10 Adorable But Rare Cat Breeds You Didn’t Know About

by John Griffith
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Cats are amazing animals and have been around since the foundation of most ancient civilizations! And just like dogs, there are a ton of different breeds, each with their own personalities and characteristics. From the fluffy Siamese to the playful Tabby. There is a cat for everyone thanks to the diversity in breeds and personalities. And while we may be used to seeing American Shorthairs or Persians, there are a lot of rare cat breeds you may have never seen or heard even of. Of course, no matter what breed, cats are one of the most beautiful creatures on this plant. But it is super fun to see all the different types they come in. That’s why today we want to show you some rarer cat breeds that definitely deserve more attention and recognition.

Cats have been around since the foundation of most ancient civilizations

burmilla cat looking mean

Rare Cat Breeds

Rare cats are harder to come by than we would like. But that’s what makes them special. What makes a breed rare depends on many different factors or a combination of some. Unique colors, exotic markings, newer breeds, or very ancient breeds can all make a cat rare. As well, as how difficult it is to acquire such a cat. Unlike normal domestic shorthairs, rare breeds are usually extremely distinctive, expensive, and few in terms of numbers. So, let’s see some of the rarest breeds on the planet and why they are considered rare.

Rare cats are harder to come by than we would like

two snuggling devon rex cats

#Korat

This breed has left its mark in ancient history. Long ago, these cats used to live in monasteries in Thailand around the 14th century in the Kingdom of Siam. Only members of the Thai government or other foreign representative could have the honer to own this breed, as the Korat was considered good luck. This breed has a beautiful coat that glistens in silver and clue. This cat is super rare and it’s considered very lucky to even get a glimpse at one.

These cats used to live in monasteries in Thailand around the 14th century

rare cat breeds korat gray and blue cat

#Burmilla

A rare and beautiful cat. The Burmilla has beautiful silver markings, a shiny, soft coat with eyes that seemed outlined with eyeliner. This breed is a mix of a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese and was actually accidentally bred. However, as Bob Ross says “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” And so the Burmilla was born. This breed isn’t just pretty, it is also very affectionate, playful and friendly.

The Burmilla has beautiful silver markings and a shiny, soft coat

burmilla breed cat staring out of window

#LaPerm

LaPerm’s are famous for their curly and fluffy coats. This cat is a dream as it rarely sheds, and their fur doesn’t mat all that much. Which comes as a surprise, as their coat looks like it would need managing. Thus breed is super loving and cuddly. The LaPerm comes in both long and shorthair versions. The breed was discovered fairly soon in the 1980s and gets it distinctive coat from the result of a mutation.

LaPerm’s are famous for their curly and fluffy coats

laperm breed cat on dark blue bakcground

#Turkish Van

A long haired beauty. The Turkish Van looks like royalty. This breed loves water and originates from Turkey’s Lake Van region. These cats have been around since the 1800s and have long and silky fur. It is rarely seen outside of Turkey, as for years the Government wouldn’t allow any kittens to be taken out of the country. It is a large, elegant cat breed that isn’t particularly vocal. Active cats that need a lot of playtime.

This breed loves water and originates from Turkey’s Lake Van region

turkish van breed cat in white and orange

#Devon Rex

Now this is one unique cat. This cat originates from Devonshire, UK, which is also why it is called the Devon Rex. It has a unique facial appearance. The Devon Rex has very large eyes, a short muzzle, very prominent cheekbones, and as if from an animation big ears. This breed is very active and has strong hunting instincts, so they need plenty of play time and mental stimulation.

The Devon Rex has large eyes, a short muzzle, prominent cheekbones, and really big ears

devon rex cat with big blue eyes

#Kurilian Bobtail

Originally from Russia, this fluffy cat has long fur and a stub-tail. It’s absolutely adorable and one of the worst shredders. This breed is super rare outside of its county of origin, which makes it a unique breed. Well it’s one of a kind tail also makes it quite unique, as there are no two tails that look exactly alike. This breed was developed through human assistance and isn’t naturally occurring.

Originally from Russia, this fluffy cat has long fur and a stub-tail

rare cat breeds kurilian bobtail cat

#Norwegian Forest Cat

Fluffy and majestic. The Norwegian Forest cat is a playful and active cat with a pleasant character. Mainly found in Europe this can is not afraid of the cold and is larger than an average cat. This breed was nearly declared extinct during the second world war, but thankfully survived. It has a thick, waterproof coat that can handle freezing Scandinavian winters. The Norwegian Forest cat is a very social and people-oriented breed.

The Norwegian Forest cat is a playful and active cat with a pleasant character

big fluffy norweigen forest cat

#Egyptian Mau

There are around 7000 Egyptian Mau cats around the world, making them a pretty rare breed. They are also a very ancient breed, dating back to at least 3000 years, and are the only natural domesticated breed of spotted cat. This cat is playful, athletic, and smart. While its name may lead you to believe it originated in Egypt, DNA studies have reveled that the breed we know and love today is actually from European and North American origin.

The Egyptian Mau is the only natural domesticated breed of spotted cat

egyptian mau cat in0gray with spots

#Sokoke

An exotic shorthair cat that originates from the forests of Kenya. This cat has e distinctive, vibrant, stripped coat that is the perfect camouflage pattern. The Sokoke was formerly considered a cross between wild cats. However, DNA tests showed there are no wild cat genes. Still this cat is considered to be one of the rarest cat breeds. It is playful, smart and family oriented.

The Sokoke was formerly considered a cross between wild cats

sokoke cat with big green eyes

#Minskin

This breed is quite unique. The Minskin combines distinctive traits of the breeds it was crossbred between – the hairless Sphynx, the Munchkin, the Burmese, and the Devon Rex. It is a newer breed and has been an official breed since 2008. It has short legs and a stocky body, as well as big paws and it’s hairless. One of a kind!

The Minskin combines distinctive traits of the breeds it was crossbred between

small minskin hairless

These were some rare cat breeds we love and want to see more of. We hope you found this article interesting. Did you know any of these breeds? What’s your favorite? We just can’t pick!

These were some rare cat breeds we love and want to see more of

fluffy white turkish van cat

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John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.