Here are specific breeds of cat with long hair. Long-haired cats are a bit more high-maintenance due to the fact they need their fur combed and smoothed more frequently to prevent excessive shedding and hairballs.

Ragdoll

The Ragdoll has long hair and is adorable and cuddly.

Ragdoll cats are large, gentle cats. They are not very vocal, not very energetic or active, but do like to play. While they do have long hair, it doesn’t mat easily; so they can get by with having their fur brushed once a week.

Persian

One of the bigger breeds of cats, the Maine Coon Cat has a long, fluffy coat and is curious and very friendly.

Kittens scoot on their bellies at birth, walk after three weeks and are fully grown between three to five years.

They are social and love being near their owners, making great companion cats. Because of the long hair, they need to be brushed daily.

Manx cat

Manx cats usually have no tail, or often sport a stubby tail. They are friendly cats - good with children. Manx are social and like to follow their owners around. They tend to “growl” much like a dog does, and often make a high trilling sound to “call” their owners when hungry or wanting attention.

Manx come in short-haired or long-haired varieties and make good family pets who love attention and brushing.

Somali

Somali cats are a semi-long-haired mutation from the Abyssinian. They come in blue, fawn, silver, red and ruddy colors. They sport the letter “M” on their forehead with tufts of hair in their ears and between their toes.

Somalis are very sociable and like to be in the spotlight. They are smart and get along well with other pets.

Somalis are active, playful and like to “get into things” like cabinets and drawers. They love to play fetch and love water! They’ll need lots of toys to entertain themselves.

They make great pets but do need lots of playtime and attention from their owners.

Calico

The Calico is the American name for a tortoiseshell and white cat.

The Calico is not a registered breed, however about 16 different breeds can sport the calico pattern. You cannot plan for a Calico – they pop up in any breed and it’s just a game of chance if a litter produces a Calico. They can come in long or short hair, depending on breed.

Calicoes were considered lucky charms in ancient Asia due to the rarity and curious coloring. In ancient Japan they were thought to have magical powers. In ancient England Calicoes “helped people see into the future.”

Specific qualities and personality of the Calico depends on the breed of the cat.

Males are even more unusual (only one in 3,000 calicoes is a male) and are usually sterile.

Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, muscular cat who is very active and independent. Having a deep-rooted history of living in the forest and on farms, they should not be confined totally indoors. The Vikings used them aboard ship to kill rats.

While reserved, the Norwegian Forest Cat gets along well with cats, dogs and kids. They often bond with one special person in the household.

They have two coat lengths, long for winter or shorter and sleeker for summer. Only the ears and tail remain the same from season to season. These cats come in every color imaginable, but the darker colored cats have a thinner undercoat. Sometimes the coat color will change with the season as well.

Because their fur is so silky and basically tangle-free, brushing is usually only required during the spring season when they shed their long winter coat.

Siberian Cat

The Siberian cat is a natural breed of cat, and is the national cat of Russia (hence the name).

Siberian cats are often touted as a hypo-allergenic cat, because they produce less Fel d 1 than most other cats. Fel d 1 is the protein in the cat’s saliva that is usually what people are allergic to. (It’s not the hair that people are allergic to, as most people think, but the dried saliva on the hair that actually produces the allergy).

Siberian cats are strong, powerful cats with well-rounded paws, making them agile jumpers.

Siberian cats make good family housecats, but are most happy in pairs (to help keep them active and alert). They make wonderful parents, with both sexes caring for and grooming the young.

A twice a week brushing will keep the fur smooth and glossy, as matting is rare even with the longer textured hair.

Himalayan Cat

The Himalayan was first introduced in the 1930’s when a Siamese was bred with a Persian. Like the Siamese, they have “points” – ears, face, paws and tails of a darker color. They do require daily brushing

Himalayans are sweet-tempered and calm, yet playful and attention loving. They have a soft meow that they seldom use. These cats are the “snuggler” in the cat family, preferring laps to climbing and jumping.

They make great pets and love being admired and the center of attention.