How to make sense of the differences
  between various breeds and mixes



    What is DSH, DSLH, DLH?
    When you make an appointment with your vet, you'll be asked what kind of cat
    you'll be bringing in.  If it's a pure-bred cat, the answer is simple, just give the
    breed name.  If it's a mix, your answer will be Domestic Short-Hair (DSH), Domestic
    Semi-Long Hair (DSLH), or Domestic Long Hair (DLH).  For example, your tabby cat
    is short-haired, your Maine Coon mix is semi-long-haired, and your Persian-type cat
    is long-haired.  
    For your own information (not needed by the vet), your cat's coat can be "self"
    meaning it's a uniform color throughout each and all hair strands.  Or it can be "non-
    self" meaning the coat can be patterned, ticked or tipped.  A patterned coat means
    that  there's more than one color on the coat, even though each hair strand might
    be a single color.  Tipped means each hair strand has a colored tip that is different
    from the rest of the strand.  Ticked or agouti means that each hair strand has
    several bands of color along its length.                     

    According to www.PetPlace.com, the eight most popular breeds in the US are
    Persian, Maine Coon, Siamese, Abbysinian, Ragdoll, Birman, American Shorthair,
    and Exotic Shorthair.   They are marked with an asterisk in the information about
    specific breeds.  This information is adapted from ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats,
    by James R. Richards, DVM.  You can use it to try to figure out the various breeds
    that are mixed in your cat.  

    *Abyssinians and Somalis are intelligent, gentle, bold, playful and extremely
    busy.  They're freedom-loving and dislike close confinement or restraint.  They want
    a lot of human attention and are also happier if there are more than one
    Abyssinian in the household.  They're lithe, muscular and long legged, with a
    distinctive ticked tabby coat.   
    American Bobtails are intelligent, good-natured, friendly, although sometimes shy
    with strangers.  They sometimes can play fetch.  They're stocky and muscular, with
    hind legs shorter than the front legs.   
    American Curls have distinctive backward curled ears, results of a natural
    mutation. They're friendly, affectionate, people oriented and make playful
    companions.  They actually seem to enjoy being around children.   
    *American Shorthairs are robust, well-proportioned, intelligent and have a fine
    disposition.  Affectionate and sociable, they adapt well to children and other pets.  
    They're powerfully built and athletic, with a tabby- patterned coat.   
    American Wirehairs are quiet, sweet-natured, easy-going and get along well with
    children and other pets.   They're very inquisitive.  They have a coarse wiry coat
    and curly whiskers, almost like Rex cats.  They have round heads with large eyes.
    Angoras are longhaired Oriental cats.  They are very lively, intelligent, good
    companions, with a loud voice.  They have a plume-like tail.
    Asian are friendly, intelligent, playful, very active and talkative.  Their hind legs are
    longer than their front legs.  Their coat is short.
    Bengals are a cross between a wild cat and a domestic cat.  They're intelligent,
    friendly, assertive, and active.  They like to play with dripping water.  They're large
    and muscular.  Their coat has either horizontal spots or is marbled.   
    *Birmans are playful, with a bent to following their keepers everywhere.  They're
    loving and placid, and make great companions for children.  They're stocky with
    vividly blue eyes and white feet.  Have more than one Birman so they can keep
    each other company.     
    Bombays are gentle, intelligent, athletic and affectionate.  They can be leash-
    trained and can play fetch.  Their coat is entirely jet black, with copper colored
    eyes.  
    British Shorthairs are easy going, not temperamental, and reserved, yet
    extremely affectionate.  They easily accept children and other pets.  They look
    rounded, with a round face, round eyes, round paws and a broad chest.  They are
    likely to overeat, so keep control of their intake.  
    Burmillas are similar to Burmese, appreciate cuddling and are sociable, playful,
    affectionate and intelligent.  They have a short  chinchilla-like coat.   
    California Spangleds are spotted and wild looking, yet domesticated.  They're
    sweet-natured, intelligent and energetic.  They have a low-slung gait and a
    spotted tabby coat.   
    Chartreux are gentle, devoted and get along well with children and other pets,
    and even strangers.  They're affectionate and loyal.  They have a luxuriant coat
    and tiny feet, giving them the look of walking on tiptoe.   
    Cornish Rexes are intelligent, affectionate, very playful, even mischievous.  They
    enjoy being part of a busy household.  They're extraordinarily acrobatic, easily
    leaping from floor to fridge top in one bound.  They have a slender body and thin
    legs, an arched back and a short rippled coat.  They tend to overeat, so they need
    their diet to be controlled.    
    Devon Rexes are busy, inquisitive, affectionate and playful, even mischievous.  
    They're exceptional leapers, jumping easily into their keeper's arms.  They want to
    investigate everything.  They're born bald and grow a furry and rippled coat as
    they mature.  They have large ears and eyes.  They tend to overeat, so they need
    their diet to be controlled.  
    Egyptian Maus are intelligent, playful, adventurous, sociable and loyal.  They
    remain even-tempered.  They have an elegant look.  The spotted pattern on their
    coats is randomly distributed, with the spots varying in size and shape.
    *Exotic Shorthairs are sweet, friendly and undemanding.  They have a stocky build
    with a broad chest, a round head and a snub nose.    
    Havana Browns are elegant, playful, intelligent and affectionate.  They're
    demanding but coy.  They have a brown coat, brown whiskers, and green eyes.  
    Don't confuse this breed with the Havana, which is one of the Siamese-type cats.
    Japanese Bobtails are friendly, intelligent, talkative, very affectionate and always
    seem happy.  They're wonderful with children and adults.  They have a naturally
    stumpy tail covered with thick fur at its base.  Their hind legs are longer than their
    front legs.   
    Korats are sweet, gentle and intelligent.  They like to be around people or on their
    laps.  They also like the company of another Korat.  They're muscular with a short
    blue-gray coat and silver tipping.  The fur stands up slightly along their spine.  
    La Perms are outgoing, affectionate and inquisitive.  They're generally quiet.  They
    have naturally occurring curly coats, either long or short.   
    *Maine Coons are easy-going, gentle, affectionate and playful.  They're an
    excellent companion for children.  They have a neck ruff, fluffy tail and fur between
    their toes, all water- and snow-resistant.  They enjoy hunting outdoors in any
    weather.    
    Manx and Cymrics are friendly, affectionate and relaxed.  They may fetch and like
    to follow their keeper around.  They're solidly built, with hind legs longer than the
    front legs, and are tailless.  Manx have short hair and Cymrics have long-hair.     
    Munchkins are friendly, confident, talkative and intelligent.  They're extremely easy
    going and good with children.  They have very short legs.   
    Norwegian Forests are gentle, friendly and enjoy households with plenty of
    action.  They get along well with children and other pets.  They're well-suited to
    cold climates with warm coat, fluffy tail and fur between their toes.  They enjoy
    hunting outdoors in any weather.  
    Ocicats are playful, social, intelligent, devoted and talkative companions.  They
    look like a wild cat but are domesticated and appreciate company.  Their coat is
    randomly spotted, with a bracelet marking around the neck and a banded tail.   
    *Persians are placid, gentle, quiet and sweet-natured.  They won't be bothered by
    a house full of children.  They have a large head with small ears, and a very dense
    silky long coat.   Exotic Shorthairs are a short-haired version of the Persian, with
    similar personalities.  They have the typical Persian snub nose.   Himalayans are
    Persians with Siamese color points on their ears, paws and tail.  They're gentle,
    docile and quiet.  Their long dense coat includes a neck ruff.  
    *Ragdolls are quiet, easy-going, docile and particularly good with children.  They
    tend to go limp in your arms.  They have the typical Siamese color points and blue
    eyes.   
    Russian Blues and Nebelungs are intelligent, well-mannered, quiet and fastidious.  
    They're shy and affectionate but can be flighty.  They have an exquisite silver-
    tipped, dense gray coat, an elegant body and slim legs.  
    Scottish Folds are quiet, sweet natured and easy-going.  They prefer to not be left
    alone.  They have large round eyes.  Their ears bend forward after they are a few
    months old.  Their hearing appears normal.    
    Selkirk Rex are affable, gentle, tolerant and easy-going.  They're not usually lap
    cats.  They have a dense, full, curly coat.
    *Siamese are loyal, energetic and extremely intelligent.  They're sociable and
    affectionate and want that affection returned.  Their body is slim and long, with tall
    legs and large ears.   Balinese are very similar to the Siamese, but with a long coat
    and fluffy tail.  They're busy, extroverted, curious and affectionate.  They're loyal
    and very good with children.   Burmese are another Siamese-type cat breed, but
    without points.  They're ideal lap cats, enjoying humans and loving to cuddle.  
    They're playful acrobats and are good with children and other pets.  In fact, they're
    happiest when part of a cat family.  They're stocky with short legs and a round
    face.  Colorpoints are another form of Siamese, but with different colored coats.
    They're intelligent, active, demanding and vocal.  They love to play and entertain
    you.   Foreign Whites are similar to Siamese.  They're intelligent, friendly and very
    active.  They don't like to be left alone for long periods.  Havanas are not related to
    Havana Browns, but are related to Siamese.  They're intelligent, social and
    athletic.  They don't like being left alone for long periods.  Javanese are like
    Siamese, but they have a medium-long coat and fluffy tail.  They're busy, talkative,
    curious and want a lot of attention and company.   Orientals are yet another form
    of the Siamese, but without the color points.  They're cuddly, talkative and
    inquisitive.  They're extremely people-oriented and are frequently underfoot.  
    Oriental Tabbies are similar but have well-defines spots on their coats.  Seal-
    Point Siamese are the most easily recognized Siamese type cat, with dark brown
    points on their face, ears, legs and tail, with the typical triangular face.  They're
    intelligent, loyal and loving.  They're loud and talkative and demand
    attention.              
    Siberians are loyal, friendly and have a desire to climb.  They get along well with
    children.  Their body is rounded, with a dense coat and neck ruff.  
    Singapuras are affectionate, curious, playful and intelligent.  They crave human
    companionship.  They're small and muscular, with subtle colors in their coat.  Their
    head is rounded, with large pointed ears.  They're one of the smallest breeds.     
    Snowshoes are unflappable, easy-going, intelligent and fine companions for
    children and other pets.  They're affectionate and loving friends and love the
    company of humans or other cats.  They have the Siamese color points, with
    additional white on their paws and muzzle.    
    Somalis are intelligent and outgoing, but may not get along with other breeds.  
    They have semi-long hair.      
    Sphynx are easy-going, loving and affectionate, sometimes even mischievous.  
    They get along well with dogs and children.  They appear to be hairless, but have a
    fine downy coat, which is good for people with allergic reactions to cat hair.  Protect
    them from sun.  Rub their skin with a chamois cloth, and give them baths as
    needed.
    Tonkinese are sociable, talkative, intelligent and curious.  They're surprisingly
    heavy, with either a solid or a Siamese-like pointed coat.   
    Turkish Angoras are graceful, playful, loving and gentle.  They keep themselves
    very busy.  Their coat is glossy and silky with longer hair on the back legs.   
    Turkish Vans are energetic, intelligent, quiet and affectionate.  They love to swim
    or lie in water.  Their coat is heavier than the Angora.  
    York Chocolate are true lap cats, longing to be held and cuddled.  They're
    intelligent, active and curious.  They have a glossy coat, fluffy tail and fur between
    their toes.     
How to Make Sense of the   
Breeds and Mixes