While many cats have soft fur, long tails and a familiar feline shape, some breeds defy expectations. Whether it's the sleek, hairless sphynx or the werewolf-like Lykoi, these cats have developed bizarre and surreal traits and appearances through natural mutations or selective breeding.
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They're all recognised as registered breeds with the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. From ancient beauties to modern marvels, here are some of the strangest, most distinctive cat breeds in the UK.
For anyone thinking about buying a pedigree kitten animal welfare charities like Cats Protection are asking them to think carefully about the breed they choose.
While some pedigree cats are responsibly bred, unfortunately, there are still plenty of hazards for unwary buyers. Many people are drawn to a cat’s ‘cute’ or ‘unusual’ appearance without realising the extreme body types of some breeds can result in severe health problems.
Breeds with traits like hairlessness, short legs, or a flat-face might seem adorable, but the reality can include hefty vet bills, complex care needs, and, tragically, a poor quality of life for the cats themselves.
For anyone considering buying a kitten from a breeder, the charity recommends choosing a breeder who is registered with the Governing Council of Cat Fancy (GCFF) and referring to the Kitten Checklist on the Cats Protection website.
Weirdest cat breeds
Sphynx cat
There’s nothing quite like a hairless cat to raise an eyebrow or two. The sphynx cat has a chamois leather-like texture to its skin, and will require additional care due to its lack of hair. It might look like an ancient breed, but in fact the sphynx cat only originated in the 1960s in Toronto, when a natural genetic mutation resulted in a hairless kitten, who was named Prune.
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Manx cat
Originating on the Isle of Man, the Manx cat is a skilled hunter and was used initially as a ship’s cat. They are unusual in their absence (or small stub) of tail, which has been developed as a naturally occurring mutation – although Isle of Man folklore insists that tailless domestic cats were brought to the island by sea. There is lots of folklore surrounding the Manx cat, with one story suggesting that the biblical figure of Noah closed the door of the Ark when it began to rain, and accidentally cut the tail off the Manx cat who had been left behind.
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Cornish Rex cat
The Cornish Rex cat breed originates from a natural mutation that occurred in Cornwall in the 1950s, when a tortoiseshell and white short-hair cat gave birth two a litter of kittens, the fifth of which had curls and whiskers. The large ears are set high on the head and are mussel shell shaped, with rounded edges. The Devon Rex is a very similar cat, also with a curly coat, but is smaller in stature, with a stockier build.
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Lykoi cat
The lykoi is one of the more recent additions to the UK’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, and it takes its name from the Greek word for ‘wolf’ in reference to its wolflike appearance. Its striking coat in a roan pattern, with white hairs scattered across the coat.
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LaPerm cat
The first LaPerms arrived in the UK in 2002 and full championship recognition was granted by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 2012, making it one of the newest recognised breeds of cat in the UK. It’s a curly-coated cat of the Rex type, with its name recognising the perm-like curls found all over its body, and particularly on its belly. The breed originates from Oregon in the US, when a curly-haired kitten was born from a working farm cat.
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Persian cat
The Persian is the glamorous old dame of the cat world. It has been around for centuries and was one of the earliest cats found in Britain. They are easily recognised by their round head, short face, snub nose and round cheeks. A muscular body sits underneath a full, thick coat – which, unsurprisingly, requires regular grooming.
