Last Updated: 2 months ago
Are you looking for cat breeds that start with C?
For some people, the letter C stands for childlikeness, clarity, confidence, or charity.
In comparison, others love the letter C since it matches their name, or for no reason at all.
Whatever your reason, check out the most popular breeds along with their personalities and lifespans.
4 Cat Breeds That Start With C
#1 Cornish Rex
One of the few cat breeds with little to no fur, the Cornish Rex makes a good pet for families thanks to their lovable personality traits.
Origin
The first Cornish Rex was found in Cornwall, England, in the 1950s, when a cat named Serena gave birth to a litter of kittens.
Among the litter was a male kitten with a short, curly coat and a unique, slender body.
A genetic mutation caused the unique characteristics. The owner named him Kallibunker, and he became the father of all the Cornish Rexes we have today.
Backcrossing Kallibunker with his mother resulted in two cats with curly coats: a male kitten named Poldhu and a female.
The first Cornish Rex in the United States was a female called Lamorna Cove, and the male kitten, Poldhu, sired her.
Lamorna Cove was crossed with a Siamese, explaining why Cornish Rexes have large ears.
Lifespan
Cornish Rexes can live for up to 11 to 14 years.
They are some of the healthiest cats, but there are many reports about them being affected by patellar luxation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Due to their lack of hair, they are also more susceptible to sunburn. Avoid leaving them outdoors for too long.
Characteristics
Cornish Rexes are characterized by a lack of hair. All they have is downy hair, which appears to be curly.
Their bodies are slender, and they run as if they’re galloping. That’s why they acquired the name, Greyhound for the cats.
They look similar to the Devon Rex, but the Devon Rex has hair.
Also, the mutation that causes the Devon Rex’s appearance is different from the one in the Cornish Rex.
Personality
Cornish Rexes remain playful, curious, and kitten-like all of their lives. They’ll enjoy racing, acrobatics, and even playing fetch.
They are also quite affectionate and love spending most of the time with their owners.
#2 Colorpoint Shorthair
If you’re a fan of point-colored cats, then you’ll love that the Colorpoint Shorthairs come in up to 16 different point colors.
Origin
The Siamese point colors inspired breeders. However, since there are only four Siamese-style point colors, breeders wanted to come up with more.
Several cat breeds were involved in these experiments, including the Abyssinian, the red domestic Shorthair, and the American Shorthair.
After several tests, the crossing with the American Shorthair was prevalent.
The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognizes the Colorpoint Shorthair as a breed, but other registries recognize it as part of the Siamese breed.
Lifespan
The Colorpoint Shorthairs’ lifespan ranges from 12 to 16 years. However, they are affected by the same health conditions that affect Siamese cats.
These include dental issues, eye issues, amyloidosis, asthma, other breathing issues, and heart issues such as congenital heart defects.
Characteristics
The Colorpoint Shorthairs feature a well-built muscular body, a glossy coat, and with cat big eyes.
Like other point-colored cats, they’re pale on parts of the body, but the colors get darker towards the feet, tail, and eyes.
Some of the point colors of the Color Point Shorthair include:
- Lilac
- Cinnamon
- Red
- Seal
- Fawn
- Blue
Personality
Colorpoint Shorthairs are affectionate, playful, and intelligent. They’re also quite vocal, especially when they need attention from their owner.
Just like the Siamese cats, they have up to 100 different vocalizations, so don’t be surprised when they make some unusual sounds.
Male Colorpoints can be quite aggressive, especially when they sense an intruder.
#3 California Spangled
It’s fascinating how some cats can resemble wild cats such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
Some may resemble them naturally, while others are bred to look like these wild cats.
The California Spangled is the latter.
Origin
This breed dates back to the 1980s as an attempt to prevent leopard poaching.
Paul Arnold Casey, The Author of the Open the Coffin Chronicles, was inspired by world-renowned anthropologist Louis Leaky to breed a cat that resembles the Ocicat and the Leopard.
According to them, when people saw a cat that resembled the wild cats in their houses, they would refrain from wearing clothes or purchasing ornaments made after killing them.
Several cat breeds were involved in the breeding, including the Abyssinian, British Shorthairs, and American Shorthairs.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a California Spangled ranges from 10 to 14 years.
They’re generally healthy, and, currently, there are no health issues associated with them.
However, keep in mind that all cats may develop a health condition as they age, regardless of the breed.
Characteristics
This cat breed looks like a small Leopard. They feature a well-built, lean body and dark spots that come in different shapes.
The coat color can be red, gold, blue, white, bronze, charcoal, silver, brown, or black.
Personality
Despite the wild look, California Spangled cats are friendly, devoted to their owners, intelligent, and curious.
They enjoy playing fetch and are very good at hunting. And just like the real Leopard, you might find them perched on elevated areas.
#4 Chartreux
The striking “smile” and the Chartreux cats’ quiet nature make them good pets for those looking for a calm companion.
Origin
It’s not clear where the Chartreux cats really came from. Some associate them with the Carthusian Monks.
The name “Chartreux” was first used by the famous French poet Joachim Du Bellay.
And the cat may also have been depicted in the Magdaleine Pinceloup de la Grange painting.
But one thing’s for sure. This breed was found in France as early as the 18th century. They were also known for their hunting and rodent-control prowess.
However, selective breeding of these cats only started after World War II, and the first Chartreux cat came to the United States in the 1970s.
They’re still a rare breed today, but most registries worldwide recognize them.
Did you know that for every pedigreed cat in France, the first letter of its official name shows the year it was born?
This means that cats born the same year will have names starting with the same letter, with the exception of the letters K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z. Kittens born in 2021 start with an “S”.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a Chartreux cat ranges from 12 to 15 years.
They’re generally healthy cats, but some of them may develop Patellar luxation, which is a kneecap dislocation.
Characteristics
Chartreux cats are huge, muscular, and swift. They have a blue (silver-grey) water-resistant coat, copper-colored eyes, and a “smiling” face.
Personality
Chartreux cats are generally quiet and rarely vocalize. They’re also active, good hunters, and they enjoy playing fetch.
They’re rarely aggressive toward people or other pets. They aren’t so demanding of attention.
And when they’re not playing, they will be napping on your couch or even on your bed.
More Cat Breeds That Start With C
- Chausie
- Cymric
- Chantilly-Tiffany
- Cheetah
- Cyprus
Conclusion
And there you go. Among the cat breeds starting with C, some are talkative, some are calm, some are outdoor lovers, and others are more suitable for being indoors.
What do you think of cat breeds that start with C? Share your thoughts with us!
Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all around geek. He divides his love equally between his family, his animals, and his video games. In his spare time he is attempting to get a blog off the ground. Boy, are they heavy!
