BREED NAME

STATUS

DESCRIPTION

Edinburgh Tailless

Extinct

In 1809 it was reported that a female cat in Edinburgh, Scotland produced a number of tailless kittens over a period of several years. This strain apparently died out.

Egyptian Hairless Cat

Non-existent

There is no such breed as the "Egyptian Hairless Cat". It was invented by the TV show "Friends" and mistakenly reported as fact elsewhere. Hairless cats are not hypoallergenic and it was irresponsible of the show to mislead viewers. For hairless/nearly hairless breeds see Sphynx (Canadian Hairless), Don Sphynx (Donskoy/Donsky), Peterbald (St Petersburg Hairless), Hawaiian Hairless (Kohana); two extinct hairless breeds are Mexican Hairless Cat, French Sphynx.

Egyptian Mau

Current

Modified oriental-type conformation; spotted coat. Introduced into the U.S. from Egypt; not recognized in UK. Possibly the oldest domestic cat breed, traceable back to the Egyptian Middle Period. Its fur type is apparently more primitive than that of other breeds and, unlike more modern cats, it has a tendency to face foes rather than flee! In flight, it is also the fastest of the domestic breeds. Not to be confused with a spotted oriental breed, bred to resemble Egyptian cat, which was developed in England and was originally known as the Mau.

Elf Cat

Experimental

Sphynx x American Curl. Permissible out-crosses originally included non-pedigree domestic shorthairs, but are now restricted to the parent breeds. They combine the Sphynx hairlessness with curled ears, have a sturdy, athletic build and are intelligent, loving and people-centred. This resembles the non-standard form of the Dwelf, being a long-legged hairless, curl-eared cat.

Elizabethan

Experimental

Apparently a new breed being developed by a Munchkin breeder. No details.

English Muffin

Experimental

English Muffin kittens are a short-legged cross between a British Shorthair and Minuet (Munchkin & Persian ancestry). They are genetically sound and have characteristics of both breeds. These are equivalent to the Chinese Tank Cat. Long-legged variants will occur. See Chinese Tank Cat.

English Rex

Archaic

Old name for Cornish Rex until the Devon Rex also appeared in England. See Cornish Rex.

Ethiopian

Archaic Name

Another term for Abyssinian, Ethiopia is the modern-day name for ancient Abyssinia. Abyssinians were once known as Ethiopian or Algerian Cats in China.

Euro Chaus

Experimental

Cross between a jungle cat (F chaus) and European wildcat (F silvestris).

Euro Chausie

Experimental

Cross between a domestic Chausie (Jungle cat/domestic hybrid) and European Wildcat.

European Albino

Experimental

Bred in Belgium; a European shorthair type white cat with ruby-red eyes which have pale translucent blue irises (true "pink eyes" seem to be impossible due to the physical structure of a cats' eyes). Albinism is a lack of pigment and is different from the more common white colour.

European Burmese

Current

American name for the Burmese cat found in UK and Europe, it is considered more Oriental in type than the cobbier American Burmese. See "Burmese" for description.

European Shorthair

Current

First recognized in Sweden, similar to, but less cobby than British Shorthair. 58 color varieties are approved, classic tabby being favourite. Derived from cats brought to Europe by Roman settlers, possibly with admixture of genes from native European Wildcat (F silvestris) with which it can interbreed. Coat type reflects the harsher northern European climate. Has given rise to other breeds e.g. Chartreux, Norwegian Forest Cat.

 Exotic Fold (Exofold)

Experimental

Exotic Shorthair x Scottish Fold shorthair; now being bred in Canada as the Foldex.

Exotic Longhair

Current, Variant

Longhaired individuals are sometimes born to Exotic Shorthair parents due to the recessive nature of the gene for longhair. Once despised they are not accepted in the Persian class due to non-Persian parentage and a relatively poor coat; accepted as Exotic Longhairs by some registries. One of the names suggested for this breed was the Tiffany, due to the original conception that the Exotic was to be allowed in silver colors only. Tiffany is now used for Tiffany/Chantilly breed.

Exotic Shorthair (Shorthair Persian)

Current

Developed from Persian x Shorthair crosses. Persian type cat with short, very plush coat. Ultra-typing (Extreme typing) is beginning to occur in this breed.