G'day,

I am considering getting a new kitty and wondering which breed would best suit me (I’ve owned domestic cats for most of my life) I am partial to the larger breeds that resemble real wild cats like the Savannah, Bengal or Egyptian Mau. I would also like one that I can train to walk on a lead. Of course I want my cat to be very affectionate, loving and social. I very much want one with either spots or leopard spotted rosettes, and the bigger the better as far as I’m concerned!

I have been looking on the cat rescue/adoption sites and have found several adds for cats and kittens that need new homes but am still trying to decide on a breed. Unfortunately many of these adds are for 2 or more kittens/cats but I think I should only get one for now.

My cats are well cared for and I keep mine indoors or outdoors in a Caboodle/cat enclosure and I do not like them roaming free on the street. I live in a rural area so want to keep them safe from snakes and also want to keep the local wildlife such as birds safe from them.

I imagine that disposition is not necessarily dependent on breed but on the individual “Catinality” however, I think that some breeds may exhibit certain traits more frequently then others so that is why I am asking this question:

Which breed that resembles a wild cat is best for me?

Egyptian Mau
Bengal
Savannah
Or are there other breeds like this that I am not yet aware of?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Sooky

Savannah's aren't allowed in Australia.

Ocicats are bred to look like wild cats, without any wild blood. They originated from Siamese and Abyssinian in the 50's.

Oci's are very easy to train, they love walking on a harness, are social and outgoing.

You're unlikely to find a pedigree Mau or Oci on a rescue site. You could always get one rescue cat and one pedigree from a breeder to keep each other company. A tabby pattered domestic could fill your needs for a wild look too.

You wrote:
>Savannah's aren't allowed in Australia.

Ok thanks. I did not know that.

>Ocicats are bred to look like wild cats, without any wild blood. They originated from Siamese and Abyssinian in the 50's.

I'll check them out and also check out your web site!

?Oci's are very easy to train, they love walking on a harness, are social and outgoing.

Wonderful.

>You're unlikely to find a pedigree Mau or Oci on a rescue site.

Actually, I've found several Egyptian Mau up for adoption in Canberra listed here: http://au.catsadoptions.com/catclassifieds/search#kittens

>You could always get one rescue cat and one pedigree from a breeder to keep each other company. A tabby pattered domestic could fill your needs for a wild look too.

I already have two domestic cats. One is my aged Calico "Sooky". She is the love of my life and is now 17 years old. The last time we saw the vet he told me that she maybe had another year to live so I am heart broken but know that she has lived a good long age. This is one reason why I am starting to think about getting a new kitten. I also have a white semi-long haired domestic cat named "Whitey". He is young and very healthy.

Would there be a problem introducing a new kitten to Whitey? I would only do this after Sooky has gone.

Unfortunately that website is just a scam site, none of the kittens are actually available and the photos have been stolen from breeder websites.

A friend of mine has been trying to get her photos removed from that site for quite some time, they don't even list the kittens as the correct breed.

I back Amanda up about this site.
They ask a 'small' amount for a kitten and then take your money and run!

It is a definate scam site, sadly

Yes, a scam. I am so embarrassed as I can usually spot a scam.

Dont be... they are getting more cunning, sadly!

I love the Bengal

Would go for the Occitan over the Bengal or mau unless you like really noisy cats - you can always tell the bengals at the shows as like the group 2 cats you always hear them long before you see them.

I've never been to a cat show but would love to go sometime. I live in a small rural regional town in Southern NSW so am a bit far from the regional cities. I have owned horses for many years and used to show horses. Now that I'm getting older (I'm pushing 60) I no longer ride so no longer show as well. I have a few miniature horses that I used to show but have not done that since 2005.

What are "Group 2 cats"? What are the different groups in general? Please explain!

I think my heart is set on getting a BIG BENGAL!

Does anybody know how/where I can get the cat clickable smilies into my personal email programe? I have a cat loving (Burmese) friend in Sydney who would also love to have them.

Group 1 - longhairs - Persian, Birman, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Siberian, Norwegian Forest, Turkish Van, Exotic
Group 2 - Siamese, Balinese, Foreign White (longhair and shorthair), Oriental
Group 3 - all other breeds (too many to list, mostly shorthairs though)

Bengals like most cats, do have a certain size they are in general bred to,m so you are unlikely to get an oversize one, if you want a huge cat, then you need to go for a Maine Coon. Bengal - well, hope you and the other cats are up to the excess energy within the household, one thing you will need to consider is if you are bringing a cat that is vastly different activity wise to the other kitty occupants is how they are gong to cope with that.

Thanks for this info!



I currently have a very large white semi-long haired domestic cat that is very active. Not sure how introducing a Bengal kitten would go with him? The most important trait for me would not be size but social ability. I want a cat that is very social and people friendly. My beloved "Sooky" who I used as my username here is now 17 years old. She is a beautiful calico and is the most loving cat I've ever owned. She loves to give me head butts and will lick me. I want my next kitty to have a temperament like that.

Maybe look at Maine Coons if you want a really large cat, they seem to have great personalities too.

Well I have a coonie ..and they certainly ARE characters ...Huey loves all other cats ..he loves to play ..whether they play back or not ..he's very active ..ummm not extra bright but very sweet ..and has a wild look about him..
Your big dommie would certainly have a good mate in a coonie ..and my coonie grooms me..I have coonie spit in my hair as I type ..lol.....he is a big smooch ..

Gp 2 also includes Oriental Longhair and Peterbald, along with Siamese, Oriental Shorthair, Foreign White Shorthair, Balinese, Foreign White Longhair. Not all are loud, although some do have a voice like a fog horn lol. A chatty, active, intelligent breed group.