Black cats have gotten a bad name over the years. They are associated with being evil, being familiars in witchcraft, and playing the villains in many TV shows and movies. However, a black cat is no different than any other feline.
Black cats are loving, loyal, independent, and have great personalities, depending on the breed you decide to give a forever home. It’s also thought that black cats might live longer than some other breeds, so that’s a bonus as well.
If you’ve always wanted to adopt a black cat, you have several options. We’ll give you 15 of our favorite black cat breeds in the list below, so join us.
The 14 Black Cat Breeds
1. Bombay Cat
| Size: | 8 to 15 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 18 years |
If you’re searching for a gorgeous cat with a shimmering black coat, the Bombay cat is ideal. Developed in the 1950s, the Bombay is a cross between a black American Shorthair and a sable Burmese Cat.
They have a soft, short coat that feels like velvet and is easy to groom. Bombays get along well with children, pets, and cats; most are incredibly vocal. The Bombay cat is a favorite among pet lovers with their charming, easygoing personality.
2. Persian Cat
| Size: | 7 to 12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 17 years |
The Persian cat is another black cat breed that is absolutely gorgeous. With a glossy black coat and flat face, the Persian is easy to recognize. The breed became well-known and popular in 1871 during a Crystal Palace cat show. A Persian cat was also said to be Queen Victoria’s favorite cat during her reign.
This breed has a long, luxurious coat, so it’s important to note that the Persian requires a lot of grooming to be healthy, gorgeous, and happy. They will do best in a home that is quiet most of the time. They are affectionate but quite shy, especially around strangers.
3. Chantilly-Tiffany Cat
| Size: | 8 to 12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 7 to 12 years |
The Chantilly-Tiffany cat isn’t just a black cat; they also have cinnamon, chocolate, and lilac coats. However, they are born with black fur that is amazingly soft. They become attached to their pet parents and follow them everywhere.
Since they have problems being alone, Chantilly-Tiffany cats are better suited for owners who spend most of their time at home. They make terrific lap cats because they are affectionate, loyal, and social. If you’re looking for these qualities in a cat, this black beauty is a good choice.
4. Maine Coon Cat
| Size: | 10+ pounds |
| Lifespan: | 13 to 14 years |
If you’re looking for a large black cat breed, you’ll love the Maine Coon. They are among the largest domestic cats on the planet and are as gentle and loving as they are large. It’s best to install perches and cat trees for a Maine Coon since they enjoy climbing quite a bit.
Maine Coons look stunning with fluffy black coats, but they can be tabby’s, and for solid colors, you have your choice of black, blue, white, cream, and red. They have long, thick fur, so there’s quite a bit of maintenance involved in caring for the Maine Coon.
5. Norwegian Forest Cat
| Size: | 12 to 16 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 16 years |
The Norwegian Forest cat appeared on the scene in 1979 in the United States and is thought to have been used on Viking ships to hunt rodents. While they can certainly still hunt rodents, they are usually kept as pets and companions today.
The Norwegian Forest cat has long, glossy fur that comes in several colors, making it a beautiful, fluffy black cat. They are comfortable in cold climates because of their long hair. As with any of the long-haired cats on the list, you can expect this Norwegian long-haired black cat to be challenging to groom.
6. Japanese Bobtail Cat
| Size: | 6 to 10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9 to 15 years |
The Japanese Bobtail is known for being playful, intelligent, and social. They’re available in a variety of colors, and they’re laidback and love nothing more than to curl up in the lap of their owners or follow them around the house.
A black Japanese Bobtail Cat has coal black, sleek black fur that doesn’t require as much grooming as some of the other black cats on our list. That, combined with the cat’s gentle nature, makes them a great family pet.
7. Sphynx Cat
| Size: | 6 to 12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8 to 14 years |
The Sphynx cat is a hairless cat with skin that determines their coat color, so it is possible to end up with a black Sphynx. However, grooming them, even without fur, can be complicated if you’re not careful.
They require weekly baths to prevent the oil on their skin from clogging their pores. Also, you can’t have the Sphynx out in the sun, heat, or cold since they have no fur to protect them, and extreme temperatures can damage their skin and make them very sick.
However, the Sphynx make good pets, and they’re intelligent and friendly and bond closely with their owners.
8. British Shorthair Cat
| Size: | 9 to 18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 15 to 20 years |
British Shorthair cats are well-known for their vibrant blue fur, but they can have black coats. They are also beloved for their easy-going attitude, intelligence, and quiet nature. The black variety is jet black with gold eyes, making them a gorgeous breed.
They are great pets for families and singles, and grooming them isn’t hard. The British Shorthair is so easygoing that pet owners have no problem keeping them around other animals, including birds and other exotic pets.
9. American Shorthair Cat
| Size: | 10 to 15 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 20 years |
The American Shorthair is one of the most popular felines in America. They started as working cats and quickly evolved into companions and pets. The breed usually lives for 15 years or longer and is the perfect pet for kids.
They come in numerous colors, including black, and have an intriguing history. It’s possible that the first ancestors of the American Shorthair cats came over on the Mayflower.
10. Exotic Shorthair Cat
| Size: | 10 to 12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8 to 15 years |
The Exotic Shorthair cat has often been called the lazy man’s Persian. They have faces that are similar to Persians, but they have much shorter fur. Therefore, they require much less grooming. While the Exotic Shorthair comes in black, they can also be found in several other colors.
They live between 10 and 15 years and make exceptional pets. If you let them, they have no problem lying around and doing nothing all day.
11. Ragamuffin Cat
| Size: | 10 to 20 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 18 years |
The Ragamuffin cat has thick, long fur that makes them appear much larger and heavier than they are. They come in several colors, including gorgeous black. Ragamuffins are among the best breeds for families with small children because they tolerate slight roughhousing and are patient and calm.
Their luxurious coats require daily brushing, and because they establish strong bonds with their families, they don’t like being alone. They love to play games and can be taught to play fetch and walk on a leash, but when the family settles down, the Ragamuffin is a black cat breed that is happy to curl up in someone’s lap.
12. Turkish Angora Cat
| Size: | 8 to 15 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9 to 14 years |
The Turkish Angora Cat has been compared to the Angora Rabbit. They have a small head, soft fur, and a thick tail. They get along with other animals and make great pets.
However, they consider themselves the boss of any household, so training and socialization may be needed to show the cat who is the alpha animal in your home. Turkish Angoras are available in several colors and patterns, but the black coat is one of the most stunning.
13. Selkirk Rex Cat
| Size: | 6 to 16 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 15 to 20 years |
The Selkirk Rex cat has Persian heritage, with a flat nose, round head, and big eyes. Their fur is soft but takes a bit of grooming to take care of. Although they’re skilled groomers, Selkirk Rexes have curly hair that makes them look unkempt and fuzzy.
They were developed after a Persian cat had a litter with three curly-haired cats in 1988. They’re gentle cats that don’t require as much exercise as most breeds, and they prefer lying around the house to running and playing games.
14. Oriental Cat
| Size: | 8 to 12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 15 years |
The Oriental cat is a cross between a Siamese and a few breeds, such as the American and British Shorthairs, Abyssinians, domestic cats, and Russian Blue cats.
Oriental cats have short hair, so they are pretty simple to groom. They are incredibly social and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many gorgeous black cats in the world. Whether it’s an Oriental or a gigantic Maine Coon, if you choose to give a black cat a forever home, you’ll get a loyal, loving, precious pet in return. Although black cats have a bad reputation due to irrational fears and legends, they are friendly creatures that make phenomenal pets.
See also:
- Maine Coon vs American Shorthair Cat: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)
- Silver Maine Coon Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock
The 14 Black Cat Breeds
8 Responses
all of them are special to someone aren't they
That’s right, please consider sending good quality pictures to enroll them in our Cat of the Week contest: https://www.catster.com/submit-your-cat/ 🙂
I mention of the Manx. My Manx has long silky thick hair . . Short tail…maybe an inch or so. Beautiful, good temperament, 4 years old now, weighs 14.5 lbs.
Wow Lorraine! He sounds absolutely gorgeous! We'd love to feature him as our Cat of the Week. Please submit a high-quality picture of your cat here: https://www.catster.com/submit-your-cat/. We'd be thrilled to include his photo in our posts!
these cats are so sigma
Hi Tranium, thanks for your comment. Yes, Black cats are special!
I have had 2 black cat have one left his moma I ha for 17 year now ha to him for 15 years love them both now have an a orange tabby since birth bottle fed him and he is 3 love him also they are my babies
Hi Margaret forney, thanks for loving cats and for sharing their stories.