Knowing the rare cats (part 2)
- By: Amielia Bt Shadan
- Jan 21, 2016
- 3 min read
Now, let us continue about our rare breeds from all over the globe. There are so much of them, its hard to choose what to put here.
1. Cornish Rex
Origin: United Kingdom (Cornwall, England)
About: this cat originates in a farm in 1950 when a farmhouse cat gave birth to some kittens and one of them is a bit different with curly hair. This symbolic curly hair is thanks to a genetic mutation in the cat.
They are playful, sociable and fun-loving family cats. They are also very energetic and mischievous.
Source: Google images
Adult Cornish Rex
Coat and body: the hallmark of this breed is of course, the curly short-hair that covers its body. This coat is light and does not have a protective layer. This breed has an arched back makes them a very graceful cat. Moreover, this breed has very large bat-like ears that sit high up on its head and also large oval shaped eyes. Even though this cat can be groomed by hand, but due to the lack of outer coat to absorb natural oils, they need regular baths to avoid them from being greasy.
Health: this breed may have occasional heart and thyroid problem. Even so, the Cornish Rex is overall a healthy cat and some can live up to 20 years.
Source: Google images
Cornish Rex kittens
2. The Manx
Origin: Great Britain (the Isle of Man)
About: this cat was founded about 300 years ago. The most apparent characteristic of this breed that most of them have no tail. Some legend says that the Manx first lost its tail because Noah slams the arc door shut before the cat could completely enter.
This breed is friendly, affectionate and makes great family cats. A Manx is also said to be intelligent like a dog as some can answer to a human’s call and command.
Source: Google images
A manx
Coat and body: this breed has a dense double layer coat, regardless whether is it long-haired or short-haired. This makes them to require regular grooming, 2-3 times per week. The lack of tail of this breed is due to a mutation of the spine that does not grow into a tail. However, not all Manx breed cats are tailless. We have the Rumpy, the one with no tail at all, the Riser, with a little bit of cartilage that makes up a little tail, the Stumpy that has a longer tail and there is the Longy, with the usual tail like other cats. Mixing up two Rumpys together might end up for the offspring to have a problem with the spine. The Manx only have 1-3 vertebrae for the tail while the average cat can have up to 20 vertebrae that make up the tail. They have big and strong and longer back legs to help them to have a better balance due to the lack of tail. These longer back legs cause them to make cute bunny-like jumps.
The Rumpy
The Riser
The Stumpy
Source: Google images
The Longy
Health: some of the kittens that was given birth to may develop a Manx syndrome where the spine does not develop properly which causes the kitten to die in less than 4 months. Overall, this breed is a heathy breed.
3. Kurilian Bobtail
Origin: Kuril Island (a remote archipelago between Siberia and Japan).
About: this breed evolved naturally on the Kuril Island about 200 years ago and the islander value them so much because of their strong survival skills. Some claim that they hunts in pack and in packs, they can actually take down a small bear. This breed has become very popular in Russia yet they are still very rare in America because they did not produce very much offspring as other cat which is about one per year.
Source: Google images
Adult Kurilian bobtail
This breed goes along very well with children and other pets even with their nature as a hunter. This breed is versatile enough that they can easily adapt to any household.
Coat and body: the most significant feature of Kurilian Bobtail cats are of course, the short tail that they have. This is a natural genetic trait and does not cause by any mutation. The length can only come up to two to ten vertebrae. This cat has a very muscular build and they can weight up to 15 pounds. Their fur can be in many colours and it varies between long and semi-long. They require regular grooming and also bath.
Health: this natural breed is overall healthy with no breed-related specific problem.
Source: Google images
Kurilian Bobtail kitten
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