Why are they no large cat breeds?

Let us look at two of the most popular domesticated pets: Dogs and Cats. There are hundreds of breed of both, and each breed is unique and some can look very different from each other.

However what is the biggest difference between dogs and cats that are domesticated? Domestic Dogs have a much large variation of size (and muzzle sizes, but who really cares about that). The very first domestic wolf which weighed around 100 pounds has been manipulated into breeds as small as the 4 pound Chihuahua to the 200 pound Mastiffs.

Domestic cats were domesticated not long after domesticated dogs. So why is it that domestic cat really only come in one size; between 8-15 pounds for an adult? How come no one has selectively bred a specific cat to grow into lets say a 50 pound kitty or why not even a 150 pound kitty.

I guess cats are a lot tougher to handle than dogs considering cats have sharp claws and the fact that cats are no social by nature. However, shouldn't there be at least one civilization that created a large cat breed? What do you think?

Discuss too people .

Originally Posted by Cobra

I guess cats are a lot tougher to handle than dogs considering cats have sharp claws and the fact that cats are no social by nature. However, shouldn't there be at least one civilization that created a large cat breed? What do you think?

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Cats are also powerful jumpers.

It would create a whole new set of problems.
And in the end it would be the cats who will suffer the from the consequences.

There are plenty of species of cat to fill any size category. In fact cats occupy a broaded range than do dogs, ranging from 6lbs to 800+ lbs. However unless things take a drastic turn in the opposite direction, the days of being able to own any animal as a pet is sadly numbered.

Larger breeds of felid were kept as pets in the past, namely the ocelot. With the strict wording of the Endangered Species act and related legislation, not to mention the rampant spread of irrational bans of "exotic" pets, the Ocelot has all but ceased to exist in captivity.

Society at large is genuinely afraid of these animals, and as is all to often the case, this fear is broadly unnecessary and unfounded.

Spotz
PS in regards to the comment regarding cats suffering in the end...domestication will always be preferable to extinction.

BREED? Good grief, we have enough problems with existing animals of all sizes!

the egyptians used to keep cheetars etc as hunting cats. i think the breeds exsist in nature but no one wants an animal that has such prey-driven instincts 150lb + as a domestic pet.

(with the exception of those who have special licences and keep wild cats.)

i get pretty scratched up during rough play with a 6lb cat, i would be in shreds if she ws 150lb!

Originally Posted by Spotz

There are plenty of species of cat to fill any size category. In fact cats occupy a broaded range than do dogs, ranging from 6lbs to 800+ lbs. However unless things take a drastic turn in the opposite direction, the days of being able to own any animal as a pet is sadly numbered.

Larger breeds of felid were kept as pets in the past, namely the ocelot. With the strict wording of the Endangered Species act and related legislation, not to mention the rampant spread of irrational bans of "exotic" pets, the Ocelot has all but ceased to exist in captivity.

Society at large is genuinely afraid of these animals, and as is all to often the case, this fear is broadly unnecessary and unfounded.

Spotz
PS in regards to the comment regarding cats suffering in the end...domestication will always be preferable to extinction.

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That is true that cats have a much larger size variation but as far as domestic cats go, only one size exists. Ocelots, though smaller and easier to handle, are still wild animals and usually ANY type of exotic animals owning is looked down on.

Cheetahs come are the closest to a domestic animal considering how tame these gentle cats can be but still they are wild. Many people look down on exotic pets however the largest amount of exotic mammal pets besides ferrets are big cats such as leopard and smaller cats like the lynx (which still weigh 50 pounds).

Big cats are probably some of the more dangerous exotic pets to handle (besides a cheetah or a cat under 60 pounds). I think if they domesticated cats for that size it might help stop the exotic cat trade.

It does seem kind of strange though how no human civilization on Earth even tried breed large domesticate cats. Where as we see the dog with so much variation in size. Dogs have strong predatory instints too, though dogs don't have sharp claws or pouncing abilities as cats do.

Originally Posted by Cobra

It does seem kind of strange though how no human civilization on Earth even tried breed large domesticate cats. Where as we see the dog with so much variation in size. Dogs have strong predatory instints too, though dogs don't have sharp claws or pouncing abilities as cats do.

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Maybe the fact that dogs are "pack" animals, it made it easier for humans to domesticate.
I don't think it is strange that humans have never been able to breed the large cats. I believe the ancestors of our own furbabies came and chose us as companions and not the other way around.

150 lb cat? Imagine the litter box!

I have a very muscular 12-14 lb cat that can be very intimidating because she is so much stronger than the other cats, and could really do some damage if provoked. I would shudder to think what would happen to a 50+ lb cat, (or its owner) that might become afraid for whatever reason, even as simple as being pilled, going to the vet, or God forbid, have a child pull its tail, and scratch and bite like some of our normal sized cats. In most cases, it would be the cat's fault, and it would end up in a shelter, or worse.
Sure, I think they would be beautiful, but I am afraid it would be not worth the risks to the cat and my skin. My little guys scratch me enough, just playing.
The largest cat I ever had weighed 22 lbs. and almost peeled me once when he was frightened. Fortunately, he was a big bundle of sweetness any other time. I actually had friends that were afraid of him at first, just because he was so big.

It is a shame that some animals have to be extincted.
Because animals like Pandas they are beautiful and in no time there wont be any left.
So many of them arent around anymore because of humans.

Ok I might be in the minority here.. but I say someone get busy with the gene splicing and gene manipulation and breed me up a nice 120 pound feline without claws please! He has to purr loudly, not meow ALL the time and have good manners. Its ok if he likes to lick me, but he can't eat me or even try to. It has to like to cuddle too, my GF wants a snuggle kitty. Let me know where I can pick him or her up after it's ready!!

Well, I live in an apartment of 850 square feet (950 if you count the screened-in porch) and I feel it's too small for the two 7-9 pound babies I have now! So, until I can afford more space I'm going to have to vote "no!"

i would be scared of it. but I'm scared of dogs too so thats why i choose a cat in the first place.

Originally Posted by Cobra

That is true that cats have a much larger size variation but as far as domestic cats go, only one size exists. I think if they domesticated cats for that size it might help stop the exotic cat trade.Dogs have strong predatory instints too, though dogs don't have sharp claws or pouncing abilities as cats do.

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however, my little kitten, 4 1/2 pounds, is still a wild cat at heart. i think cats are basically less domesticated in general than dogs. a large (40-80 pounds) housecat would, in many ways, be no different than an ocelot or lynx. i think they're big enough, with some weighing in at 25-30 pounds & not being overweight!

I vaguely remember reading something about that being one of the wonders of domestic cats- no one has been able to really successfully genetically manipulate them in such a big way. You may have your variations like scottish folds, or a Sphinx, but nothing in the way of a major size variation. Despite their lives with us, cats have managed to retain some of their wildness, resisting attempts to drastically change them.
What I think would REALLY be cool is to breed a house cat with tiger markings, or any of the leopard variations, or a cheetah, or....you name it.

Originally Posted by valanhb

150 lb cat? Imagine the litter box!

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I would also be scared of a cat that size. I mean what if they get angry one night while you are in bed and asleep and decide you look rather yummy or something like that?!! I wouldn't want to have to sleep with an eletric fence around my bed... Besides, the wild cats are so gorgeous and graceful we shouldn't try to manipulate or splice their genes period. Just respect them and enjoy their beauty. I don't like this age in time where scientists want to mess around with genes of everything... I know people have been manipulating genes of plants for a VERY long time now...but can't we just leave the animal kingdom and humans alone? I do not think this is what God intended at all.

The original question was, why are there no large domestic cats? Now, it is absolutely possible to breed such a cat. You would simply take a population and only breed together the largest of them. In each generation, you would again only breed the largest. Eventually, the average size in the population would increase, because you would be selecting for large size. So, it is completely possible. But I think the answer to why no one has, is because there is no driving need or desire to. Humans, with a very few exceptions, have never bred cats for the purpose of using them, only for the purpose of admiring them. So differences in cat breeds tend to be cosmetic only. However, dogs have been bred small and agile to go down gopher burrows (jack russel); large and swift to hunt deer (deerhounds or elkhounds); medium, highly intelligent and agile for sheep herding . . . see where I'm going here? Dog breeding has a long history, and was driven for the most part by the need for a working animal (then later for lap dogs). Cats have not been selectively bred for as long, have not been the companions of humans as long (hence they are less "domesticated") and have almost never been bred for working purposes. They have only been bred to look different, striking, beautiful . . . but ultimately the same basic shape and size. No one has seen a need to change that yet.

I wouldn't last 1 minute with a cat that size, I bleed like a stuffed pig from just brushing my arm against something, I would bleed to death from 1 small scratch I have to say no also