The Genealogical Tree of Cat Breeds

Revered in ancient Egypt and immortalized in pharaonic frescoes, the Mau is one of the few naturally spotted cat breeds. It's considered a direct ancestor of the modern domestic cat.

Hailing from Ankara, the Angora is the oldest long-haired cat breed known in the West. Once a diplomatic gift from Ottoman sultans, it's the source of the long coat found in many modern breeds.

From the Lake Van basin, this white cat with a red-and-white tail loves water: a rare trait among felines. It's a natural breed that stayed isolated for centuries.

A sacred temple cat of Siam once reserved for royalty, its "colorpoint" coat and sapphire eyes made it the most imitated breed in the world: the foundation of countless descendant breeds.

Known as "Si-Sawat," the silver-blue Korat is given in pairs as a good-luck gift at Thai weddings. It's a pure natural breed that was never crossbred for centuries.

With a "ticked" coat reminiscent of the cats in ancient Egyptian frescoes, the Abyssinian was brought to England from the Indian Ocean coast. It's one of the oldest recognized show breeds.

France's blue cat, with its enigmatic smile and woolly coat. Documented as early as the 18th century and celebrated by writer Colette, it's sturdy, quiet, and deeply attached to home.

Hailing from the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia's far north, his double coat of silver-tipped blue fur kept him warm through brutal winters. Reserved by nature, he bonds intensely with just one person.

Brought back from Persia in the 17th century, the Persian is the archetype of the luxury cat: flat face, abundant fur, a regal gait. A genetic pillar behind both the Himalayan and the Exotic Shorthair.

The gentle giant of Maine's farms, shaped by harsh winters: snowshoe paws, a plume-like tail, and record-setting size. The original star of America's cat shows.

The "Skogkatt" of Viking legend, said to have pulled the goddess Freyja's chariot. An exceptional climber with a water-repellent coat, shaped by Scandinavia's forests.

Russia's national cat, a true survivor of the taiga. His triple coat withstands temperatures as low as -30°C, and he's known for being hypoallergenic. Affectionate yet powerfully built.

Descended from the Roman cats of England, standardized as early as the first cat show in 1871. Round cheeks and a plush coat: he's said to have inspired the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.

Legend of the Burmese temples: white "gloves" on his paws and blue eyes, a mark of blessing. The breed was rebuilt in France in the 1920s after nearly going extinct.

Descended from a brown female cat named Wong Mau, crossed with Siamese cats in the United States. Compact and muscular, with a glossy sable coat, it's one of the most devoted velcro cats out there.

A medium-haired Siamese that appeared naturally in litters. Its graceful silhouette brought to mind the dancers of Bali. All the intelligence of the Siamese, wrapped in a silkier coat.

The perfect blend of Siamese and Burmese: aquamarine eyes and a "mink" coat. Balanced in every way, less vocal than the Siamese, more adventurous than the Burmese.

Bred to resemble a miniature black panther, a cross between the Burmese and the black American Shorthair. Its coat is inky and glossy, with copper eyes. A gentle house cat with a wild look.

The luxury of the Persian dressed in the Siamese's colorpoint pattern: long fur and a dark mask with blue eyes. A gorgeous indoor cat, calm and thoroughly homebody at heart.

Known as "the Persian in pajamas," it has all the round-faced charm of the Persian but with an easy-care short coat. Born from crossing the Persian with the American/British Shorthair, it's the ideal easygoing companion.

Born from a genetic mutation on a farm in Cornwall, its wavy coat has no guard hairs and feels soft as velvet. It has the build of a greyhound and the energy of a young goat.

Devon's "pixie cat": big elf-like ears, a curly coat, and a mischievous look. A distinct mutation from the Cornish Rex, appearing a decade later.

Descended from a hairless kitten born in Toronto in 1966, the Sphynx isn't really hairless: a fine peach-fuzz down covers its warm skin. Cold-sensitive, it seeks out laps and radiators.

It all began with Susie, a Scottish cat with ears folded forward in 1961. This cartilage mutation gives her an unmistakable owl-like face.

In 1981, a stray cat with ears curled backward was taken in in California. Her "petal" ears became fixed as a breed found nowhere else in the world.