Large Domestic Cat Breeds for Ardent Feline Admirers

Cat people love their kitties in varying shapes, sizes, and colors. Ask their owners, and you will end up with enough information to create your version of an encyclopedia on why people like cats. Each of these people will have their set of preferences for their ideal pet. As far as the going trends are concerned, large domestic cat breeds have quite a bit of fan following, most likely because they are cuddlier and owners enjoy petting these bundles of joy.

Felines are generally smaller, and only a few breeds tip the scale towards the heavier side. In this article, you will get to know about some of the largest, some medium to large breeds and what exactly makes them so loved by the cat enthusiasts. 

1. American Bobtail

Muscular and rugged, the American Bobtails are family sweethearts. These loving and docile cats have the brains of a domestic cat and the hardiness & looks of a wild variant. Fans refer to them as dogs in the skin of a cat, partly because they wag their tails when excited, very unlikely of cats, and also because of how outgoing and social they are. Known for their naturally bobbed tails, these cats were found in nature and further developed to retain their wild looks but acquire a genial temperament.

2. Bengal

The Bengal is a hybrid between domestic cat breeds and the Asian Leopard Cat. The stunning cat breed comes in a unique rosette coat pattern, drawing from its wild ancestry, looking like a miniature jaguar itself. Since it is a cross between a domestic and wild cat, keeping a Bengal can be easy. It is an affectionate, curious, and energetic cat breed that loves to explore, enjoys water, and is vocal about its needs. 

Bengal cats are rated from F1 to F5, depending on the closeness in relation to their ancestors, the original Asian Leopard Cats. 5^th generation (F5) Bengal cats are allowed in the US except in Connecticut, Hawaii, New York City, and Seattle.

3. British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is one of the oldest breeds, best known for its chubby, round face and thick, plush fur. Descending from the cats that first arrived in the UK with the Roman invaders, these are mellow cats with a warm and friendly attitude towards the entire family. Most popular in the blue-grey coat, the British Blue, these cats are available in several colors. The friendy and devoted British Shorthair is a calm breed who enjoys their family’s company but despises being held or carried.

4. Chausie

A crossbreed between several domestic cat breeds and the magnificent Jungle Cat, Chausie is an athletic large domestic cat breed. Descending from the felines admired by the ancient Egyptians, it retains an ectomorphic—lean, without much muscle/fat—body type, tall legs, long body, and large upright ears. True to their wild ancestry, these are active and very athletic cats, constantly looking for activity. And much like their domesticated ancestors, they are playful, friendly, and tend to form strong bonds with their owners.

5. Maine Coon

If your primary reason for looking for a big cat is finding an enormous, amusing pet that can keep the family entertained, look no further than the Maine Coon. A popular breed among feline enthusiasts, it has a sturdy bone structure, a distinctive ruff around its neck and chest, a thick shaggy water-resistant coat, and a long bushy tail. Dubbed the “Gentle Giant” of the cat world, Maine Coon is a fun, intelligent cat breed that enjoys the outdoors and gets along well with other pets.

6. Manx

Manx is a delightful big cat with round features. Its strong hind legs and quality of moving them together have bestowed a bunny gait upon the cat, coming in very handy with the hunting sprees. The charming, thick fur Manx is an intelligent breed with a high prey drive who loves to hunt and chase. Evolved in the relative isolation of Man Island, it is the only original cat breed with no tail, even though they may carry a shorter tail, a tuft of hair, or even a regular tail.

7. Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest is a big furry feline originating in Scandinavia, which traveled with the Vikings to keep the vermin in check. The affable cat breed shares similar looks as the Maine Coon, only slightly smaller and more angular in its contours. Its thick double coat, ruff around the neck, and britches give it the appearance of an even bigger cat than it is. An undemanding yet affectionate breed, it is especially fond of climbing higher, more than the regular ones, appreciates a healthy session with toy mice to vent out its prey instincts. 

8. Ocicat

Developed by subsequent selective breeding between Siamese and Abyssinian cats, the Ocicat has an exotic coat that looks similar to the ocelot, hence the name. An elegant cat noted for its peculiar fingerprint-shaped spots, it is a well-built, athletic, lean yet robust feline with a broad head and titled ears. It is social and outgoing, loves to greet guests, can even learn commands and some tricks, gels well with friends and family, and equally enjoys curling in your lap and playing games.

9. Persian

Descended from an ancient breed of Persian and Turkic origin, Persians are probably the most adored cat breed globally. Over the years, two varieties have evolved through selective breeding. The original doll face and the newer, flat-faced, thicker coated, smaller-eared and big-eyed Peke-face. Irrespective of the variety, these are the perfect lap cats with a calm and easy-going demeanor and medium energy levels. But having built a reputation for themselves for high maintenance, keeping one of these is no easy job.

10. Pixi-bob

Bred originally to look like the wild Bobcat, the Pixi-bob is a large, muscular, thick-boned, woolly cat with a heavy coat and a tiny or no tail at all. Some of them even grow lynx tips on their ears, similar to wild cats. Coming in the longhair and shorthair varieties, Pixi-bob has an attractive spotted coat, which gives off a padded feeling thanks to the wooly structure. Unlike their wild counterparts, these are well-behaved cats, doting on their owners and communicating in chirps instead of the typical meows.

11. Ragamuffin

Ragamuffin is a large, plush, longer cat that loves to curl up in its owners’ lap. Known best for their sweet nature and the innocent expression bearing their faces, these felines are also sought after for their soft, fluffy, rabbit-like furs fur that runs heavier around the neck and the tail. Affable and easy-going, these cats do well around playful kids. But that also means that your perfect lap cat needs routine playtime to maintain a healthy weight.

12. Ragdoll

One of the largest cat breeds, Ragdoll is a lap cat who really enjoys being carried around and cuddled. An enormous feline, it has a sturdy bone structure, a sizeable body, and a short neck. Sharing ancestry with the Ragamuffin, it has the same uber-soft, silky coat as its cousin. Adored by feline enthusiasts for their distinctive blue eyes, plush coat, and laid-back attitude, these gentle felines are tolerant and make great pets.

13. Selkirk Rex

Those with an innate love for both stuffed toys and felines will love this breed the most. With a soft, dense, curled coat and large eyes, the Selkirk Rex does look like an animate teddy bear or a tiny sheep. Coming in the long and short hair coat varieties, these medium-large kitties have a sturdy structure and heavy bones to go with their cuddly appearance. Deriving from the even temperament of their parent breeds, the Selkirk Rex is playful, genial, and tolerant of their admirers.

14. Siberian

Another favorite among feline enthusiasts, the marvelous Siberian comes in a host of intense colors and rich patterns. It is an ancient cat of a stocky build, round contours, well-developed paws, and strong hind limbs. Evolved in the harsh Siberian climate, it grows thick triple coat in winters and sheds the extra layers afterward to reveal a trim, lesser thick coat. A cat of medium activity and enormous affection, Siberian loves just as much to play with its human family as it does to snuggle up beside them. And as a bonus, it has low levels of allergens in the saliva, so people with allergies tolerate them well.

15. Turkish Van

Named after their van color pattern, the Turkish Van is a gorgeous cat admired for its unique coat pattern, elegant white with colored markings on its head and tail. Blessed with a peculiar cashmere-like coat, these cats can withstand water and dirt. Their fascination with water and waterproof coats has earned them the title of swimming cat. But do not get fooled by their looks since the Turkish Van cats, even though affectionate, are rather mischievous thanks to their high energy and intellect. 

Final Words

Large domestic cat breeds are fewer in number compared to their smaller counterparts. Generally speaking, these are kind angels who love to socialize and engage with their families. Contrary to what you might think, not all are lap cats. With a few exceptions, most of the breeds listed here possess medium energy levels, and daily doses of fun games and sessions with toy mice could keep them sufficiently stimulated. Some cat breeds do need more grooming than others, but as a general rule, all cats should be kept neat and clean, routinely combed, and have their nails clipped from time to time. If you feel like running out of some of your supplies for the kitty, do check them out here at Chewy Cat Shop, where you get everything your pet needs!.