All cat people at least once, but dreamed of stroking a tiger. Or a lion. Or a snow leopard. Or any other big cat that you just can’t pet — because each of them is a huge paradise on their paws! Fortunately, we have house cats that are just as beautiful. Only small ones.
However, in nature there are some compromises. Today we want to show you those breeds of murreys, which are the closest in size to real tigers and lions, only they (most likely) also agree to live with you without biting off other people’s limbs for fun.
1. Ragdoll
Average weight: male 5-9 kg, female 4-7 kg
The brightest representative of this breed of cat is Merlin, who looks at everyone around him exactly as they deserve it. But in general, this type of cat is characterized by a soft character — ragdolls are able to relax completely on the arms of a man, as their name says (ragdoll from English — «rag doll»).
2. Norwegian forest cat
Average weight: male 6-9 kg, female 5.5 kg
Despite the name of the breed, these kittens live quietly in apartments and do not beg their owners to take them urgently to the Norwegian forest. But it is worth to let them go for a walk more often, because they are very energetic and like open spaces. Norwegians are patient, ready to serve as model mousers and very friendly at that. Of the funny features of the breed, it is worth noting that only its representatives come down from the tree head down. It is their way of life.
3. British Shorthair
Average weight: male 4-8 kg, female 3-7 kg.
One of the oldest cat breeds on the planet. According to legend, the British are descendants of that very Cheshire cat. And also these beauties live to 20 years quietly and very seldom (in comparison with other cats) meow, attracting attention of people. And in general they calmly bear loneliness and know what to amuse themselves with in absence of their two-legged slaves.
4. hausi (chauzy, shauzy)
Average weight: male 4-7 kg, female 3-5 kg
This cat breed with many variations of the name was bred by crossing a reed cat and a house cat. Housys love to jump, climb trees, and hunt anything and everything. This species of cat is so rare that the world has yet to study them. All that is known is that they are friendly, treat other pets well and love to travel!
5. Turkish Van
Average weight: male 6-9 kg, females 4.5-6 kg
These lovely creatures differ from other cats in that they get along well with other pets, even with dogs (and they love children, provided that those do not torture them too much). Vans are very active and inquisitive — all the shelves in your house will be conquered and all the toys played with. They especially love to catch objects on the fly, doing amazing pirouettes in the air. As you understand, these Turkish guys would rather sit on your shoulders than lie on your knees. So play with them more!
6. Siberian Cat.
Average weight: male 5-7 kg, female 4-5 kg
This breed is considered the national Russian cat. In character, they are surprisingly similar to dogs. Yes, yes! They get attached only to one owner, follow him, bore him, protect him from rodents and meet him at the door with a loving look. Though they might not get along with another dog (a real one) — it’s competition for the owner’s attention, after all.
Their orientation towards people is on the cosmic level in general — if the Siberian sees that his man is busy, he will not pester him. Such behavior of a CAT causes only admiration. And also this breed of cats is recognized hypoallergenic — they are ideal, after all!
7. Cartesian Cat (or chartreuse)
Average weight: males 6-7 kg, females 4-5 kg
These short-haired French cats are the most jealous cats in the world — they can’t stand their pet rivals. If there is a chartreuse in a family, there is ONLY chartreuse in a family! They have the same attitude to their favourite place in the house — try to take it! By nature chartreuse are endowed with a very weak voice (though they purr from the soul — you hear it in the next room). But in contrast to the vocal data these cats, as you have already realized, are gifted with a steely character, which must be reckoned with.
8. Savannah
Average weight: 7-15 kg (!!!)
These spotted beauties (mixture of serval and house cat) have not only grandiose sizes for domestic cats, but also cost — from 1.5 thousand to 50 thousand dollars. Very few people know, but one of the reasons why breeders decided to breed this breed is to reduce the number of suffering leopards and cheetahs, which all sorts of rich people keep in their houses for some reason. But the savannah will not suffer — their character (as well as the Siberian cats) is based on uncompromising loyalty to its people.
9. Kuril bobtail
Average weight: male 5-7 kg, female 3-5 kg.
They are great fishermen, though they do not like water. Representatives of this breed like active games, including the chase for the toy with the further return to its owner (don’t you think that the bigger a cat, the more it has dog traits?) And look at the characteristic bobtail — it’s surprisingly short (3-8 cm).
10. Maine Coon
Average weight: Male 7-11kg, Female 4-5kg
It’s a good time to half-bow, because these Maine Coons are classic big cats with tassels on their ears that are up to a meter long (or even longer). In addition to their appearance of strict heads of large corporations, Maine Coons have another unusual feature for cats: they love water. And not to drink, but to be in it.
