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Longhair Cat Breeds

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Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Beautiful adult three colored calico longhair cat
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  • Balinese

    Balinese, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Balinese catBalinese cats have long svelte bodies and sapphire-blue eyes.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    Balinese cats have long svelte bodies and sapphire-blue eyes. They are a mutation of the Siamese breed.

  • Birman

    Birman, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Birman catThe Birman is known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma.”
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Birman is known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma.” It is characterized by deep-blue eyes, a bushy tail, and white-gloved paws.

  • Cymric

    Cymric, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Cymric catThe Cymric cat is a stout tailless breed.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Cymric cat is a stout tailless breed. It is a type of longhair Manx.

  • Himalayan (Colourpoint Longhair)

    Himalayan or Colourpoint Longhair, colorpoint, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Himalayan catThe Himalayan cat is a cross between the Siamese and the Persian.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Himalayan cat is a cross between the Siamese and the Persian. It has a cobby body, short full tail, and sapphire-blue eyes.

  • Javanese

    Javanese, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Javanese catThe Javanese cat is known for its gracefulness.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Javanese cat is known for its gracefulness. It has a long lithe body and silky coat.

  • Maine Coon

    Maine Coon, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Maine Coon catThe Maine Coon is the oldest American breed of cat.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Maine Coon is the oldest American breed of cat. It is large and well-muscled with a shaggy coat.

  • Norwegian Forest

    Norwegian Forest Cat, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Norwegian Forest catThe Norwegian Forest cat features prominently in Norse mythology as the skogkatt, a mystical cat with the power to climb sheer rock faces. Norwegian Forest cats were also thought to have been favoured by the Norse goddess Freya.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Norwegian Forest cat features prominently in Norse mythology as the skogkatt, a mystical cat with the power to climb sheer rock faces. Norwegian Forest cats were also thought to have been favored by the Norse goddess Freya. They have a robust muscular body with a double coat.

  • Persian

    Persian or Persian Longhair, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Persian, or Persian Longhair, catThe Persian, or Persian Longhair, is one of the oldest and most popular breeds of cats.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Persian, or Persian Longhair, is one of the oldest and most popular breeds of cats. They are known for their cobby bodies and massive heads.

  • Ragdoll

    Ragdoll, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Ragdoll catThe Ragdoll cat relaxes its muscles when it is picked up, giving it the appearance of a floppy rag doll.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Ragdoll cat relaxes its muscles when it is picked up, giving it the appearance of a floppy rag doll. They have a heavy and powerful build and blue eyes.

  • Somali

    Somali, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Somali catThe Somali is a longhair variety of the Abyssinian, which is a shorthair cat.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Somali is a longhair variety of the Abyssinian, which is a shorthair cat. They have lithe and muscular bodies with a full brush tail and green or golden eyes.

  • Turkish Angora

    Turkish Angora, longhaired cats, domestic cat breed, felines, mammals, animals
    Turkish Angora catThe Turkish Angora was one of the first longhair cats in Europe.
    Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

    The Turkish Angora was one of the first longhair cats in Europe. It has a long plumed tail and large pointed ears.