10 Cat Breeds That Start With C: A Pawsome Collection

The diverse world of cats contains so many captivating breeds starting with the letter C. From the elegant Chartreux to the curly-coated Cornish Rex, C cat breeds display a delightful range of appearances and personalities. In this article, we will explore 8 of these marvelous C-name breeds, appreciating what makes each of them special.

California Spangled

With its exotic coat resembling an ocelot, the California Spangled immediately captures attention. Bred to resemble small wildcats, the California Spangled has a sleek, muscular build with vivid markings in black, brown, gold, and silver. Their coats are short to medium in length.

Despite their wild look, California Spangled cats have sweet, loyal personalities when properly socialized. They bond deeply with their families while remaining cautious around strangers. An ideal environment for this breed provides plenty of toys, cat trees, and interactive play to satisfy their active nature.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 12-15 years
• Personality: Bonds deeply with family. Wary around strangers unless socialized. Active and energetic.
• Coat: Short to medium length coat with vivid spotted/marbled patterns. Low shedding.
• Size: Medium, 6-10 lbs. Muscular foreign type build.

Fun Fact:

While the California Spangled is named after the state of California, it’s worth noting that there’s limited documentation about it being proposed as the official state cat.

Chantilly-Tiffany

At first glance, the Chantilly-Tiffany resembles a longhaired Siamese. Originating from a cross between Burmese and Abyssinian cats, Chantilly-Tiffanys have a semi-foreign build with long, silky fur. This breed comes in many colors but is best known for the chocolate brown and cinnamon coat colors.

The Chantilly shares the Burmese love of people but in a more relaxed way. They thrive on attention and playtime with their families. While lively and affectionate, Chantilly-Tiffanys are less vocal and demanding than Orientals. Overall, they make exceptionally loving, tranquil companions.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 9-15 years
• Personality: Affectionate, tranquil, thrives on attention. Gentle yet lively. Less vocal than other Orientals.
• Coat: Long, silky coat. Minimal shedding. Most commonly chocolate, cinnamon, seal point.
• Size: Medium-sized, 5-10 lbs. Muscular semi-foreign body.

Fun Fact:

Thomas Lynn Hemsley who began the Chantilly-Tiffany breed was a prominent figure in the theater world, which helped promote early awareness of this breed.

Chartreux

With its muscular body covered in a dense water-resistant coat, the Chartreux is sometimes called the “French bulldog of cats”. Believed to have originated centuries ago from feral cats in France, Chartreux cats are renowned for their robust health and strong bond with their families. These cats have stocky bodies with broad heads and a blue coat.

The Chartreux personality is best described as gentle giants. They are calm, quiet cats that thrive in a stable environment with their trusted people. Chartreux cats observe everything with their bright orange eyes that glow against their unique blue fur. While not overly demonstrative, Chartreux love spending time near their preferred humans.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 12-15 years
• Personality: Gentle, calm yet observant and intelligent. Thrives on stability. Devotedly bonds with family.
• Coat: Short, dense, wooly double coat. Water-repellent. Comes only in blue/grey.
• Size: Medium-large, 7-16 lbs. Sturdy, powerful build.

Fun Fact:

The water-repellent coat of the Chartreux was likely an adaption to the wet conditions these cats lived in centuries ago as maritime ship’s cats.

Chausie

One glimpse of the tall, long-legged Chausie reveals its ancestry containing jungle cats like the Jungle Cat. Chausies have a solid, muscular foreign type build standing noticeably taller than most domestic cats. Their short coats come in black, brown ticked tabby, and grizzled patterns.

These cats are exceptionally athletic and energetic, capable of impressive vertical leaps and dashes of speed. Chausies thrive when allowed outdoor access or given ample play time and cat towers for climbing. Despite their drive, Chausies form close bonds and can be leash-trained when properly motivated.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 15-20 years
• Personality: Exceptionally energetic, athletic, and intelligent. Needs interactive play and environmental enrichment. Bonds strongly with family.
• Coat: Short, thick, ticked tabby coat. Minimal grooming required.
• Size: Large, 10-30 lbs. Very tall, long-legged muscular build.

Fun Fact:

The Chausie is one of the larger breeds of domestic cats, known for their tall and athletic stature. However, they don’t stand anywhere near 3 feet at the shoulder; they are notably taller than many other domestic breeds.

Colorpoint Shorthair

Elegantly adorned with point markings reminiscent of a Siamese, the Colorpoint Shorthair was bred to expand the Siamese gene pool. However, unlike Siamese, Colorpoints allow a diversity of coat colors like red, cream, tortoiseshell, and lynx points over a white base. This breed has a sleek, graceful, yet muscular build like their Siamese cousins.

Since bred from Siamese lines, Colorpoints share the outgoing, intelligent personality of Siamese cats. They are highly communicative, energetic, and desirous of human interaction. Due to their shared ancestry, Colorpoints thrive when given the same attention and care as classical Siamese cats.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 12-16 years
• Personality: Energetic, very vocal, highly bonded with their people. Seeks constant attention and interaction. Intelligent.
• Coat: Short, sleek, pointed coat over light base. Wide variety of point colors unlike Siamese.
• Size: Medium, 6-12 lbs typically. Lithe, graceful, long build.

Fun Fact:

The Colorpoint Shorthair gained championship status faster than any other breed, in just over one year.

Cornish Rex

With its large ears, egg-shaped head, and curly coat, the Cornish Rex turns heads wherever it goes. Originating from a litter of barn cats in Cornwall, England, this breed’s extremely soft, wavy coat is its trademark feature. Cornish Rex coats come in a rainbow of colors and patterns.

These cats share their ancestors’ love of heights and action. Cornish Rex cats are exceptionally agile, playful, and thrive on interaction with people. They eagerly play fetch, learn tricks, and explore their environment. Despite their high energy, Cornish Rexes love curling up on a warm lap at day’s end.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 11-15 years
• Personality: Extremely playful, agile, and enjoys interaction. Thrives on action and environmental exploration. Also very affectionate.
• Coat: Very short, soft, wavy coat. Low shedding and hypoallergenic.
• Size: Small to medium-sized, 5-10 lbs. Slender flexible build.

Fun Fact:

The curly coat of the Cornish Rex is caused by a genetic mutation that changes the structure of the hair shaft.

Cymric

Essentially the long-haired version of the Manx, the Cymric shares all the physical features of the Manx breed but boasts a longer fur coat. Like Manx cats, Cymrics may have full length, stubby, or no tails at all due to a genetic mutation. They come in a wide range of coat patterns and colors.

Since bred from Manx stock, Cymrics share the Manx personality. They are intelligent, playful, and affectionate cats that bond deeply with their families. Cymrics thrive when provided interactive play and environmental enrichment to engage their natural curiosity. The longer coat does require regular brushing to prevent tangles.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 8-14 years
• Personality: Playful, intelligent, deeply bonds with family. Thrives on interaction and environmental play.
• Coat: Semi-long to long coat, more than Manx. Multiple colors/patterns. Requires brushing.
• Size: Medium to large, 8-15 lbs. Long, muscular build. Tail ranges from full to no tail.

Fun Fact:

Like Manx cats, Cymrics exhibit the “bunny hop” method of running due to their abnormal spinal development.

Cyprus

As a naturally occurring landrace breed on the island of Cyprus, Cyprus cats reflect generations as working mousers. They have muscular, powerful bodies and round heads. Their short, dense coats come in many patterns like tabby, tortoiseshell, bi-color and more.

While valued for their superb hunting skills, Cyprus cats also make friendly, adaptable companions. They are moderately active cats that enjoy playing and lounging with their families. Cyprus cats tend to bond most closely with one or two family members. Overall, they balance working ability with companionability.

Characteristics:

• Lifespan: 8-12 years
• Personality: Friendly, adaptable, enjoys human interaction balanced with independent time. Strong hunting instinct.
• Coat: Short, dense coat in both solid and patterned varieties. Low grooming needs.
• Size: Medium to large, 8-12 lbs on average. Muscular, athletic build.

Fun Fact:

The Cyprus breed remained unknown outside of Cyprus until the 21st century, when it was acknowledged as the official cat of its home country.

From the sleek Colorpoint Shorthair to the plush Cymric, cat breeds starting with C have fabulous diversity. But their shared affection for family shines through when provided with proper care. There’s a captivating C breed for every feline fan!

Let me know if you would like me to modify or expand any section of this 3,000 word article. I’m happy to keep refining it until each breed is sufficiently captured.