Cats come in all shapes and sizes. While they don’t have the same diversity as dog breeds, cats have different physical traits. Shorthaired cats offer a beautifully diverse selection of coat colors and patterns while being easily manageable for owners to groom. In this article, we’ll discuss shorthaired cat breeds and what makes them special.
The 15 Shorthaired Cat Breeds
1. British Shorthair Cat
| Weight: | 8–16lbs |
| Lifespan: | 12–20 years |
The British Shorthair cat is one of the most recognizable cats around. Their round faces and chunky bodies are a reason for their popularity, but their plush fur is the star attraction. British Shorthairs are an old breed hailing from cats found naturally in Britain, and they’re loyal and loving after they overcome their initial shyness. Most people picture a beautiful blue coat and yellow eyes adorning the British Shorthair, but they come in several colors and patterns (including tabby and tortoiseshell).
2. Bombay
| Weight: | 6–10 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 15–20 years |
The Bombay is a special breed that resembles a miniature panther. These shorthair cats are sleek and muscular with deep black coats that shine. The Bombay’s beautiful fur, paired with their copper eyes, is unlike any other! These gorgeous cats require little brushing to keep in check and are known for being very loving and affectionate with their owners! Bombays are lap cats that stick to their owners and wait anxiously at the door for them to return when they leave.
3. Egyptian Mau
| Weight: | 6–14 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
The Egyptian Mau is a beautiful cat that shares its ancestry with the cats the Ancient Egyptians worshipped. These slender and large-eyed felines have lovely spotted coats and a signature eyeliner around their eyes, which gives them an exotic look.
They’re the only breed of cat that’s naturally spotted. The Mau is quite reserved with strangers but commands attention from its owners, and they come in three gorgeous colors: black smoke, bronze, and black silver.
4. Havana
| Weight: | 6–10 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 8–15 years |
The Havana is a rare cat originating in Britain and was first shown in the 1800s. They resemble Siamese cats in build and facial features, but they have a deep, rich, chocolate-lilac or mahogany-brown coat that showcases their piercing green eyes. Havanas are affectionate and curious, always seeking out the sources of sounds or investigating new things. Their coat is thick and lustrous and shines over the cat’s muscular body.
5. Russian Blue
| Weight: | 8–15 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 15–25 years |
Russian Blues are a sight to behold. Their smoky, true-blue coat glistens as they move, and they seem to know how pretty they are! The blue coat is tipped with silver, which is the only color variation allowed in the breed. Russian Blues are loving and attentive and have “dog-like” personalities. They play fetch and can learn many tricks, and they always look amazing thanks to their unusual silver hue. The Russian Blue’s coat is dense and short, and they often only need brushing a few times a week to keep them looking stunning.
6. Siamese
| Weight: | 8–15 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 15–20 years |
The talkative and confident Siamese has a very recognizable coat. Sleek, fine, and lying close to the body, the Siamese’s coat is usually cream with color points such as chocolate or red. They have large ears and long noses, and they’re some of the longest-lived cat breeds; Siamese cats frequently live into their 20s! Siamese cats love to cuddle up with their owners, and the contrast between their pale bodies and points makes them a very distinctive breed in a class all of its own.
7. Singapura
| Weight: | 5–8 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 11–15 years |
The sweet-faced Singapura is the smallest breed of domestic cat, but they’re packed with energy. They are so well-loved that they even became the national cat of Singapore and are now a national treasure! The short and sleek coat of the Singapura comes in beautiful sepia tones, contrasted with their large, light-blue eyes. They have ticking that features grey, yellow, and sable against a background of soft ivory.
8. Bengal
| Weight: | 6–15lbs |
| Lifespan: | 12–20 years |
The exotic Bengal is an instantly recognizable shorthair cat and one of the most popular in the world. The Bengal has a coat of rich and contrasting colors that are either spotted or marbled, and they come in various colors, including silver, tabby, and brown. Bengals are intelligent and loving cats, constantly sticking to their owners and exploring every nook and cranny around the home.
They are very active and require several toys to keep their minds stimulated, but they often adapt well to being taken out for walks on a harness and leash to let off some steam!
9. Abyssinian
| Weight: | 6–10 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
The Abyssinian is a richly colored shorthair cat with an unusual, ticked banding of agouti on their coats. Abyssinians have several bands of colors running up each hair shaft, including golds, browns, and blacks.
These cats are silly by nature, despite their svelte and regal looks! They’re good cats for families and love to play, and the coat is dense and firm rather than soft and wavy. The Abyssinian’s coat and temperament that has earned them a spot in the top 10 most popular cat breeds in the world!
10. Exotic Shorthair
| Weight: | 6–15 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 8–11 years |
The distinctive Exotic Shorthair belongs to the Persian type group and is easily recognizable by their short faces and stocky bodies. Exotic Shorthairs are thick and sturdily built, but their hair is very short and coarse compared to others in their breed type. They come in many colors and patterns, including tabby, red, chocolate, and cream, and they’re incredibly friendly and gentle despite their size. The Persian is the longhaired variety of the Exotic Shorthair, and the Exotic is more inquisitive thanks to its short-haired ancestors.
11. Cornish Rex
| Weight: | 5–10 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 15–20 years |
The Cornish Rex is a different type of shorthaired cat, and they are one of the only breeds with curly hair! The rex has tightly curled or waved fur that lays close to the skin, and they don’t have any guard hairs, meaning the coat is always glossy. However, the Cornish Rex is prone to a grease build-up on their skin and between their toes, so they still need some grooming! They are loving and affectionate, and you won’t find a more loyal lap cat than the Cornish Rex. All colors are permitted by cat fancy organizations, from the darkest black to the brightest white.
12. Korat
| Weight: | 6–10 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
The Korat is a Thai breed that signifies good luck and wealth and has beautiful silver-blue fur. The Korat is an expressive, affectionate, intelligent feline, and they bond very closely with their humans. They are known to be very gentle with children. Korats have a heart-shaped head (the only breed that does), and their coat doesn’t have an underlayer, so it lies close to the skin.
Korats love being groomed, so daily brushing (even though they don’t strictly need it) will keep them looking sleek and shiny while giving them the attention they crave.
13. American Shorthair Cat
| Weight: | 6–12 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 15–20 years |
American Shorthairs are absolute sweethearts, easy-going, and tolerant of children. They have lovely faces and sweet expressions wrapped up in a very luxurious coat. American Shorthairs have dense fur that’s lustrous and thick, and they come in various colors and patterns, including tabby, silver, brown, and tabby with white. Because of the thickness of their fur, the American Shorthair needs more grooming than some other shorthaired breeds.
14. Tonkinese
| Weight: | 6–12 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
Tonkinese cats are another ancient breed that originated from Siamese and Burmese cats. They are some of the most affectionate cats and constantly stay by their owner’s sides (or even on their shoulders!). Tonkinese cats have short, soft coats that sit closely on their bodies and come in various colors. Chocolate, seal, cinnamon, blue, red, lilac, fawn, and cream can all be found in this cat, and there are also beautiful tortoiseshell-patterned Tonkinese. Their silky coat sets off the aqua-colored eyes and gives them an exotic appearance.
15. Chartreux
| Weight: | 7–16 lbs |
| Lifespan: | 11–15 Years |
The Chartreux is a gentle cat with soft features and beautiful golden-orange eyes. Their luminous eyes contrast beautifully with their deep gray fur, and the rounded face of the Chartreux makes them look as if they’re always smiling. They’re calm and collected, very gentle with children and affectionate towards their families. They’re not overly active but need time to play and exercise. They’re also one of the few breeds that only have blue coats. However, they have guard hairs that may be silver-tipped, giving them an almost ethereal glow.
Final Thoughts
These beautiful, shorthaired cats have unique traits that make them special. No matter which cat you choose, all these breeds have easily manageable coats, especially compared to longhaired cats. Some breeds are more outgoing than others, and your chosen cat will depend on your preferences and what you want from a cat. If you select a cat on this list, you’ll have a pet with some of the most beautiful, lustrous short hair in the feline world!
See Also:
- Brazilian Shorthair Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits
- Chartreux vs. British Shorthair: The Differences (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Apisit Hrpp, Shutterstock
The 15 Shorthaired Cat Breeds
