Different breeds of cats differ significantly from each other, and have their own unique features of appearance and personality, which are considered signatures of the breed. One of these traits is height and size.
And if you are looking for a really big feline friend, or just wondering which breeds of domestic cats are the giants of their kind, we will talk about the 10 largest cats of the existing breeds.
You will also be interested in: The 10 smallest cat breeds in the world.
10. British Shorthair
The average height at the withers and weight is 33 cm, 9 kg.
Open our list of large cats with short “plush” hair. The British, as their breed fans affectionately call them, are distinguished by their unobtrusive nature, greatly value their personal space and are suitable for people who are not inclined to squeeze in the arms of their pets.
9. Turkish van
Height and weight - 40 cm, 9 kg.
Surprisingly, such a beautiful creature is not a product of long selection, but a gift of nature. Turkish van is one of the oldest cats on Earth. There is even a legend that the ancestor of the Turkish Van was on Noah's Ark and did not allow the mouse to gnaw a hole in the vessel. In gratitude for this, the Lord laid his right hand on him. Since then, many Van cats have a human finger mark on their left shoulder.
A curious feature of these cats is a wool texture resembling cashmere. It has water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties.
8. Siberian cat
Height and weight - 40 cm, 9 kg.
It is quite possible that the Siberian cat was originally not Siberian at all, but Asian, and her ancestors were common with Angora and Persian cats. Siberian is one of the most furry cat breeds. Russian merchants, who actively traded with Central Asian countries, brought from there not only goods, but also long-haired cats, which perfectly took root in the harsh Siberian climate.
Be that as it may, how the breed Siberian cats formed precisely on the territory of Siberia. They are excellent companions for allergy sufferers as they produce less Fel D1 protein, which is a common allergenic trigger.
7. Norwegian Forest Cat
Height and weight - 40 cm, 9 kg.
This long-haired breed hails from Norway and is not used to the cold climate. In appearance, the Norwegians are similar to the breed of Maine Coon and Siberian cats, and are very popular both in Norway and in the neighboring Scandinavian countries.
6. Ragamuffin
Height and weight - 40 cm, 10 kg.
In fact, ragamuffin is the same ragdoll, only "in a different wrapper." The difference between these breeds is minimal, and lies in the variety of colors of ragamuffins, and the structure and color of the eyes. If ragdolls have eyes of only blue color and oval shape, then ragamuffins have rounded eyes and can be of any color.
And let ragamuffin - not the largest domestic cat in the world, but perhaps the most affectionate and trusting. Even if she is in danger, she will not attack, but only hide.
5. Ragdoll
Height and weight - 40 cm, 10 kg.
Taking all the best from Burmese and Persian cats, ragdolls are distinguished by a calm temperament and kind nature. They love to sit on their hands and are great companions for quiet people who have a lot of time to devote to this affectionate feline creature.
4. Pixibob
Height and weight - 40 cm, 10 kg.
Compared to the trot, which the pixibob is very similar to, it may seem tiny. But this did not prevent the representatives of this breed from taking their place in the top 5 largest cats.
Piksibobov often compared with a dog, because of their tendency to learn tricks and teams, as well as enjoy walking on a leash. Interesting fact: some pixibobes can have up to seven fingers on one paw.
3. Hausi (Chausi, Shawzi)
Height and weight - 40 cm, 15 kg.
One of the largest cats in the world was bred relatively recently - in the 60-70s of the last century. Abyssinian cats were crossed with wild reed cats in an attempt to obtain an animal with the grace of a wild cat and the character of a domestic one.
As a result, the breeders received a playful and very mobile creature that loves the company of a person, but does not like to sit in his arms. House is loyal to their masters, and tolerate other animals in the house.
2. Maine Coon
Height and weight - 41 cm, 12 kg.
One of the most beautiful cats in the world is known for its large size and noble disposition. Maine Coon - the largest domestic cats that have no recent family ties with wild cats, as the first and third numbers in our rating.
Representatives of this breed are friendly, not capricious and have a long life expectancy (for cats) - 12.5 years or more.
Maine Coon, nicknamed Barivel, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest cat in the world. From ears to tail, it reaches 1.2 meters. The name Barivel means "Clown" or "Joker" in the local Italian dialect. Despite such a lively name, he, according to the owners, is a kind of living couch, spending his time reclining and eating generous portions of chicken and fish.
1. Savannah
Height and weight - 60 cm, 15 kg.
Here is a photo of the largest cat in the world. However, experts did not agree on what maximum size the savannah can reach. The fact is that this breed is a recent creation, which appeared as a result of the crossbreeding of domestic cats (most often Siamese) and a serval, an African wild cat.
Savannah is rarely seen not only in Russia, but also in other countries. She is the most expensive cat in the world, and the cost of a kitten reaches 22 thousand dollars.
By nature, the largest cat in the world is more like a dog. She is calm, gets along with other pets, and is very loyal to the owner.
