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Cats

Independent, ancient and endlessly varied — pedigree breeds from the giant Maine Coon to the hairless Sphynx, with honest notes on temperament, grooming, vocalness and health.

Abyssinian

Medium — 6–10 pounds, lean and athletic

American Bobtail

Medium to large — males 12–16 pounds, females 7–11 pounds

American Curl

Small to medium — 5–10 pounds

American Shorthair

Medium to large — males 11–15 pounds, females 8–12 pounds

American Wirehair

Medium — males 11–15 pounds, females 8–12 pounds

Balinese

Small to medium — males 6–11 pounds, females 5–8 pounds

Bengal

Medium to large — 8–15 pounds, males larger than females

Birman

Medium to large — males 9–12 pounds, females 6–9 pounds

Bombay

Medium — males 8–11 pounds, females 6–9 pounds; heavier than they look

British Longhair

Medium to large — males 12–18 pounds, females 9–14 pounds

British Shorthair

Medium to large — 9–18 pounds, males notably heavier

Burmese

Medium — males 8–12 pounds, females 6–10 pounds; surprisingly heavy for their size

Burmilla

Medium — 7–12 pounds

Chartreux

Medium to large — males 10–15 pounds, females 6–10 pounds

Colorpoint Shorthair

Small to medium — males 6–10 pounds, females 5–8 pounds

Cornish Rex

Small to medium — males 8–10 pounds, females 5–8 pounds

Cymric

Medium — males 10–12 pounds, females 8–10 pounds

Devon Rex

Small to medium — males 8–10 pounds, females 5–8 pounds

Egyptian Mau

Medium — males 10–14 pounds, females 6–10 pounds

Exotic Shorthair

Medium — males 10–14 pounds, females 7–12 pounds

Havana Brown

Medium — males 8–10 pounds, females 6–8 pounds

Japanese Bobtail

Small to medium — 6–10 pounds

Korat

Small to medium — about 6–10 pounds, females smaller; compact and heavier than they look

LaPerm

Medium — about 6–12 pounds, females smaller than males

Maine Coon

Large — males 13–18 pounds, females 8–12 pounds; body length can reach 38–40 inches including tail

Manx

Medium — males 10–12 pounds, females 8–10 pounds

Munchkin

Small to medium — about 5–9 pounds; legs roughly 2–3 inches shorter than a typical cat's

Nebelung

Medium — about 8–12 pounds, males larger; long and lithe under the coat

Norwegian Forest Cat

Large — males 12–16 pounds, females 9–12 pounds

Ocicat

Medium to large — males 9–15 pounds, females 6–12 pounds

Oriental Shorthair

Medium — males 8–12 pounds, females 6–9 pounds

Persian

Medium to large — 7–14 pounds under all that coat

Peterbald

Small to medium — about 6–10 pounds, females smaller; slim and elegant

Pixiebob

Large — males about 12–17 pounds, females 8–12; slow to mature, up to 4 years

RagaMuffin

Large — males about 15–20 pounds, females 10–15; matures slowly, up to 4 years

Ragdoll

Large — 10–20 pounds, males notably larger than females

Russian Blue

Medium — 7–12 pounds, fine-boned and graceful

Savannah

Large to very large — most pet generations about 12–20 pounds; F1 males can exceed 20 pounds and stand tallest of any domestic breed

Scottish Fold

Medium — 6–13 pounds

Selkirk Rex

Medium to large — males 11–16 pounds, females 6–12 pounds

Siamese

Medium — 6–14 pounds, fine-boned and elegant

Siberian

Large — males about 13–17 pounds, females 8–12; takes up to 5 years to mature

Singapura

Smallest breed — males 6–8 pounds, females 4–6 pounds

Snowshoe

Medium — males about 9–12 pounds, females 7–10

Somali

Medium — about 6–10 pounds, males larger; lithe and muscular

Sphynx

Medium — 6–12 pounds, surprisingly heavy and muscular

Tonkinese

Medium — males 8–12 pounds, females 6–9 pounds

Toyger

Medium to large — males about 10–15 pounds, females 7–10

Turkish Angora

Small to medium — males 7–12 pounds, females 6–9 pounds

Turkish Van

Large — males about 12–18 pounds, females 8–12; slow to mature, 3–5 years