The Cat Breeds Section Is Done!
Over 30 individual cat breed guides are now live. A to Z, from Abyssinian to Siberian, hundreds of hours of research and writing, and one of the most rewarding sections I have built for this site. Here is a look at every breed we covered and why each one earned its place in the library.
The Cat Breeds section has been months in the making. Every guide follows the same standard: origin and history, physical characteristics, reproduction and breeding, lifespan and health, temperament and personality, hunting and working ability, care and maintenance, climate adaptability, advantages and disadvantages for farmhouse living, best suited for, economic considerations, and fifteen fun facts per breed. No filler. No generic advice recycled from pet store pamphlets.
You can browse the full library here: simitiannest.com/cats-directory
Below is a quick look at all of them, organized alphabetically, with a summary of what makes each one worth knowing.
CAT BREEDS
Abyssinian
One of the oldest and most ancient cat breeds in documented history, the Abyssinian is a lean, athletic, and endlessly curious cat with a ticked coat that closely resembles the coat of a small wildcat. Among the most active and intelligent of all domestic breeds, it brings an exceptional prey drive and an energetic, engaged personality to farm and homestead environments where constant stimulation is naturally available.
American Bobtail
A naturally occurring bobtailed breed developed in the United States, the American Bobtail combines a wild, rugged appearance with one of the most dog-like and people-oriented temperaments of any domestic cat. Highly trainable, leash-walkable, and reliably affectionate across all family members, it is an outstanding working companion for rural and farm environments with a genuine and proven hunting instinct.
American Shorthair
The working cat of American homestead history, descended directly from the cats that arrived with European settlers and spent centuries performing pest control in barns, ships, and colonial households across North America. Sturdy, adaptable, and even-tempered, the American Shorthair remains one of the most practically capable and low-maintenance working companion cats available for any farm or rural property.
American Wirehair
A unique American breed defined by its wiry, crimped coat that arose as a spontaneous mutation in a New York farm litter in 1966. Calm, adaptable, and quietly affectionate, the American Wirehair is an undemanding and resilient working companion that carries the practical farm cat heritage of its American Shorthair ancestry alongside the novelty of one of the most distinctive coats in the domestic cat world.
Armenian Van
An ancient natural breed from the Lake Van region of the Eastern Anatolian highlands, the Armenian Van is one of the few domestic cat breeds with a genuine and well-documented love of water. Large, athletic, and powerfully built, with a distinctive Van pattern and a semi-longhair cashmere-like coat, it is an exceptional working cat for cold climate farms and properties with water features where its unique water-hunting ability is a genuine practical advantage.
Bengal
A hybrid breed developed by crossing domestic cats with the Asian Leopard Cat, the Bengal is one of the most visually dramatic and athletically impressive domestic and hybrid cats available. Its vivid spotted or marbled coat, exceptional agility, and very high prey drive make it one of the most capable hunting cats for warm climate properties, though its high energy and stimulation requirements demand experienced and committed ownership.
British Shorthair
One of the oldest and most historically important cat breeds in Britain, the British Shorthair is the quintessential working cat of the British Isles, shaped by centuries of farm and household service. Calm, sturdy, and self-sufficient, with a dense plush coat and an even temperament that handles the demands of farm life without stress or drama, it is one of the most reliably pleasant and capable working companions available for temperate climate properties.
Burmese
A compact, muscular, and deeply people-oriented breed originating from Southeast Asia, the Burmese is one of the most affectionate and social of all domestic cat breeds. Its warm, silky coat, vivid golden eyes, and intensely devoted personality make it an outstanding farmhouse companion, though its need for consistent human presence and its low cold tolerance mean it is better suited to the household than to demanding outdoor working roles.
Chartreux
The ancient working cat of French monasteries and rural estates, the Chartreux is one of the most quietly capable and historically proven farm cats in European history. Its distinctive blue-grey double coat, amber eyes, and serene temperament combine with a strong and reliable hunting instinct to produce one of the most self-sufficient and practically excellent working companions available for temperate and cold climate farms.
Chausie
A hybrid breed developed by crossing domestic cats with the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), the Chausie is one of the most athletically capable and visually impressive hybrid cats available. Its ticked coat, extraordinary jumping ability, water affinity inherited from its wild ancestor, and exceptional prey drive make it one of the most effective working cats for warm climate properties with significant pest pressure, though it requires experienced ownership and a species-appropriate high-protein diet.
Cornish Rex
Born in a barn litter on a Cornish farm in 1950, the Cornish Rex is defined by its extraordinary wavy coat composed entirely of down hairs with no guard hairs present. Warm to the touch, perpetually kitten-like in energy, and deeply people-oriented, it is one of the most entertaining and affectionate farmhouse companions available, though its absent guard hairs mean it requires warm indoor environments and is not suited to cold outdoor working roles.
Domestic Longhair
The longhaired counterpart to the Domestic Shorthair, combining the hybrid vigor, adaptability, and proven working heritage of random-bred cats with the visual warmth and cold-weather advantage of a longer, denser coat. Available through shelters at minimal cost, carrying no breed-specific hereditary diseases, and adaptable to virtually every climate and working environment, the Domestic Longhair is among the most practical and cost-effective working cats available for any farm or homestead.
Domestic Shorthair
The most common cat in the world and the original working cat of human civilization, the Domestic Shorthair carries ten thousand years of proven pest control heritage and an unmatched genetic diversity that produces outstanding health, adaptability, and resilience. Available through shelters at virtually no cost, carrying no breed-specific hereditary diseases, and suited to every climate and working environment on Earth, it remains the standard against which all other working cats are measured.
Egyptian Mau
One of the oldest cat breeds in documented history and the only domestic breed with a naturally occurring spotted coat, the Egyptian Mau is the fastest domestic cat in existence, capable of speeds exceeding thirty miles per hour. Its extraordinary speed, exceptional prey drive, and three thousand years of working heritage make it one of the most capable hunting cats available for warm climate properties, combining ancient cultural significance with genuinely modern working performance.
European Shorthair
The definitive working cat of European agriculture for over two thousand years, descended from the cats brought to northern Europe by Roman legions and shaped by millennia of natural selection across the full range of European climates. One of the healthiest and most genetically diverse of all recognized breeds, with no confirmed breed-specific hereditary diseases, exceptional longevity, and the most continuously proven farm working heritage of any cat in existence.
Himalayan
A cross between the Persian and the Siamese, combining the Persian's long flowing coat and calm temperament with the Siamese's vivid blue eyes and colorpoint pattern. Among the most visually spectacular of all domestic breeds, the Himalayan is a supremely gentle and beautiful farmhouse companion, though its brachycephalic health concerns, extensive daily grooming requirement, and strict indoor lifestyle make it better suited to the farmhouse than to any working outdoor role.
Japanese Bobtail
An ancient natural breed from Japan with over a thousand years of documented working history in Japanese silk factories, temples, and farms, and the direct inspiration for the Maneki-neko, the beckoning cat figurine associated with good fortune across Asian cultures. Lively, musical in voice, and deeply social, the Japanese Bobtail brings exceptional longevity, a genuine hunting instinct, and a culturally profound heritage to homestead and farm environments.
Korat
One of the oldest and most culturally revered natural cat breeds in the world, the Korat has been documented in Thai manuscripts for over six hundred years and is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in Thailand. Its silver-blue coat with a distinctive luminous sheen, heart-shaped face, and vivid green eyes are unlike any other breed, and its quiet, deeply devoted temperament and exceptional longevity make it a profoundly rewarding companion for calm, settled farm households.
LaPerm
The only curly-coated breed to have originated directly on a working farm, the LaPerm traces to a single bald kitten born in a cherry orchard litter in The Dalles, Oregon in 1982. Its soft, springy curls, low-shedding coat, warm and people-oriented personality, and genuine farm cat origins make it a distinctive and underappreciated working companion for homesteaders who want something truly unusual alongside strong practical character.
Manx
An ancient natural breed from the Isle of Man with one of the longest maritime and farm working histories of any domestic cat, the Manx was the prized mouser of British and Irish ships and homesteads for centuries. Its explosive jumping ability from powerful rear legs, exceptional hunting instinct in confined spaces, and intensely dog-like loyalty to its family make it one of the most historically proven and practically capable working cats available, though its health considerations require informed and responsible ownership.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Norway's national cat and the breed that Norse mythology credited with pulling the chariot of the goddess Freya, the Norwegian Forest Cat is one of the most majestic and historically proven working cats in the world. Its waterproof triple-layer coat, exceptional climbing ability, proven fishing behavior, and centuries of farm and forest working heritage make it one of the finest cold-weather working cats available for rural properties in northern latitudes and mountainous regions.
Ocicat
A fully domestic breed that looks like a miniature Ocelot without carrying a single wild cat gene, the Ocicat was created accidentally in a 1964 breeding program and has since developed into one of the most sociable, trainable, and exotic-appearing domestic breeds available. Its bold spotted coat, high prey drive, exceptional trainability, and confident, people-oriented personality make it an outstanding working companion for active farm households seeking a visually striking and practically capable cat.
Pixie-Bob
A large, naturally occurring breed from the Pacific Northwest developed to resemble the North American Bobcat, the Pixie-Bob is among the most dog-like of all domestic cat breeds. It walks on a leash, fetches reliably, communicates through chirps and trills rather than meowing, and forms an intense bond with all members of its farm family. Its large size, powerful build, high prey drive, and dense weather-resistant coat make it one of the best all-round working companion cats for rural and farm environments.
Russian Blue
An ancient natural breed from the port city of Arkhangelsk in northern Russia, the Russian Blue is one of the longest-lived and most quietly devoted of all domestic cat breeds. Its distinctive silver-blue coat with a luminous sheen, vivid green eyes, and calm, reserved temperament combine with a methodical hunting instinct, low-allergen profile, and centuries of working heritage to make it one of the most elegant and practically rewarding working companions for settled, calm farm households.
Savannah
A hybrid breed developed by crossing domestic cats with the African Serval, the Savannah is one of the tallest, most athletic, and most exotic-appearing domestic or hybrid cats available. Its extraordinary jumping ability, very high prey drive, leash trainability, and fearless confidence make it one of the most capable working cats for warm climate farms with significant pest pressure, though its legal restrictions in several states, exceptional space requirements, and high purchase price demand careful consideration before acquisition.
Scottish Fold
A breed defined by its distinctive folded ears and round, owl-like face, the Scottish Fold traces to a barn cat named Susie discovered on a Scottish farm in 1961. Gentle, quiet, and remarkably adaptable, it is one of the most even-tempered and easy-going of all domestic breeds, though the osteochondrodysplasia caused by its fold gene is a serious and progressive health concern that every prospective owner must understand and accept before acquiring the breed.
Siamese
One of the oldest and most recognizable cat breeds in the world, the Siamese has been documented in Thai manuscripts for centuries and was kept by royalty and Buddhist monks as a sacred and auspicious animal. Its vivid blue eyes, colorpoint coat, intensely vocal personality, and deeply people-oriented temperament make it one of the most engaging and communicative farmhouse companions available, though its demand for constant human presence and low cold tolerance mean it thrives best in warm, active households with consistent company.
Siberian
Russia's national cat and one of the oldest natural breeds in the world, the Siberian was shaped by centuries of natural selection in the harsh taiga forests of Russia into one of the most cold-hardy, athletically capable, and robustly healthy working cats in existence. Its triple-layer waterproof coat, exceptional hunting ability across varied terrain, low-allergen profile, and calm, self-sufficient temperament make it one of the finest working companions available for cold climate farms and northern homesteads.
Over 30 guides. A to Z.
Every one researched, written, and built to the same standard as everything else on this site. The Cat Breeds section is now one of the most comprehensive homestead cat breed libraries available, covering not just companion suitability but working ability, hunting performance, climate adaptability, health considerations, and economic value for every breed. Building it has been one of the most rewarding projects on this site so far.
If there is a breed you would like to see added, leave a comment below. The library will keep growing.
Browse the full Cat Breeds section here: simitiannest.com/cats-directory
Happy Growing!