What breed of cat is best? Why?

Answers:
Hello,
You should either get a book on purebred cats and select a catbreed that answers to your wishes for a familypet. Don't select first on looks, but on character. Ask youreself what you want from it. Do you want a very active cat, a lapsitter, a showcat or a cat that goes well with kids and other animals. A good book can give you those characteristics. Then find a good breeder. Don't go just to the nearest one, but visit some breeders and look for the breeder where the cats are afectionate, healthy, active and not shy of people or jump at any sound. Ask for healthguarantees etc. Then decide wich is the best place to go for a kitten.
Or if you don't want to breed, show or do not have a jearning for some particular breed, go for a sheltercat.
Good luck!

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American short hair (tabby). They're easy to get, very little shedding, cheap (usually free) and you help out the pet control population.

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The kind you find in a shelter that has a personality you like. It's really such a bad idea to breed cats when there are so many dying in shelters every single day in this country due to lack of homes.

The healthiest cats are mixed breeds because of hybrid vigor.

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You're bound to get a ton of answers on this one, but my recommendation is to look for one at your local Humane Society. I've had both pure-bred cats and "Heinz 57" varieties, and invariably the mixed breeds are hardier and have less health problems than the pure-breds. Plus, you'd be saving one from being euthanized.

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Egytian Mao...just because they are highly cool

Manx are also cool, and a polydactyl Manx may be the coolest. But be sure to get a stumpy and not a rumpy.

But really, when you get down to it, a plain old alley cat from the pound will probably give you more "return."

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A "mutt" for lack of better word. I would make sure that it was kept indoors as a kitten so that you avoid things like worms, etc.. Also, tell the people that you are purchasing it from ( or getting it free) what personality kitten your looking for. They will know which ones prefer to be with people, which ones run and hide when there are kids or small children around, etc.. I was always a dog person until we got Lexi, our "mutt" kitten. She is the best, exactly what we were looking for in a family pet!!!

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Cats are bred for looks (slim, blue-eyed Siamese) or temperment (Ragdoll or Maine Coon) so it depends on what you want. Also there can be genetic defects from inbreeding (things from cardiomyopathy or early renal failure).

So to me the best breed is the mixed breed or your plain old vanilla housecat.

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um no cat at all..they will tear up your house and take over! i just got rid of one..get a dog.

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gah dont listen to shop girl i just put my dog outside because it tore my house all to hell .LOL! cats are generally more calm and easygoing than a dog. Anyways that dont matter get both if you feel like it i love dogs just not inside!!... alley cats(mutts) are the best!! i got 5 cats, 4 inside, 1 outside and a dog outside. If you choose to get one get it from a animal shelter. Most carry a lot of different breeds. Go one day and stay for awhile. Youll find you a pet you connect with!!goodluck