The first decision to be made before purchasing or adopting a cat is whether to get a short-haired breed or one of the long-haired breeds. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages, but beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder in this case. Once a preference for a long-haired breed has been established, seven different varieties may be considered.

The Persian may be the most popular breed of long-haired cats. It has short legs, but wears a wonderful glossy coat. Its tail is full and bushy while its large round eyes come in a variety of colors, including copper and blue.

The Himalayan is a well-known breed which is a cross between a Siamese and a Persian. These cats get their long coat from the genes of the Persian cat and their pattern of coloration from the Siamese. Himalayans come in a wide variety of colors. Many are a reddish color. Some are tortoise-shell. Others are even a chocolate brown or lilac.

Another long-haired cat is the Balinese. Its body shape is like the Siamese, but its hair is very silky and fine. Its hair grows to about 2 inches in length, and its tail often appears to be plumed.

A third choice for those desiring a long-haired cat is the Maine Coon. This is one of the largest cats. It so named because many feel that it resembles a raccoon. Its thick smooth coat is just beautiful and only grows to a medium length. It has a ruff of shaggy hair around its neck and fringes on its stomach and tail also. Even its paws have tufts of extra fur which are quite noticeable.

The Birman is a long-haired cat which is known for its sweet nature. It has a long body, short legs, and a bushy tail. Although its paws are always completely white, the coat it sports is an interesting colorpoint pattern.

Finally, two lesser-known breeds of long-haired cats are the Somali and Turkish Angora.
The Somali has traits quite similar to the Abyssinian, but it coat is quite thick and long.
The Turkish Angora has a long nose and a tiny head. Its long slender body is covered in medium-length hair, but it has big tufts between its toes and on the top of its ears.