A-Z: Cat Breeds (4)

A-Z: Cat Breeds (4)


Over 8 posts, I am going to go through cat breeds, and cover some basic titbits about the breeds; a little bit of history surrounding the breed, including the original use for the breed, and some other interesting facts.

This, the fourth post, will cover J-L of cat breeds. In the follow-up posts I will look into cat breeds from M-O, P-R, S-V, and W-Z… basically I am doing an A-Z of cat breeds, covering 1-3 breeds per letter.

If I do not cover the breed of your cat in this post, and you would like me to; please leave the breed in the thoughts comment box below, or post it via the contact page, or get in touch via any social media pages listed at the end of each post – this way I can include your breed in another post (either the follow-up, or a repeat with different breeds). Do the same if you want more information than I have provided on any particular cat breed, or if you would like to share a photo of your cat(s)!

J

Javanese

Country of Origin: America

Lifespan: 10-15 years                           Breed Size: Medium

Hair/Fur Length: Longhair                Colour(s): Colourpoint – all

Breed History: This breed does not  come from Java, Indonesia; but was so named because Java is an island very close to Bali. This breed was developed during a controlled breeding programme in the 1950’s, using the existing cat breeds – Siamese and Balinese.

Outstanding Physical Trait:  The pixie-like features and large ears; the long fur of the lovely oriental-type breed.

Javanese
Javanese
Japanese Bobtail

Country of Origin: Japan and South Asia

Lifespan: 10-13 years     Breed Size: Small/Medium    Hair/Fur Length: Shorthair/Longhair

Colour(s): All colours – solid colours, bi-coloured, calico, and van-coloured (coloured on head and rump/tail only). The most common colouration is calico or mi-ke; this colour is also though to be lucky.

Breed History: The Japanese Bobtail is thought to have occurred without human involvement. The Japanese Bobtail is depicted in paintings and woodcuts of ancient Japanese temples; showing the love of the people for this breed.
In 1602 in Japan, silkworms were under threat from rats; the Japanese government had all cats set free to deal with the rodent problem. Japanese Bobtails commonly lived on farms (including silkworm farms) and were invaluable in rodent control.

Outstanding Physical Trait:  Of course the outstanding physical trait of this adorable little kitty is the dainty little “bobtail”. The tail is said to be unique to each individual cat within the breed; like a finger print, or the markings of a giraffe.

Japanese Bobtail
Japanese Bobtail

K

Korat

Country of Origin: Korat, Thailand (hence the name)

Lifespan: 13-15 years              Breed Size: Medium             Hair/Fur Length: Shorthair

Colour(s): Whilst silver-tipped blue (looks like a slate-blue/grey) is the only accepted colour, the Korat has been known to come in colour variations; such as lilac-coloured and white-coloured, as well as marked fur.

Breed History: Smud Khoi of Cats” or “The Cat Book of Poems” contains the earliest (known) record of the Korat. This book was produced some time between 1350-1767; which in Thailand’s history was known as the Ayutthaya Period. The Korat was introduce in America around 1959, when a couple of Korat cats were sent by a friend (from Bangkok) to US cat enthusiast Jean Johnson. Jean and her husband were taken with Siamese cats, but became interested in the Korat whilst staying in Thailand in 1954. Jean bred the 2 cats; out-breeding them with the blue-point Siamese to avoid inbreeding. This was the establishment of the first Korats in the US. More Korats came to America in the 1960’s; by 1966 the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) had included this new breed in championships/ competitions.

Outstanding Physical Trait:  The unique silver-tipped blue colouration give the Korat an almost shimmering shine to its coat. Their coat has often been described as having a “halo” effect.

Korat
Korat

L

LaPerm

Country of Origin: America (Oregon)

Lifespan: 10-15 years                                                  Breed Size: Small

Hair/Fur Length: Shorthair to Longhair             Colour(s): All colours/patterns

Breed History: The produce of an unplanned litter from a pair of barn cats, in 1982; and one unique kitten with a curly coat. Owner, Linda Koehl, named the kitten Curly and went onto breed from her. Using Manx and Siamese cat breeds in her breeding programmes, Linda eventually produced a new, genetically different, cat breed by 1987.

Outstanding Physical Trait:  The curly coat of indeterminate length, and the indeterminate tightness of the curl.

LaPerm
LaPerm

All images are open source, Google images, or my own – or photos donated for use by the pet owners.


If you have any questions or comments; please post a comment below, or contact Ali’s Answers via one of my social media pages…
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Refreshed

Refreshed


Not too sure how much of a following I get on here, however I am well aware that I have been absent for too long a time – the absence I must attribute to personal circumstances.

So, after this lull in blog posts, I share this to let any follower(s) of Ali’s Animal Answers know that I am back; refreshed and will publish more animal-related posts shortly.

Look out for the next installment of A-Z of Cat Breeds in the coming days…

Oh, and, thanks for following!

Troy, Staffi

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