Breed Profiles
Bred for beauty rather than function, the different cat breeds vary far less dramatically than say, a Chihuahua from a Great Dane. Nor has selective breeding in felines created the same wide range of personalities as is found in canine breeds. But some variations exist, most of which are tied to the different body types of the natural breeds. The larger, thick-coated cobby types, such as the Persian, hailing from the colder climes of Asia, displayed a reserved and placid temperament, while their foreign-bodied counterparts from warmer areas, such as the Siamese, tended toward liveliness. The body type in-between these two ends of the feline spectrum, best exemplified by the American shorthair, occupies a temperamental middle ground. Like the mixed-breed cat they resemble physically, in general these cats are neither particularly aloof nor especially demanding of affection and attention.
When cats are bred for extreme physical features, especially in the search for new breeds, physiological and health problems, as well as controversy, are bound to result. The dwarfism that causes short legs and sometimes restricts jumping ability in munchkins is considered too great a departure from the normal feline anatomy by some registries. The lack of hair in the sphinx deprives it of the ability to control its body temperature; due to fear of health problems, this breed is accepted by only one registry. Even established breeds such as the Persian have drawn fire for producing radical facial features that may result in breathing difficulties and constantly runny eyes.
Despite these controversies, most cat breeders and the registries that work to organize the thousands of shows around the world every year do more than simply promote purebred cats. They also raise the feline profile, which has a positive effect on the well-being of all cats.
