Nebelungs typically have long bodies, wide-set green eyes, long and dense fur, and mild dispositions. The name Nebelung–apparently a portmanteau of the German word (Nebel) for Mist or Fog and a medieval Germanic saga, Nibelungenlied – is perhaps derived from the cat’s distinctive silky blue-gray coat as well as from the bread’s progenitors Siegfried and Brunhilde, named after two major figures in the Nibelungenlied.

Origin

The American foundation of this cat breed was laid by the cats Siegfried (1984) and Brunhilde (1985). Cora Cobb, the owner of Siegfried and Brunhilde, was very impressed by the beauty of her blue/gray cats. Siegfried and Brunhilde looked like a Russian Blue but with a semi-long coat. To find out if it was possible to start a new breed with these cats Cora got in touch with the geneticist of the American Cat Association. This geneticist, DR. Solveig Pfleuger, said that the breed was best defined as semi-long haired Russian Blue. Supported by DR. Pfleuger, Cora Cobb wrote the breeding standard according to the blue Russian, but with a difference: its coat length.

TICA is the first association to recognize the Nebelung and provides the breed standard. The goal of the Nebelung breeding program is to produce a blue cat with the same type as those imported from Russia in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and to combine this type with a thick shimmering coat of medium length. The body and tail are long, the ears large in proportion to the head and the eyes range in color from yellowish green to green. Size is medium and the body well muscled. The coat is medium long on the body, longer on the tail, with lighter colored guard hairs. The overall appearance is long, sturdy and well muscled.

The Nebelung around the globe

The Nebelung is a rather new breed, with breeders in America, Canada, Russia and Europe. At present the Nebelung is recognized by TICA, WCF, LOOF and the independent cat associations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany. And currently is being applied for recognition of the breed in ACFA. It is still rather rare, so one must be prepared to wait for a kitten or cat of this breed.

Character

Nebelung cats are lively, playful, affectionate, good-natured and intelligent cats. In spite of the fact that it is an active cat, it can live very well indoors. The Nebelung prefers their own family and often keep a distance to strangers. It is, however, a cat which gladly accepts company of its people or of another cat. Nebelungs are very good communicators, and never hesitate to remind their owners of any problems. This happens often since Nebelungs can be very picky about things such as litter cleanliness and food.

The Sand Cat - Felis Margarita

Key Facts

• Scientific Name: Felis margarita
• Size: Head and body 18-23 inches (45-58cm);tail 11-14 inches (28-35cm)
• Weight: 4.5-9 pounds (2-4kg)
• Distribution: Deserts of northern Africa and western Asia.
• Habitat: Inhospitable arid regions characterized by rolling sand dunes, flat stony plains and rocky deserts.
• Diet: Birds, jerboas, gerbils, small mammals, hares, reptiles and locusts.
• Reproduction: After a gestation period of about 66 days, female gives birth to 2-4 kittens

Also known as the Sand-dune Cat or Dune Cat. The scientific title of margarita was taken from the name of a French officer, General Margueritte, who was serving in Algeria in the 1850s. This small, pale, sandy-colored cat is easily recognized by its amazingly broad head and huge, wide-set ears. Its short legs and compact body give it the appearance of being permanently crouched. The longish tail has a black tip and a few black rings near the tip. The fur is long, soft and dense. It has hairy feet, with long tufts growing between the pads.

Although it is nocturnal, hunting in the cool of the desert night, this hairy padding on its feet means that, should it be driven out onto the painfully hot sand during the day, its sensitive paw-pads would be protected. These tufts of hair also, incidentally, give it a unique set of feline tracks, its footprints completely lacking any of the usual sole-pad markings. As a protection against exposure, the Sand Cat is an efficient burrower and can dig out its own den in the sand. One such den, that was carefully excavated, proved to be 15 feet (4.5 meters) long and about 5.5 inches (14 cm) wide at the entrance – a considerable burrowing achievement for a small cat.

Sand Cat Image Gallery

A strictly nocturnal, ground-living hunter, the Sand Cat preys on any small desert rodents, reptiles, or large insects that it can find in its hostile environment, relying to a great extent on its incredibly sensitive hearing. It has been known to feast on locusts, but its staple diet consists largely of jerboas, gerbils, and other desert rodents. Unlike many cat species, the Sand Cat is able, if necessary, to survive without drinking, obtaining all the liquid it needs from its prey. Its main enemies are venomous snakes and desert birds of prey.

Found in the rocky, sand-dune regions of the deserts of northern Africa and western Asia, it has been recorded from many parts of the Sahara. Specific countries where its presence has been confirmed include (roughly from west to east): Morocco, Algeria, Niger, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, Iran, Southern Russia (Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), and Pakistan.

The Scottish Fold – sometimes called Coupari by Canadian breeders – is a breed of cat with a natural dominant-gene mutation that makes its ear cartilage contain a fold, causing the ears to bend forward and down towards the front of their head, which gives the cat what is often described as an “owl-like” appearance.

Characteristics

Ears

All Folds are born with straight, unfolded ears, and those with the Fold gene will begin to show the fold usually within about 21 days. The original cats only had one fold in their ears, but due to selective breeding breeders have increased the fold to a double or triple crease that causes the ear to lie totally flat against the head. A Scottish fold’s ears are meant to be treated with care; they are very delicate.

The breed’s distinctive folded ears are produced by an incompletely dominant gene that affects the cartilage of the ears, causing the ears to fold forward and downward, giving a cap-like appearance to the head. Smaller, tightly folded ears set in a cap-like fashion are preferred to a loose fold and larger ear. The large, round eyes and rounded head, cheeks, and whisker pads add to the overall rounded appearance. Despite the folded ears, folds still use their aural appendages to express themselves – the ears swivel to listen, lay back in anger and prick up when the treat bag rustles.

Body

The Scottish Fold is a medium-size cat, with males typically reaching 9 to 13 lbs. (6-9 for females). The Fold’s entire body structure, especially the head and face, is generally rounded, and the eyes large and round. The nose will be short with a gentle curve and the cat’s body well-rounded with a padded look and medium-to-short legs. The head is domed at the top, and the neck very short. The broadly-spaced eyes give the Scottish Fold a “sweet expression”.

Coat

Scottish Folds can be either long- or short-haired, and they may have nearly any coat colour or combination of colours (including white) except pointed colours.[8] According to a cat-fancy website [10]:

The Scottish Fold Cats are found in a variety of coats and patterns. The Solid cats are white, black, blue, red, cream, blue-silver, or blue-cream. The silver cats are chinchilla or shaded. The golden cats are chinchilla or shaded. The cameo cats are shell or shaded. The smoke cats are black, blue, or cameo. The tabby pattern cats are classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked, or patched. The tabby cats are silver, blue-silver, blue-silver patched, red, brown, blue, cream, or cameo. The cats can also be tortoiseshell, calico, dilute calico, or bi-color.

Social

Scottish Folds, whether with folded ears or with normal ears, are typically good-natured and placid and adjust to other animals within a household extremely well. They tend to become very attached to their human caregivers and are by nature quite affectionate. Folds receive high marks for playfulness, affection, and grooming, and are often intelligent, loyal, softspoken, and adaptable to home situations and people.[1]

Habits

Folds are also known for sleeping on their backs. This is called the “Buta Position”. Scottish Folds typically have soft voices and display a complex repertoire of meows and purrs not found in better-known breeds

Sink cat

The Sink Cat is usually found in warmer climates where he enjoys the coolness of the porcelain. Sink Cat will not allow you to brush your teeth or wash your hands, and will mock your futile attempts to move him by putting on a cute face. Sink Cat will often drink exclusively from your faucet and will be persistent in making you turn the faucet on for him.

Disdain Cat

Some cats are capable of such a range of facial expressions that their limited vocabulary doesn’t hinder them in the least. Here is an excellent example of Disdain Cat being displeased with the lack of lounging area, or possibly at a dish of dry food that replaced her usual tuna dinner.

Lounge Cat

Now, all cats are Lounge Cats to some extent, but some can take it to a whole new level of lounge-iness. Shown here is a pseudo Lounge Cat. A true Lounge Cat will be completely limp and stretched out to his full extent in order to cover the most area and inconvenience you in the greatest manner. Any object in the way of Lounge Cat will be deposited on the floor.

Luggage Cat

The Luggage Cat weighs 23 lbs and is displeased that he cannot quite cram his large ass into my carryon sized luggage. Luggage Cat will continue to shed his fur onto my clothes in an effort to remind me who I belong to while I am traveling.

Recliner Cat

This is my brand new ThomasVille recliner. Oh, forgive me…. did I say MY recliner? My apologies. Obviously my cats are pleased with this purchase and I have been displaced. $850 for a gigantic cat bed. They let me sit in it occasionally. Recliner Cats won’t take no for an answer.

Lap Cat

Lap Cat is usually seen during the colder months. Lap Cat is happy to use you as a giant hot water bottle, and is most pleased when she can mold herself to your flabby parts for maximum comfort (her comfort, not yours).

Social Cat

The Social Cat will enjoy spending time with and grooming his companions, humans and feline alike. Social Cat makes friends easily and has a pleasant disposition. He enjoys the simple things in life.Social Cat and Lap Cat are first cousins.

Bag Cat

The Bag Cat will claim any unattended bag, even if it is too small for her. She will defend it from all other cats and will particularly enjoy finding toys or food hidden inside the bag. Bag Cat will spend hours attacking invisible things inside the bag and loves the crinkly sounding bags the most.

Window Cat

The Window Cat likes to lounge on window sills and fantasize about the birds and squirrels he would mutilate and destroy. Window Cat can remain motionless for hours at a time, and is also a very capable screen climber.

Party Cat

The Party Cat is always fun at a party and combines the party animal personality with that of a stripper who surprises you by jumping out of a cake. She will appear when you least expect her.

Chirp Cat

The Chirp Cat is capable of making bird noises in his sleep, even though he weighs 23 lbs. If you are not looking directly at him, you will swear that a small bird is trapped in your home. Chirp Cat is actually practicing his foreign language skills in an attempt to fool his prey into coming within attack range.

Dumpster Cat

The Dumpster Cat is capable of balancing herself at precarious angles. She is shown here training for her next dumpster diving expedition. While she may seem innocent enough… beware! She will steal the salami out of your sandwich, eat anything off of the floor, and rummage through your takeout order before you’ve had a chance to eat any of it.

Camouflage Cat

The Camouflage Cat is an expert at terrorism. She will position herself where she can maximize her springing-on-unsuspecting-passersby techniques. Camouflage Cat is usually detected when you see her rear end wiggling as she plots her attack trajectory.

Do you know any other cat personality ?

Munchkin cats are a relatively new breed created by a random mutation that produced a cat with extremely short legs. Munchkin cats have short or long coats in a wide variety of colors.
Because of this cat’s short stature, munchkins are particularly adept at climbing and jumping. The Munchkin cat is usually raised as an indoor cat, although they are reported to be extremely active, agile and fast runners.

Ragdolls were first created in the 1960′s by Ann Baker, a quirky Persian breeder in California. Some of the original stock consisted of hardy, free-roaming street cats. Ms. Baker created the foundations of the Ragdoll breed by selecting kittens out of Josephine, a semi-feral longhaired white female Persian/Angora type, sired by several unknown male Birman-like or Burmese-like cats, one with Siamese type markings.

A Seal Point Bicolor Ragdoll

The Ragdoll cat typically has a very gentle and relaxed temperament. When socialized from birth they are attentive and affectionate members of the family that enjoy and seek out human companionship. Ragdoll cats remain playful throughout their lives, adjust well to children and pets and are sometimes called “puppy-cats” because of their propensity to follow their owners from room to room and meet them at the door. They are an intelligent breed and easily learn tricks like Fetch or Beg, and to use a scratching post. Ragdoll cats are demurely vocal, careful with their claws and teeth when in play, plus forgiving of accidental mistreatment. Because of their non-defensive nature, a Ragdoll should never be allowed outdoors unattended.

Ragdolls require light grooming and great nutrition to give them an overall fluffy and healthy appearance. Although it is a myth that Ragdolls do not shed, their coat is easier to manage than many other long-haired breeds with just weekly combing to remove loose hairs and prevent mats. Bathing is rarely needed but well-tolerated, as are nail-clippings and vet visits.

The Serengeti cat is a cross between the Bengal cat and an Oriental cat.

The breed is still in the development stages, but the ultimate aim is to produce a cat that looks similar to a Serval, without using any recent wild cat blood. (Bengal cats originate from hybridization of Asian Leopard Cats. Most Bengal cats used in Serengeti programs are many generations removed from these origins and possess few genetic contributions of the Leopard Cat except alleles affecting coat color). Serengeti cats are spotted cats, with long legs and very large ears. Males are generally slightly larger and heavier than females and can weigh up to 15lbs; females generally weigh between 8 and 12lbs.

They are recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association) in tabby, ebony silver, ebony smoke and solid black. A group of breeders in the UK are currently working towards getting TICA to also recognise the snow spotted (aka lynx-point) variety.

The tabby is known as the brown spotted in the UK – however spots can be black or dark brown on a tan, light beige or gold background. The silver has black spots on a silver background. Ghost spotting can sometimes be seen on the solid black version. They are beautiful cats, with lovely temperaments, somehow managing to take the best characteristics from both their parent breeds. They are not Bengal/Siamese crosses, often mistakenly called serengeti.

The Russian Blue has a lean medium-sized body and a short, plush, blue-grey coat. The color is a bluish-grey that is the dilute expression of the black gene. The coat is known as a “double coat,” with the undercoat being soft, downy, and and equal in length to the guard hairs, which are an even blue with silver tips. Only Russian Blues and the French Chartreux have this type of coat, which is described as thick and wonderfully soft to the touch. The silver tips give the coat a shimmering appearance. Its eyes are almost always a dark and vivid green. Any white patches or yellow eyes in adulthood are seen as faults in show cats.

Russian Blues should not be confused with British Blues (which are not a distinct breed but rather a British Shorthair with a blue coat), nor the Chartreux or Korat which are two other naturally occurring breeds of blue cats, although they have similar traits.

Sphynx History

Although named after an ancient mythological creature (The Sphinx), the Sphynx cat pedigree is in fact a fairly modern breed only dating back to the mid 1970s. This is almost a century later than some other cat breeds such as Abyssinian and Burmese.

Hairlessness is a rare spontaneous mutation in cats, but several early attempts in the 1960s to breed hairless offspring led to fertility problems, and it wasn’t until the 1970′s that a successful breeding program was established in Oregon. Due to these fertility problems the Cat Fanciers Association withdrew recognition and it was only in 1998 that they officially recognised the Sphynx for registration and competition again in the miscellaneous class and 2002 that championship status was awarded.

Today’s Sphynx has been bred to normal coated cats and back again many times over the last 30 years, which has resulted in a genetically robust breed that suffers few health problems or genetic defects.

Although most Cat Fanciers welcome the Sphynx breed as an interesting addition to the world of cats, it has been rather controversial. Some would argue that hairlessness is in itself a genetic defect that should not be encouraged, but others would counter that humans are similarly deficient when compared to our primate cousins, and yet we have coped well enough.

Sphynx Appearance

The first distinctive feature you will notice about the Sphynx is its serious lack of hair and wrinkly skin. They are no wrinklier than any other breed of cat but the lack of fur accentuates the wrinkles a lot more. Wrinkles are a very desirable characteristic in competitions when it comes to the Sphynx.

The Sphynx is of medium build, males tend to be slightly larger than females and they have a bit of a belly giving the appearance they have just eaten. The Sphynx has an almost heart-shaped head with the chin much narrower than the forehead and their ears are very large compared to the size of their faces. Their eyes are oval shaped and the colour depends on the colour of their coat, hazel and green are also accepted eye colours. Their coats come in a variety of shades.

Many people assume that because the Sphynx lacks a fur coat, allergic reactions will be dramatically reduced or non existent. However, this is not the case; the dander and saliva that all domestic cats have is still present in the skin of the Sphynx. It is this and not the fur that is responsible for the allergic reactions that many people suffer from. The main difference is that your Sphynx will not moult all over your house and leave the substance you are allergic to amongst the fur.

Bathing and Grooming your Sphynx

Although the Sphynx lacks a fur coat they still need to be bathed regularly to prevent oily secretions building up on their skin. It is best to get your Sphynx used to the bath at an early age because it will be something you need to do periodically to ensure your cat’s coat is well maintained and doesn’t cause any irritation.

Sphynx Character and Temperament

To say that the Sphynx is a lively cat is quite and understatement, they will spend hours playing and showing off to their owners in a cute and mischievous fashion. They absolutely adore human attention and demand a lot of it but are also lovable and extremely charming. They are fun to be around, always there to greet you on your return home and will snuggle up to you when you’re feeling down. It is not uncommon for a Sphynx cat or kitten to curl up under the duvet with you go off to sleep.

Sphynxes tend to get on with children and other domestic animals very well and you will be surprised at just how intelligent they are. They can be trained to do ‘dog-like’ activities and even be toilet trained! Sphynxes are known for their large personalities and loyalty to their owners.

Sphynx Lifespan

9 – 15 years

Average Litter Size

Around four kittens is an avarage number.

Sphynx Recognition

This breed has been given Championship Status by the following Assosiations: The International Cat Assosiation

• Canadian Cat Assosiation
• United Feline Organistaion
• American Cat Assosiation
• American Cat Fanciers’ Assosiation
• American Assosiation of Cat Enthusiasts
• National Cat Fanciers’ Assosiation