Selected longhair breeds of cats

name origin characteristics comments

Balinese U.S. long, svelte body; sapphire-blue eyes mutation of Siamese; tail sways when walking, resembling Balinese dancers

Birman Burma deep blue eyes; bushy tail; white-gloved paws known as the "Sacred Cat of Burma"

Cymric Canada stout with heavy chest; tailless a longhair Manx

Himalayan, or Colourpoint Longhair U.S., Europe cobby body; short, full tail; sapphire-blue eyes cross between Siamese and Persian

Javanese U.S. graceful with long, lithe body; silky coat cross between Balinese and Colourpoint Shorthair

Maine Coon cat U.S. large and well-muscled; shaggy coat oldest American breed

Norwegian Forest cat Norway robust, muscular body; double coat featured prominently in Nordic fables of the mid-1800s

Persian (longhair) exact origin unknown, possibly Iran cobby body; massive head one of the oldest and most popular breeds; many varieties

Ragdoll U.S. heavy and powerful build; blue eyes relaxes muscles when picked up, resembling a floppy ragdoll

Somali U.S. lithe and muscular body; green or golden eyes; full brush tail a longhair Abyssinian

Turkish Angora Turkey long, plumed tail; large, pointed ears one of the first longhair cats in Europe