Devon Rex
American Bobtail
Chartreaux
Khao Manee
American Curl
American Shorthair
Burmilla
RagaMuffin
Russian Blue

Devon Rex

Big ears, big eyes and curls to boot? It's no wonder many cat lovers find Devon Rex cats to be out-of-this-world cute. "Their little heads look like aliens," Keiger says.

Developed in Devon, England, in the 1960s, the breed is often referred to as the pixies of the cat world because of their unique elfin look. Their coat is soft and wavy—"you just want to run your fingers through it," Keiger says—and their wide-set cheekbones and oversized ears give them a mischievous expression.

But it's their personalities that really wow. They're smart, adorably silly and always looking to get into something. (Be prepared to guard your knickknacks and dinner plates!)

Devon Rex cats get along well with other pets and with young children (they'll even play dress-up!), but if you get one, just know that they need lots of attention. "They do not do well alone," Keiger says. "They love their owners, and they want to be with them."

Breed overview	Devon Rex
Height	10–12 inches
Weight	7–9 pounds
Life expectancy	14–17+ years

American Bobtail

You may hear "bobtail" and think wildcat, but this adorable breed is 100% domestic—and 110% cute.

The American Bobtail's hallmark is its shortened tail, which comes naturally to the breed. "It reminds me of those peplum dresses that were popular for bridesmaids," Keiger says. "You know, [with] that little bit of floof on the back."

The mutation is traced back to a brown tabby bob-tailed stray named Yodie, which was found by an Iowa family while on vacation in Arizona in the 1960s. They bred him with their non-pedigreed Siamese and came up with an entire litter of short-tailed kittens, indicating a dominant bobtail gene in the feral cat population—and sparking a new breed.

American Bobtails also have a brow ridge that is slightly larger than most cats, Keiger says. "And it gives them what we refer to as a hunting gaze. You know those photos of wild cats looking off into the distance for prey? Bobtails have that same look."

Fortunately, these cuties really only want to hunt laps and playtime. They are loving and affectionate house cats, and they get along well with kids and other pets.

Breed overview	American Bobtail
Height	9–10 inches
Weight	7–16 pounds
Life expectancy	11–15+ years

Chartreaux

The Chartreaux is called the smiling cat of France for a reason: Their muzzles are padded in just the right way to make them look like they have a perpetual smile on their face. Bring one home, and this cute feline will have you smiling too!

The Chartreaux dates back to the 16th century and was reportedly named after the Gran Chartreuse monastery in eastern France. Some joke that the breed must have taken a vow of silence—along with the monks there—because they have tiny voices that they rarely use.

"They're very quiet," Keiger says. "They can be a bit shy, but they are very sweet and they like their people."

Chartreaux come only in gray—"blue" in cat fancy lingo—and have dazzling round copper-colored eyes. Their coat has a unique thick and woolly texture, so be prepared for regular combing sessions to prevent knots and mats.

Breed overview	Chartreaux
Height	9–11 inches
Weight	7–16 pounds
Life expectancy	11–15 years

Khao Manee

This sparkling white cutie is known as a good luck charm in its native Thailand—its name means "White Gem" in Thai—and those who've had the pleasure of cuddling a Khao Manee feel fortunate indeed.

"They're absolutely striking," Keiger says. "Their eyes are like jewels."

Khao Manees' eyes come in a variety of rich colors, from blue to green to copper to yellow. The most prized cats are those with oddly matched eyes (say, one blue, one yellow), since it adds to their mystical appearance. "They are a treasure in Thailand," Keiger says. "Just a captivating breed."

While Khao Manees are still relatively rare in the U.S., their numbers are increasing. And they're known for being extremely intelligent, friendly and social, making them good family pets. "They like people," Keiger says. "And they like to make their feelings known."

Breed overview	Khao Manee
Height	10–12 inches
Weight	6–11 pounds
Life expectancy	10–12 years

American Curl

With distinctive ears that curl out and back, American Curl cats always look a little surprised to see you. But make no mistake: These cuties are thrilled by your presence. "They've very sweet and people-oriented," Keiger says. "And they love to play."

The American Curl breed has only been around since the 1980s, but the cats quickly developed a reputation for being curious and affectionate companions—with a touch of mischief. They want to be with you at all times, and they'll make their feelings known if you happen to disagree.

The cats come in a wide range of colors, and in long- and short-haired varieties. Interestingly, they're all born with straight ears. The curl, which developed out of a spontaneous mutation, starts to develop in three to five days and becomes set at about four months. The final curl can be subtle or dramatic, with show-quality American Curls having ears that arc back as much as 180 degrees.

Breed overview	American Curl
Height	9–12 inches
Weight	5–10 pounds
Life expectancy	10–20 years

American Shorthair

These all-American felines come by their good looks honestly: They were working cats.

"These are the cats that came over with the early American settlers," Keiger says. "They are large cats with big paws and muzzles, because their job was to keep the barns clear from vermin. They weren't sitting around waiting for treat-treat time."

Of course, modern-day American Shorthairs tend to leave the hard labor to their human caretakers, but they've maintained a good-natured ruggedness that makes them excellent family pets. "They're smart, they're easily trained and they get along well with kids and dogs," Keiger says.

American Shorthairs come in a range of colors, with silver and brown classic tabbies being among the most popular. They're also low-maintenance loungers. American Shorthairs don't need any special grooming and have no particular health concerns. And rest assured that if any wild vermin dares to sneak into your home, these guys have it covered.

Breed overview	American Shorthair
Height	8–10 inches
Weight	10–15 pounds
Life expectancy	15–20 years

Burmilla

This silver-tipped stunner is a relatively new breed that doubled down on cute. It's a hybrid of the elegant Chinchilla Persian (think: the Fancy Feast cat) and the charming European Burmese. "It got its shaded silver coat and vivid green eyes from the Persian, and a little bit of mischief from the European Burmese," Keiger says.

Burmillas come in both long- and short-haired varieties, but all have that signature silky, sparkling coat—pale at the roots and tipped with color for a shimmering effect.

Burmillas have only been around since the 1980s, but they've already established themselves as gentle and affectionate family pets. Sweet-natured and smart, they get along well with children and other animals. They love toys and love to play, but can be equally content just lounging on the couch.

"Longhaired or shorthaired, they're absolutely beautiful," Keiger says. "I would have one in a heartbeat."

Breed overview	Burmilla
Height	10–12 inches
Weight	8–12 pounds
Life expectancy	15–18 years

Persian

Calling a Persian cute is like calling Mt. Everest tall. After all, these famously glamorous felines have been soaking in the compliments for centuries. But there's just something irresistibly adorable about their long luxurious coats, big eyes and sweet, open-faced expressions. "I often think they look like little pansies," Keiger says.

Those long-flowing locks do come with grooming requirements. Persians require daily combing, regular baths and blowouts. And that sweet smushed-face has been known to lead to some respiratory issues. (Breeders have been working to fix that problem.)

Although they have a reputation for being lounge cats, Persians are actually quite affectionate and people-oriented. Calm and mellow, they're good with kids and love to show their love to their owners. "I had a Persian who used to nuzzle my face to wake me up in the morning," Keiger says. "Now think how flat a Persian's face is. I'd open my eyes and there'd be two big copper-colored eyes looking back at me."

Breed overview	Persian
Height	8–10 inches
Weight	7–12 pounds
Life expectancy	10–18 years

Bombay

You've heard of the LBD, aka little black dress? Well, the Bombay is the LBP—little black panther—that goes with everything. A hybrid breed created in the 1960s, the Bombay combines the laid-back American Shorthair with the sleek and mischievous Burmese to create a cat that is both exotic-looking and family-friendly.

"They have a solid black glossy coat and these huge round gold eyes," Keiger says. "It really does look like a panther. When they look at you with those big eyes and do the slow blink ... it just takes my breath away."

Like their parent breeds, Bombays are smart and inquisitive. They love to play, and they love to be the center of attention. If there's mischief to be had, they'll find it, but they're equally content to curl up on a lap for a snooze. Loyal, affectionate and easy to care for (just petting that gleaming black coat helps it keep its sheen), Bombays make loving and low-maintenance family pets.

Breed overview	Bombay
Height	11–14 inches
Weight	8–11 pounds
Life expectancy	12–16 years

RagaMuffin

The RagaMuffin was born to be cuddled. "The whole essence of the breed is a sweet look," Keiger says. RagaMuffins have long silky coats, big expressive eyes and a teddy-bear personality that makes them irresistibly cute.

One of the CFA's newer breeds, the RagaMuffin was created by a group of former Ragdoll breeders who wanted a cat that was as sweet as a Ragdoll but that came in a variety of colors. "There are a few more differences, but it's a new breed and it's continuing to emerge," Keiger says. "The idea was to create the most loving long-haired lap cat."

Mission accomplished. RagaMuffins are unfailingly sweet-tempered and happy to cuddle anytime, anywhere. And despite their long rabbit-soft fur, they're not high-maintenance because their fur is resistant to mats and tangles. A good comb-out once or twice a week is all they need.

Breed overview	RagaMuffin
Height	9–12 inches
Weight	8–20 pounds
Life expectancy	13–16 years

Russian Blue

These silvery stunners are not just cute, they're the epitome of elegance. Legend has it they were even the favored pet of the Russian tsars. Take one look at their lush blue-gray coat, and it's easy to see why.

"The guard hairs, the long straight hairs, are tipped in silver," Keiger says. "It gives them a frosted appearance, so that when they move it looks like shimmering."

Blues have dazzling emerald-green eyes and a smiling muzzle that make it look like they know something you don't. Known for their smarts, these shorthairs can be a little shy around strangers ("they have to check you out first," Keiger says), but once a Blue has decided you're worthy of his or her attention, there's no stopping their affectionate nature. Russian Blues are loyal, and Keiger says they love laps. If you're sitting down, they know just where they need to be.

Breed overview	Russian Blue
Height	8–10 inches
Weight	8–15 pounds
Life expectancy	15–20 years

Birman

With the Birman, the eyes have it. "These guys have the most expressive blue eyes ever," Keiger says. "They're really beautiful."

Known as the sacred cat of Burma—their name comes from the French word for Burma—Birmans are a long-haired breed that comes in a variety of pointed colors, and all have white on their feet. The result is that they always look like they're wearing gloves and boots. And how much do they love their people? Well, they're sometimes called the Velcro cat for a reason. "They want to be with you all the time," Keiger says.

Loving and laid-back companions, Birmans don't require a lot of exercise—though they love to play!—or intensive grooming, even with those flowing locks. That because they don't have an undercoat. "All that hair is all guard hair that doesn't mat," Keiger says. "Most kitties, when they get their hair wet, it'll curl up and knot. But with Birmans, you pat it, blow it dry and it's like you never touched it."