Last Updated: 27/06/2025
Every cat is extraordinary in their own way. Discover the unique 'superpower' traits of these popular cat breeds.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read
Cats are amazing! They are independent, curious, adorable, loyal and make wonderful lifelong companions. No matter what the breed, cats have a range of different and wonderful personalities.
Cat breeds have been adapted over the years with certain skills and features that make them unique. Almost like super powers, these traits have been developed to give certain breeds that little bit extra, making them outstanding!
Discover the reasons behind these cat breeds "Superpowers".
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While the Sphynx may appear completely hair-free, they actually sport a very fine, short coat of fuzzy hair similar to a peach. This gives the skin a velvety soft, suede-like feel. With large bat-like ears, and inquisitive lemon-shaped eyes, they have a unique appearance which might be mistaken for a cute little elf .
This breed is incredibly social and loves being the centre of attention. Highly playful and energetic, Sphynx are well suited to families with children and are especially great for people that are prone to allergies.
The Sphynx was developed accidentally in Canada during the 1970s. A black and white female gave birth to a wrinkled, hairless kitten, who was affectionately named 'Prune'. Because of his special appearance, Prune was selected for breeding, and thus began the Sphynx breed.
Some other hairless cat breeds include the Bambino, Elf, Peterbald, Donskoy and Ukrainian Levkoy.
Looking for more information on the Sphynx? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Sphynx Cats.
The Abyssinian is an outgoing breed that is full of beans! They are intelligent, energetic and adventurous and will happily play for hours. They love to climb, jump, run and seem to have endless amounts of energy, living their life to the fullest. A very social breed, they love company, forming strong bonds with family members and other pets. Due to their high energy needs and social personalities, they do well in a household with another Abysinnian that can match their zest for life.
The Abyssinian has been around for over a century but their origins are still unclear. It is thought that the first of this breed were brought back to Europe in the 1860s from Abyssinia, now known as Ethiopia, as kittens by British soldiers serving in the Abyssinian war.
Affectionately known as the Aby, this regal breed is known for its unique ticked coat pattern which has alternating bands of light and dark colours. This gives the Abysinnian the appearance of a small, wild cat.
Other energetic and playful cat breeds include the Japanese Bobtail, Siamese, Bengal and Maine Coon.
Looking for more information on the Abyssinian? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Abyssinian Cats.
Large and athletic, the Norwegian Forest Cat has long legs, a sturdy body and strong claws, making them excellent climbers. Adapted to live in cold climates, this breed has a water resistant top coat with a thick, woolly undercoat.
Affectionately known as the Wedgie, this breed is social, gentle, friendly and likes company. They are known for following their family members around the home. While not usually a clingy lap cat, the Norwegian Forest Cat loves a good head scratch and will be sure to respond with a head bunt and a purr. They are known for getting on well with children, and are great with dogs as they're personalities are a bit dog-like.
Originating in Northern Europe, the Norwegian Forest Cat first appeared in history about 1000 AD. They were known to travel with the Vikings, keeping the ships free from vermin. It is believed that these early cats were the inspiration for the Skogkat, a mythical 'mountain fairy cat' in Norse mythology. The Norse goddess of love, Freya, was said to travel in a Skogkat-drawn chariot. Now the National Cat of Norway, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a popular breed in Scandinavia and surrounding countries.
Other breeds of cat that love to climb include the Abysinnian, Bengal, Somali and Egyptian Mau.
Looking for more information on the Persian? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Norwegian Forest Cats.
Burmese cats are social butterflies known for their affectionate, people-oriented personalities and thrive on human companionship. Often described as "dog-like" in their loyalty, Burmese cats love to follow their owners around the house, greet them at the door, and snuggle in laps for hours. They’re incredibly playful, gentle, and tend to form strong bonds with their families, making them ideal pets for households looking for a cuddly and interactive feline friend.
Other social cat breeds include the Maine Coon, British Shorthair and Ragdolls.
Looking for more information on the Persian? Read our article: The Complete Breed Guide for Burmese Cats.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
The Ragdoll is a relatively new breed and was developed in the 1960s by breeder Ann Baker who specifically selected for cats with gentle, placid personalities that possessed the 'point' genetics. They were named after their natural tendency to 'go floppy' or 'ragdoll' when picked up.
Ragdolls are incredibly docile, gentle, affectionate, and easy going. You'd be hard pressed to find a more tolerant, chilled out breed. They love company, and will tolerate being picked up and carried around, making them great for families with children and are known for greeting their owners at the door and cuddling up in bed. Generally the more love and affection you show your Ragdoll, the more love you will receive back!
Some other cuddly cat breeds include the Maine Coon, Persian, Siamese and Scottish Fold.
Looking for more information on the Ragdoll? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Ragdoll Cats.
The Siamese breed is known for being vocal and opinionated, and will happily have conversations with their owners, responding vocally to questions. They are agile, energetic and excellent jumpers, and love to frequent high places. Siamese are loving, affectionate and bond strongly with their owners, and because of this are not suitable to be left home alone for extended periods of time. They can be chatty little busy-bodies though, and should only be adopted by owners that love this unique quality.
The Siamese is believed to be one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. The exact origin of the breed is unknown, but it is suspected that the Siamese originated in Thailand as early as the 13th or 14th centuries.The Siamese cat is recorded to be the legendary temple cat of the King of Siam. Legend has it that Siamese were guardians for the King. They would perch on pillars around his palace and jump down onto individuals who threatened the King. The breed is easily recognisable with long limbs, a slender body, and a triangular-shaped face with large ears. The coat of the Siamese is always 'pointed', with darker markings around the ears, face, limbs and tail.
Other cat breeds that love to talk include the Oriental Shorthair, Sphynx, Japanese Bobtail and Burmese.
Looking for more information on the Siamese? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Siamese Cats.
Bengals are known for being fond of playing in water. It is not uncommon to find them trying to join their owner for a bath or shower and some Bengals will even swim if given the opportunity.
Originally bred by crossing a wild Asian leopard cat with a domestic shorthair, the Bengal first originated in the United States in the 1970s. It is this wild cat ancestry and naturally curious and confident personalities that make Bengals an active, full of energy and often a mischievous breed. Highly intelligent, confident and friendly, they are generally easy to train, with many Bengals enjoying being walked on a lead.
Their high level of intelligence and naturally curious nature means they require lots of mental stimulation. They thrive on games and puzzles - and boredom is often the cause of their notorious mischief! These guys will need to keep their buzzing minds busy with a whole lot of interactive toys.
Other cat breeds that love the water include the Manx, Maine Coon, Turkish Van and American Bobtail.
Looking for more information on the Bengal? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Bengal Cat.
The Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat breed in the world, reaching an average weight of 8kg and a body length of 40-80cm. According to the Guinness World Records the title of the World's Longest Domestic Cat belonged to Stewie, a Maine Coon measuring in at 123 cm in length!
Often dubbed 'gentle giants', Maine Coons are easy going and loyal with a playful and intelligent nature. They are highly adaptable and get along with other pets and children, making them an excellent family pet. Their high level of intelligence and moderate to high energy levels mean that Maine Coons enjoy interactive play and are well suited to learning tricks and commands.
Other large cat breeds include the Savannah, Norwegian Forest and Ragdoll.
Looking for more information on the Maine Coon? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Maine Coon Cats.
The Persian breed are known for their long-flowing, soft coats and fluffy appearance. They have a distinct appearance with a round face, flattened muzzle, big eyes and widely set ears. They are known for their quiet and sweet personalities and while they are affectionate, they will reserve this for close family members. Due to their wonderful long coats, they require daily grooming to maintain their elegant appearance.
An old breed, the Persian originated in Mesopotamia, originally Persia, and was imported by Italian nobleman Pietro Della Valle to Europe in 1626. Years of breeding has given rise to the modern Persian breed appearance.
Other common breeds with amazingly fluffy coats include the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, Ragdoll and Siberian.
Looking for more information on the Persian? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Persian Cats.
Despite their plush, teddy bear-like appearance and calm demeanour, British Shorthairs have a surprising playful streak that shines through, especially with interactive toys like teaser toys they can chase. They’re curious, clever, and love interactive play, making them entertaining companions without being overly demanding. Their balanced mix of chill and cheeky means they’ll happily amuse themselves, but also enjoy engaging with their humans in short, fun bursts of activity.
Other playful breeds include the Bengal, Abyssinian and American Bobtail.
Looking for more information on the Persian? Read our article The Complete Breed Guide For Norwegian Forest Cats.
