This breed of domestic cat is native to Japan and South-East Asia and has now been bred in the USA on a small scale for over 40 years. However it is rarely seen in the UK as it is not recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and therefore cannot be shown at GCCF shows.

The Japanese Bobtail is the national cat of Japan and is also associated with good fortune supposedly linked to it having a short tail as longer-tailed varieties were thought to represent evil.

One story regarding the short tail recounts an incident of a sleeping cat whose long tail caught fire and then ran through town spreading flames everywhere. With the Capital in ashes it is said the Emperor decreed that all cats should have their tails cut short as a preventative measure. Sailors in Japan have adopted the Bobcat as a talisman to ward off storms at sea because the naturally recurring bobtail resembles a chrysanthemum the emblem of the royal family. The Beckoning Cat of Japan (with one raised paw) a Japanese Bobcat is also a symbol of good luck as ancient legends say that a group of Samurai warriors were led from a storm to the temple by such a cat.

Japanese around the world keep statues of this cat as a good luck charm to ward off evil. Japanese Bobtails feature prominently in traditional Japanese painting and today the modern cartoon character Hello Kitty is depicted as a Japanese Bobtail as an example of Japanese pop culture.

The Keetso is a very new cat to appear on the scene and they were bred to look like big cats. Their name is a Najaro word that translated means "big footed" which is one charming traits the breed boasts having. The Keetso was developed through careful and selective breeding to have larger physical traits than their average feline counterparts which together with their charming personalities really does make them stand out in the crowd.

The Khao Manee is a stunning white coated cat that boasts having two different coloured eyes which can be copper right through to yellow and green. Their name translated means White Gem and these charming unusual cats have always been firm favourites in the Royal Palaces of Siam. In more recent times the Khao Manee or Khaomanee has found a fan base in many other countries of the world thanks to their beautiful heart-shaped faces their stunning white coats and their beautiful different coloured eyes.

The Korat is native to Thailand where they are called "Si-Sawat" which translated means "greyish-blue cat" and in their native land they have always been highly prized because they are thought to bring good luck. They are a rare breed and anyone wanting to share their homes with a Korat would need to register their interest with breeders an agree to go on a waiting list for the pleasure of owning such a striking loyal and affectionate cat.

The Kurilian bobtail cat is a breed of cat that originates in the Kuril Islands which is territory claimed by both Japan and Russia and geographically close to both. Cats of the breed can also be found on Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula and Japan’s Sakhalin Island. The breed is also known by various other names including the Kuril bobtail Kuril Islands bobtail Curilisk bobtail and Kurilean.

The LaPerm is a relative newcomer to the UK but they are fast finding a fan base thanks to their lovely natures and charming looks. These medium size cats with extraordinary curly coats were originally bred in the States and it all happened quite by accident. However LaPerms soon gained official recognition in the States before they arrived on British shores in 2002 and since arriving here the breed was recognised by the GCCF and awarded Championship status.

Lykois are one of the most recent breeds to appear on the scene having been first registered as a unique breed in 2011. They are medium in size with slender legs and muscular bodies with one of their most striking physical traits being their distinct and unique facial masks. When they moult a Lykoi becomes virtually hairless but at other times of the year some areas of their bodies are covered in hair whereas other parts are not.

Lykois earned their nickname of little wolf cats because of their striking looks. The breed’s name roughly translated from Greek means “wolf”. In keeping with their name Lykois have a strong prey drive but they are also extremely loyal and as such they form incredibly strong bonds with their owners. They are also known to be “thinkers” and will study a new situation before making a move. Because of their sweet natures and their very unique “looks” the Lykoi is finding a big fanbase both in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

The Maine Coon is a large cat that originates from North Eastern America. They are an old breed that over the years has become among one of the most popular cats on the planet and for good reason. They have lovely semi-long coats which paired to their charming looks and affectionate loyal natures means they are ideal companions and family pets.

The Manx is native to the Isle of Man where they have always been highly prized for being extremely good mousers. The breed is quite unique in that cats are born with short or no tails which is a naturally occurring mutation. They also have a quite unique gait which is another trait that sets them apart from other breeds. The Manx is the island's national symbol and have become a popular companion and family pet both in the UK and elsewhere in the world thanks to their lovely natures and unique looks.

Munchkins are known for their sweet appearance, energetic nature, and surprising speed during play. These confident and sociable cats thrive in human company, forming strong bonds with their owners. They enjoy interactive games and love being in a home environment. Given their need for companionship, Munchkins are best suited to families where someone is often at home to keep them company, ensuring they feel loved and cared for.

Important to note, that Munchkin cats are born with a genetic mutation that results in abnormally short legs and an elongated spine, a condition known as chondrodysplasia or disproportionate dwarfism. This defect places strain on their skeleton, making them prone to limb deformities, chronic arthritis, and reduced mobility. As a result, many Munchkin cats experience long-term discomfort and require ongoing veterinary care to manage their health and ensure a good quality of life.

The Nebelung (with the 'Ne-' pronounced as 'Nay-') is a very graceful elegant cat that boasts having a lovely dense soft and silky semi-long coat that shimmers thanks to each hair being silver-tipped. The breed was first developed in the United States and they do look very similar to the Russian Blue although their coats are that much longer. Over the years the Nebelung has become a popular choice outside of American thanks not only to their lovely looks but also because they boast such gentle and kind natures too.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is known to have a charming personality that matches their stunning looks. They have been around for hundreds of years and always been highly prized in their native Norway for being a hardy natural breed capable of surviving harsh climates and cold temperatures. They are large cats that take a long time to fully mature which means they remain very kitten-like for a number of years. The Wegie as they affectionately nicknamed has found a big fan base not only in their native land but in many other countries too thanks to their stunning looks and kind gentle natures.

The Ocicat was first developed in the United States quite by accident but these lovely wild looking cats soon made their mark on the cat world. They are medium to large in size and boast having a gorgeous spotted coat that resembles that of an Ocelot hence their name. They are domestic cats and do not have any wild genes in their bloodlines. Over the years the Ocicat has become known as an affectionate loyal cat and they have found their way into the hearts and homes of people all over the world including the UK.

Orientals are very sleek slender cats that boast having a lot of energy. They are talkative by nature and become extremely attached to their owners. They boast wonderful natures and thrive in a family environment and being included in everything that goes on in their environment which is just one of the many reasons why Orientals have consistently remained a popular companion and family pet not only in the UK but elsewhere in the world too.

The Persian cat has been one of the most popular breeds for decades and for good reason. They are not only glamorous with their long flowing luxurious coats but they boast having extremely sweet natures too. They are medium to large in size and although they are intelligent they like to contemplate things before they take any action. Persians have wonderfully expressive eyes which is just one of the reasons why they have found their way into the hearts and homes of cat lovers the world over and why they have consistently remained a popular choice in the UK both as companions and family pets.

The Peterbald is a relatively new breed of small to medium sized cat the first of it's type having been bred in Russia in 1993. The breed can be referred to as a Russian Sphynx which can sometimes be a little confusing with the Don Sphynx being called a Russian Sphynx too. Peterbalds are elegant slim and graceful cats taking many of their traits from their parentage namely the bald gene of the Don Sphynx and the gracefulness of the Oriental Shorthair and Siamese. They are slender cats with lovely almond-shaped eyes and large bat-like ears. The breed boasts a thin whip-like tails and elegant oval paws which means they can pick objects up and grasp them including levered door knobs. Peterbalds are very similar looking to Oriental Shorthairs but when born they can be bald velour flocked brush or straight coated with the breed having the hair-losing gene. The cats born with hair straight-coated cats being the exception may lose their hair as they age. Peterbalds come in a variety of colours as well as markings. Peterbalds can live for 10 or more years if well looked after.

The Pixie Bob has the look of a wild bobcat but they boast having kind affectionate natures and can even be taught to walk on a lead much like their canine counterparts. They are large cats with males being that much heavier and larger than females. Since they first appeared on the scene Pixie Bobs have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people in their native America and elsewhere in the world thanks to their unique looks and their kind loving natures. Their numbers are slowly rising in the UK but anyone wishing to share a home with a Pixie Bob would need to go on a waiting list because not many well-bred kittens are available every year.

The Ragamuffin is a large semi-longhaired cat derived from the Ragdoll breed that has developed into a completely separate variety as a result of a breakaway group forming in the mid 1990s from the original Ragdoll breeding programme in America. Like its Ragdoll cousins the RagaMuffin is also bred for its superb temperament and is an affectionate cuddly teddy bear of a cat with a totally laid-back nature that can take up to four years to fully mature. One of the first concerns of the breakaway group was the genetic health of its stock which was already in its fifth generation of inbreeding and so it outcrossed to Persians Himalayans and domestic longhaired cats which increased the distinctiveness of the Ragamuffin from its Ragdoll ancestors. A RagaMuffin is now a breed in its own right and is not a cross between a Ragdoll and a British Shorthair (or similar). There is strictly no outcrosssing to Ragdolls now and the UK RagaMuffin Club formed in 2008 is affiliated to the American RagaMuffin Associated Group and has agreed to breed to the same guidelines in this country. Ragamuffins were first recognised in Britian by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 2010.

Ragdolls are relative newcomers to the cat world but already they are finding their way into the hearts and homes of many people all over the world thanks to their charming looks and sweet kind natures. They are medium size cats that boast having semi-long hair and gorgeous blue eyes. These lovely cats are known to be laid back easy going which in short means that Ragdolls tend to get on with everyone which includes children and other animals.

The Russian is the aristocrat of the feline world with their shimmering coats and graceful elegant looks. They boast having incredible emerald green eyes which contrast supremely well with a cat's coat colour. Russians also have very endearing smiles on their faces which is another reason why these medium size cats have found their way into the hearts and homes of people throughout the world and they have done so for decades. Russians are also well known for being highly intelligent and for the fact they thrive in a home environment forming strong bonds with their owners and families which makes them such wonderful companions and family pets.

The Savannah is an elegant and graceful cat with bold markings and wonderful dark spots on its fur. It closely resembles its wild cousin, the African Serval, except it is significantly smaller. Since their debut in the 1980s, Savannahs have become one of the most popular exotic cats and, consequently, have gained fans not only in the United States but also in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, thanks to their magnificent appearance and their affectionate and sociable nature.

The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat with its signature folded ears and expressive eyes. Known for their affectionate nature, they gained global popularity after emerging in the 1960s. However, their distinct appearance results from a genetic mutation that causes osteochondrodysplasia, leading to severe bone and cartilage abnormalities. This condition often causes chronic pain and arthritis from a young age, significantly affecting their quality of life.

The Selkirk Rex was first developed in the United States and since they first appeared on the scene these charming cats quickly became known as wonderful companions and family pets. They boast having extremely laid back personalities and are the biggest of the "rex" type curly coated breeds. Often referred to as the cat in sheep's clothing the Selkirk Rex is a joy to share a home with thanks to their placid and ultra-affectionate natures.

The Serengeti is an attractive medium sized cat and one that boasts having longer legs than most other breeds. Like the Bengal they are highly skilled hunters and love nothing more than to explore the great outdoors but a cat should only if allowed to roam outside if it is safe for them to do so. Serengetis are a new breed having been developed in the United States in the mid-nineties and since they first appeared on the scene Serengetis have found fan bases in many countries of the world thanks to their wild looks and kind loyal albeit sometimes demanding natures.