Long haired cat breeds are fluffy and look adorable making them one of the most desired pets. Persian and Himalayan are cat breeds with some of the longest hairs.
A Himalayan-Persian cross-breed cat named Colonel Meow holds the Guinness World Record for longest fur measuring 22.87cm or 9 inches long. The fluffy bundle of joy hails from Los Angeles, California. The record was made official in 2013.
Cats come with all length and thickness of hairs, some are seemingly bald and others have a thick and very long hair to showcase. However, long-haired or not, all cats look adorable, and people who once adopt a cat understand how funny they can get at times as well.
While personality and behavior are completely different things as compared to flaunting thick, long, and well-maintained fur.
So, without further delay, let us jump right into cat breeds that flaunt such majestic coats.
Long Haired Cats Breeds
| Name of Cat Breed | Length of Hair or Coat |
| Balinese | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Chantilly-Tiffany | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Cymric or Manx Longhair | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Himalayan | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Javanese | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Persian | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Ragamuffin | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Ragadoll | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Siberian Forest Cat | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| York Chocolate | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Somali | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| American Bobtail | Medium-Long (3 to 5 inches) |
| Birman | Medium-Long (3 to 5 inches) |
| American Curl | Medium-Long (3 to 5 inches) |
You May Like:
1. Balinese
Balinese is a long-haired cat breed from the United States. Balinese usually have a coat over 6 inches long making them fluffy and adorable.
The breed is also known as purebred long-haired Siamese and has a silky and soft coat. Their coats are usually white or cream colored with visible black patches in the colder region of the body, kittens are born with all white or cream coats and develop the spots while growing up.
Quick Facts
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | 2.7 to 4.9 Kg |
| Length | 1.5 to 2 Feet |
| Life expectancy | 12 to 20 Years |
Personality
- Balinese are social and playful.
- They are very vocal and can meow at low volumes for long periods.
- They are considered to be the most intelligent among the long-haired breeds.
2. Chantilly-Tiffany
Chantilly-Tiffany are natives of North America, especially the United States and Canada. The breed is also known as Chantilly or the Foreign Longhair.
They are large-sized cats with long and usually black hair. However, despite the breed having long hair they do not have undercoats making the grooming process much easier.
Although as majestic as they look, with their long black hair and brown eyes, Chantilly is considered to be extinct as of 2023. The last known cat of the breed was Acey whose whereabouts are unknown since 2012.
Physical Features
| Height | 16 to 20 Inches |
| Weight | 2.7 to 4.9 Kg |
| Lifespan | Up to 16 Years |
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
Personality
- They are extremely social and devoted to their families.
- Chantilly-Tiffany are attention seekers and have a tendency to meow all the time but in a soft voice.
- This breed prefer relaxed and lazy lifestyle but get burst of energy from time to time.
3. Cymric or Manx Longhair
Cymric or Manx Longhair hail from Canada and the Isle of the Mann Island. Cymric or Manx Longhair is also one of the oldest cat breeds.
The breed has a strong and muscular body design with an extremely shorter tail. The shorter tail makes the cat look much smaller but they can grow up to 5kg.
The cats come in all sorts of coat colors and have a thick double coat with long outer hairs. Although they do an excellent job of keeping themself clean, a miss of a grooming session can mess up their majestic coat.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | Up To 5 Kg |
| Length | Up To 1.5 Feet (18 inches) |
| Lifespan | Up To 15 Years |
Temperament
- Cymrics are sociable and friendly breed.
- They are extremely playful and can get along with other pets really well.
- This breed has a high intelligence and tend to vocalize less often as compared to others.
4. Himalayan
Himalayan cats are majestic breeds with thick bright coats and cute faces. The breed is also known as Colourpoint Persian in Europe and other parts of the world.
They are considered as a sub-breed of Persian cats by some agencies around the world while the World Cat Federation has merged it with Colorpoint. The name of the cat might be misleading as they do not come from the Himalayan region but are instead natives of the United States, Iran, and Thailand.
Himalayan cat breeds have short legs and chubby bodies making them unable to make high jumps. They have different colors of coats including white, cream, and gray.
Physical Appearance
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | Up To 6 Kg |
| Length | 1 to 1.5 feet |
| Life Span | Up To 15 Years |
Personality
- Himalayan Cats showcase bursts of high energy but running or rolling around the room.
- They are friendly with other animals and do not mind playing with kids.
- This breed of cats requires high exercise and tends to eat more than other similar breeds.
5. Javanese
Javanese are also known as Colorpoint Longhair and they originally come from North America. The term Javanese was coined circa 1950 by Helen Smith.
This breed of cat is sometimes considered a stand-alone breed while other times they are merged with the Colorpoint group along with Himalayan and Balinese, the definition largely depends upon the agency.
Despite having long and majestic hair, Javanese are single coat cat breed meaning they are a lot easier to groom. Moreover, they come in numerous colors and shades ranging from pure white to grey and mixed colors.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | Up To 5 Kg |
| Length | Up To 1.5 Feet |
| Life Expectancy | Up To 15 Years |
Personality
- They are extremely active and love running around the house.
- Javanese tend to get vocal from time and again and might wake you up at night.
- They prefer high grounds and often sit at tall places on shelves and upper compartments of closets.
6. Persian
The Persian breed has many similarities with the Himalayan breed as both share appearance and physical features. This breed originated in Iran also known as Persia.
This breed is further divided into two subbreeds, the Traditional and Modern Persian breeds. The traditional breed or the original Persian breed has peke-faces while the modern ones have extremely short noses which often align with the forehead.
The breed has extremely long hairs with thick-double coats making it hard to maintain and groom. However, the feature also makes them fluffy and adorable and an ideal pet.
Quick Facts
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | 3 to 5 Kg |
| Length | 14 to 17 inches |
| Life Expectancy | Up To 20 Years |
Personality
- They are extremely calm and gentle but do not prefer being grabbed by young kids or inappropriately.
- Persian breed cats prefer indoors and love being at home alone for short periods of time.
- They are gentle and do not mind being in the company of other pets be it a dog or another cat.
7. Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian Forest Cats are a domestic breed of cats originally from Norway as the name suggests. They are known for their thick and long hair.
This breed of cats is much larger as compared to other domesticated cats. The males can weigh up to 9 kg and have a long and sturdy muscular body. They have one of the thickest two-coat fur, the upper hair is water-repellent long hair while the undercoat is wooly to provide warmth.
They also have distinct ears closely resembling that of lynx, with thick and wide bases and pointy ends forming a triangle. They also have strong muscular legs and claws making them excellent climbers.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | Up To 9 Kg |
| Length | Up To 3 Feet |
| Life Span | Up To 16 Years |
Personality
- They prefer the outdoors but easily adapt to indoor lifestyles as well.
- Norwegian Forest Cats have the urge of hunting and can become excellent hunters with their intelligence.
- They are very sociable and love to make interactions with other pet animals and humans alike.
8. Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin breed of cats is native to the United States and is well known for its extra-long hairs. The breed is known for having a voluminous coat.
Ragamuffins are close relatives of Ragdolls as both breeds of cats can be traced back to a single parent called Joshpine in the 1960s. They most visibly differ in terms of coat color as Ragdoll is required to have some color points while Ragamuffins can have any colors.
The Ragamuffin breed is muscular and built with a huge body frame. They have short necks supported by their wide chest converged into shoulders. They have a broad head structure with an oval-shaped forehead.
Physical Appearance
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | Up To 9 Kg |
| Length | Up To 1.5 Feet (18 inches) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 to 16 Years |
Personality
- They are well-behaved and placid breed.
- Ragamuffins go along very well with humans and other pets in the family.
- They need dedicated time for exercise and playing as they are relatively high energy and they easily gain weight.
9. Ragdoll
Ragdoll are an American cat breed very close to Ragamuffins as they share numerous features together. They are known for their distinct colorpoint coats and blue eyes.
The breed was produced by American cat breeder Ann Baker in the 1960s along with Ragamuffins. Both Ragdoll and Ragamuffins are descendants of a non-pedigree domestic long-haired cat named Josephine of unknown origin.
Ragdolls are known for their calm temperament and tendency to go limp and relaxed while picked up. Their soft and thick coat and habit of following their owner around makes them one of the most popular breeds of aesthetic cats.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | Up To 9 Kg |
| Length | Up To 3 Feet |
| Life Expectancy | Up To 17 Years |
Personality
- The breed has easy going friendly and social personality.
- They have a tendency to sit on your lap for an extended period of time and expect a soft belly rub.
- The breed does not require much of playtime or exercise but they will sure demand long cuddle time.
10. Siberian Forest Cat
Siberian Forest Cat is native to Russia and one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. They are often called just Siberian or Siberian Cats.
The breed is characterized as a medium to large breed and has a muscular body structure with a bushy tail. Siberian Cats are a natural breed of Siberia and have developed thick and extra-long coats while adapting to the harsh climate of the region.
Siberian Forest Cat is also the national cat of Russia and shares both physical and personality features with the Norwegian Forest Cat. Siberian mostly has a white colored coat but they also come in other colors as well.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | Up To 7.5 Kg |
| Length | 17 To 25 Inches |
| Life Expectancy | 11 To 18 Years |
Personality
- Siberian Forest Cats are mostly sociable but sometimes show independent traits.
- Just like their Viking counterparts, Siberian Cats also prefer the outdoors but also adapt easily to the indoor lifestyle.
- Although friendly, Siberian Forest breeds do not tolerate hugging and grabbing by young children for long but they are not known to be hostile.
11. York Chocolate
York Chocolate breed is native to the United States of America. The breed was established in New York City in 1983.
The breed of cat mostly comes in chocolate brown colors but solid lavender and mixed brown and white and lavender and white are also not uncommon. The breed was made by color-selecting domestic cats with long hair in the beginning.
York Chocolate breed has a sturdy and smooth flowing long body structure with muscular built under their heavy coat. These types of cats also have strong and long legs helping them to jump higher easily.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | 4.5 To 7.5 Kg |
| Length | 1.5 to 2 Feet |
| Life Span | 13-15 Years |
Personality
- York Chocolate breed is extremely friendly and even-tempered making them excellent as a family pet.
- Although they love being held and cuddled but only on their terms and make a special bond with their human family.
- The breed is filled with energy and love playing with moving toys and running around the home.
12. Somali
The Somali cat breed has similarities with the Abyssinian cat except for the long hair part. They were introduced to North America in the 1940s.
The breed is also known as Fox Cat for its foxy look and dominant brown color. The term Somali was first used for the long-haired Abyssinia by Evelyn Mague in the United States of America. The breed was widely accepted in 1982 internationally.
Unlike other fluffy breeds, Somali is lean but muscular built and have great athletic lines running through their body. They have long and furry tails and tufts of hair in their oval paws.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher) |
| Weight | 2.5 To 4.5 Kg |
| Length | Up To 2 Feet |
| Life Expectancy | 11 To 16 Years |
Temperament
- The Somali cat breed is filled with energy and requires long periods of playtime.
- The cats can be friendly but show independent tendencies time and again.
- They are not very good with other pets in the home but tend to vocalize less making them fit as a single pet.
13. American Bobtail
American Bobtail originated in the United States of America in the 1960s. The breed is characterized by its much shorter and furry tail.
The breed generally has color patterns matching the bigger members of the Cat family and they are said to be first made as a cross between American Bobcats and domestic cats. American Bobtails are exclusive and uncommon pets.
They have a muscular build with a broad chest, higher hips, prominent shoulder blades, and strong legs.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Long (6 inches or higher), Short (2 inches or shorter) |
| Weight | Up To 7.2 Kg |
| Length | 17 To 19 Inches |
| Life Span | 13 To 15 Years |
Personality
- Although they have a wild and often intimidating look, they are devoted, loving, and intelligent.
- They are playful and energetic and may run around the home quite frequently.
- The breed is also very good with other pets in the home and kids.
14. Birman
Birman is a long-haired color pointed cat with their origin traced to Burma (Myanmar) and France. Birman have distinct black spots on their faces.
They have a medium to large size rectangular-shaped body with a thick and beautiful long coat. They do not have an undercoat, unlike other longhaired breed of cats and Birman always come in color-pointed coat colors.
Birman was on the verge of extinction after the Second World War as only two known cats were left at the end of the war. The breed had to be cross-bred with Persian and Himalayan to restore back to their original style.
Physical Features
| Coat Length | Medium-Long (3 to 5 inches) |
| Weight | 2.7 To 4.9 Kg |
| Length | 15 To 18 Inches |
| Life Expectancy | 12 To 16 Years |
Personality
- Birman Cat Breed is an extremely relaxed and laid-back breed.
- They prove to be great companions to humans and go along really well with kids and other pets.
- The cat breed does not possess a strong hunting instinct but that does not stop them from being playful at times.
15. American Curl
American Curl is originally from California, United States of America. The breed has a distinct ear that curls backward towards the center of the skull.
They are mid-sized domestic cats whose kittens are born with straight and normal-looking ears but they start curling back within 48 hours of birth. They come in both long-haired and short-haired styles and both types have silky and shiny coats.
The breed comes in numerous colors and patterns giving them aesthetics desired from pet cats. As they come from non-pedigree and occur naturally, they are very healthy breeds.
Physical Appearance
| Coat Length | Medium-Long (3 to 5 inches) |
| Weight | 2.5 To 4.5 Kg |
| Length | Up To 20 Inches |
| Life Span | 12 To 16 Years |
Personality
- American Curl is a friendly, sociable, and intelligent breed of domestic cat.
- They developed great bonds with their favorite humans often dubbed as "dog-like attachment" in the cat community.
- The cats are extremely energetic and show kitten-like characteristics in their adulthood as well.
