I have always wanted a Maine **** or Norwegian Forest cat. I think the Maine ***** at least are said to be more dog-like.

Not sure about the grooming though.

 

maybe a siamese?? my last one was more like a dog than a cat... "_

 

One of my pet sitting clients has a maine **** AND two siamese! They have a Birman too. I love the coloring of siamese, and the birman is colored like a siamese but with long hair. He does have a naughty streak though I would love a maine **** myself. The one I know has the longest, most luxurious tail I've ever seen. It hangs from the dining chair and touches the floor, and I would concur that he is definitely dog-like.

 

Try this website Fanciers Breeder Referral List: For Cat Seekers

From someone who has been in the fancy, check out the British Short Hair. Not a flashy looking cat but has everything you are wanting.

I never pass up a chance to share. Here is my Burmese Grand Boy "Vinny". Unfortunately Burmese as sneaky counter surfers.

 

Given your requirements, I would steer clear of the Maine ****. They are beautiful, and it's amazing to hear them "talk", but they are definitely not low-maintenance grooming-wise.

Also, as with any animal, going with a breeder isn't a guarantee of temperament or health. Do all the same checking you would with your dogs. Which, of course, you already know.

My parents paid somewhere around $1k for a purebred Maine **** because my mom had always wanted one. He wound up having major neurological issues at only 2 years old.

They now have a rescue kitty we'll be meeting for the first time at Christmas.

 

That's too bad about your parents' maine ****. A maine **** may be in MY future, but I agree, it wouldn't be a good choice for my aging parents. And yes, unfortunately, not all breeders are created equally. I actually know a cat person through my golden retriever network - a friend of Kea's breeder is a breeder of ragdolls. She's new to the golden retriever/showing community, but I gather her to be up on the ethics of responsible breeding. I am willing to spend what I need to...just like with my golden. I just won't tell my parents how much I spent

LJack, thanks for sharing the website. I will definitely check it out, and I have always liked the look of the British Short Hair. Vinnie is beautiful! I have never heard of the Burmese Grand.

DH and I would love to someday have a bengal. I really like the spotted "wild"-like coat.

 

It seems to me that cat temperaments can really vary. I do think that boys seem to be more friendly but I don't know how true that would be.

If I wanted to be sure of the temperament, I would go to a rescue agency.

I have one cat that is very affectionate, but only towards me. I got her as a kitten from a friend. The other, my little guy, I got from a rescue agency, and he is very affectionate to everyone (sometimes too much.) Neither have any pedigree. I've never really wanted a purebred cat and don't really want them so if I get a cat, it will be from a rescue group or from a friend's litter.

Cats cannot be trained the same way that dogs can so their personality will largely be determined by themselves.

However, I'm sure a lot of breeds will have more tendencies to certain behaviors.

 

I would look at a Ragdoll, they were bred specifically to be cuddlers. Maine ***** and Norwegian Forest Cats are dog-like, but more active and have long hair so more grooming issues.

Temperament on cats (especially from kittens) is so hard to determine since degree of outgoingness is determined by the kitten's sire. However, no matter how unscientific it is, I am a true believer that medium or long haired orange males are the sweetest cats going.

 

I second the British Short Hairs. I had a friend with them years ago. Extremely friendly like a dog. Greeted everyone at the door and never hid under the bed. So it depends on which part of a dog personality you are looking for.

 

I had a former co-worker who was a judge at cat shows and bred Singapuras. They were pretty cool cats.
TICA Singapura Breed Introduction

 

I dln't have any experience with purebred cats but we have four cats, all regular domestic short-hairs . The females, a calico and a torti-calico are very finnicky. The boys are sweet and cuddly, particularly the ginger tabby. I was told by my vet that ginger tabbies are known for their disposition.
None of our cats jump on the counters. They do take up a lot of bed space though.

 

I agree, I've never met an orange boy I didn't love!

 

Exotic shorthair? I believe they are Persian crosses...

I know they have a lot of health issues, but Persian cats probably would be the type of purebred cat I'd bring home - because many of them have been bred to be lap cats and very people focused.

Ages ago, I knew somebody with one - and that was the perfect cat. Except it didn't catch mice.

Do NOT get a Siamese cat. I'll never forget sitting in a friend's home, drinking hot chocolate after we went riding together.... and watching her cat literally recoiling off the walls and climbing the curtains and.... basically constantly moving.

We were polite for our friend's sake, but we went home and hugged our long-haired domestic mutt cat who was an angel by comparison. :

I agree with Carolyn - the orange tabby cats are the sweetest. As we get cats for purpose (not primarily company), it was an added bonus that the little orange kitten who had been dropped off at my barn was not only a very strong mouser, but he also is very much a people and dog cat and hates being alone.

Any cat can be trained to stay off counters and furniture... when you are around. It helps giving them alternative perches which are allowed.

 

As I was reading your post, I was thinking of ragdolls. I have 2 of them presently and they would fit quite well with your criteria. They're great company but, like goldens, they all have their own personalities. One of mine will race me to the couch so he can be ready to snuggle up before I even get there. The other will come up on her own terms and sit a foot away from me though she's very young and they seem to get more cuddly as they mature. Both of them like to be nearby and seldom are not in the same room with me. Young ragdolls often shed very little but as they get older they do tend to shed more. The longer coats are more easily managed than those of some breeds but still do need combing at least once a week. If you go with a ragdoll, please be careful to find a reputable breeder and be sure to have both parents DNA tested for HCM. Good luck finding a kitten. It's hard to have just one!

 

I am guessing you are in Colorado if so and you are close, you could check this out:
Cowboy Country Cat Fanciers & Colorado Cat Fanciers January 18 & 19, 2014 Larimer County Fairgrounds
Loveland, Colorado
SHOW HOURS: Show Hours: – Sat 9:00AM to 5:00PM, Sun 8:30AM to 4:00PM. All entries are expected to remain in the show hall until the advertised closing time.

There may be an gate fee. I've been out of the game for 5+ years but remember Rachel Anger, one of the judges was really good to watch.

 

My vote goes for the Ragdoll. I have a 2 year old Ragdoll and she is the sweetest thing! Not much grooming required, they love to snuggle and they aren't very vocal! They have some dog tendencies like following you around everywhere you go, they like to fetch, etc. Just be sure to get one from a reputable breeder and one that has the true ragdoll tendencies that are standard to the breed. Here are a few pictures of my Ella.

 

I have had alot of cats. My most relaxed cat was a big male ragdoll. I also had a big orange cat that was a stray who was great too. Cats shed unless you get a sphinx or some other hairless cat. My cats get on the counter, I don't like it but they are cats, I have sprayed them with a spray bottle, and did a few other things but they are cats, they do what they want

 

I agree. My orange cats have always been so good !


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The problem with cats is they aren't dogs and don't have temperaments so notable like dog breeds. I would not go for a pure breed. Rather I would go to the shelter and find a sweet cat. You can train the cat to not get on counters. I had a water bottle I would just squirt at them if they jumped up on them. My cats are now 17,15 and 15 years old. Great cats with greet behavior. It's all about developing a relationship. After all cats are the only animal who domesticated themselves. They are a different animal all together. I can't imagine life without at least one. So so many need homes. I would always take to the shelter for one. Save one.


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I think the best would be to get an adult cat already known to the shelter for its temperament. They usually know them well enough. Rescues are so happy to have a home and they understand how lucky they are


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People choose purebred cats for the same reasons people choose purebred dogs. There are most certainly great dogs and cats available through shelters and rescues.
If you are looking for more predictability in traits you can get that through purebred animals. Yes cats have different individual personalities, but they should fall with in the norm for the breed. Just as a shy, cowering golden is not correct temperment, neither would a timid, quite cat be correct for an Abyssinian, or an in your face, pesty new person greeter in a Russian Blue.

Though I will agree that specialization in personality traits in cat breeds are not as diverse as in the dog breeds, there are marked differences and reputable breeders are cultivating and protecting the things that make each breed unique.

We ended up with Burmese because my husband is cat sensitive and Burmese for what ever reason do not trigger his sensitivity. Originally we were considering Sphinx and Devonshire Rex's because of this sensitivity.

Getting involved in showing really highlighted the differences between the breeds.

 

I agree with this, and this is exactly why we are considering a specific breed for my parents due to the big job this kitty will have in sitting on my mom's lap, purring, and reducing her stress. I have a tortoise shell domestic shorthair of my own and we say she has a "torti-tude". She doesn't like to be petted much at all, but will sit in my lap. She's not very friendly to anyone except me and my husband.

I am leaning toward a ragdoll. I found a breeder in Utah through my golden contacts, and she has one male left from her current litter. He's 5 weeks old and we could get him at 10-12 weeks. Then, I'd have to fly him from CO to PA. I have asked her about the DNA testing for the heart condition.

LJack, hehehe. Burmese Grand. Obviously I don't know much about cats and titles! I remember hearing about that cat show last year in Colorado, it's actually very close to where I live. I will have to check it out in January.

 

It may be too crazy for your parents, but my 60ish year old parents just got a Bengal kitten that is keeping them young. The little girl, Aria, fetches! She is awesome. If I were getting a purebred kitten, I'd choose a Bengal no doubt

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We have had many cats over the years and our British shorthair is the calmest and best behaved. She sleeps on Wife's head and purrs all night long. I call her the cat hat. Will not jump on table or counter.

Max



Koji Kat

 

We have had many cats over the years and our British shorthair is the calmest and best behaved. She sleeps on Wife's head and purrs all night long. I call her the cat hat. Will not jump on table or counter.

She's adorable, I am just loving all of the pictures in this thread.

It may be too crazy for your parents, but my 60ish year old parents just got a Bengal kitten that is keeping them young. The little girl, Aria, fetches! She is awesome. If I were getting a purebred kitten, I'd choose a Bengal no doubt

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I love Bengals too and would love to have one myself someday. I have heard that they like water. In my dreams...I'd love a savanna cat that I could walk on a leash.

I never knew much about purebred cats, and still don't really, but I have come to appreciate the predictability in traits associated with particular breeds after caring for a few pet sitting clients' cats. I am really hoping this kitty will help my mom in her recovery from her stroke. She's thinking of names, and it's great to see her so excited.

Megora, that's so funny about the Siamese climbing the curtains, and yes, definitely not what I'm seeking for my mom. The two Siamese cats I know are 20 years old, so there is no curtain climbing in that house! Every time I care for them, I think of the song "We are Siamese if you please" from Lady and the Tramp. They do have the most beautiful blue eyes. That's one thing that attracts me to Birmans and Ragdolls.

 

I cannot really help with the breed part, but its been my experience that girl cats are more clingy. I have a blk/wht DSH male (Milo) who will be 13 in April and I have a torti DLH female (Casey) who just turned 10 in October. Before we had Bear, Casey would sit in your lap before you even got settled into the chair. But as she grew older, she prefers to cuddle with us when we're sleeping or don't know what is going on. She still follows me EVERYWHERE I go. She does shed, and while grooming her is less than Bear but more than Milo, she will occasional develop a mat that I can quickly cut out.

I understand about not telling their temperament as kittens, unlike how we can tell a puppy's temperament pretty early on. I find you CAN train a cat to do various things. My two will walk on a leash for outside visiting times. Milo loves these little sponge balls and will gladly fetch them.

 

Love British shorthairs... I had Siamese and they were wonderful, very affectionate...

 

We had a Blue Persian that would fetch ponytail holders that we shot accross the room.


Max

 

Hey, I am cool with people thinking I am crazy for paying money for a cat. I just want to point out I am sure there are folks out there who think a dog is a dog. We of course love our Goldens and know exactly why. That is because we have learned, have knowledge and experience. I will admit it does bother me when people are so dismissive of other peoples passions when they are on the outside looking in. Cat people have just as much right to their joys and differences as we do. Purebred is not for everyone no matter the species, but I for one am glad it exists. I am very thankful for the opportunity to shared my life Arabians, Paints, Grade horses, Goldens, Min Pins, Shelter cats and Burmese. What those purebreds have given me was not better than the non-registered animals, it was just predictable.