Answer: A well, firstly it should be pointed out that long haired cats, whether pedigree or mongrel, will required more grooming then those with short hair, and often more bathing as will. Remember too that the hairs of black and dark colored cats are usually less obvious on furniture or carpet through this, of course, depend upon the color of the carpe and upholstery.
Certainly, different pedigree breeds of the cat have different characteristics: what you regard ‘trouble’ depends on your own temperament and individual circumstance- your accommodation, wither you have a family, and so on. It is as well to be aware of these characteristics so as to obtain a pet that will suit your requirements. Even so, there will inevitably be difference between the temperament of individuals even of the same breed.
First, the short-haired cats. The most popular pedigree cats are Siamese, which differ from most cats in being very outgoing with a strangers and generally more sociable. A pair of cats reared together usually get on very well. Nevertheless, they are very strongly attached to their owners and very demanding of attention and affection. Because they enjoy being held and stroked, Siamese often fit in well with older children, provide they are handled care fully. On the ‘problem’ side, they have loud raucous voices which they tend to use excessively. This can be a problem with neighbors especially, in small apartments. The noise is particularly loud when a female on heat ‘calling’ and the breed does tend to have prolonged seasons. In general, the are intelligent, highly strung cats, at times tending towards the neurotic. Because they have been so popular, some strains have become excessively inbred, resulting in severe squints (strabismus or ‘crossed eyes’), skeletal disease (ontogenesis imperfect), kinked tails (due to misalignment of the vertebrae), or abnormal temperaments some individuals being very aggressive, others very timed. Some Siamese have wool- sucking tendencies and some are absolute spitfires when handled. Like other oriental breed, they are often easily trained and will frequently walk on a lead or leash.
Burmese cats are closely related to Siamese, through less vocal and more withdrawn with strangers. In general, they are easy going cats, good as family pets and tolerant of children.
The Abyssinian is a shy cat, apprehensive with strangers, and not at all happy about sitting on your lap. It is rather too nervous for children, through it is an increasingly popular breed, especially with men. This may well be because the Abyssinian, more then any other breed, resembles a wild cat in appearance.
The Russian Blue is an attractive looking cat but very shy and not at all sociable. When other cats around, it will probably spend most of its time in hiding.
The curly-coated Rex cats (‘poodle cats’) are often considered suitable pets for people who are allergic to other breeds of cat. This is attributed to the absence of any long body hairs (guard hairs). In fact, only in the Cornish Rex (otherwise called a German Rex) are these truly absent; in other Rex cats the guard hairs are still present, through modified into soft curly hairs. Consequently, it would be available to test the alleged ‘freedom from allergy’ if this is important to you. Probably the most popular of the Rex breeds in the Devon Rex; its pixie looks are attractive to some people, but disturbing to others. The breed is renowned for its quicksilver temperament apprehensive highly strung, easily upset, and tending to go into sulky moods. However, it has a quiet voice and can be trained to walk on a lead. Regrettably, Devon Rex cats have a high incidence of patella luxation. i.e. a tendency for the knee-cap to slip out of place.
Now, the long-haired breeds. In Great Britain these breeds are not so fertile as the short-hairs, so there are fewer born (two or three is the average litter size of Persian) and the prices asked for them are correspondingly higher.
The Persian is a rather reserved cat, not particularly demanding in affection (not terribly keen to sit on your lap for instance) and quiet happy as the only cast in the household. Indeed, some people find the breed almost lethargic, which may be associated with its poorly developed predatory instincts, towards birds for example. Blue-eyed white Persians may be deaf.
The Himalayan is a breed which is growing in a popularity, especially in North America, and its makes a good pet. Its temperament is between the reserved Persian and the more outgoing Siamese.
Finally, we should mention the Turkish (Turkish Angora) breed which is rather a nervous cat but notable because it has reputation for liking water and enjoying swimming.
In the domestication of cats, it seems probably that the animals selected were the ones with the most kittenish qualities, i.e. those with a less independent nature and more likely to from a cat-owner relationship similar to the natural kitten- mother bond. Informally, in the breeding of pedigree cats, animals seem to have been selected largely on the basis of appearance, with out regard for their desirable behavioral characteristics as pets.
