Australia is home to a wide variety of cat breeds that make wonderful pets. From fluffy to sleek, small to large, cats come in all shapes and sizes to suit different lifestyles and personalities.Â
Cat Breeds Australia
When looking for a cat breed suited to Australian homes and conditions, there are some breeds that tend to be more popular and well-suited than others. Let’s explore some of the most common cat breeds found in Australia:
British Shorthair
British Shorthairs are stocky, sturdy cats known for their dense, plush coats. They have a mild temperament and are quite tolerant of children and other pets. Their dense coats make them well-suited for Australian weather conditions. British Shorthairs come in a variety of colors and are one of Australia’s most popular cat breeds.
Exotic Shorthair
Exotic Shorthairs have a round, teddy bear-like appearance with soft, plush coats similar to the British Shorthair but with a distinctive pleat coat. They have sweet, affectionate personalities and get along well with other household pets. Due to their coat, Exotic Shorthairs stay cooler in warmer weather compared to some other longhaired breeds.
Burmese
Burmese cats have sleek, hard bodies and come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are energetic, playful cats known for being affectionate and bonding closely with their owners. Burmese cats do well in indoor Australian homes and don’t require extensive grooming like some other coats. They enjoy activities and spending time with their human companions.
Siamese
Siamese cats are one of the most recognizable cat breeds with their triangular faces, large pointed ears and eyes, and sleek build. They come in both traditional pointed colorings and colored variants. Siamese tend to be vocal, playful cats that form close bonds with their human family. Their thin coats make them quite agile and suited for indoor living in warmer climates like Australia.
Burmilla
A hybrid breed developed from Burmese and Chinchilla cats, Burmillas have unique silvery or golden coats that are lightly ticked with distinct markings on their faces and legs. They tend to have friendly, playful personalities and enjoy human interaction and attention. Their coats protect from sun exposure while also shedding less. Burmillas are still a fairly uncommon breed in Australia.
Most common cat breeds
To summarize the most common cat breeds found across homes in Australia based on the breeds discussed:
- British Shorthair – A consistently top-ranking breed known for their stocky build, plush coats, and laidback temperament.
- Burmese – An active, affectionate breed that bonds closely with owners without high grooming needs.
- Exotic Shorthair – A teddy bear-like breed with sweet personalities suited to families with children.
- Siamese – One of the most recognizable breeds worldwide, known for their personalities and beauty.
- Burmilla – A unique ticked coat pattern on an emerging hybrid breed still gaining popularity.
Cat breeds that start with g, and q
Let’s now explore some more unique cat breeds that start with the letters ‘g’ and ‘q’, less common letters for cat breeds:
Georgian
Originating from the country of Georgia, Georgian cats are a rare natural breed known for their soft, silky long coats. They come in a variety of beautiful colors and patterns. Georgians tend to form close one-person bonds with their owners, making them suited to homes where an owner is able to spend significant time with their feline companion.
German Rex
German Rexes have a unique curly or wavy coat that feels very soft, like velvet. They come in many colors and can have blue, amber, or odd-eyes. Rex breeds are known for their dog-like playfulness and affection towards their humans. German Rex needs regular grooming to prevent matting in their unusual coats.
Gnome Cat
Gnome cats, also called GnomeLanders, are a mixed breed developed through selective breeding to resemble supernatural garden gnomes. They have sturdy, compact bodies in green, grey, or orange colors with unique upright pointed ears. Gnome cats tend to be curious, playful companions like other experimental breeds.
Quilt Cat
Quilt tabby cat coats show a distinct quilt-like pattern of color blocks that resembles patchwork. They come in many variants, like the calico quilt and tortoiseshell quilt. Quilted coats are actually caused by the genetics of sex-linked coloration on tabby patterns. Quilt cats can vary in temperament similarly to their ancestry breeds.
Most expensive cat in the world
One cat that earns a notable mention as potentially Australia’s ‘most expensive’ is a Savannah cat named “Mister Whiskers,” reportedly sold in 2014 for a whopping $35,000 Australian dollars. Savannah cats are a hybrid breed cross between a serval (a medium-sized wild African cat) and a domestic cat.
Savannah cats tend to resemble their large serval ancestors with their tall legs, small rounded ears, and long tails. They vary in appearance and temperament depending on their percentage of serval ancestry (‘F’ generations closer to wild vs. ‘S’ generations further from wild). This makes Savannah one of the few cats legally allowed to be bred with exotic rather than domestic cat ancestry.
Mister Whiskers himself was an F1 Savannah cat meaning he contained 50% exotic serval DNA. His large size, striking coloration, and markings, as well as his pedigree breeding lines, all contributed to commanding such an exceptionally high sale price amongst Savannah breeders and collectors. Though not a practical choice for most homes, Savannahs are renowned for their dog-like playfulness and bonds with their human companions amongst exotic cat enthusiasts.
Most cutest cat in the world
When it comes to cuteness, beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. However, some cat breeds seem to capture people’s idea of maximum cuteness more than others based on their small size, colorful coats, big eyes, and kittenish features:
- Munchkin Cats: Known for their very short legs resulting in a very low-to-the-ground and squatty appearance. Big eyes and baby-like features add to their cute factor.
- Ragdoll Cats: Large blue eyes, soft cryptch-like coats, and a tendency to flop over like a ragdoll in one’s arms elicits an “aww” reaction from many.
- Scottish Fold Cats: Unique upright ears that fold forward on themselves, and a round face gives them a permanent expression of curiosity and interest.
- Devon Rex and Selkirk Rex Cats: Their curly, low-shedding coats make them look like cute living teddy bears or moppets. Big eyes and fine features add to the charm.
- Exotic Shorthairs: Their round, fluffy teddy bear shape and colorings capture people’s idea of cute domestic companionship.
Ultimately, cute is subjective, but breeds trying to maximize small, baby-like features through genetics tend to attract those seeking out the cutest of companions. Temperament also defines an owner’s experience of past outward appearance alone.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about cat breeds:
What breed is the number 1 cat?
When it comes to the most popular overall cat breed kept as pets globally, the domestic shorthair or moggie tops the list. These are ordinary mixed-breed cats without specific pedigree or show quality refinement. Their undemanding hardiness and friendly temperaments have made them a consistently reliable number-one choice as companion animals worldwide for many decades.
Which pet cat is best?
There is no single “best” cat breed, as the right choice depends highly on an owner’s individual lifestyle, home environment, and personal preferences. However, breeds commonly recommended for families and first-time cat owners due to their friendly natures include Exotics, Burmeses, British Shorthairs, domestic/moggie cats, Maine Coons, and certain Long/Medium-haired variations. Temperament is the top priority over appearance or rarity.
What is the nicest cat breed?
Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and certain oriental breeds like the Siamese are often described as amongst the “nicest” cat breeds based on their affectionate, gentle, and tolerant natures, making them highly suitable as family pets. They tend to bond closely with their humans and get along well with children and other animals. However, every cat varies as an individual, and socialization and care are just as important as genetics.
What breed of cat is like a dog?
Breeds commonly compared to dogs in their playfulness and affection include the Siberian, Burmese, Bengal, and many Savannah hybrids. These breeds tend to be highly interactive, enjoy playing fetch or other toy-based games, and are eager to please and bond very closely with their human. They tend to greet owners at the door and follow them around the home more like dogs. However, no cat can truly be called “like a dog,” as even the most energetic breeds retain independent and occasionally aloof cat tendencies. Socialization and energy levels vary between individual cats more than dogs based on breed alone. Overall, temperament is most important when seeking dog-like qualities in a feline companion.
