how to find out what breed a cat is ?

blood test ?
dna test ?
check it for characteristics ?
hair sample ?

how do they find out if a cat is a certain breed ?

If it has registry papers from TICA or CFA. That's really the only way to KNOW a cat is purebred. Or if one of the parents is known to be registered, then you know the cat is partially that breed. Otherwise, you can make a guess based on appearance and personality, but there's no way to know for sure.

The vast majority of cats are domestics, no "breed" in them. Purebred cats are rare, comparatively speaking, and it's not common to find a moggie with any purebred blood at all.

Originally Posted by Willowy

If it has registry papers from TICA or CFA.

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Or any other official cat organization's (depends a bit where you're located which are available) like FIFÃ[emoji]169[/emoji], GCCF, WCF.

Without a pedigree you just can't be sure. As far as I know the DNA tests to check a breed aren't available at all for cats, it's too complicated (You can only test color, some hereditary carrier traits and diseases etc).

so there is a group of people tracking every breed of cat in the world ??

wow

Well, there are several groups keeping track of pedigrees and stuff. Just like with dogs (AKC, etc.). That's sort of the point of the purebred fancy.

Originally Posted by fuggles

so there is a group of people tracking every breed of cat in the world ??

wow

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Not necessarily in the world. So for example the european Fife dont bothers to register typically american breeds (I think). European owners of typical american breeds, if there are any such owners, can instead choose to be overseas members of some appropriate american association.

But usually they do try to track the pedigrees on the registered breeds in their own territory / country, yes.

That tracking is not so difficult as it sounds, as they track only these registered cats. Every breeder is supposed to sent in all the kittens who are born, and sold. If not registered => out! => practically a moggie...

Unregistered cats dont count for real in their registry, even if "everyone" knows they are purebred.
If the unregistered WANTS to be in, they must ask for admission. There are very special and strict rules for it.


In some degree, they can also themselves choose which breed they do admit to register. They can also in some degree decide what standard on the breed they think is best. Thus, for example, standard for Russian Blue do differ slightly in the different associations.


Fuggles. Do you have some special cat you do have in mind, and want us to look at it?? Send in some good photos, and perhaps also some description on the looks and behaviours...

If you don't know what the mom and dad were, you'll never know even with a blood test/dna test they aren't always accurate.. I have no clue what my cats are but I don't care, I love them no matter what and am not worried what breed/mix they are. I have my guesses but I didn't know what their parents were.

This is my furry kid Satina. I am almost positive that she is part Bengal Kitty & possibly Egyptian Mau. I saw your post and was wondering what your thoughts were on what her breeding might be, maybe I am correct in my guess? She is super intelligent, way more then any other kitty I have had as a companion, knows what she likes and how to get it, is uber affectionate, LOVES to play catch and 'fetch' with her little catnip mice and loves the water. She is so different from any of my other furry kids, we are so blessed to have her as a companion!

Looks like a lovely non-pedigree to me.  All good cat slaves recognise how special their own owners are and you are clearly very well trained! 

Remember that all pedigrees are descended ultimately from non-pedigrees, so just about everything in pedigree cats can be seen in non-pedigrees.  Some things are seen a lot - classic and mackeral tabby patterns - others only in the area the breeds originated in, or where an entire pedigree has slipped out and impregnated the local females.  For example if a Siamese male gives his owner the slip, his offspring will have normal patterns but Siamese patterns will pop up in his grandchildren by the various unneutered local females.  However whilst they have the siamese pattern (and possibly the voice!) they are NOT siamese cats.  Just moggies with Siamese in their background.

Not only do the registries record pedigrees and outline breed standards (what the cat should look like), they also have breeding policies.  The GCCF (main registry in the UK) has a web page listing the breeds they register, the description and the registration policies.  It also has links to the number of cats registered by breed.

http://www.gccfcats.org/breeds.html

Asothers have said, pedigrees are tracked by a number of registries, and not just for cats and dogs.  Race horse pedigrees are available online and go right back to the origins of the breed in the UK - to the original foundation stallions.  There are stud books for breeds of cattle and sheep (and goats and other domestic animals I imagine), some going back to the late 1700s which is very soon after Robert Bakewell started systemic selective breeding of domestic livestock to improve them.  AFAIK some of the UK Breed studbooks are among the oldest for cattle and sheep - horse pedigrees (for example) in some parts of the world go much further back.

It's also worth pointing out that the two breeds you suggest as possible origins, the Mau is a very rare cat in the UK - only 194 Maus were registered in 2010.  The Bengal is less rare, but still numerically well behind the most popular breeds.