Ask a dog parent about their pet, and they’ll know the breed. They might even be able to tell you if the pup is mixed or pure.
Cat parents, on the other hand, might find something like “he’s orange” to be a satisfactory answer.
Does that mean all cat breeds are obscure, though?
This list says no.
Some of the most famous breeds of cats are Ragdolls, Maine Coons, Sphynx, Persians, and Siamese. Jump right in to learn about these five breeds and more!
Table of Contents
1. Ragdoll
One breed has been dominating the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) popularity rankings for years. That breed is none other than the fluffy Ragdoll.
And who could blame the CFA? It’s hard not to notice these blue-eyed beauties, especially when the eyes pop against the pigmented face.
Fun Fact: Ragdolls have a “faulty” melanin gene that doesn’t work at regular cat body temp. Only the face, ears, tail tips, and peets are cold enough for the color to show.
2. Maine Coon
Do you recognize this gentle giant? He’s a Maine Coon, just like Mrs. Norris from Harry Potter and Prim’s cat Buttercup from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Maine Coons are one of the largest breeds ever, and they have the IQ to match. The breed is also the official state cat of (yes, you guessed it) Maine.
Related: 17 Cat Breeds That Don’t Grow Too Much
3. Sphynx
Sphynx is the quintessential hairless cat breed. It also took the No. 10 spot on the CFA’s 2023 popularity rankings.
But just because Dr. Evil’s cat, Mr. Bigglesworth (real name: Ted Nude-Gent), was a sphynx doesn’t mean it’s okay to associate the breed with cold and uncaring personalities.
In reality, these hairless boys and girls are silly, cuddly, and only a bit mischievous.
4. Persian (And Their Exotic Relatives)
With her extravagantly long coat and scrunched-up face, the Persian cat has been stealing the spotlight for ages.
In fact, Queen Victoria was particularly fond of Persians. How’s that for a celebrity breed?
CFA ranks Persians as the third most sought-after pedigreed cat breed, but the Exotics (a sort of low-maintenance Persian) came in fourth place.
5. Siamese
Maybe it’s because of the iconic song from the Lady & The Tramp. Or perhaps it’s because of the silky coats and charming seal point pattern.
Either way, Siamese cats are always in the public eye.
6. Himalayan
A color point pattern, a smushed face, and fluff for days—you’ve probably seen this combination before. You might even know that this combo defines Himalayan cats.
But did you know these features come from crossing a Siamese and a Persian? It looks like the “daughter” breed didn’t fall far from the apple tree, fame-wise.
7. Bengal
Bengal cats are nowhere as famous as the Ragdolls or the Maine Coons, but these kitties still made it to the CFA rankings.
The glittery coat, wild roots, and jungle-suited patterns all played a part in building this breed’s celebrity status.
8. Turkish Angora
Turkish Angoras score 66% on YouGov’s fame rankings!
Can you guess why? Maybe people recognize the breed because they grew up watching The Aristocats.
Oh, yeah. The pretty Duchess is a white Turkish Angora, which means that Berlioz, Marie, and Toulouse are all at least partially Turkish Angora.
Thomas O’Malley? That guy is likely a Domestic Shorthair (more info about this “breed” later).
Also Check: 10 Fluffy Cat Breeds That Will Melt Your Heart
9. American Shorthair
American Shorthairs take the fourth spot on YouGov’s rankings and the 11th on CFA’s 2023 rankings.
So, depending on who you ask, this breed is either really famous or just famous. Regardless, American Shorthairs deserve a spot on this list.
10. British Shorthair
What do Puss in Boots and Cheshire Cat have in common?
One is an honorable fighter, while the other is mischievous and devious. Even the two smiles are different.
But believe it or not, they’re both British Shorthairs. Or, you know, at least they were inspired by the British Shorthairs.
11. Scottish Fold
Something about Scottish Folds makes the breed extremely meme-able with a reputation for being angry cats. It’s probably the owl-like look.
To be fair, Scottish Fold faces are usually adorable with beady eyes. However, these kittens can quickly give you one of the most judgmental and disapproving side eyes you’ve ever seen.
12. Abyssinian
Abys are famous… for being total jokesters. These bad boys never run out of antics.
Yet, the Abyssinian cats only started gaining popularity around the 1930s. That’s not because the breed is new, though. The breed is as old as can be. Think ancient-Egypt-sort-of-old.
13. Siberian
For a while, Siberian cats were only famous in their homeland, Russia. However, by the turn of the 20th century, these charming winter-ready furballs started gaining popularity worldwide.
You’ve probably seen Siberian cats a lot, at least online. But did you hear them? Their signature sound is closer to a chirp or a trill than good old “meow!”
Bonus Kitty: Domestic Shorthair
If we’re being pedantic, the Domestic Shorthair isn’t even a specific breed.
It used to be what people called British Shorthairs. Today, it’s more of an umbrella term for mixed breeds with short-haired coats. But let’s not split hairs (no pun intended).
Some sources estimate that more than half (55%) of all cat pics uploaded to Instagram are pics of Domestic Shorthairs. That’s enough reason to include these kitties on the list if ever there was one!
Final Thoughts
So, were you familiar with all the breeds on the list? Or did you meet a few furballs for the first time today?
If you recognized all of them, you might want to up the game and look at some rare cat breeds next.
