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Europe is the birthplace of many diverse and beautiful domestic cats. Quite a large number of cat breeds originated in the United Kingdom and Russia, but several cat breeds trace their roots to France, Germany, and Norway. Read on to meet 13 unique European cat breeds.
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The British Shorthair is one of the oldest cat breeds. It was one of the original breeds exhibited at the first organized cat shows, which took place in London in the 1800s. The ancestors of the modern British Shorthair were Egyptian cats brought by the Romans when they invaded Great Britain.
Although today’s British Shorthair comes in many different colors and patterns, most early British Shorthairs were a solid gray color (also called blue), so the breed was first called the British Blue. British Shorthair cats are calm, laid-back, and affectionate pets.
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Although Chartreux cats developed naturally in France hundreds of years ago, the breed was standardized by humans in the 1920s. The Chartreux’s stand-out feature is its unique, wooly coat that looks and feels a bit like a sheep’s fleece. Chartreux come in one color—blue-gray. Each hair is tipped in silver, making the coat shimmer.
Chartreux cats are lovely pets that fit well into many different households. They are gentle and quiet, but also quite social. They enjoy playing and being close to their people.
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One of two rex breeds from the United Kingdom, the Cornish Rex came into existence thanks to a unique kitten born into a litter in Cornwall, England, in 1950. The wavy-haired kitten with a “washboard” coat was named Kallibunker (Kalli), and later became the foundation of the Cornish Rex breed.
The Cornish Rex’s short, tightly curled, soft coat has an irresistible texture compared to chenille and sheds very little. Cornish Rex cats are energetic, curious, and very playful, acting like kittens well into adulthood.
#4 Devon Rex (United Kingdom)
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The Devon Rex is the other rex cat breed that hails from the United Kingdom, but it’s not related to the Cornish Rex.The Devon Rex’s short, wavy coat is the result of a completely different genetic mutation that popped up in a litter of kittens in Devonshire, England, in the late 1950s.
The original kitten with this mutation was very small with large eyes, large ears, a short muzzle, and prominent cheekbones, traits that some say make the Devon Rex look like a feline elf or a “pixie cat.” If you don’t fall in love with the Devon Rex’s borable appearance, you’ll certainly adore their personality. These cats are is as cute as its appearance. It’s silly, fun-loving, and extremely attached to its human family members.
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The Donskoy is a relatively new Russian breed developed in the late 1980s. The foundation cat was a stray kitten with an unusual coat. The kitten, named Varvara, was born with what appeared to be a normal coat, but as she aged, her hair began falling out. When Varvara herself had kittens, some were born with hair and some were born hairless.
Donkey cats can be completely hairless or partially hairless, or have fine down covering their bodies. They are sometimes born with hair, then become bald later in life. Donskoy cats are affectionate with their favorite people, playful, and full of energy.
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The German Rex was developed in Germany when a stray female cat with a distinctive wavy coat was adopted off the streets after World War II. The cat, named Lammchen, was the foundation for a new rex cat breed: the German Rex.
The coat is short, wavy, and silky, and feels like velvet. Although the German Rex is not recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association or The International Cat Association, it is recognized by breed registries in Germany, as well as the Fédération Internationale Féline. These cats are sociable, loving, and playful.
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The Kurilian Bobtail has been known in Russia for at least 200 years, where it evolved naturally without human intervention on the Russian Kamchatka peninsula, and Sakhalin and Kuril islands. These cats have been known for at least 200 years, possibly longer. The cats were discovered by explorers and brought to central Russia, where they were valued for their rodent-catching skills.
Although the breed spread to Europe, it’s very rare in North America. The Kurilian Bobtail has a large, heavy-boned body and natural bobtail of varying length. The breed is loyal, cuddly, and playful.
#8 Manx (United Kingdom)
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The tailless Manx developed naturally on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. Although Manx cats existed on the island for hundreds of years without human intervention, humans became smitten with them and began breeding them in earnest. The Manx was exhibited at the first cat shows in the late 1800s.
Some Manx have bobtails and some are born with long tails, but only tailless Manx (called rumpy) or those with a slight rise of bone at the end of the spine (called rumpy risers) can compete in the show ring. Manx can have short hair or long hair (long-haired Manx are called Cymric). The breed is quite dog-like in personality: mellow, friendly, and smart.
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Another breed that developed naturally without the help of humans, the Norwegian Forest Cat evolved in the forests of the Scandinavian country of Norway, where it is celebrated today as the country’s national cat breed.
Due to the cold, harsh climate, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a hardy breed with a long, thick coat, which needs brushing about three times a week. Though they can be independent, Norwegian Forest Cats also enjoy the company of their human families. The breed is quiet, adaptable, and intelligent.
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A fairly modern breed, the Peterbald was created in the 1990s by crossing a hairless Russian breed called the Don Sphynx (the original name for the Donskoy) with the Oriental Shorthair. Peterbald cats have a similar body type to the Oriental Shorthair but with five possible coat types: naked (hairless), chamois (soft peach fuzz), flock (a velour or velvet coat), brush (a sparse wiry coat), and straight (a typical short coat).
As Peterbald kittens grow up, their hair coat can change—some are born hairless but later grow hair, and some are born with hair but go bald when they are older. The breed is very affectionate, talkative, and full of energy.
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As the name confirms, the Russian Blue cat is from Russia, where it was a naturally occurring breed. The Russian Blue was one of the original breeds shown at the first cat shows in London, though back then it was called the Archangel Cat.
The Russian Blue’s trademark is its beautiful blue-gray coat tipped with silver, which gives these cats a silvery sheen and sparkling luster. Russian Blues always have stunning, emerald green eyes, which are the perfect compliment to the silver-blue coat. Russian Blues are calm, sweet, gentle, and loving pets.
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Yet another wonderful breed brought to us from the United Kingdom, the Scottish Fold is the only cat breed with ears that fold forward, making them look a bit like little owls. The folded ears are the result of a genetic mutation. A farmer and his wife living in Scotland discovered a white barn cat named Susie and adopted one of her kittens, which was also born with folded ears.
The descendents of that kitten became the foundation of the Scottish Fold breed. Not all Scottish Fold kittens will have folded ears—some are born with straight ears. These cats are called Scottish Straights, and play an important role in Scottish Fold breeding programs. Scottish Fold cats are social, playful, and charming companions.
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The Siberian evolved naturally in Russia hundreds of years ago, and has long been treasured for their companionship and ability to dispatch mice and rats. The Siberian has a coat unlike any other cat. It is made up of three layers: undercoat, middle layer, and outer coat.
Together, all the layers of the triple coat provide warmth and insulation to the Siberian cat—a natural adaptation to protect them from the cold climate. Siberians are friendly, calm, and quiet pets, fitting into almost any household.
