted to a freezing climate. They have glossy long, water-shedding hair and a wooly undercoat making these cats best for the cold weather.

These cats became nearly extinct during World War II, but today, this cat is typical in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and France due to the Norwegian Forest Club’s efforts. These cats are giants with a healthy muscular body. They have long legs, a bushy tail, and strong claws.

14. Egyptian Mau:

There are rare domestic cat breeds, and the Egyptian Mau is one of them. It is originated from Egypt and of the few is naturally spotted breeds of domesticated cats. It is one of the fastest cats with longer hind legs. Its speed has been reported as more than 48 km/h.

This cat ranges in six colors that are silver, bronze, smoke, black, caramel, and blue. All Maus has green eyes. They have a loyal and friendly personality. They are more sensitive compared to all other breeds of cats and are found in hot temperatures.

15. Minskin:

These are one of the rare types of cat breeds. These cats are originated in the United States in 1998 and are well known because of their alien-type look. They are very sweet-tempered and gentle. Their health is perfect, and these cats love to play with humans.

Minskin cats are small in size and particularly fond of children. They require little grooming, and have a medium-sized muscular body with a rounded head and large ears at the base. They have short legs and are described as a rug-hugger breed. 

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16. Tonkinese:

Tonkinese is a domestic cat breed that is originated in Thailand by the breeding of Siamese and Burmese. They are playful and have a pointed coat pattern. These are medium-sized cats with a gently rounded wedge-shaped head. Moreover, these cats are muscular and bulky in weight.

 However, their tails and legs are slim. Their ears are tilted outwards. They have four base colors naturally, including medium brown, champagne, blue, and platinum. These are intelligent and very active and are playful, and their voice is similar to Burmese but softer than the voice of Siamese. They love to jump to great heights.

17. Serengeti:

The first Serengeti existed when a Bengal domestic cat and an Oriental Shorthair were bred. It was originated in the United States. These cats are spotted with long legs and large ears and have a long neck.

The male Serengeti’s are generally large and more massive than the female. Serengeti males weigh between 10-15 lbs. while the female weighs between 8-12 lbs. They have colors ranging from ebony silver, ebony smoke, and solid black. However, it is said that snow spotted Serengeti also exists, and breeders are currently working to recognize it.

18. Peterbald Cat:

These cats first existed when an Oriental Shorthair resembled a hair-losing gene. It is originated in Russia. These cats have a hair-losing gene; thus, they can be born bald, flocked, or with a straight coat. Even those born with straight coats lose their hair over time. They come in all colors.

They are sweet-tempered and are very smart and energetic. Peterbald cats love to live in harmony with other pets and children. They have a long tail and paws that allow them to reach the objects at height. Moreover, they have medium vocals, and they tend to follow their owners and want to stay with them.

19. Scottish Fold:

These cats are one of the rare types of cat breeds that originated in Scotland. These cats are well known because they tend to fold ears. They have an owl-like appearance. Other names of this cat are Highland Fold, Longhair, Longhair Fold, and Coupari.

All Folds are born with straight ears, but those with the fold gene will begin to show folding of ears within 21 days. This breed was not accepted in Europe due to crippling deformity of limbs and tail in some cats and other problems such as infection mites and deafness. Still, some American breeders continued to breed these cats with other species.

20. Sphynx

Sphynx is described as a legendary creature and also one of the most expensive cats in the world. They are originated in Ontario, Canada. They are well known for their hairlessness. The skin of a Sphynx is similar to chamois leather.

These cats generally have a long head and webbed feet. Since these cats have no fur, they are found in more warm places. Whiskers of sphinx may be present or may be absent. Their skin is of the color of their hair.

21. British Shorthair:

The British Shorthair is the evolved version of a traditional British domestic cat with a more massive body and is considered rare. These cats are originated in the United Kingdom. They are generally calm. British Shorthair is usually a powerful-looking cat that is large with a broad chest, strong legs, and thick paws.

Their large ears are broad and widely set. The texture of the coats of these cats is fluffy and wooly. Their colors range from black, blue, white, red, cream, silver, and golden. These cats have been developed in many other colors and patterns.

22. Bombay:

This cat is also called as “mini-panther” and “Black Mamba.” It was developed by breeding Burmese with an American Shorthair. This cat is a panther-like black coat. The Bombay is a short-haired breed that is closely related to Burmese.

They have a black coat, black soles, black nose, and black mouth with green eyes. The black jacket is due to the roots with no paling. It weighs from 8 to 15 pounds, from which males are heavier than females. Its lifeline is approximately 15 to 20 years. They are highly social and brave.

23. Japanese Bobtail:

The Japanese Bobtail is a domestic cat with a bobtail that resembles a rabbit’s tail than that of other cats. It is originated from Japan. If we talk about these cats’ color, you will find them in various colors and patterns.

This cat can be easily groomed and has a minimal amount of shedding. These cats are said to be very healthy. Due to their affectionate nature, they get easily attached to family and especially children. The average age of these cats is 9 to 15 years. They love to jump and climb as they have fast reflexes.

24. Cornish Rex:

A Cornish Rex is a domestic cat which is originated from the United Kingdom. It has no hair except the undercoat. They are prone to hair loss, and may even go bald or have a skinny coat. The curly hairs in their fur are due to the different mutations and genes of Devon Rex. This light coat of Cornish Rex is best for indoors in warm and dry conditions.

They love warm places such as light bulbs, computer monitors, etc. They are kittenish in nature and love to play with children.

25. Selkirk Rex:

This type of Rex is distinct from all others. Selkirk Rex is originated in the United States. The length of hair is average and not partly missing. There are varieties of shorthair and longhair. Selkirk Rex Breed comes in all colors, and the type of cat has a cuddly nature of a Persian.

Selkirk Rex can cause trouble for cat owners who might be allergic to cat allergens due to hair lengths. Its temperament is like the breeds involved in its development. These cats are good in health, and they have a lot of laid-back qualities like British Shorthair. 

26. Singapura Cat:

The Singapura is one of the smallest sized cat breeds originated from Singapore, hence the name Singapura Cat. The Singapura is moderately stocky and muscular and is one of the world’s most miniature cats, with a very short and fine coat.

They consist of a coated pattern that is of a ticked tabby. The nature of these cats is curious and playful. They are affectionate and desire human interaction. They love to jump and reach high places. Some breeders have shown concern that these cats lack genetic diversity.

27. Siberian:

There are many rare domestic cat breeds, and Siberian is one of them. It is a centuries-old domestic cat in Russia. They are medium to large-sized. The formal name of this Cat is Siberian Forest Cat.

Another formal name is Moscow semi-longhair. Siberians are agile jumpers, and it is a healthy, powerfully built cat with well-rounded paws and a large full tail. They have medium/large-sized ears, large eyes, a broad chest, and a stockier build compared to other cat breeds. These cats have three layers of hair: guard hair, awn hair, and down the hair.

28. Fishing Cat:

The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) breed belongs to South and Southeast Asia. If we talk about the size of this rarest cat breed, it’s a medium-sized wild cat. It is one of the rare types of cat breeds that are nearly extinct. Fishing Cats’ population is continuously decreasing due to the destruction taking place in wetlands, which are these cats’ habitat.

These cats are wild and not domestic. It has a deep yellowish-grey fur with black lines and spots.

29. Iberian lynx:

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is a wild cat species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. This species is also one of the rare types of cat breeds.

It is a wild cat. Its population is continuously decreasing because of the overhunting, poaching, and fragmentation of suitable habitats. It has a bright yellowish to tawny-colored spotted fur with a small head and tufted ears.  

30. Ocicat:

This cat is a domestic breed that resembles a wild cat, but no such rugged DNA is found in its gene pool. The species is unusual because it is spotted like a wild cat but has a domestic animal’s temperament. It is originated in the United States.

These cats are friendly and sociable and are ideal pets for most households. Their temperament is often defined as if a dog is in a cat body. Most can be trained to perform dog-like features such as fetching, walk on a leash and harness when the owner orders to speak, sit, lie down, etc.

Conclusion

Cats are curious and loving creatures, and most people love to keep them as their pets. Some cat breeds are easy to find, while some rare cat breeds are difficult to find, but they have some unique features and characteristics. These cats look adorable and become a loving pet. The above mentioned is a list of some rare types of cat breeds along with their attributes.

If you are looking for a cat, make sure to read about these cat breeds. These are unique and rare cat breeds and have different characteristics that will perfectly suit your personality.