The most expensive cat breeds with photos

The cat kingdom has about two hundred breeds – from long-haired charmers with wild eyes to completely naked creatures with a very peculiar appearance. As a rule, expensive breeds include cats, whose cost starts from $ 1000 – for a representative of a show class with an impeccable pedigree. The kittens whose mother and father are winners of international exhibitions are most highly valued.

The following breeds regularly fall into the ratings of the most expensive cats:

11. Maine Coon

A native of New England, the Maine Coon is distinguished by its impressive size, mouse hunting skills, adaptability to any vagaries of nature. This cute giant cat captivates with its shaggy thick coat, touching tassels on the ears and a huge fluffy tail that makes it look like a raccoon. Maine Coons have a good disposition, they are accommodating, smart, love affection. These cute creatures have outstanding vocal abilities, and they willingly demonstrate their talent to their owners.

Maine Coons reach full maturity at 3-5 years of age, and many of them can weigh over 9 kg at this age. They like to live in pairs, while males are prone to wonderful funny antics, and cats try not to lose dignity. Maine Coons are friendly to other animals in the family and children. The cost of kittens of this breed can reach $ 1000.

10. Peterbold

The elegant and charismatic Peterbald, also known as the St. Petersburg Sphynx, is a Russian breed of hairless or partially hairless cats. The residual coat of this tribe may be velvety or coarse, similar to a two-week-old bristly male beard. The first Peterbald was born in 1994, as a result of mating between an elite Don Sphynx and an Oriental cat, world champion. In the 90s, club breeders began to export Peterbalds abroad.

Representatives of this breed boast a muscular constitution, but, like all Orientals, they are incredibly graceful. They are distinguished by an elongated and narrow muzzle with a noble straight profile, ears like a bat, almond-shaped eyes of green or bright blue. Peterbalds are very affectionate, smart, incredibly curious and sneaky, it is impossible to hide a treat from them. The owners of these cats need to remember that their skin is very sensitive and prone to sunburn. It is necessary to ensure that the Peterbald is not exposed to the open sky for a long time in clear weather. Kittens with an elite pedigree are sold in Russia for $1000-1300, while abroad their price can reach up to $5000.

9 British Shorthair

Plush mustachioed burly men are regulars on film sets advertising popular cat food. This is not surprising, because they are so pleasant to watch. Looking incredibly good-natured, British shorthair cats have long been the collective image of a classic household pet.

The ancestors of this breed are considered to be cats brought to Britain by Roman legionnaires. The animals were distinguished by outstanding hunting abilities and remarkable physical data, but modern representatives of the breed have lost these qualities. Many of them, with improper nutrition, are prone to obesity and become clumsy with age. Breeders have had to work hard to make British Shorthair cats resistant to disease.

Charmingly plump in appearance, the British are, in fact, quite stocky and quite powerful. They have a large head, thick cheeks and large, round eyes with a sheen of copper. The most popular color of plush fur of these cats is solid (gray, gray-blue, black, lilac, chocolate). The character of the British Shorthair is calm, flexible, but independent. They treat strangers selectively, rarely letting strangers in. The Briton will always be extremely unhappy if someone, even the owner, wants to carry him in his arms. Prices for British aristocrats range from $500-1500.

8. Russian blue cat

Russian Blues captivate with their sparkling green eyes and blue-gray fur that shimmers with silver. Playful and quick-witted cats are devoted to their owners and know how to adapt to their mood. True, sometimes they can show stubbornness and love of freedom, show discontent when a stranger appears. Interestingly, being in any mood, these beauties look satisfied and happy. All thanks to the fact that the outline of their mouth resembles a slight smile.

Russian Blues are also known as archangel cats because they are known for their kitties from Arkhangelsk. They were taken out of Russia by British breeder Karen Cox. In 1875, they were featured in a cat show at London’s Crystal Palace. They say that Russian blue cats bring prosperity and happiness to the house. But the cost of the talisman is high: from $400 to $2000.

7. American Curl

Representatives of this overseas breed of short-haired and semi-long-haired cats are touchingly gentle and restless. They captivate with lovely silky fur, expressive eyes, but their main highlight is the ears twisted back, similar to horns. Curls’ origins can be traced back to a stray black cat with long hair and funny ears, who was adopted in 1981 by California couple Joe and Grace Ruga. Shulamith, as the owners called the cat, became the ancestor of the breed that is popular today.

The amazing shape of the American Curl’s ears is the result of a random mutation. Interestingly, the cubs are born with straight ears, and they begin to wrap themselves in the first ten days of their life. Curls are very affectionate, intelligent, playful. They love to communicate with people and are ready to be friends with all the animals in the house. American Curl babies cost between $1000 and $3000.

6. Scottish fold or Scottish fold cat

The appearance of this breed dates back to 1961, when a Scottish farmer named William Ross purchased a kitten with folded ears from his neighbor. This cat lover and brought a new breed. The ears of Scottish folds, folding down and forward, give their muzzles an unusual charm and touching. This signature difference is the result of a mutation in a dominant gene that affects cartilage throughout the cat’s body, which is why Scottish Folds often have joint problems.

Scottish folds, reminiscent of teddy bears, owls or pixies, look a little sad, but this is a deceptive impression. In fact, cats are very cheerful, energetic, love outdoor games. They become really sad if they have to be alone – it makes Scottish folds feel depressed. The cost of kittens of this breed can reach up to $ 3000.

5. Kao-mani

Having a centuries-old pedigree, the favorites of the monarchs of Thailand are still considered elite cats today. Khao mani (“white gem”) are one of the rarest breeds of the cat world. In Thailand, they have long been popular, but they appeared on the international stage only about 10 years ago. These muscular cats are active, intelligent, sociable and, not surprisingly for royal favorites, very wayward and capricious.

The Khao Mani is enchanted by its thick, close-fitting, snow-white coat and the penetrating gaze of its almond-shaped blue or golden eyes. If in ancient times it was allowed to keep and breed kao-mani exclusively at the royal court, today anyone who is ready to part with $ 1800-3500 can become the owner of this mustachioed beauty. The most valuable are kao-mani, in which one eye is blue and the other is golden. In Thailand, where these cats are believed to bring bliss and healing to their owners, their value can reach up to $10. Such an amount will have to be paid for kao-mani with rare features, different eyes and “miraculous abilities” to cure diseases.

4. Persian cat

It is generally accepted that the ancestors of these imposing beauties were brought to the European continent from Persia (modern Iran), although there is historical evidence that the breed existed before our era. The ranks of Persian cat fans are not thinning. People love them for their calm, docile nature, quick wit, friendliness and, of course, for their incomparable appearance. Persians have luxurious long hair, a cute “Pekingese” muzzle with expressive eyes, which, depending on the color of the animal, can be green, copper-orange or blue. Particularly delightful white Persian cats with meek pansies.

Persians love comfort and their owners, they are ready to be friends with other pets, even with birds, because the breed has lost its hunting skills. Cats will not frantically rush around the room when they are in a playful mood, peel off furniture with their claws, jump onto high surfaces. They prefer to endlessly bask in the master’s bed, for which they were called sofa cats. However, these couch potatoes can be quite interested in balls, artificial mice and other toys. It is important to carefully and regularly care for the royal “fur coat” of the Persians, otherwise the tangles will ruin it. Prices for Persian cats start at $500 and can go up to $5000 if the selected fluffy specimen is the offspring of champion parents.

3. Bengal cat

Despite their exotic and somewhat wild appearance, Bengal cats are wonderful pets. The history of this breed can be traced back to the 60s of the last century, when the American Jane Mill, a specialist in genetics, crossed a wild leopard cat with a domestic cat. The breed was officially recognized in 1983. The Bengal is distinguished by a muscular build, thick silky fur with a deep sheen and spotted color. This is the only breed of domestic cat that has rosette markings, a kind of marking on the fur of wild animals that helps them camouflage.

Long, lean Bengal cats are incredibly showy and self-confident. They are very smart, inquisitive and love action. The wild nature of Bengals is manifested in their indestructible desire to hunt. Even aquarium fish can become victims of cats. Energetic and curious, they love to swing on chandeliers, play with switches, splash in the bathroom, have fun opening the latches on the doors – in general, get up absolutely amazing antics. The energy of these animals should be directed in a peaceful direction, providing them with physical activity. But, in general, Bengal cats are quite social. They are attached to all household members, sociable, ready to endure when they are “squeezed”, demonstrate a friendly attitude towards other pets and babies.

You can become the owner of a Bengal cat by paying $2000-5000. The cost of kittens with a particularly rare color and an outstanding pedigree reaches up to $ 20.

2. Chauzi

The Chausie, the obstinate descendants of the wild swamp lynx and the Abyssinian domestic cat, were recognized as a distinct breed in the 90s. This proud creature with a rather muscular body, long legs, a neat muzzle and a serious look of golden yellow or amber eyes is an excellent companion for those who love cats with character and intelligence. But it is difficult to keep an extravagant beauty in an apartment – she needs space. Chausies are very active, they love to jump, storm heights, explore the territory and hunt. They, like dogs, are perfectly trainable and have amazing intuition, feeling what the owner needs at a certain moment.

Chausies are social cats. They like to play with children, they are friends with their relatives, they do not mind the company of dogs. These wayward exotics quickly become attached to their owners, but they are not particularly enthusiastic about gentle hugs with them. Chausies of generations A and B, hybrids of the first and second generations from crossed wild and domestic cats, have an impressive set of pronounced predatory habits. Representatives of the more distant generations C and SBT may well claim the title of “pet”. Purebred chausies can cost up to $10.

1. Savannah (Ashera)

This magnificent animal is a hybrid of African servals (highly tame predators of the feline family) and domestic shorthaired cats of certain oriental breeds. The first kitten (baby Savannah) was born in 1986. This momentous event took place on the farm of Bengal breeder Judy Frank, in Pennsylvania. The breed soon became popular and was accepted by breeders’ associations. It was officially standardized in 2001.

The Savannah is the largest and most expensive cat breed. Males are traditionally larger than females. By the age of 3, the weight of the Savannah can reach 15 kg, height at the withers is 60 cm. At the same time, thanks to their slender physique, these exotic creatures with royal posture, large ears, high legs and thick spotted fur look even more impressive. Savannahs are distinguished by intelligence, devotion to the owner, they are loyal to walks on a leash. Properly raised from childhood, cats are very friendly towards other animals and friendly with strangers. However, in the process of growing up, they often hiss, growl and hide when strangers appear.

Strong and mobile savannas are extremely jumpy. Some cats manage to jump from a place to 2,5 meters. They often climb onto doors, cabinets, refrigerators, from where they vigilantly observe what is happening around. Savannahs love water, they can swim or take a shower with their owner with pleasure. Future owners of these cats should take into account that they are incredibly curious. Savannahs quickly learn to open cabinets and front doors, so when keeping them, you need to take all sorts of precautions, arrange tricky door locks.

This breed is divided into 5 types – from F1 to F5. The smaller the number after F, the more serval blood in the animal. The F1 hybrid (50% of the serval) is the largest, rarest and, accordingly, the most expensive. The cost of F1 savannahs is from $25.