Shania Bakes: What We've Learned about Human Food and Our Pets: The Coolest Cats

Maine Coon

The state of Maine’s official cat, this beautiful breed has long hair and longer whiskers. They are believed to be one of the oldest breeds in North America, and are known for their valuable hunting skills. Their long fur helps them keep warm in the winter.

Kurilian Bobtail

Straight from the heart of Russia, this short and fluffy feline has a very short tail. This breed, with its gorgeous white and grey coat, originate in the Islands of Kuril, off Russia’s east border. They lived for years on those islands for decades before they were domesticated.

Toyger

This breed shares with tigers its beautiful black and orange stripes. This breed is the result of a cross between a Bengal and a shorthaired tabby. While they have no wild blood, they have beautiful orange, brown, and black stripes.

Turkish Van

These unique cats are known for their peculiar love of swimming, against the notion that all cats fear water. This breed originated in Lake Van, Western Armenia. Turkish Vans enjoy playing games and learn obedience and commands easily.

Manx

The Manx is a tailless breed, which is a distinguishing characteristic. Another is that this cat’s back legs are longer than its front legs, which means that it has a very unusual walk that a some people say resembles a bunny hop. These cats bond closely with one individual, but they don't deal with relocation very well.

Dragon Li

Owning a cat of this breed is the closest you can come to owning a tiger. Like the Toyger, they have some of the visual characteristics of a wild tiger. They don't need much attention, but are very active and have bouts of energy lasting between ten and fifteen minutes.

Munchkin

Perhaps the cutest of all cats, Munchkins are best known for their unique spine curve and short legs. Also, they are one of the smartest breeds, very outgoing and friendly. Despite their legs, they can jump up on kitchen counters while also are able to squeeze through small spaces.

Egyptian Mau

This spotted short-haired breed with its beautiful spotted fur has been around for more than 3,000 years, and has not been shown to change appearance in all that time. This breed is the same as those cats worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians.

Siamese

While they are the most talkative breed, with cries comparable to a human infants, siamese cats are one of the most popular breeds as well. These beauties originated in southeast Asia, from Siam in Thailand. Social cats, they usually bond closely with one individual. Even as adults, siamese cats are very active, and are described by some as more dog-like than cat-like.

Sphynx

Sometimes called “hairless” cats, the sphynx is a rare breed that does not have a coat. Completely hairless, the sphynx goes unprotected from the extreme temperatures.These cats are reported to be quite energetic, but also intelligent and affectionate. Their namesake, the Sphinx, is a creature with the body of a lion with the face of a woman. The Sphinx is a part of both Egyptian and Greek mythologies.

Abyssinian

The gorgeous ticked coat and large ears of Abyssinians are not these cats’ only lovely qualities. They are playful, intelligent, and very active. They are not the kind who sit on your lap while you read; rather, they are more interested in exploring. These felines originated somewhere around Ethiopia.

Scottish Fold

Scottish Folds, named such for their folded ears, have a longer than average lifespan. These cats have a dominant genetic mutation that causes the cartilage in their ears to fold in on themselves. They are cuddly, friendly felines who don’t mind having other pets in the house.