Timeline of Cat Breeds

Photo of Abyssinian cat copyright Helmi Flick

Here is a timeline of cat breeds. The breeds are in alphabetical order and the place of origin is specified. You will see variations on dates and place on the internet and even on this site because the origins of cat breeds is not always clear. Also the word "origin" can be interpreted in different ways. On occasions you will also get some variation in the name of cat breeds. This is not necessarily a complete list but it is a good list. Please go to this page: Pictures of Cat Breeds and follow links for much more on these breeds.

Abyssinian - Ethiopia - 1860s
Alaskan Snow Cat (Snow Cat) - USA - 1990s
American Bobtail - USA - 1960s
American Curl - USA - 1981
American Lynx - USA - 1980s
American Shorthair - USA - 1900 as "Domestic Shorthair" and then 1966
American Wirehair - USA - 1966
Australian - Australia - 1946
Australian Curl - Australia - 1996
Balinese - USA - 1940s
Bengal - USA - 1963
Birman - Burma - uncertain
Bohemian Rex - Czech Republic - 1994
Bombay - USA - 1958
British Angora - UK - 1960s
British Shorthair - UK - 1870s
Bristol - 1970s
Burmese - Thailand - 1350-1767
Burmilla - UK - 1981
California Rex - USA - 1959
California Spangled - USA - 1971
Celonese - Sri Lanka - 1984
Chartreux - France - 14th century
Chantilly - USA - 1967
Chausie - USA - 1995 (I say 1960s)
Chinese Lop - China - 1796
Colourpoint British Shorthair - UK - 1980s
Colourpoint European Shorthair - Italy - 1982
Colourpoint Shorthair - UK - 1947
Cornish Rex - UK - 1950
Cymric - Canada - 1960s
Devon Rex - UK - 1960s
Don Sphynx - Russia - 1987
Dutch Rex - Netherlands - 1969
Egyptian Mau - Egypt - ancient and 1953 in Europe
European Shorthair - Italy - 1982
Exotic Shorthair - USA - 1966
French Sphynx - France - 1960s
German Rex - Germany - 1946
Havana Brown - UK - 1951
Himalayan - USA/UK - 1950s/1920s
Italian Rex - Italy - 1950
Japanese Bobtail - Japan - 5th - 10th century
Javanese - USA/UK - 1960s
Karakul - USA - 1930s
Karelian Bobtail - Russia - 1990s (uncertain)
Kashmir - UK - 1950s
Korat - Thailand - 1350-1767
Kurilian Bobtail - Russia - 1990s (uncertain)
LaPerm - USA - 1986
Longhair Exotic - USA - 1990s
Longhair Fold - UK - 1980s
Longhair Japanese Bobtail - Japan - 1954
Maine Coon - USA - 1860s
Manx - UK - before 1700s
Marbled Mist - Australia - 1997
Malay Cat - Malaya Peninsula - 1881
Malayan - USA - 1980
Mei Toi - USA - 1994
Mexican Hairless - USA - 1902
Missouri Rex - USA - 1990s
Munchkin - USA - 1983
Nebelung - USA - 1990s
Norwegian Forest Cat - Norway - 1930s
Ocicat - USA - 1964
Ohio Rex - USA - 1959
Oriental Shorthair - UK - 1950s
Persian (modern) - USA - 1950s
Persian (original) - UK - 1800s
Peterbald - Russia - 1994
Pixie-bob - USA - 1980s
Poodle Cat - Germany - 1994
Prussian Rex - East Prussia - 1930s
RagaMuffin - USA - 1994
Ragdoll - USA - 1960s
Renegade - USA - 1997
Rexed Maine Coon - UK - 1988
Russian Blue - Russia - pre-1800s
Russian Hairless - Russia - 1987
Safari  Cat - USA - 1970s
Savannah - USA - 1986
Scottish Fold - UK - 1961
Selkirk Rex - USA - 1987
Serengeti - USA - 1994
Seychellois - UK - 1984
Siamese - Thailand - ancient - shown late 1800s in England
Siberian - Russia - 1980s
Si-Rex - USA - 1986
Singapura - uncertain (Singapore/USA) - 1971
Snowshoe - USA - 1960s
Sokoke - Kenya - 1977
Somali - USA/Canada - 1967
Sphynx - Canada - 1966
Spotted Mist - Australia - 1976
Suqutranese - UK - 1990
Thai-Bobtail - Russia - 1990s?
Tiffanie - UK - 1980s
Tiffany - USA - 1967
Tonkinese - USA - 1950s
Toy-Bobtail - Russia - 1986
Turkish Angora - Turkey - 1400s
Turkish Van - Turkey - pre-1800s
Ural Rex - Russia - 1991
Ussuri - Russia - 1990s
Victoria Rex - UK - 1972
Wild Abyssinian - Singapore - 1980s
York Chocolate - USA - 1983

Sources:

• Myself
• Robinson's Genetics (primary)
• Encyclopedia of the Cat
• Legacy of the Cat