14 Rarest Cat Breeds in the World (With Info & Pictures)

Along with dogs, cats are one of the most common and popular pets in the world, with the vast majority of pet cats being moggies or mixed breeds. There are, however, dozens of pedigree breeds around the world, including some like the Ragdoll and Maine Coon which are popular pet breeds and are seen in homes in most countries.

Others, like the Sokoke, are very rare and even if you did want one as a pet, they cost a lot of money and it can be very difficult to locate a reputable breeder. Below are 14 of the rarest cat breeds in the world, many of which you may not have even heard of.

The 14 Rarest Cat Breeds in the World

1. American Wirehair

cat sitting on the roof — Image Credit: Fernando Calmon, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

8–10 inches

Weight:

10–15 pounds

Lifespan:

15–17 years

Colors:

All colors

Suitable for:

Any pet-friendly home

Temperament:

Lovable, agreeable, playful

The American Shorthair is a well-known breed, but the American Wirehair is considered a rare breed. The breed was developed to hunt rodents including mice and rats and was first bred in New York. Rather than the soft coat of breeds like the Shorthair, it has a wiry coat. These rare cats are becoming more popular, but it remains an unusual breed, especially outside the US.

2. Burmilla Cat

Cream Burmilla — Image Credit: Nynke van Holten, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

10–12 inches

Weight:

6–13 pounds

Lifespan:

7–15 years

Colors:

Blue, black, chocolate, caramel, lilac, beige, apricot

Suitable for:

Families, apartment living, companionship for singles and seniors

Temperament:

Affectionate, social, easy-going

The Burmilla was originally bred in the UK, in 1981, as a cross between the Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian cat. Of the parent breeds, the Burmese is confident but demanding while the Persian is more laid back. The resulting Burmilla breed is affectionate but not too demanding of your time and attention—it still retains a little independence.

3. Chartreux Cat

Breed Overview

Height:

9–11 inches

Weight:

6–9 pounds

Lifespan:

12–16 years

Colors:

Blue, silver-grey

Suitable for:

Singles, small and large families, seniors, and anyone looking for a quiet feline

Temperament:

Loving, docile, friendly

While some of the rare cats on this list are relatively new, helping to explain why they're so uncommon, this isn’t true of the Chartreux. This French breed has been used for hunting and has the skills to boost. It is a quiet cat, enabling it to sneak up on its quarry. It is also agile, muscular, and very athletic, so it is well-equipped for any chase that might ensue. In the home, the Chartreux likes to observe but retains its independence. It does show affection but is not usually an overly cuddly cat.

4. Cornish Rex

Black Cornish Rex Cat — Image Credit: absolutimages, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Length:

8 – 12 inches

Weight:

5 – 10 pounds

Lifespan:

10 – 15 years

Colors:

Black, ebony, blue, gray, chocolate, brown, sable, cream, beige, tan, orange, white

Suitable for:

Active families and individuals looking for a low-shedding cat.

Temperament:

Affectionate, loyal, friendly, intelligent, quick learners, gets along well with other pets

While the Devon Rex has become a popular breed in the US, the Cornish Rex, which comes from one county away from the Devon Rex, has not gained the same popularity. The Cornish has a curly coat and is a very good hunter. Owners need to find new and fun ways to entertain their Cornish Rex, or they can get bored.

5. Egyptian Mau Cat

Breed Overview

Height:

8–10 inches

Weight:

7–9 pounds

Lifespan:

13–15 years

Colors:

Silver, bronze, smoke, solid black, blue silver, blue spotted, blue smoke, solid blue

Suitable for:

Apartment living, families with older children, most lifestyles

Temperament:

Strong-minded, active, fearless, playful

The Egyptian Mau is a fairly slender cat that has a coat consisting of a base color with black spots. It is the perfect mix of lively and loving. It is also one breed that enjoys playing in the water and it is highly intelligent, which means that you may find it playing in the shower and you will need to offer plenty of stimulation and entertainment.

6. Korat

Korat Cat — Image Credit: gd_project, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

15–18 inches

Weight:

6–10 pounds

Lifespan:

10–15 years

Colors:

Blue, gray

Suitable for:

Individuals and families who are home a lot

Temperament:

Loving, in charge, regal, possessive, affectionate, selective

Hailing from Thailand, the Korat is a very rare cat indeed. In their homeland, Korats are considered lucky, but their rarity means that you may have a hunt on your hands. The cat was originally kept as companions in temples, and they have a beautiful blue coat that really does grab attention.

7. Kurilian Bobtail Cat

Breed Overview

Height:

9 – 12 inches

Weight:

8 – 15 pounds

Lifespan:

15 – 20 years

Colors:

All possible color combinations and patterns except dilutes (chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and fawn)

Suitable for:

People who want a "wild-looking" cat that loves their family, those who want an outgoing and independent cat

Temperament:

Intelligent, loving, independent, trainable, playful, gentle

The Kurilian Bobtail Cat is a natural breed, which means that it developed and bred naturally rather than intentionally bred by people. It typically has the short tail that gives it the Bobtail name. This breed is a slow developer, growing and maturing until it reaches 5 years of age. This is because the breed can live as long as 20 years.

And, if you are fortunate enough to find a breeder, a Kurilian Bobtail kitten can cost thousands of dollars.

8. LaPerm Cat

Laperm chocolate silver tortie tabby on black background — Image Credit: Linn Currie Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Length:

6–10 inches

Weight:

8–10 pounds

Lifespan:

10–15 years

Colors:

Red tabby, chocolate tortoiseshell, calico, classic tabby, white, black, blue, and fawn

Suitable for:

Active families, those looking for a loving and friendly cat, and those with other pets

Temperament:

Loyal and loving, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, and gets along with other pets

The LaPerm cat originates in the US and can be difficult to find in other countries. Its most notable feature is its coat, which looks crimped or like a very loose perm. The breed is small, typically only weighing around 6 pounds, and it is known for being vocal and playful. It may not be the best choice of breed for owners that want a quiet life.

9. Minskin Cat

Breed Overview

Height:

5–7 inches

Weight:

6–9 pounds

Lifespan:

12–15 years

Colors:

Hairless, tabby, tortoiseshell, white

Suitable for:

Indoor-only homes

Temperament:

Playful, sociable, loving, outgoing, intelligent

The Minskin is a breed that was based on the short-legged Munchkin cat, combined with the hairless features of the Sphynx. It was developed in Boston, so the US is your best bet to find one of these breeds but there are very few of them in the world so it will be very difficult to find one. This breed may struggle with posture and mobility issues, as well as issues relating to the thin patches of fur and minimal protection offered to the skin.

10. Norwegian Forest Cat

cameo tabby norwegian forest cat sitting on the log — Image Credit: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

9–11 inches

Weight:

9–16 pounds

Lifespan:

15–20 years

Colors:

60 different shades, with tabby being one of the most common

Suitable for:

Families looking for an outgoing and laidback cat with a love of climbing

Temperament:

Calm, outgoing, affectionate but not demanding, intelligent, and energetic

The Norwegian Forest Cat may be one of the better-known cats on this list, but it is still very difficult to find. Despite the name, it is believed that this breed does not really have any wild ancestors, and has been bred by humans, but its incredible coat does make it look like it belongs in a forest. That coat will require a lot of care and attention so expect to spend some time brushing and grooming.

11. Peterbald

Peterbald Cat on black background — Image Credit: Seregraff, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

8–10 inches

Weight:

7–14 pounds

Lifespan:

12–15 years

Colors:

Varied

Suitable for:

Families with small children, families with other pets, seniors, apartment dwellers

Temperament:

Friendly, affectionate, playful, intelligent

The Peterbald is another breed that is ideal for lovers of hairless cats. The Peterbald can be completely hairless, or it may have a layer of fuzz on its skin. It is also intelligent and athletic, with energy to burn. Other than its coat, or lack thereof, the Peterbald is also known for having big ears.

12. Sokoke Cat

Sokoke cat close up — Image Credit: COULANGES, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

7–8 inches

Weight:

6–10 pounds

Lifespan:

9–15 years

Colors:

Brown tabby

Suitable for:

Homes with children and dogs

Temperament:

Athletic, playful, intelligent

The Sokoke is arguably the rarest breed in the world. It hails from the coast of Kenya, where it is known for being a feral breed. As a feral breed, the Sokoke needs lots of exercise and can become bored quickly—if you let it outdoors, it may spend most of its time outside. It has only really started to gain recognition as a breed since 2015 so it may become more popular and widespread as its recognition increases.

13. Tonkinese Cat

Tonkinese cat on a beige — Image Credit: dezy, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

6–8 inches

Weight:

6–12 pounds

Lifespan:

10–16 years

Colors:

Fawn and black, Silver, Gray, Taupe, Blue, Lilac, Brown, Caramel

Suitable for:

Seniors, Apartment dwellers, Families with older children

Temperament:

Playful, Intelligent, Loyal & loving, Curious

The Tonkinese is a cross between the Siamese and the Burmese breeds. Although the first occurrence of the Tonkinese was an accident, it was intentionally bred from the 1950s onwards. They are affectionate cats that like a lot of attention and need plenty of exercise. They also have a long lifespan of up to 18 years.

14. Turkish Van

close up of Turkish Vankedisi cat — Image Credit: RauL C7, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Height:

14–17 inches

Weight:

7–18 pounds

Lifespan:

13–17 years

Colors:

White, blue, silver, red, brown, gray, black

Suitable for:

Families that aren’t overly affectionate and want a low-maintenance pet with hilarious antics

Temperament:

Funny, mischievous, clumsy, dignified, intelligent, energetic

The Turkish Van is a long-haired cat, that hails from Turkey, but despite its long coat, it is not a high-maintenance cat. The coat isn’t prone to matting or knotting and it doesn’t shed heavily, which means it is a suitable breed for those with cat allergies. The Van loves water and is a playful breed. Its almost pure white coat also makes it a popular breed with those who can find it.

Conclusion

While some breeds of cats are quite common, the 14 breeds listed above can be very difficult to find. If you are looking for a rare-breed cat, you still need to be diligent when choosing a breeder. Try to meet the parent cats, ask for documentation of the cat’s breed, and try to look around the premises before you commit to buying.