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Maine Coon
The Maine coon is one of the largest cat breeds and is known for being incredibly gentle. Combined with their distinctive good looks and lustrous coat, they are among the most popular breeds across the world. Maine coons are commonly tabby, but they come in various coat colors and patterns, including black and white. These cats usually get along well with all family members, including respectful kids and dogs. They're loyal, affectionate and very intelligent. Maine coons are known for being expert mousers and might not suit a family with small pet furries.
Breed Overview
Height: Up to 16 inches
Weight: 9 to 17 pounds
Coat and Color: Long, double coat with more than 75 color combinations and green, gold, or copper eyes
Life Expectancy: 9 to 15 years
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Cornish Rex
A black and white Cornish Rex is striking to behold with its famed tight, curly rows of fur; wide-set large ears; and svelte physique. They're sometimes referred to as the greyhound of the cat kingdom. Energetic and sociable, this breed thrives with company. The Cornish Rex is an intelligent cat that you can teach an array of impressive tricks, and some provide support as therapy animals.
Breed Overview
Height: 12 to 14 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Coat and Color: Tight, curly short hair in a wide range of colors, including solid, shaded, smoke, and tabby
Life Expectancy: 10 to 16 years
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Manx Cat
Like the Cornish Rex, the Manx is dog-like. They're usually playful, companionable, even-tempered, and energetic. Manx cats are also smart and highly trainable. The breed standard is for these cats to have no tails, but cats that are not used for showing or breeding may have a short stump of a tail. They come in a wide variety of coat colors, including black and white. They come in both longhaired and shorthaired varieties, both of which have thick double coats. These cats are also famed for their skills as mousers.
Breed Overview
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Coat and Colors: Short- and long-haired varieties; tailless; colors include white, blue, black, red, cream, silver, tortoiseshell, blue cream, and brown
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
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Munchkin
This breed gets its name from its shorter than average legs, which occur due to a genetic mutation. Munchkins come in a vast array of color combinations, including black and white. These diminutive kitties are known for being warm-hearted, fun-loving, and outgoing. Because of their short legs, Munchkins can need extra help when it comes to grooming those harder-to-reach spots. Debate swirls around the ethics of continued breeding of this cat as its shortened legs are often accompanied by health problems including a curved spine and severe arthritis. The breed is not recognized by many pedigree cat groups due to these concerns over their health.
Breed Overview
Weight: 6 to 9 pounds
Height: 5 to 7 inches
Coat and Colors: Shorthaired with a medium-length plush coat or longhaired with a semi-long silky coat; coats come in any color combination or pattern
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
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Oriental Shorthair
Often confused with their Siamese relative, the Oriental shorthair is a separate breed. Unlike Siamese, these cats have green eyes and come in many patterns and colors, including black and white. Like Siamese, the Oriental shorthair tends to be inquisitive, chatty, and even-tempered. They have a short, single coat, meaning these cats can feel the cold and prefer a cozy and draft-free home. A longer-haired Oriental is a separate breed.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Coat and Color: Short, smooth coat with many color possibilities: solids, shaded, smoke, and tabby; green, blue, gold, and yellow eyes
Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years
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Persian
While the pure white Persian is often the most photographed and highly prized variety of this popular breed, they also come in other colors, including black and white. There's no mistaking this breed with their long, thick coats; large, vivid eyes; and smushed faces. Their popularity also stems from their laid-back, low-energy, and snuggly personalities. They aren't known for being one of the most intelligent or most trainable cats. A Persian's long, lustrous coat requires daily grooming. It easily gets matted and is uncomfortable if neglected.
Breed Overview
Height: 14 to 18 inches
Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
Coat and Color: Long coat in solid (white, black, cream), tabby, calico, bi-color, silver and gold, shaded, and smoke
Life Expectancy: 10 to 17 years
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Scottish Fold
Famed for their small folded-over ears, the Scottish fold has a rather impish-looking appearance. These cats are usually anything but impish in personality. Known for being laid back and friendly, Scottish folds usually live well alongside other pets and respectful kids. The same mutation that causes the ears to fold can also cause degenerative joint disease that can impact cartilage and bone development, leading to painful arthritis. Their dense coat needs regular grooming to prevent problems with matted fur and hairballs. The black and white combination is just one of many colors that the breed can have.
Breed Overview
Weight: 5 to 11 pounds
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Coat and Color: Short coats that can come in many colors and patterns, but commonly calico, tortoiseshell, and tabby
Life Expectancy: 11 to 14 years
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Siberian Cat
Siberian cats have a very dense, semi-longhaired, triple coat. They need this fur to survive the freezing, forested subarctic Siberian regions of Russia. The breed is growing in popularity in the U.S. due to its affectionate, playful personality and striking good looks. Siberians are active and intelligent and need enrichment to prevent boredom. Their coat is not prone to matting but they do shed a lot. Brown tabby is the Siberian's most common pattern, although they come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including black and white.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 8 to 15 pounds
Coat and Color: Semi-longhaired, triple-coat that varies from coarse to soft; comes in a wide variety of colors
Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
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Turkish Angora
The elegant, long-haired Turkish Angora was once associated with only being white. They're most commonly still found in this color and come in many other variations, including black and white. Turkish Angoras tend to be best suited to a household where they'll have company for most of the day. Outgoing and affectionate, they need plenty of attention and enrichment. They're more active than your average cat and can become mischievous if they get bored. Unlike most cats, this breed often loves to swim and play in the water.
Breed Overview
Weight: 5 to 9 pounds
Height: 9 to 14 inches
Coat and Color: Long, silky coats that can come in a variety of colors and patterns, like white with lavender, chocolate, or Himalayan markings, tabby or calico
Life Expectancy: 13 years or more
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Domestic Mixed Breed Cat (Moggies)
Domestic mixed-breed cats are also called moggies and don't have any formal pedigree. If you're looking to adopt a cat, these cats are most commonly found in rescue shelters across the country. They are beautiful, intelligent, and affectionate with wonderful temperaments and minimal health issues. They come in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns, including black and white.
