More than any other color, a startling 29% of black cats are being given a second chance at life with wonderful families. According to studies, black kittens and black cats have the highest adoption rates that rescue organizations have seen in years.
These positive adoption rates demonstrate that myths are being replaced by a deep appreciation for black cats’ cultural impact, history, and amazing, all-black colors. A black cat, with mystical breed names like Bombay, Sphynx, and Oriental, is appealing to feline-lovers for many reasons other than their bold, sleek coats and big, bright eyes.
Black cat breeds, like their many shades of black, are beloved for their diverse personalities, quirky characteristics, and range of grooming requirements ranging from simple to special. Learn more about the various black cat breeds that could make an excellent addition to your family.
- American Bobtail
The American Bobtail, thought to be a cross between a Siamese and a short-tailed tabby, has elongated hind legs and a tail that is one-third to one-half the length of a regular cat’s tail. Rumpies are bobtails born without a tail.
Playful, energetic, and friendly personality
Grooming: Simple upkeep. Long or medium coats require brushing twice a week, regular nail trimming, and ear and dental care.
2. American Curl
The American Curl is distinguished by their distinctively curled-back ears, which are the result of a genetic mutation in the domestic cat population. The ear curl appears around three weeks of age and develops over the next four months before settling into a permanent shape.
Affectionate, outgoing, and excellent with children.
Grooming: Simple upkeep. Brushing the coat twice a week, regular nail trimming and ear cleaning, and regular dental hygiene are all required.
3. American Shorthair
American Shorthairs, descended from European felines, were brought along on ships to protect cargo and property from rodents.
Personality: Quiet, sociable, adaptable to a home with children and other pets.
Grooming: Light upkeep. The coat is dense and requires weekly brushing as well as regular nail, ear, and dental care.
4. Bombay
Named after the Indian city that the black panther calls home, the Bombay was developed from a sable Burmese and American Shorthair cat. The breed is instantly recognizable by her solid black coat and striking yellow eyes.
Personality: Friendly, affectionate, active, loves children.
Grooming: Easy maintenance. Coat should be brushed weekly with regular nail trim and dental hygiene and occasional ear cleaning.
5. British Shorthair
The British Shorthair, whose lineage can be traced back to the Roman Empire, roamed the streets of the United Kingdom for decades before being recognized as a breed.
Cuddly, calm, loving, family-oriented personality.
Grooming: Simple upkeep. The coat should be combed weekly, and regular nail, ear, and dental care should be provided.
6. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is easily identified by its short, curly hair, large, prominent ears, and wavy whiskers. The breed, a migrant from Cornwall in England, is well-known for her keen interest in everything her companions do.
Personality: Active, playful, daring, and easy to travel with.
Maintaining proper nail, eye, ear, and dental hygiene. The coat needs bushing every other week, as well as regular nail trims, ear and dental care.
7. Devon Rex
The Devon Rex, a native of Buckfastleigh, Devon in England, has pixie-like features that instantly endear you to it. Her breed was created by chance when a tom met a tortoiseshell, but its popularity isn’t.
Personality: Outgoing, entertaining, and clownish.
Grooming: Special upkeep. Bathe twice a week to keep her skin healthy, brush gently, clean her ears on occasion, and maintain regular nail and dental care.
Personality: Highly social, entertaining and clown-like.
Grooming: Special maintenance. Bath bi-weekly to keep her skin healthy, gentle brushing, occasional ear clean and regular nail and dental care.
8. Exotic Shorthair
Exotics are known for their teddy bear looks, easy maintenance, and, of course, that shiny, dense coat. They are distinguished by their short, plush coat but with all the features of an aristocratic Persian.
Personality: Lighthearted, athletic, and sensitive.
Grooming: Special upkeep. Bathe and brush her twice a week to get rid of her seasonal shedding, and clean her eyes on a regular basis to avoid tear stains. As needed, trim your nails.
9. Japanese Bobtail
Japanese Bobtails are one of the oldest cat breeds, dating back to the seventeenth century and steeped in Eastern legend and tradition. Bobtails are said to bring good luck and prosperity, and their existence is documented in historical writings and folklore.
Personality: audacious, alert, vocal, and extremely intelligent.
Grooming: Special upkeep. An undercoat necessitates twice-week brushing, more frequently during shedding season, as well as regular nail and ear care.
10. Maine Coon
Maine Coons are gentle giants who date back to colonial times when their mousing skills were put to use in homes, barns, and ships. To adapt to the harsh Maine climate, the breed has grown into a large, robust cat with a thick, water-repellent coat.
Personality: Devoted, loving, and inquisitive.
Personality: Moderate upkeep. The dense, shaggy coat requires weekly brushing and regular dental care, and the nails should be trimmed bimonthly.
11. Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Viking skogkatt (forest cat) first appeared in Norse mythology 4000 years ago, but the breed’s lineage is likely much older. Norwegians have long been a member of the family on farms and ships, keeping the mouse population in check.
Personality: Athletic, people-oriented, laid-back, and child-friendly.
Grooming is time-consuming. Brushing twice a week is recommended, as well as regular ear, nail, and dental care.
12. Oriental
It’s easy to see why this breed’s original Siamese ancestor was a permanent fixture in Siam’s Royal Palace (Thailand). The breed’s variety of colors and patterns, including midnight black, distinguishes today’s long and short hair Orientals, with their flared, large ears and almond-shaped eyes.
Personality: Lively, inquisitive, and vocal; bonds with one pet lover in the house.
Grooming: Special upkeep. Long and short coats require brushing or rubbing down with a damp cloth on a regular basis, as well as nail and ear care.
13. Persian
The elegant Persian was introduced to Europeans in the 1500s by Roman and Phoenician caravans from Persia (Iran) and Turkey. She is best known for her long, silky coat, flatter face with snub nose, and bright, golden eyes.
Personality: Calm, docile, and discreet, and best suited to older, quieter homes.
Grooming is time-consuming. The coat requires daily brushing and weekly bathing, as well as regular eye, nail, and dental care.
14. Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold, discovered in the 1960s by a Scottish shepherd, has large, wide eyes and forward-folding ears. Her ears are a result of a spontaneous mutation that affects the cartilage, giving her an owl or teddy bear appearance. She is available in both long and short hairstyles.
Personality: Intelligent, adapts well to new friends and environments, and frequently bonds with one of the house’s pet lovers.
Grooming: Simple upkeep. The coat should be combed twice a week, with regular nail trimming, dental care, and ear cleaning on occasion.
15. Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk has a curly coat like her Rex relatives, but she has a different personality and body type due to a cross with Persians, Exotics, and British Shorthairs. She was named after the Selkirk Mountains in Montana, where she was discovered for the first time.
Personality: Throughout his career, he has been highly social, devoted, and playful.
Grooming: Special upkeep. Coat requires a specific combing technique to prevent curls from stretching out. Nail, eye, ear, and dental care should be done on a regular basis.
Grooming: Simple upkeep.
Grooming is time-consuming.
16. Siberian
Running water fascinates Russia’s national treasure, making playtime as simple as turning on a faucet for a Siberian. Her thick, triple, water-resistant coat has helped her survive the harsh Siend up beingrian terrain where she has helped maintain rodent populations for the last 1000 years.
Personality: Agile jumpers who can leap long distances, smart, and friendly.
Grooming: Light upkeep. A triple coat that thickens in the winter and sheds seasonally requires weekly brushing as well as regular nail, teeth, and ear cleaning.
17. Sphynx
The Sphynx is a hairless cat breed that is distinguished by its lack of coat and wrinkly skin. Surprisingly, the Sphynx is not considered hypoallergenic. She, like most animals, sheds dead epidermis cells known as dander. Sphynx, as exotic and ancient as she appears, originated in Canada in the late 1960s.
Personality: Pleasant, inquisitive, and in need of companionship.
Grooming: Special upkeep. Sphynx skin requires weekly sponge baths to remove sebaceous oils, as well as routine nail, eye, ear, and dental care.
18. Turkish Angora
Turkish Angoras, possibly Europe’s first cat, are highly valued by the Turkish people. The breed’s ancestors can be traced back to the time of Islamic faith founder Mohammed in 570-632 A.D. who considered his cat to be a prized companion
Graceful, extroverted, entertaining, and excellent swimmers.
Grooming: Light upkeep. Brushing once a week with a bath every few months, as well as regular nail, eye, ear, and dental care.
How Are Black Cats Different From Other Cats?
If a black cat’s striking raven color or breed dominance of hypoallergenic cats for people with allergies isn’t enough to distinguish them from the rest of the cat population, then their personality definitely redefines their uniqueness. Black cats are a mixed bag of contradictions, being the most closely related to their wild ancestors and sharing similarities such as having a wild and impulsive side while also being stubborn and friendly; or demanding freedom while also craving closeness with their human caregivers and other pets in the home.
With such a wide range of personalities among these breeds, you may be wondering, as black cat pet parents, who has ownership over whom.
Due to a high melanin content that increases resistance to pathogenic infections, black cats can sometimes be healthier than their colorful cousins.
How have black cats impacted cultures?
These color-blocked breeds are most famously associated with Egyptian royalty, where black cats were revered as Gods and killing one was considered a capital offense. Despite Western, old wives tales, the breed’s cultural impact has not waned over the centuries.
- Female black cat pet parents are more appealing to male suitors in Japan.
- England: Black cats are said to bring good luck and happiness to brides in the Midlands.
- Britain: British sailors believed that having a black cat breed on board would not only ensure the ship’s good fortune, but would also safely return them home.
- A black cat on a doorstep would be a sign of prosperity in Scotland.
- United Kingdom: Anyone who encountered a black cat received good fortune.
- Ireland: Good luck to anyone who has the good fortune of seeing a black cat cross their path in front of them.
- Egypt: In ancient times, people kept black cats to please the cat goddess Bastet, who was traditionally portrayed as a woman with a dark or black-colored cat’s head.
- Scandinavia: Black cats ride in the chariot of the Norse goddess Freyja, who is said to bless farmers’ harvests if they leave milk out for her felines.
Black cats may share a similar gene mutation from the family of genetics known to resist HIV in humans, according to researchers. While research is ongoing, we do know that a black cat has no resistance to lots of pampering, love, and affection.
Where Can You Adopt A Black Cat?
Petfinder.com makes it simple to find your black cat, and there’s more good news. When you’re ready to adopt a black cat from the variety of shorthaired or fluffy cat breeds, you’ll be welcomed into black cat appreciation communities.
Check out these special occasions throughout the year to honor your dark kitty:
- The 17th of August is Black Cat Appreciation Day.
- National Black Cat Day is celebrated on October 27th.
- October 1st to 31st is Black Cat Awareness Month.
Wondering What Are the Cutest Cat Breeds? Check it out on the next post!
