Many cat owners ask themselves whether or not their cat can be of a specific breed. For people who are involved with ethical showing and breeding, the answer is so clear that the question itself seems strange. Unless the cat has papers, you can't say that it is of any specific breed. You can't even say that it's a mix of specific breeds, because the very term "cat breed" has a very specific technical meaning in the Cat Fancy world.
The only thing we can say about non-pedigreed cats is that they resemble a certain breed. And that's actually where the expertise of those who care involved in showing and breeding can be helpful. We're lucky to have members here who really know a lot about cat breeds. They can tell a Norwegian Forest cat apart from a Maine Coon or a Siberian cat, and so they can tell you what your domestic longhair non-pedigreed cat resembles the most.
They can also help you use the right terminology for your cat's length of coat, color pattern, physical form etc.
If you're here asking about your cat:
Share good-quality photos of your cat, both face and body.
Please understand that you will be told that your cat isn't of any breed. Members with expertise in the field can help you with using the right terminology for coat color and type, body type etc. At most, they can help assess whether the cat resembles a particular breed.
If all you want to do is share your photos, without going into a discussion about cat looks and how to describe them properly, that's perfectly ok. You're welcome to do that in the Fur Pictures forum. If you choose to share them in this forum, be aware that some members may correct you and the discussion could get technical at times.
If you are involved in ethically showing and breeding cats and are responding to a member:
We are in this forum to bring people closer to their beloved cats by teaching the right vocabulary for describing them. Please be patient.
Not everyone understands the meaning of the term "cat breed" in the same way you do. Educating people is important but not everyone is open to hearing an entire lecture. Let's try and keep that balance of keeping the discussion both educational and fun.
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You can also learn more about describing cats and common cat breeds in these articles -
What Breed is My Cat?
Talk like a Pro:
Cat Coat Patterns and Colors - Calico Cats - Tabby Cats
Learn more about cat breeds:
Persian Cats - Siamese Cats - The Maine Coon Cat - Himalayan Cats - Bengal Cats - Russian Blue Cats - Ragdoll Cats
The only thing we can say about non-pedigreed cats is that they resemble a certain breed. And that's actually where the expertise of those who care involved in showing and breeding can be helpful. We're lucky to have members here who really know a lot about cat breeds. They can tell a Norwegian Forest cat apart from a Maine Coon or a Siberian cat, and so they can tell you what your domestic longhair non-pedigreed cat resembles the most.
They can also help you use the right terminology for your cat's length of coat, color pattern, physical form etc.
If you're here asking about your cat:
Share good-quality photos of your cat, both face and body.
Please understand that you will be told that your cat isn't of any breed. Members with expertise in the field can help you with using the right terminology for coat color and type, body type etc. At most, they can help assess whether the cat resembles a particular breed.
If all you want to do is share your photos, without going into a discussion about cat looks and how to describe them properly, that's perfectly ok. You're welcome to do that in the Fur Pictures forum. If you choose to share them in this forum, be aware that some members may correct you and the discussion could get technical at times.
If you are involved in ethically showing and breeding cats and are responding to a member:
We are in this forum to bring people closer to their beloved cats by teaching the right vocabulary for describing them. Please be patient.
Not everyone understands the meaning of the term "cat breed" in the same way you do. Educating people is important but not everyone is open to hearing an entire lecture. Let's try and keep that balance of keeping the discussion both educational and fun.
**************************************
You can also learn more about describing cats and common cat breeds in these articles -
What Breed is My Cat?
Talk like a Pro:
Cat Coat Patterns and Colors - Calico Cats - Tabby Cats
Learn more about cat breeds:
Persian Cats - Siamese Cats - The Maine Coon Cat - Himalayan Cats - Bengal Cats - Russian Blue Cats - Ragdoll Cats
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