Supervisor: Munenobu Yamamoto (veterinarian)
Discoveries made to date suggest that cats have been living with humans for approximately 10,000 years. The wild African wildcat, which lived in the desert, arrived in the Levant region where agriculture began and was to play a vital role in controlling rats. It was then domesticated, and over time traveled to ancient Egypt and then across the sea to ancient Rome. From there, it spread throughout Europe and was transported to Asia via the Silk Road around the time of Christ.
It is believed that cats were introduced to Japan in the Far East from China in the 6th century along with Buddhism. During the Age of Discovery in the 16th century, cats finally reached the New World of America, and in the 18th century, Australia. Breeds with unique morphological characteristics were born one after another in each region.
"The Japanese Bobtail and Manx are easy to understand, but their characteristics are passed down through repeated breeding in limited environments. Also, in cold regions, cats with long hair and large bodies, such as the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Siberian Siberian, are born, while in hot regions, slender, short-haired, and small breeds, such as the Singapura, are born," says Yamamoto Munenobu.
There are approximately 60 cat breeds, although the number varies depending on the registration organization. In addition to naturally occurring indigenous cats, there are three patterns: cats that have been stabilised through breeding mutations, and cats that have been artificially created through crossbreeding. These are registered with organizations such as The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA), and the number continues to increase every year.
body shape
Currently, there are around 60 cat breeds that are classified into six body types: triangular, wedge-shaped, round, and square faces, and the length of the body and legs.
Long & Substantial
Many of them have long hair, and underneath it hide a long, sturdy, muscular body. Many of them are large cats that come from cold climates.
As the name suggests, these soft-toy animals are characterized by their round, pale coloring and gentle disposition. They are classified into two-color, color-point, and mitted varieties with white tips on their limbs. They weigh between 4 and 7 kg.
Foreign
The slender, muscular body is moderately thin and well-rounded, with a medium build and build. This type is common among breeds adapted to warm regions.
A long-haired cat born from a mutation of the Abyssinian cat has become a new breed. Its rounded head, large ears, almond-shaped eyes, and fox-like tail are charming. ●Weight 3-5kg.
Oriental
Its long, slender body is called a tuber body, and its shoulders are almost as wide as its hips. Its legs and tail are also long and delicate, but muscular and heavy.
Its small triangular head, slender tuberous body, long legs and tail are inherited from the Siamese. There are over 600 patterns and colors that have emerged from crossing Siamese cats with various breeds. ●Weight: 3-4 kg.
Kobe
They have a round face, short torso and legs, and a slightly short tail, giving them a stocky, perfectly round body. Their soft fur encases their strong, muscular frame, making them a gentle breed.
The low nose, round eyes, wide ears, and strong, short legs are inherited from the Persian cat. This breed retains the elegance and cuteness of the Persian cat, but with a short coat, earning it the nickname "Persian in Pajamas." ●Weight: 3-5.5kg.
Semi-foreign
It has a rounded, wedge-shaped head and a well-fleshed, heavy body. Compared to the medium-sized Foreign, its body and legs are shorter.
Covered in curly hair, it is also known as the "Poodle Cat." Its small head, thin neck, and puffy belly give it the appearance of a kitten. Its ancestors are a mutant cat discovered in Devon, England. Its weight ranges from 3 to 5 kg.
Semi-cobby
Compared to the stocky Coby, it has a longer body, legs, and tail, a slightly larger face, and smaller, rounded feet.
It has a large, elegant face reminiscent of a Persian cat. It has a thick neck, a rounded body, and short legs derived from the Munchkin. This is a new breed that was born at the end of the 20th century and is also known as the Napoleon. It weighs 3-5 kg.
Pattern
Domestic cats, which originated from the African wildcat, were originally all brown and tabby in appearance, but nine genes have led to the development of a variety of fur patterns.
Bengal
This wild and beautiful pattern is extremely popular around the world. Its beautiful spotted or marbled coat is a cross between an Asian Leopard and a domestic cat. Its origins lie in the offspring of a domestic cat and a wild cat, which were bred for pathology research purposes. Its weight ranges from 3.5 to 7 kg.
Toyger
This tiger-like cat was born in the 1980s. It was bred by a Bengal breeder and has a tiger pattern. The orange and black stripes are just like a tiger's. Its wide, long nose and strong jaws also contribute to its wild charm. ●Weight: 3.5-5kg.
Bombay
Its lustrous presence is like jet-black satin. Its muscular body, covered in short black fur, and bright copper eyes make it resemble a black panther. It was born from the crossbreeding of a dark brown Burmese and a black American Shorthair. ●Weight: 3.5-5.5kg.
Turkish Van
The feel of silk is captivating. A form of beauty that has continued since the Middle Ages. Discovered by the British in the 1950s, this indigenous cat lives in the mountainous regions of Turkey. It has dazzling white long fur and a reddish-brown head and tail called the Van pattern. ●Weight: 4-6kg.
hair
Depending on the region they live in, the length, density, and texture of their fur varies. Some cats appear hairless but are covered in down, while others are covered in voluminous, curly fur.
Sphinx
Covered in short, downy fur, they feel like a peach. Once you see them, you'll never forget their wrinkled, exposed skin. In fact, some cats have patterns and fur in black, brown, or gray. They were created by crossbreeding a mutant cat with a Devon Rex. They weigh between 3 and 5 kg.
Cornish Rex
The velvety feel of this adorable kitten is enchanting to pet. Born in Cornwall, England, the owner was captivated by its slim build and short, wavy curly hair, and bred it. It is now classified as a new breed of Oriental cat. It weighs 3-4kg.
LaPerm
As its name suggests, this cat boasts wavy fur. A hairless kitten was born on a farm in Oregon, USA. A few weeks later, it grew back into a fluffy, curly coat! This breed was born from a mutation. ●Weight: 2.5-5.5kg.
Selkirk Rex
This cat looks like a stuffed animal, even its whiskers are curled. Its fluffy, curly fur is gorgeous, earning it the nickname "Cat in Sheep's Clothing." The gene for curly hair was bred with a Persian cat to create this breed. There are both short-haired and long-haired types. ●Weight: 3-6.5kg.
pupil
Cats can see well in the dark, have excellent dynamic vision, and come in a wide variety of colors. They blink slowly to show their affection to their companions or humans.
Korat
The peridot green stands out against the silver fur. The eyes are blue at birth, then turn greenish orange after about 10 months, and then green again between the ages of 2 and 4. This breed has a heart-shaped head and has long been loved in Thailand. Weighs 3-4.5kg.
Chartreux
This French cat was recorded in a 16th-century book. Its gold, orange, and copper eyes are wide open, and its mouth is a smile. Its fluffy body, wrapped in a chic blue coat, is sometimes likened to a potato. Its weight ranges from 4 to 6.5 kg.
Tonkinese
With sparkling aqua eyes and mink-like fur, this cat is named after a venerable cat that lived in Thailand, and inherits the Siamese point color and smooth Burmese fur. Its rounded body is muscular and heavy. Weighs 3-5kg.
Khao Manee
Its green, blue, and yellow eyes stand out against its pure white coat. Its pure white appearance means "white jewel" in Thai. Its oval eyes sometimes turn heterochromatic. This cat, beloved in royal palaces and temples, became widely known after moving to the United States. ●Weight: 2.7-5kg.
ear
Although the shape varies depending on the breed, their hearing is their most prominent sense, and they can even detect ultrasonic sounds that even dogs cannot hear. The function of the Henry pocket on the end of their ears is unknown.
Savanna
The eye-like patterns behind the ears are also a vestige of their wild days. This new breed is a cross between a serval and a Siamese, living in the savannah of South Africa. They are characterized by their small head, long neck, toned body, and athleticism. They also have large eye-like patterns on their ears. ●Weight: 4-8kg.
American Curl
Their curled ears are uniquely adorable. A cartilage mutation makes their fluffy ear hair look even more appealing! Discovered in California, USA, they have become popular. They come in a wide variety of patterns, both long and short. Their ears fold at an angle of more than 90 degrees. ●Weight: 3-5.5kg.
Scottish Fold
The rounded shape is completed by the ears that are folded down. It originated from a mutant kitten with ears that fell forward. Discovered by a Scottish shepherd, the breed was established by crossbreeding with American shorthairs and other cats. Also available in longhairs. ●Weight: 3-6kg.
nose
Their olfactory epithelium is 5 to 10 times larger than that of humans, and they catch pheromones with the Jacobson's organ. Their noses are also different lengths and have unique characteristics. They can even give you kisses with their tiny noses.
Havana
They are easily recognizable by their corn-like protruding muzzle. They have a strong nose and slightly puffy muzzles on both sides. They have beautiful chocolate or pale grey fur. British breeds are called Oriental, while American breeds are called Semi-Foreign. They weigh between 3 and 5 kg.
Himalayan
The Persian's distinctive nose is almost the same width and length. The short, flat nose and sapphire blue eyes are set at almost the same height. The long hair and round body shape are typical of the Persian, but this breed is colored with Siamese point colors. ●Weight: 3-5.5kg.
tail
Whether long or short, this part of the tail is what best expresses a cat's emotions, as it can move to show affection or irritation, or puff out to show fear or surprise.
American Bobtail
An exquisite mix of wildness and cuteness. It originated from a single cat that resembles the North American wild cat, the bobcat, with its brown spotted and striped fur and cute short, bushy tail. Both long-haired and short-haired cats have large bones and robust noses and chins. ●Weight: 4-7kg.
Manx
Despite their rounded bodies, they love to play and exercise! This historic breed was depicted in paintings from the early 19th century. Cats without tail vertebrae were bred on the Isle of Man in the UK. There are three types: the tailless Rumpy, the short-tailed Stampy, and the medium-tailed Longy. ●Weight: 3-6kg.
Ocicat
The tip of its supple tail is a striking black highlight. Its body is covered in spots and its tail is long and slender. Its small, wedge-shaped head has large eyes and ears. Its beauty is reminiscent of the ocelot, which lives mainly in South America, but its ancestors are the Abyssinian and Siamese. Its weight ranges from 3 to 6.5 kg.
feet
They come in all different lengths, thicknesses, and patterns. Their paws can sense even the slightest bumps and movements, and can absorb shocks up to 10 times their own weight. They also paw when they want to be pampered.
Munchkin
This energetic cat runs around using its short legs to the fullest. Its name comes from the story of "The Wizard of Oz." It was originally created to standardize the short-legged cats that were occasionally born. Its short legs and thick body are muscular and active. It also has long hair. ●Weight: 3-6 kg.
Snowshoeing
This American breed looks great with white socks. It boasts white mittens on its four legs, and sapphire blue eyes, which are characteristic of the Siamese. It is a cross between a Siamese and an American Shorthair. Its weight ranges from 3.5 to 5 kg.
