Popular Cat Breeds

Which are the most popular cat breeds? Well, that depends on who you ask.

You will find several lists ranking the different breeds of cats by popularity. But despite the differences among these lists, some cat breeds remain constant.

These breeds are (in no particular order): the Persian (see picture at right), the Siamese, the Abyssinian, the Maine Coon, and the Ragdoll. Interestingly, the Persian tops many of the cat fanciers’ popularity lists I’ve seen.

One thing is for sure, though. Domestic cats (called them non-pedigreed, mixed breed or moggies), remain the most popular cats in the US.

So what are the most popular breeds of cat? Here are two popularity lists:

Popular breeds of cats…

The most popular breeds of cats, according to the World Cat Fanciers Association, are (starting with the most popular):

1. Persian
2. Maine Coon
3. Exotic (Shorthair Persian)
4. Siamese
5. Abyssinian
6. Birman
7. Ragdoll
8. Oriental
9. American Shorthair
10. Tonkinese

The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the world’s largest cat registry, recognizes 41 cat breeds. The following are the most popular breeds of 2008 according to the CFA.

1. Persian
2. Exotic
3. Maine Coon
4. Siamese
5. Abyssinian
6. Ragdoll
7. Sphynx
8. American Shorthair
9. Birman
10. Oriental

Update

According to the CFA's registration statistics, the 10 most popular cat breeds of 2010 are:

1. Persian
2. Maine Coon
3. Exotic
4. Ragdoll
5. Sphynx
6. Siamese
7. Abyssinian
8. American Shorthair
9. Cornish Rex
10. Birman

Other breeds that made it to the top 20 include the Norwegian Forest, the Burmese, the Cornish Rex, and the Devon Rex.

Is your favorite cat breed included on this list? According to other cat lovers, the Manx, the Siberian Cat, the Somali Cat, the Russian Blue and the American Bobtail are also popular feline breeds.


More cat breed info

Siamese cats

The Egyptian Mau

Ragamuffin cats

Bengal cats


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