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A Maine Coon longhair cat with cream and white fur sits beside a tabby shorthair cat in a garden with green foliage in the background.
A split image of a lion and an orange cat are shown against a vintage map.
A European wildcat, Felis silvestris, stands in snow with one paw on a dead rabbit, its prey, during winter. A black and white feral cat lies on a stone in front of the ancient columns and ruins of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Ancient Egyptian relief carving of a seated cat, representing the goddess Bastet, etched into a stone surface. limestone ostracon depicting a cat, a boy, and a mouse magistrate Egyptian mummified cat witch and black cat Large Maneki-neko beckoning cat sculpture with gold accents and red details stands outdoors at Hinoki Land park, surrounded by grass, purple flowers, and trees. Cast members of the musical Cats in elaborate feline costumes and makeup perform an energetic dance on stage at the Beiteddine Palace in Lebanon.
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List of selected longhair breeds

in

cat

Also known as: Felis catus, domestic cat, house cat
Written by
J. Anne Helgren
J. Anne Helgren is the author of six books on cats.
J. Anne Helgren
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
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....
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‱History

A selection of longhair breeds of domestic cats is given in the table.

Selected longhair breeds of cats
name origin characteristics comments
Illustration of a Balinese cat, a longhaired domestic breed, showing a slender body, blue eyes, large ears, and a long, plumed tail. The cat's fur is light with darker points on the face, ears, legs, and tail.
Balinese U.S. long svelte body; sapphire-blue eyes mutation of Siamese; tail sways when walking, resembling Balinese dancers
Illustration of a Birman cat with long, silky cream-colored fur, darker brown points on the face, ears, legs, and tail, and striking blue eyes, sitting upright.
Birman Burma (Myanmar) deep blue eyes; bushy tail; white-gloved paws known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma”
A longhaired Cymric cat with a black and white coat stands in profile, showing its sturdy build, thick fur, and lack of a visible tail.
Cymric Canada stout with heavy chest; tailless a longhair Manx
A Himalayan or Colourpoint Longhair cat with a thick, long pale coat, dark brown face, ears, legs, and tail, and striking blue eyes, shown in a side view.
 Himalayan, or Colourpoint Longhair U.S., Europe cobby body; short full tail; sapphire-blue eyes cross between Siamese and Persian
An illustration of a Javanese cat, a longhaired domestic breed with cream-colored fur, orange points, a bushy tail, and blue eyes, shown standing in profile.
Javanese U.S. graceful with long lithe body; silky coat cross between Balinese and Colourpoint Shorthair
Illustration of a Maine Coon cat with long, thick brown fur and a bushy tail, shown in profile standing on all four legs. A scale bar at the top right indicates size, with the label Maine Coon beside the cat.
Maine Coon U.S. large and well-muscled; shaggy coat oldest American breed
Illustration of a Norwegian Forest Cat with long, thick gray and white fur, pointed ears, and a bushy tail, sitting and facing forward.
Norwegian Forest Norway robust muscular body; double coat a favourite of the goddess Freya in Norse mythology
A Persian Longhair cat with a thick, fluffy orange coat, round face, and large, expressive eyes stands in profile, displaying its long fur and bushy tail.
 Persian exact origin unknown, possibly Iran cobby body; massive head one of the oldest and most popular breeds; many varieties
Illustration of a Ragdoll cat, a longhaired domestic breed, showing its blue eyes, soft white fur with brown markings on the face, ears, tail, and back.
Ragdoll U.S. heavy and powerful build; blue eyes relaxes muscles when picked up, resembling a floppy rag doll
A Somali cat with long, reddish-brown fur, large ears, and a bushy tail sits facing forward, displaying the breed's elegant and alert appearance.
Somali U.S. lithe and muscular body; green or golden eyes; full brush tail a longhair Abyssinian
A longhaired white Turkish Angora cat sits with its fluffy tail extended, displaying one blue eye and one amber eye. The background is plain with the label Turkish Angora beside the cat.
Turkish Angora Turkey long plumed tail; large pointed ears one of the first longhair cats in Europe