Pet cats are the smallest in the world. The smallest cat in the world. Problems of dwarf cats

There are a huge variety of cat breeds in the world. They are all different sizes, colors and characters. Today we will talk about the smallest representatives of the meowing family, because it is the smallest cat breeds that are very popular all over the world.

Skif-tay-don

Scythian-tay-don is one of the smallest breeds of cats, which goes by the second name Scythian-toy-bob. The weight of an adult male is up to 2.1 kg, and the weight of a female can range from 900 grams to 1.5 kg. That is, the animal looks the size of a four-month-old kitten of an ordinary street cat. However, representatives of this rare breed have strong muscles and are quite physically developed. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs. The tail of these cats deserves special attention: it is unusual. It is round in shape and its length is only 5-7 cm. The history of the appearance of this breed is very interesting. In 1983, in Rostov-on-Don, an Old Siamese cat with a tail defect appeared in a family of Thai bobtail breeders. A little later, a Siamese cat with an unusually short tail appeared. This couple's litter included one kitten with a short tail. He became the founder of the breed. In character they are similar to their Siamese ancestors: they are wayward and freedom-loving creatures.

Kinkaloe

The Kinkaloo is another smallest cat breed. This is still a rather rare and young variety; there are only a few dozen representatives of this beautiful breed in the world. An adult cat weighs on average from 2 to 3 kg. A cat reaches 1.2-1.6 kg. The body of these animals is strong, despite their “toy appearance”. The coat is thick and therefore needs to be carefully looked after. The tail is short, only 7-10 cm. The paws are small, but quite strong. By nature, these furry animals are active and playful. The shape of their ears deserves special attention: they are curved, a feature they got as a result of crossing with.

Minskin

The Minskin is a very miniature cat breed. I must say that she is not an acquired taste, as she is hairless. The weight of an adult cat can reach up to 2.8 kg, and female cats no more than 2, the average height of this breed is 19 cm. Keeping them is quite troublesome, since due to the lack of hair they often freeze and get sick. To prevent this from happening, they need to build a warm house. For skin care, you can purchase a special lotion with which you can wash them. Cats are quite active and inquisitive, and easy to care for.

Singapura cat (Singapura)

Another smallest cat breed, its historical homeland is sunny Singapore. In the mid-70s it appeared in America, and then began to quickly spread throughout Europe, thus becoming more and more popular. The weight of a cat reaches 2.7 kg, a cat 3-3.2 kg. This corresponds to the size of an average kitten of 5-6 months. The paws and tail of this breed are consistent in size and proportional. By nature, they are quiet and calm, and over time they will become the best companions on long autumn evenings.

Dwelf

A very interesting breed, also devoid of fur. Dwelf is a rather rare variety for Russia. Adult representatives of this rare breed weigh on average from 1.9 to 3.3 kg. It is difficult to care for them due to frequent health problems. Their legs are short and strong, and their tail is long. By nature, they are real kings - wayward and capricious, especially at a young age, but this goes away over the years. Skin care is simple and common for the smallest hairless breeds of domestic cats. To do this, you can use damp cotton pads or a special lotion. Your pet will be grateful to you for this.

Skookum

This is a long-haired cat breed. It was bred by crossing munchkins and laperms. Representatives of this amazing breed reach 19 cm at the withers and weigh from 1.9 to 3.9 kg. Their paws are strong, but short, but this does not prevent them from running quickly; the cats are quite active and playful. There are no significant health problems. When grooming, special attention should be paid to the condition of the coat; they should be combed once a week. One peculiarity is noted in their character: they do not like familiar treatment and rarely go into arms, preferring to be close to a person.

Munchkin

The Munchkin is perhaps the smallest breed of cat that will not leave anyone indifferent; sometimes it is called a cat dachshund. The fact is that these cats have very short legs. However, this does not stop her from running fast and leading an active lifestyle. Due to the long body and characteristics of the paws, representatives of this breed experience problems with the spine with age. The average height of these cats is 14-17 cm, the minimum height that has been recorded is 13 cm. The weight of a cat is from 1.6 to 2.7 kg, and males reach 3.5 kg. There is nothing unusual in caring for them; they should be combed once every 7-10 days, then problems with the hair can be avoided.

Lambkin (lemkin)

This breed of small cats attracts attention with its fur: it is curly. Because of this, it got its name; translated into Russian, “lambkin” means “lamb.” The weight of cats is from 2.8 to 4 kg, the weight of cats is from 1.9 to 2.2 kg. Paws and tail are ordinary. These are very smart and quick-witted animals; they are easy to teach simple commands. Those who decide to own this charming creature should know that they will have to be diligent in caring for their fur. They need to be combed 2-3 times a week, and they also need to be bathed with a special shampoo so that their curls do not get tangled. There are few health problems observed in these cats; diseases are typical that accompany the smallest breeds of domestic cats - problems with the kidneys, spine and digestive system.

Bambino

Another hairless cat with short legs. The breed was developed in the USA by crossing breeds such as the short-legged Munchkin and the hairless Canadian Sphynx. Adult cats weigh between 1.6 and 2.4 kg, and female cats rarely reach 4 kg. Health problems are common to all hairless cats. At the age of 7-9 years, spinal diseases may appear; this must be monitored. By nature, they are strict and do not like excessive liberties in handling. When caring for your cat's skin, you should use damp cotton pads. For a more comfortable stay, its place should be warm, preferably next to the radiator.

Napoleon

Napoleon is another very cute smallest cat breed. This miniature cat was created by crossing Munchkins and Persian cats. From the former they got their size, and from the latter they got luxurious wool. The weight of females is from 1 kg to 2.6 kg, and adult cats are no more than 3.8 kg. These are adorable creatures, small and fluffy. Caring for their fur is not an easy task and you need to stock up on a whole arsenal of tools. By nature, they are quiet and affectionate homebodies. They enjoy sitting in your arms and love to be petted. There is a possibility that your pet may have heart problems; this is a legacy from the Persian ancestors; this is a common problem for them.

Many cat owners, watching their little playful pet with affection, dream that their pet will never grow up and remain the same playful, mischievous kitten for the rest of its life. And thanks to the efforts of breeders, this dream became quite real, because they managed to breed miniature cat breeds, which even when grown up look like adorable little kittens.

Top smallest cat breeds

What breeds of cats are dwarf?

There is even a unique hit parade of dwarf cats.

10th place: Napoleon

The hit parade of the smallest cats opens with charming fluffy creatures, which were named after the outstanding French commander - Napoleon.

The breed appeared by crossing short-legged munchkins with Persians.

Some of the most expensive cats.

They weigh 2.5 - 4 kg.

Interestingly, it is not clear why the breeders decided to give these miniature animals such a name, since the famous Frenchman was terrified of cats and, according to rumors, he even turned his horse in the other direction when a cat met him on the way.

Napoleons appeared due to the crossing of short-legged animals munchkins with long-haired Persians. As a result of such a marriage, kittens were born with long luxurious hair and funny short legs. Cute furry babies with flattened noses and the naive look of huge round eyes immediately won the gratitude of cat lovers.

Those who want to have such an unusual pet are not stopped even by the high cost of these animals, because Napoleons are considered one of the most expensive cats in the world.

The fluffy beauties weigh no more than 2.5–4 kilograms.

9th place: Bambino

Bambinos look like little kittens.

Cats have hairless body coverings.

Bambinos are very affectionate.

And it is quite true, because bambino Not only do they look like little kittens, but even in old age they behave like playful kids.

Bambinos originated from the crossing of two completely different breeds of cats - Canadian Sphynxes and Munchkins. From their parents, these miniature creatures inherited short legs and bare, hairless skin, which makes their appearance very exotic.

Bambinos are very affectionate and gentle pets and will never refuse to sit in the arms or lap of their beloved owner.

The weight of these babies does not exceed 2–4 kilograms.

8th place: Lamkin

On the eighth line of the hit parade are lamkins, small curly cats whose fur looks like it has been permed. These amazing creatures owe their origin to munchkins And Selkirkreksam.

Lamkins are small curly cats.

They owe their origin to the Munchkins and Selkirkrecs.

The name of the breed is translated from English as lamb.

Extremely cute and charming babies, thanks to their wavy fur, look like lambs and even their name is translated in English as lamb.

Lambkins are very playful and inquisitive cats and they can play around and frolic all day long. Lambkins need care and attention, so the owner will have to devote a lot of time to his miniature curly pet.

These animals weigh no more 2.5–4 kilograms.

7th place: Munchkin

Seventh place is occupied munchkins, which are called dachshund cats because of their long body and short legs.

Cats can run fast.

Munchkin cat.

The weight of adult munchkins does not exceed 2–3.5 kg.

These animals are interesting primarily because, unlike most dwarf cat breeds, munchkins are of natural rather than artificial origin.

Small, short-legged creatures are not at all inferior to their larger relatives in agility and agility; they can run quickly and climb high surfaces. True, these nimble creatures are not able to get down from the top shelf of the closet on their own, and owners often have to rush to the aid of their restless pets.

Another feature of munchkins is that they love to make hiding places in the house and hide their toys or small things they like in them.

The weight of adult munchkins does not exceed 2–3.5 kilograms.

6th place: Skookum

On the sixth line of the rating are another miniature curly-haired cats that appeared as a result of a marriage. munchkins And la-permov. From my parents skookum inherited short legs and fluffy fur with small curls.

Appeared as a result of the union of munchkins and la-perms.

Miniature curly cats.

They have short legs.

Curly-haired Skookums are very sociable and affectionate pets that get along well not only with everyone in the household, but also with other pets.

These little creatures retain their love of active and active games throughout their lives, and even in old age they will not deny themselves the pleasure of chasing a ball or a candy wrapper.

Skookums weigh no more than 2–3.5 kilograms.

5th place: Dwelf

In fifth place are some of the most amazing and unusual representatives of the cat world, who look like aliens from another galaxy.

Dwelfs are hairless cats.

Cats with short legs.

With big ears.

This Dwelfs, hairless cats with short legs and large ears with curved tips, which were developed by crossing three breeds - munchkins, American Curls And sphinxes.

Apart from their somewhat strange and exotic appearance, Dwelfs are no different from ordinary cats; they also love active active games and are extremely loyal to their owner. These miniature creatures really need affection and love on the part of the owner and, if you do not pay enough attention to the pet, they may become offended and even become depressed.

Adult Dwelfs weigh, as a rule, no more than 1.5–3 kilograms.

4th place: Singapore cat

The fourth place in the hit parade is occupied by miniature oriental beauties, Singapura cats.

Creatures with almond-shaped eyes.

Shiny and iridescent coat.

Weight varies between 2.5–3 kilograms.

These graceful creatures, with almond-shaped eyes and shiny, iridescent fur, lived for many years in sewers and seaside docks, which is why local residents awarded them the contemptuous nickname “children of the sewers.”

Everything changed when the American Tommy Middow visited Singapore, who was able to appreciate the beauty of Singapore cats and took several representatives of this breed to America.

In a sad irony, after these adorable animals became extremely popular among cat fans, Singaporeans radically changed their attitude towards them and even made them island mascot.

The weight of Singaporean beauties varies between 2.5–3 kilograms.

3rd place: Minskin

The top three is opened by another representative of hairless cats - minskin. To develop this breed, breeders crossed munchkins And sphinxes. These miniature creatures are also called “hobbits.”

Minskin is a hairless cat breed.

Friendly cats.

Flexible character.

And the Minskins received the nickname of a fairy-tale character from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy due to the fact that the tips of their short paws are crowned with fluffy tufts of fur.

Small hairless cats are distinguished by their friendly and easy-going nature, as well as their curiosity and intelligence. Miniature sizes do not cause any inconvenience to Minskin and thanks to his dexterity and agility, he is able to climb onto the top shelf of a closet or cornice if he decides that something interesting is being hidden from him there.

Minskins weigh no more 2–3 kilograms.

2nd place: Kinkaloe

It takes an honorable second place in the hit parade kinkalow, descendant munchkin And American Curl. From his ancestors, this miniature beauty inherited short legs and neat ears with curved tips.

Kinkalow is a descendant of the Munchkin and the American Curl.

Neat ears with curved tips.

Has short legs.

Kinkaloo is an extremely inquisitive and active pet, with whom the owner will never be bored.

A small and playful kitten will not only spend days exploring every corner of the house, but will also be happy to accompany his beloved owner on an evening walk.

The weight of these dwarf cats is no more than 2–3 kilograms.

1st place: Skif-tay-don

The first place is rightfully occupied by the smallest domestic cats in the world - skif-tay-dons.

Cats have a fluffy pompom instead of a tail.

The smallest cats in the world weigh from 900 grams to 1.5 kilograms.

Playful cat.

These amazing creatures with bright blue eyes and a fluffy pompom instead of a tail are also called dwarf bobtails.

Miniature Scythian Tay-Dons not only resemble small kittens in size, but also in their habits, because they will forever remain playful and playful pets. No less interesting is the way these animals attract the attention of the owner. If a blue-eyed baby wants to communicate with his owner, he lies down on his back in front of him and begins to purr loudly and loudly. Naturally, no one can resist the charm of their pet, and the cunning kitten immediately finds itself in the arms of its beloved owner.

The smallest cats in the world weigh from 900 grams to 1.5 kilograms.

Video about the smallest cat breeds

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Man has long had a love for cats. Often this animal becomes a pet. Among the many known breeds, there are extremely small ones. I wonder which cat is the smallest in the world?

Dwarf domestic cat breeds

Some pet lovers prefer to have dwarf cats. For some, this is due to the fact that the area of ​​the apartment does not allow keeping a large breed, while others simply like to see a cat that looks like an eternal kitten.

Singapura is the name of the cat breed recognized as the smallest. This breed is a descendant of Singapore stray cats. They are distinguished by their silky short hair. They were brought by tourists in 1975. Only a year passed, and the cats appeared at the exhibition, and ten years later they ended up in Europe. Until now, these animals are considered rare. Even in such a large country as Russia, representatives of this breed can literally be counted on one’s fingers. Although petite in size, the Singapura's body is muscular and dense. The female weighs about two kilograms, and the male weighs about three.

There is a miniature breed bred in America - this is the Balinese cat. A type of Siamese cat, Balinese have long hair. Animals are extremely fond of children, they are curious and have a pleasant voice.

Short-legged cats, dachshund cats, Munchkins - all this is the name of the same breed. Their paws are much shorter than those of their counterparts, hence the comparison with dachshunds. They also resemble kangaroos because they like to sit on their hips and look around. In this case, the animals rest their tails on the floor, and their hind legs hang funny along the body. Meeting such a cat will certainly bring a smile.

The Devon Rex is another small breed of domestic cat. Their weight does not exceed four kilograms. This is an animal with large ears and large eyes, with wavy but short hair.

Minskin is a breed of small cats that is artificially bred. This is a cross between a Munchkin and a Sphinx. The fur of this unusual cat resembles cashmere. Also, recently, a new breed, Skookum, was developed by crossing the Munchkin and La Perm breeds. Cats are small in size, have a bushy tail and curly fur.

The Dwarf Bobtail is also a small breed of cat. Its second name is Skif-tay-don. These animals have a short tail that looks like a pompom. Representatives of this breed resemble four-month-old kittens. They are very friendly, playful, but love to hide something in reserve. The breed is very young. She appeared in Rostov-on-Don in 1988. The weight of an adult varies from nine hundred grams to two and a half kilograms.

Miniature breed - Lemkin. It was obtained by crossing the Munchkin and the Selirk Rex breed. They have short slippers and curly wool, reminiscent of lamb's wool.

The smallest wild cats

Miniature cats also exist in the wild. These are Rusty cats. Their second name is the spotted red cat. This is a relative of the Bengal breed. Today they are found only in Sri Lanka and India. Due to the fact that the habitat is constantly changing, this breed is in serious danger of extinction. The largest of these “little ones” weigh almost one and a half kilograms. The weight of females is one hundred kilograms.

The black-footed cat is small and light, a resident of southern Africa. The body length of females does not exceed thirty-six centimeters, and males - fifty centimeters. The weight of these animals varies from a kilogram to one kilogram and nine hundred grams. Little is known about these felines, since the breed has hardly been studied. Externally, the size of these individuals is similar to the size of a rabbit. Black-footed cats are aggressive and absolutely fearless. They live in burrows and lead a solitary lifestyle. This species, unfortunately, is on the verge of extinction.

The Kalimantan cat is a dwarf wild cat. Its habitat is the island of Kalimantan. The weight of representatives of the breed ranges from two kilograms, three hundred grams to four kilograms, five hundred grams. The body length is about eighty centimeters, with up to sixty percent of the length coming from the tail. Despite their small size, these cats are extremely aggressive.

The smallest cat in the world

Today the record holder cat, recognized as the smallest in the world, is Mr. Pibbles. This cat lives in Illinois, USA. The cat is smooth-haired, tabby, and has white socks on its paws.

Mister Pibbles' body length is only fifteen centimeters, excluding the length of his tail. Thanks to this size, he was included in the Guinness Book of Records and became a real Internet star. The cat weighs one and a half kilograms. His growth stopped for unknown reasons at a tender age. Most likely this is a genetic defect. The cat's owners say that he can easily fit in a glass.

One more small cat is known - Tinker-Toy. He once lived in the same state of Illinois. His breed is a Himalayan-Persian cat. With a length of nineteen centimeters, its height was only seven. The record holder weighed less than seven hundred grams.

But cats of the Ashera breed grow up to a meter. .
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They do not occupy the attention of their owners. How could it be otherwise if they are the smallest cats in the world. We present a rating of representatives of different breeds, features of their appearance and behavior.

Mongrel cats

Most cats are outbred. They are also called domestic cats. They are distinguished by a variety of colors and good health. A cat's weight depends on genetic characteristics.
The characteristics of a breed are not always the key to championship in the ranking of the smallest cats. Thus, a kitten from San Diego distinguished itself by its tiny size. Need was no more than 8 cm tall at the age of 3.5 months and weighed just under a kilogram.

The smallest breed in the world is the Toy Bob.

The weight of an adult toy bob does not exceed 2.5 kg. A representative of the dwarf breed is distinguished by short but thick hair and a short tail resembling a pom-pom. Toy beans are fearless. They are not afraid of photo flashes, unlike other cat breeds. Toy Bob is not afraid of fire. The smallest cats are able to learn the simplest commands, like dogs. And kittens even make sounds similar to barking.

Kinkaloo - a breed with folded ears

This breed appeared relatively recently - in 1997. Its representatives are characterized by short legs and curled ears. Cats with a funny appearance appeared thanks to the crossing of Munchkins and American Curls. From the former they have short legs, from the latter they have an unusual shape of ears.

Cats' fur can be of different lengths, weight - no more than 3 kg. Strong muscles and a strong skeleton allow representatives of the artificially bred breed to lead an active lifestyle. Curious, lively and playful - this is how one can characterize a cat’s disposition.

Singapura cat or Singapura

The descendant of Singapore stray cats differs not only in size. The Singapura has a short, silky coat without undercoat and a muscular, dense body. The male Singapura weighs no more than three kilograms, the female grows up to two.

The exotic nature of the cat is indicated by its slightly elongated muzzle. Compared to the size of the whole body, the ears seem larger than expected. Affectionate and sociable cats are characterized by good health.

This breed of small cat has a lot in common with munchkins and sphinxes. It was the cross between these two breeds that led to the appearance of a dog-like cat. Dwarf representatives of this breed are extremely attached to their owners. They do not like loneliness and easily endure any travel and business trips.

Minskins quickly adapt to different conditions and get along well with dogs and rodents. You will have to get used to the exotic appearance of the pet and the lack of hair except for the tail, paws and head.

Another artificially bred breed that appeared in the 90s in America. Its creator, Roy Galush, set out to breed a small and curly cat. Galush looked for the name in the Cherokee Indian dictionary and settled on the word “skukum.” Translated, it means “strong, brave, impressive.”

Skookums come with short and long hair. Sheep-haired cats come in a variety of colors. Caring for them is no different from other cats. Curly fur needs to be brushed at least once a week.

Three breeds were involved in the appearance of this dwarf breed: Sphonks, Munchkins, and American Curls. From each of them, the Dwelf adopted the main features - lack of fur, curled ears, short legs. The name of the breed comes from two phrases that translate as dwarf elf cat. In fact, the appearance of Dwelfs is fabulous and a little magical.

They differ in different colors and behavior. Affectionate and sensitive Dwelfs are not particularly active. They also do not accept bad treatment and tend to hide in secluded places where they experience feelings of resentment. The weight of an adult cat reaches 2 kg.

These cats are compared to dachshunds. Their paws are shorter than those of their relatives. Cats love to sit on their hind legs, resting their tail on the floor and looking around for a long time, which always makes them smile. Blue-eyed pets do not grow more than 4 kg. Fearless and cute creatures resemble a soft toy. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by excellent health and easy-going disposition.

This breed appeared completely by accident. A couple from Arkansas bought a kitten and named it Bambino. The pet was distinguished by its size and exotic appearance. Later, the couple learned that he was the result of crossing a Munchkin and a hairless Canadian Sphynx.

The hairless bambino is often compared to a dachshund due to its short legs and elongated body. The tip of the long, thin tail may have a tassel, like a lion's. Bambino weight is up to 4 kg. Cats are in excellent health. The only drawback is that bambinos get cold due to their lack of fur.

One of the few breeds that doesn't mind a warm cat sweater. Sociable and friendly, bambinos are very fast and nimble. Cats are quite smart. Bambinos cannot jump high. Don't be afraid that they will act like a hooligan by throwing things off the shelves.

The breed got its name for its resemblance to lambs. Lambkin is translated from English as “lamb”. Kittens have curly hair and reach a weight of 1.8 kg to 4 kg. A relatively new and rare breed of cat. Around the world, the number of lambkins amounts to several dozen.

Representatives of the breed can be recognized by their unusual curly coat. They are also called "dwarf rexes". Representatives of the experimental breed are in good health. Genetic problems associated with deformation of the back or chest cannot be ruled out.

Napoleon

Representatives of many dwarf breeds appeared through crossing. Napoleon is one of them. She was the result of a cross between a munchkin and. The average body weight of Napoleons is from 2.3 to 4 kg. Evergreen kittens are characterized by large, wide-set eyes. Cats have thick fur.

Napoleons can be long-haired or short-haired. Peace-loving pets can even go into the arms of a stranger, which carries a hidden danger. You cannot let a purebred cat roam in splendid isolation. Napoleon cats do not suffer from many diseases common to other cats, but only with proper care.

Small breed cats bred in the UK are distinguished by large ears and expressive eyes. Against their background, the thinness of representatives of this breed is clearly pronounced. The Devon Rex is characterized by short curled antennae.

The small breed is considered one of the most favorable and socially adapted. Animals with short hair do not cause allergies. Despite the nobility of appearance, the mischief inherent in all cats is not alien to the Devon Rex.

Balinese or Balinese cat

This cat breed was developed in America. Despite the fact that its representatives are relatives of the Siamese, they are distinguished by long hair and a bushy tail. But the color is similar to the Siamese. The weight of the balinese does not exceed 4 kg. They conveyed grace and harmony.

Balinese kittens are born completely snow-white. The characteristic color appears later. Balinese dogs are peaceful and allow their owners to take them out for walks on a leash, as long as the leash is not too tight on their neck.

Champion in a glass

Mr. Pibbles is the name of the smallest cat in the world. The outbred cat was included in the Guinness Book of Records. Its weight is only 1.5 kg. The owners claim that, while still very tiny, the pet easily fit in a glass, where it felt very cozy.

Mister Pibbles' body length is 15 cm, not including his tail. Scientists explain the peculiarities of the size of the representative of the cat family by a genetic defect that stopped the growth of Mr. Pibbles, leaving him forever as a kitten. But the baby is not without attention and popularity.

Small cats in the wild

There are small breeds of cats in the wild. These include the rusty cat. She really has a red coat color with dark spots in the form of spots, which indicates a relationship with the Bengal cat. The weight of the baby is up to 1.5 kg. Miniature rusty cats are found in India and Sri Lanka and are endangered.

Himalayan Persian cat native to Illinois weighed only 680 grams and had a length of no more than 18 cm. Initially, he was no different from the rest of the kittens in the litter, until he stopped growing. Unfortunately, the miniature pet lived to be only six years old, without significantly gaining weight.

A distinctive feature of this breed is the unusual shape of the ears. Kittens are born with straight ears, but after 2-10 days they begin to curl. Hence the name of the breed. Curly ears evoke a sense of constant surprise. The signature shape of the ear requires regular maintenance. The American Curl reaches a weight of 4.5 kg. Cats are great with children and love attention.

Fast and nimble cats with a muscular body and long hind legs are considered the oldest representatives of felines. The Egyptian Mau is characterized by four colors - silver, smoky, bronze, and pewter. This is the only breed in the world that is naturally spotted, unlike representatives of other artificially bred breeds. A distinctive feature of the Egyptian Mau is the pronounced letter “m” made of black stripes on the forehead. Smart, playful pets require attention. Unlike many other cats, the Egyptian Mau expresses happiness by wagging its tail.

The difference between large and small cat breeds is not as noticeable as the difference between different dog breeds. However, even among domestic cats, body size and weight can vary greatly. There are 11 cat breeds with an average body weight of more than 6 kg, some representatives can reach 15-20 kg, while this rating of the smallest cat breeds includes those cat breeds whose average body weight does not exceed 3.1 kg.

10th place. Napoleon- a dwarf cat breed, bred by crossing munchkins (a short-legged cat breed that will also be in the ranking) and Persian cats. The result was a very fluffy, but short-legged miniature cat. The average body weight of Napoleons is from 2.3 kg to 4 kg.

9th place. Bambino(name from the Italian bambino - child) is a short-legged breed of cats without hair, bred in the USA by crossing short-legged Munchkins and hairless Canadian Sphynxes. Average body weight is from 2.2 to 4 kg.

8th place. Lambkin / lemkin / lemkin(the name in English is written lambkin and translates as “lamb”) - a breed of cats bred by combining Munchkins and the Selkirk Rex breed, characterized by curly hair. The average body weight of lambkins is from 1.8 to 4 kg.

7th place. Munchkin- a short-legged breed of cat, the feline analogue of the dachshund. Munchkins were not artificially bred, but arose as a result of a natural mutation in the 40s of the 20th century; unusually short-legged and at the same time healthy cats were born in the USA, Great Britain, and they were also seen in Stalingrad. The Americans named the breed Munchkins in honor of the little people in the Magic Land of Oz in the book of the same name by Frank Baum. In Alexander Volkov's Russian retelling of "The Wizard of the Emerald City" they are called "munchines". On average, munchkin cats weigh between 2.7 and 4 kg, while male cats weigh between 1.8 and 3.6 kg. In 2014, an American munchkin named Lilliput, 13.34 cm tall, was recognized as the shortest cat in the world and included in the Guinness Book of Records.

6th place. Skookum- a breed of cats bred by combining munchkins and the laperm breed, characterized by long and wavy hair. The average body weight of cats of this breed is from 2.2 to 4 kg, of cats - from 1.8 to 3.6 kg.

5th place. Dwelf- a hairless cat obtained by crossing a Munchkin, a Canadian Sphynx and an American Curl. Body weight from 1.8 to 3 kg.

4th place. Singapura cat (Singapura)- a breed of short-haired cats, originating from stray cats in the city-state of Singapore. In the 70s, the breed came to the USA, and in the 80s it ended up in Europe, but has not yet become widespread there. An adult Singapura cat weighs on average up to 2 kilograms, a male cat weighs from 2.5 to 3 kilograms.

3rd place. Minskin- another dwarf breed of cats without hair, bred in the USA by crossing Munchkins and hairless Canadian Sphynxes. Average height is 19 cm, average body weight is from 1.8 to 2.7 kg.

2nd place. Kinkaloe- a breed of cat developed by crossing Munchkins and American Curls. So far there are only a few dozen representatives of this breed in the world. In Russia, one of the Moscow nurseries is engaged in breeding kinkalow. The average body weight of Kinkalow cats is from 2.2 to 3.1 kg, and that of male cats is from 1.3 to 2.2 kg.

The smallest breed of domestic cat is the Scythian Tay-Dong.(other name - skiff-toy-bob). Adult representatives of this breed weigh from 900 grams to 2.5 kg, i.e. no larger than a three to four month old kitten of an ordinary domestic cat. Cats of this breed have a short but strong body and well-developed muscles, a short (3-7 cm) straight or spiral-rounded tail. The hind legs are longer than the front ones.

The history of the appearance of this breed is as follows: in 1983 in Rostov-on-Don, the breeder of Thai (Mekong) bobtails, Elena Krasnichenko, picked up a Thai (Old Siamese type) cat on the street, which she named Mishka. Mishka had four kinks on his tail. And in the winter of 1985, a Thai cat, Sima, with a non-standard short donut tail, appeared in Elena’s house. In 1988, one strange kitten was discovered in the litter of this couple, distinguished from the very beginning by its miniature size and short tail. He received the nickname Kutsy and became the founder of a new breed. And already in 1994, the preliminary standard of the new Scythian-Tai-Don breed was approved at a seminar of WCF felinologists from Russia and the CIS on aboriginal cat breeds in Russia. Initially, the breed was called Scythian-tay-toy-don, reflecting the origin and characteristics of the breed. “Scythian” - for its appearance on lands once inhabited by Scythians, “tai” - for its appearance reminiscent of a Thai cat, “toy” - for its “toy” size (English toy), “don” - after the name of the river , on which the city that became the birthplace of the breed is located. International name of the breed - toybob(toybob), i.e. toy bobtail. Those wishing to buy kittens of this unique breed can contact nurseries for breeding Scythian Tay-Dons, which are located in Moscow and Yekaterinburg.