While we at Thirsty Cat Fountains always recommend you consider adopting a shelter cat before all others, a purebred cat may be what's right for you.
photo by Heikki Siltala
Burmese
Once worshiped in the Buddhist temples of Southeast Asia, this breed was perfected by Siamese
cat breeder Dr. Joseph Thompson. Dr. Thompson founded the first cattery devoted to Burmese named Mau Tien, (translated cat heaven), in San Francisco, CA. He began the Burmese line by mating Wong Mau, a female taken from Burma (and also incidentally a Siamese hybrid), with Tai Mau, a pure Siamese tom to produce dark coated kittens.
Dr. Thompson continued to perfect Burmese cats, which were recognized as a distinct show breed in 1936.
Are you looking for a high energy cat that retains kitten-like qualities into adulthood? The Burmese may be for you. This is a somewhat vocal cat with a distinct, raspy meow. The Burmese love to bond with their human companions and have been characterized as dog-like in their devotion. These cats do not score high on the independence scale and are not suited for long stays alone.
Photo by Barry Wom
Maine Coon
Fanciful tales trace the origin of the Maine Coon from an attempted rescue of Queen Marie Antoinette to the remnants of early Viking explorers in the Americas. While no one truly knows the
origin
of the breed, it's been speculated that sailors brought domesticated cats to New England which latter developed thick coats to ward off the harsh winters.
Maine Coons were early favorites in the purebred cat world. This breed was one of the first to be acknowledged in the United States and had champions as early as the mid nineteenth century. By the twentieth century, more flamboyant, foreign breeds started to be introduced to the cat breeding world and Maine Coon Cats fell out of f
avor. Fortunately, the Main Coon survived due to a few loyal breeders and has since regained its status in the cat championship world again.
Maine Coon cats enjoy the rank of one of the most registered cat breed and it's not hard to guess why. Their large, muscular bodies, sometimes reaching upward of 20 pounds and friendly dispositions make them an easy fit into most homes. These cats are hardy and get along very well with children and other pets, even dogs. While their thick, luxurious coat requires weekly grooming to keep it in check, they are a hardy and healthy breed requiring little specialized care. This breed tends to be a bit independent, but still affectionate toward its human companions.
Imagine finding a Maine Coon kitten in the midst of the chaos at the Port Authority in New York? Our studio artist Jackie, shares her unique Maine Coon story in our latest blog post.
References for this article came from J. Anne Helgren, Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds, Barrons Educational Series, Inc., 1997, pages 94-97, 150-153.