Different breeds of cats vary greatly from each other and have their own unique appearance and personality traits that are considered breed signatures. Some of these traits include height and size.
And if you're looking for a truly large feline friend, or are simply interested in which domestic cat breeds are giants of their kind, we'll tell you about the 10 largest cat breeds in existence today.
10. British Shorthair cat
Average height at withers and weight: 33 cm, 9 kg.
Our list opens with large cats with short, plush fur. British cats, as they are affectionately called by their fans, are distinguished by their unobtrusive nature, value their personal space very much and are suitable for people who are not inclined to cuddle their pets.
9. Turkish Van
Height and weight - 40 cm, 9 kg.
Surprisingly, such a beautiful creature is not a product of long-term selection, but a gift of nature. Turkish Vans are one of the oldest cats on Earth. There is even a legend that the ancestor of the Turkish Vans was on Noah's Ark and did not allow a mouse to gnaw a hole in the ship. In gratitude for this, the Lord laid his right hand on him. Since then, many Van cats have a mark on their left shoulder in the form of a human finger.
A curious feature of these cats is the texture of their fur, which resembles cashmere. It has water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties.
8. Siberian cat
Height and weight - 40 cm, 9 kg.
It is quite possible that the Siberian cat was originally not Siberian at all, but Asian, and its ancestors were common with Angora and Persian cats. The Siberian is one of the fluffiest cat breeds. Russian merchants, who actively traded with Central Asian countries, brought from there not only goods, but also long-haired cats, which took root well in the harsh Siberian climate.
Be that as it may, as a breed, Siberian cats were formed in Siberia. They are excellent companions for people with allergies, as they produce less Fel D1 protein, which is a common allergen trigger.
7. Norwegian Forest Cat
Height and weight - 40 cm, 9 kg.
This long-haired breed is native to Norway and is no stranger to cold climates. Similar in appearance to Maine Coons and Siberians, Norwegians are very popular both in Norway and in neighboring Scandinavian countries.
6. Ragamuffin
Height and weight - 40 cm, 10 kg.
In fact, a Ragamuffin is the same Ragdoll, only "in a different wrapper". The differences between these breeds are minimal, and consist of the variety of Ragamuffin colors, and the structure and color of the eyes. If Ragdolls have only blue and oval-shaped eyes, then Ragamuffins have round eyes, and can be of any color.
And although the Ragamuffin is not the largest domestic cat in the world, it is probably the most affectionate and trusting. Even if it is in danger, it will not attack, but will only hide.
5. Ragdoll
Height and weight - 40 cm, 10 kg.
Taking the best of both the Burmese and Persian cats, Ragdolls are distinguished by their calm temperament and kind nature. They love to sit in your arms and are excellent companions for quiet people who have a lot of time to devote to this affectionate feline creature.
4. Pixie bob
Height and weight - 40 cm, 10 kg.
Compared to the lynx, which the Pixiebob closely resembles, it may seem tiny. But this has not prevented representatives of this breed from taking their place in the top 5 largest cats.
Pixiebobs are often compared to dogs, due to their tendency to learn tricks and commands, and enjoy walking on a leash. Fun fact: Some Pixiebobs can have up to seven toes on one paw.
3. Housey (chausie, shawzy)
Height and weight - 40 cm, 15 kg.
Some of the largest cats in the world were bred relatively recently - in the 60-70s of the last century. Abyssinian cats were crossed with wild jungle cats in an attempt to obtain an animal with the grace of a wild cat and the character of a domestic cat.
As a result, breeders got a playful and very active creature that loves human company, but does not like to sit on hands. Houses are devoted to their owners, and tolerate other animals in the house.
2. Maine Coon
Height and weight - 41 cm, 12 kg.
One of the most beautiful cats in the world is known for its large size and noble nature. The Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat that does not have recent kinship with wild cats, like the first and third numbers in our rating.
Representatives of this breed are friendly, not capricious and have a long lifespan (for cats) - 12.5 years or more.
A Maine Coon named Barivel is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest cat in the world. From ears to tail, he measures 1.2 meters. The name Barivel means "Clown" or "Joker" in the local Italian dialect. Despite his lively name, he is, according to his owners, something of a living couch potato, spending his time reclining and eating generous portions of chicken and fish.
1. Savannah
Height and weight - 60 cm, 15 kg.
Here is a photo of the largest cat in the world. However, experts have not come to a consensus on the maximum size that a Savannah cat can reach. The fact is that this breed is a recent creation, resulting from the crossing of domestic cats (most often Siamese) and the serval, an African wild cat.
Savannah is rare not only in Russia but also in other countries. It is the most expensive cat in the world, and the cost of a kitten reaches 22 thousand dollars.
The largest cat in the world is more like a dog in character. It is calm, gets along with other pets, and is very devoted to its owner.
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