Asian cats

The Asian breed incorporates a few cat groups all of which boast having the look of a Burmese and a similar texture to their coats. There's a vast range of colour combinations and coat patterns all of which are acceptable under the GCCF breed standard but each colour is referred to as being either "Full Expression" or "Burmese Colour Restriction". In short a cat can either have the colour of the Burmese or they can be much darker and this includes black.

There are five types of Asian cats all of which have become popular both as companions and family pets thanks to their exotic foreign appearance and their charming affectionate natures. They are known to be particularly good with the elderly loving nothing more to entertain and be entertained. Asians are also incredibly loyal to their families.

The Bengal was first bred in the United States and is a relative newcomer to the cat scene. They are medium to large size cats that boast a lot of presence with their strong athletic bodies and sleek marbled or spotted coats. They were created by crossing between the Asian Leopard Cat with domestic breeds which includes the Egyptian Mau Ocicats and Abyssinians. They are known to have outgoing personalities which when paired to their wild good looks has seen the Bengal become a popular choice both as a companion and family pet not only in the UK but elsewhere in the world too.

Birmans are known to be gentle affectionate and playful cats which has seen the breed becoming a popular companion and family pet. Known as the "Sacred Cat of Burma" they boast having extremely beautiful blue eyes and a noble look about them which is paired to a lovely semi-long soft silky coat and their lovely white paws. These kind natured cats come in twenty different colours all of which are gorgeous. Today the Birman is among one of the most popular breeds not only here in the UK but elsewhere in the world too.

The Bombay is a medium-sized cat with an elegant appearance and boasts a loving and sociable nature. They have extremely beautiful and captivating eyes and luxurious black fur that sets them apart from other breeds because they resemble miniature panthers. The breed is relatively new to the cat world, having been developed in the 1950s by crossing a Burmese cat with a black-coated American Shorthair. Today, these adorable cats have found a place in the hearts and homes of many people around the world, not only for their unique appearance but also for their wonderfully gentle and extremely affectionate nature.

The Burmese cat is known to have a very dog-like personality loving nothing more than to follow owners around the home and being involved in everything they are doing. It’s their way of getting all the attention they crave while at the same time showing owners just how much they love them. They are strong athletic and graceful cats that boasts wonderful glossy coats. Males tend to be quite a bit larger than their female counterparts but both are loyal and affectionate which are just two of the reasons why the Burmese has remained such a popular companion and family pet throughout the ages.

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 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.

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.

For decades the Siamese has consistently been one of the most popular breeds on the planet and for good reason. These charming blue eyed cats are not only extremely attractive but they boast being wonderful companions and family pets more especially for people who spend a lot of time at home. The Siamese is well known for being one of the most talkative felines around and will happily hold a long conversation with their owners whenever they can. They are athletic lithe medium size cats that thrive on human company and don't particularly like being left on their own for any length of time.

Thai cats resemble the Korat because they are their self-coloured cousins. They come in two types being the Thai Lilac and the Thai Blue Point. They are recognised as a breed in their own right by the GCCF and over the years these charming cats have earned themselves the reputation for being wonderful companions and family pets. Thai cats have a ton of personality which when paired to their lovely looks means sharing a home with one is always extremely entertaining and a real pleasure.

The Tiffanie first appeared in the mid 1980s and is the only semi-longhaired variety in a group of breeds known by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) as the Asian Group. This name is used for cats of Burmese shape and coat texture (but not Burmese coat colour pattern or length) which derive from Burmese crossed with other pedigree breeds and which also includes the Asian Self Asian Smoke Asian Tabby Bombay (a black Asian Self) and the Burmilla (a Burmese x Chinchilla cross). The Burmilla also referred to as an Asian Shaded originated in the UK in 1981 as the result of an 'accidental' mating between a Persian Chinchilla and a Burmese and although it is a breed in its own right it is also the founder breed of the Asian Group. The first Tiffanies were in effect semi-longhaired Burmillas with a shaded pattern although they are now bred in the full range of Asian colours and coat patterns. Interestingly the Asian Group were the first pedigree cat breeds in Britain to include good temperament as part of their Standard of Points. The Tiffanie is not to be confused with the very rare American Tiffany breed also known as a Chantilly which is a totally different variety altogether.

The Turkish Angora is an elegant graceful small to medium sized cat and one that boasts having a super soft silky coat. They are energetic intelligent and a national treasure in their native Turkey where they have always been highly prized. For the moment the breed is not recognised by the GCCF and not many well-bred kittens are available every year. As such anyone wishing to share their home with a Turkish Angora would need to register their interest with breeders for the pleasure of doing so but the wait is well worth it.