LOVE CATS
Cats are the most enigmatic and alluring of domestic animals; their beguiling beauty, elegance, aloof intelligence and fierce independence define their long, exotic history. They are extraordinary, mysterious creatures who inspire great depths of feeling. It is unusual to be neutral about cats; instead they are either adored or abhorred.
Where dogs and other domesticated animals have proved of infinite use to human development in myriad ways, cats have been far more subtle. They have not helped win wars, find new lands, locate missing persons, herd sheep or fend off burglars – that’s dog’s work.
In fact, they have slept through these trials and tribulations in the choicest spot available. But as these exquisite pictures show, to know a cat is a privilege, but to be loved by a cat is the greatest accolade.
The Grace Of The Cat: An Illustrated History by Tamsin Pickeral, with photography by Astrid Harrisson (Frances Lincoln, £25).
Snowshoe
Appearance
Elegant, athletic, distinctive white markings. Ears have slightly rounded tips; the eyes are oval and blue.
Coat
Short to medium, smooth.
Personality
Loyal to owner, affectionate, demanding, self-possessed, vocal, intelligent, playful.
British shorthair
Appearance
Powerful, solid body type. The head is big and round with a short nose and alert eyes. Ears are far apart.
Coat
Distinctive, short and very dense coat, firm to the touch with no woolly undercoat.
Personality
Calm, dignified, loyal and affectionate.
Thai
Appearance
Elegant, lithe, but with substance. Medium length, with graceful legs. Ears are medium. Eyes are blue and medium to slightly large.
Coat
Short, silky and close lying, with very little undercoat.
Personality
Intelligent, chatty, affectionate, loyal and has a sense of humour.
Bengal
Appearance
Spotted or marbled coat and ‘wildcat’ look. Athletic build. Ears are medium to small; eyes are large and round.
Coat
Short to medium length, dense, luxurious and soft. Brown tabby most popular colour.
Personality
Lively, vivacious, active and very affectionate.
Don Sphynx
Appearance
Hairless with pronounced wrinkles. Large, wide ears tilt forward slightly. Eyes are medium to large and almond-shaped.
Coat
Many born bald, but some types have some coat.
Personality
Very affectionate and playful, devoted, gregarious, energetic, charismatic, easygoing, intelligent, loyal and curious.
Russian Blue
Appearance
Elegant, aristocratic, a silverblue colour. Ears rather large and set far apart, eyes are set wide apart, rounded and brilliant green.
Coat
Very dense, stands away from body, with a soft, velvety feel.
Personality
Reserved with strangers; loyal and affectionate to loved ones.
Maine Coon
Appearance
Large, solid, magnificent, muscular long body with broad chest. Eyes are large and green, gold or copper.
Coat
Luxuriant, long and shaggy with a silky texture. All colours and patterns.
Personality
Devoted to loved ones, intelligent, playful and independent.
Siberian
Appearance
Large and powerful. Medium to large ears, preferably with lynx tufts. Eyes are large, wide set and intelligent.
Coat
Thick, with soft, dense undercoat, and water-resistant oily guard hairs on top.
Personality
Playful, intelligent, loving and loyal.
Where dogs and other domesticated animals have proved of infinite use to human development in myriad ways, cats have been far more subtle. They have not helped win wars, find new lands, locate missing persons, herd sheep or fend off burglars – that’s dog’s work.
In fact, they have slept through these trials and tribulations in the choicest spot available. But as these exquisite pictures show, to know a cat is a privilege, but to be loved by a cat is the greatest accolade.
The Grace Of The Cat: An Illustrated History by Tamsin Pickeral, with photography by Astrid Harrisson (Frances Lincoln, £25).
Snowshoe
Appearance Elegant, athletic, distinctive white markings. Ears have slightly rounded tips; the eyes are oval and blue.
Coat
Short to medium, smooth.
Personality
Loyal to owner, affectionate, demanding, self-possessed, vocal, intelligent, playful.
British shorthair
Appearance Powerful, solid body type. The head is big and round with a short nose and alert eyes. Ears are far apart.
Coat
Distinctive, short and very dense coat, firm to the touch with no woolly undercoat.
Personality
Calm, dignified, loyal and affectionate.
Thai
Appearance Elegant, lithe, but with substance. Medium length, with graceful legs. Ears are medium. Eyes are blue and medium to slightly large.
Coat
Short, silky and close lying, with very little undercoat.
Personality
Intelligent, chatty, affectionate, loyal and has a sense of humour.
Bengal
AppearanceSpotted or marbled coat and ‘wildcat’ look. Athletic build. Ears are medium to small; eyes are large and round.
Coat
Short to medium length, dense, luxurious and soft. Brown tabby most popular colour.
Personality
Lively, vivacious, active and very affectionate.
Don Sphynx
Appearance Hairless with pronounced wrinkles. Large, wide ears tilt forward slightly. Eyes are medium to large and almond-shaped.
Coat
Many born bald, but some types have some coat.
Personality
Very affectionate and playful, devoted, gregarious, energetic, charismatic, easygoing, intelligent, loyal and curious.
Russian Blue
Appearance Elegant, aristocratic, a silverblue colour. Ears rather large and set far apart, eyes are set wide apart, rounded and brilliant green.
Coat
Very dense, stands away from body, with a soft, velvety feel.
Personality
Reserved with strangers; loyal and affectionate to loved ones.
Maine Coon
Appearance Large, solid, magnificent, muscular long body with broad chest. Eyes are large and green, gold or copper.
Coat
Luxuriant, long and shaggy with a silky texture. All colours and patterns.
Personality
Devoted to loved ones, intelligent, playful and independent.
Siberian
AppearanceLarge and powerful. Medium to large ears, preferably with lynx tufts. Eyes are large, wide set and intelligent.
Coat
Thick, with soft, dense undercoat, and water-resistant oily guard hairs on top.
Personality
Playful, intelligent, loving and loyal.