Lynx-like cats: features and popular breeds

Today the world knows many breeds of cats. Among them there are exotic, similar to a wild lynx. The similarities are noticeable both in appearance and in character and temperament. Some of these animals were bred by breeders, while others appeared by chance. Such pets are not suitable for everyone. Only if the cat is in good hands will it reveal all its devotion and other features.

Lynx is a wild and predatory cat. The growth of the animal reaches 70 cm, and weight - 30 kg. The domestic cat, similar to a lynx, has strong legs with thick hair, a short tail, a rounded head. All breeds are distinguished by a characteristic spotted color. A domestic cat with tassels on the ears has a reinforced hearing of a predator, as zoologists assure.

Pets are fully domesticated, treat people well. However, predatory nature and aggression can occur if the animal or its owners are in danger. Cats are active and love to play.

There are quite interesting representatives of the cat world, which combine the features of a wild lynx and a pet. Pets of such breeds easily find contact with children and large animals. At the sight of birds and small pets they can begin to hunt, so the genes of wild ancestors appear. Moreover, in case of danger, they can protect themselves and their owners.

Some breeds were discovered by chance in nature. In this case, breeders only fixed characteristic features. Others turned out thanks to the painstaking work of specialists.

A short tail and beautiful tassels on the ears indicate the kinship of such a cat with a trot. American experts began to breed pixy beans back in 1985. A tailless cat with a large number of fingers and a short-tailed cat of large size took part in the crossing. Consider the appearance of such animals.

• The body is massive, muscular. Females weigh 4.5-5 kg, males weigh 5-9 kg. The abdomen hangs slightly, and the chest is quite wide.
• If you look closely, you will notice that the hind legs are longer than the front. Normally, a pixie-bean can have up to 7 fingers. Developed musculature of the limbs.
• The tail can reach the hock, and the minimum length is 5 cm. There can be bends or creases.
• The head is pear-shaped, with a well-developed chin. Eyes resemble rounded triangles. Tassels on the ears are desirable. Representatives of the breed are always with whiskers.
• The coat is no longer than 5 cm, only on the stomach it can be more.
• Among the colors there are all shades of tabby, ticking, a light belly and neck, paw pads gray or brown.

Pixie beans are affectionate and strongly attached to the owners. They are very trained and love to walk on a leash. Representatives of the breed enjoy communication and games with people. To hear the usual meow from such a pet is a rarity, animals communicate differently, and sometimes even growl predatory. Perfectly find a common language with children and other animals.

During games do not go into a hyperactive state. This only happens with kittens. Cats of this breed are conservative, poorly perceive a change of scenery and sudden changes in the appearance of the owners.

This breed is one of the most popular in the world. It originated in the wild in Maine, where locals domesticated flattering cats. In 1950, the species was on the verge of extinction. However, after 3 years, a club was created in which fans of the breed began to save the situation.

To date, Maine Coons are recognized by all organizations of felinologists. The appearance of the cat is determined by the standard.

• The long body is muscular, slightly rectangular. The tail is long. The chest is well developed, the legs are strong.
• The head with pronounced cheekbones and pads of mustache in shape resembles a square. Ears can be with or without tassels, but they are always set high.
• The coat is medium long. There is a marked increase in fur on the neck and hind legs. Long hairs are also present on the tail.
• The color is varied. Not allowed chocolate, beige, color point, cinnamon and purple wool.

The body along with the tail can reach 120 cm in length, while females weigh about 5-6 kg, and males weigh 9-12 kg. Affectionate and open to everything new cats, however, can withstand distance when in contact with people. They like to observe the actions of the owners and participate in their activities, but avoid aimless sitting on their hands.

The peculiarity of the breed is sensitivity. If the owner is tired, then the cat does not bother with active games. Animals love to voice, but do not meow, but as if tweeting with a large variation of intonation. Maine Coons are good at water. As you grow older, activity is replaced by laziness. Guests in the house are treated with caution, but they get along with children from the first meeting. Predatory cats get along well with other cats and dogs, but when in contact with small animals, they may awaken the instincts of the hunter.

The breed has formed in nature. It is believed that the ancestors of Siberian cats - the inhabitants of the forests and steppes of Siberia, were domesticated by local residents. It is believed that representatives of the Bukhara breed, which were brought to those lands by immigrants and merchants, took part in the breeding process. The selection was carried out by Soviet specialists exclusively for fixing the pedigree traits and obtaining new coat colors. There are certain standards of appearance.

• Females weigh 4-8 kg, and males weigh 6-12 kg.
• The animal has a powerful and muscular body. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front, so it feels like the shoulders are below the croup. On the rounded legs there is wool between the fingers.
• On the wedge-shaped head, the ears are located with a slight inclination to the muzzle. There may be brushes, but they are optional for the breed. Flat forehead, eyes medium or large, oval, but resemble a circle, widely spaced. Cheekbones slightly oblong, rounded.
• Longhair cats have a double undercoat, therefore they practically do not freeze. The collar is necessarily lush and stands out.
• Color can be anything, the main thing is to express it well.

Representatives of the breed are independent and freedom-loving, they can spend a lot of time with a person if he is sick or upset, but they feel good and alone. Good hunters can not only walk in the village unattended, but also bring prey in the form of rabbits.

The Siberian cat always behaves judiciously and wary in an unfamiliar place. He likes to conquer the peaks, so he often climbs trees. They are brave, guard their territory, are not afraid of dogs.

The breed was obtained by crossing a wild caracal and a domestic cat. The meeting of these two was random, occurred in one of the zoos in Moscow. The kitten looked outwardly like a wild male, but differed in the habits of a domesticated cat. This breed is called domestic trot. The appearance of such a cat definitely deserves attention.

• The muscles are well developed, and the body is proportional. The length can reach 90-100 cm, and the height at the withers - 50 cm. On average, animals weigh 9-12 kg, sometimes reach 15 kg.
• Paws are long and with developed muscles. The tail is medium in length. There is a small fold of fat on the stomach.
• The head is wedge-shaped, with a convex forehead. The eyes are almond-shaped, may be yellow or green. A wild cat is characterized by dark marks near the inner corners.
• Big ears are high and have black tassels. Cats can actively move them.
• Of the colors found are chocolate, wild, silver and cinnamon. Ticking is always present. Closer to the bottom of the body, the coat is lighter with spots.

If the mating is carried out in accordance with all the rules, then the animals as a result are very kind, flexible and obedient. Cats and cats do not like to sit on their hands for a long time while they are stroking and squeezing. At the same time, they are happy to take part in the activities of people. Amenable to training, can learn complex tricks. Even without training, they bring toys to the owners. In the process of games they do not tear, do not break things.

Representatives of the exotic breed are active at night. If the caraquets do not play, then they begin to walk very quietly. Large animals are treated well, and small animals are hunted.

The only representative of the cat world that comes down from a tree head down. The exact origin is unknown, but Angora cats are considered the ancestors of the Norwegians. In the post-war period, the Norwegian forest was on the verge of extinction. Let us dwell on the appearance of the animal.

• On average, cats weigh 5 kg and cats weigh 6-8 kg.
• The muscles are well developed, the bones are strong.
• Paws are strong, with large pads. The rear is slightly longer than the front.
• The tail is long. The exact size is ideally equal to the size of the body to the neck.
• The head in shape resembles an equilateral triangle, the nose is straight. Mustache pads not highlighted. Middle ears with rounded tips, brushes are desirable. The eyes are large, almond-shaped.
• The coat is semi-long and the undercoat is thick. The areas of the neck, chest and hind legs are especially noticeable.
• Color can be anything except those that occur as a result of hybridization (fauns, chocolate, sable and the like).

Norwegian forest cats are characterized by restraint combined with friendliness. They like to watch people and other animals from a nook. Do not force them to sit on their hands, this activity does not appeal to pets. Usually the same applies to all family members. They like to climb high, carefully handle things, and deliberately do not spoil anything. Curious, playful and very brave cats.

Norwegian foresters are good for children. The pet will rather run away from the baby than harm him. Guests are wary, but not aggressive. At the sight of small animals, they recall their hunting instincts. They perceive other cats and dogs well, but tend to build dominant relationships.

This young breed is also called Yankee Bob. The breed began with a Siamese cat and a cat with a short tail (natural mutation). Appearance according to the standard looks like this.

• The body is dense, the weight reaches 4-8 kg. Paws with well developed muscles. Movable tail 2.5-7.5 cm in length.
• The head is wedge-shaped, with a developed chin and prominent cheekbones. The short muzzle resembles a square. Ears are large, with rounded tips, mainly with tassels.
• The shape of the eyes is round, streamlined.
• The coat is semi-long or short. It looks a bit shaggy.
• All colors are acceptable, but tabby is considered the best option.

They are attached to the whole family, but they choose one for the role of the owner. They are happy to sit on their hands and well recognize the mood of a person. These neat and active cats are distinguished by an extraordinary mind. They like to walk and learn teams, tricks.

American bobtail travel well in the company of the owner. They can be taken on business trips. Get along well with other animals if they are kind. When aggression is manifested, they always fight back.

Interested in this breed in the XX century. At the same time, it was suggested that Japanese bobtails accidentally turned up on the Kuril Islands, which adapted to the local climate or interbred with Siberian cats. The following appearance is assumed.

• Cats weigh about 4-5 kg, but cats can reach 7 kg.
• The body is compact, muscles are developed. The croup is slightly raised. The back has an arc silhouette.
• Paws well developed, roundish feet. Tail with bends and creases about 5-7.5 cm long.
• The head with large and wide-set ears in shape resembles a triangle.
• Eyes are rounded and as if angled. Eye color should be combined with coat color.
• The coat is short or semi-long. In the second variant, the neck and hind legs are especially distinguished and there are tassels on the ears.
• Color can be anything except chocolate, lilac, Siamese, faun and cinnamon.
• Of the shortcomings, it is important to note a strong bend of the back, one caudal vertebra.

Smart cats are moderately active. They need the attention of a person, they are yearning alone, but they do not like to sit on their hands. Cats easy to train and often carry items even without training. They perceive human speech well. Pets are very sociable, but do not meow, but make grumbling, blinking sounds, sometimes howling.

Representatives of the breed do not beg and do not steal food, easily accept the rules of conduct in a new house. They learn to toilet quickly. With free walking, they can bring prey in the form of squirrels, hares and snakes.

If you want a domesticated lynx, then you should take a kitten only from a good nursery. The animal should not be older than 6 months. A kitten should spend a lot of time to get used to the human presence. Choose animals with documents to be able to predict behavior. Lynx-like crossbreeds can be extremely aggressive and unpredictable.

Do not forget that this pet has wild ancestors. Caraquets, for example, cannot be fed with dry food; they eat meat. On nutrition for a particular breed, it is best to consult a breeder and veterinarian. Even if the descendant of the lynx is allowed to feed with dry crackers, the nutrition should be balanced and always include meat. This is necessary not only for general health, but also for the development of the jaw.

You can’t bring such an animal to a small apartment. Representatives of the breed need a lot of space for active games. Be sure to comb out your pet so that he does not eat his own coat. It is necessary to bathe the domestic lynx with the usual regularity, as it gets dirty.

Domesticated lynxes like to spend time outdoors. In childhood, accustom the animal to harness and leash, so that there would be no trouble walking. Simple cats also need to start training cats as early as possible. So you can at least partially control the behavior of the pet.

Breeds of cats that resemble a wild lynx are very popular. These are affectionate predators that can both attack and be tame. To breed animals of such breeds is quite interesting and profitable. The main thing is to arrange everything correctly, to take into account all the nuances.

• Only breed class animals are allowed to breed. A cat or cat should have good results in competitions and exhibitions. Make sure that there is a full package of documents, including a veterinary passport.
• The animal must be ready to reproduce biologically, reach a certain age. Here a lot depends on the particular breed, it is better to consult with veterinarians.
• To choose a partner, contact the feline club. As a last resort, look for a suitable applicant at the same exhibitions.
• Kittens should be kept in a proper environment. In the process of growing up, they should receive the necessary nutrition and care. If a kitten of a breed similar to a lynx will not communicate with people since childhood, then later it may not get used to them.
• Always fill out all documents. Kittens are expensive only under this condition. Do not forget about the contract for binding.

This is only possible with your own private home. It is better to build a separate house for cats in the yard, where everything will be necessary. It should be warm, dry and clean, no drafts.

For a comfortable life of mating males and the development of their kittens, it is necessary to equip not only a recreation area, but also places for active games. It is recommended to enclose the area on the street so that animals can walk. Of course, the content will require a lot of money and patience, but the result is worth it.

For interesting facts about Maine Coon cats, see the next video.