This is the cat breed known for its hairlessness and history. They are startlingly alien-looking and practically impossible not to stare at. They are one of nature’s mysteries with long rat-like tails, hundreds of frown lines, a pot belly and blaring bald nudity. You’ll thank me later for telling you that they will need to be bathed frequently; lacking fur, their oddly exposed skin can get oily and in turn stink. Oh, and the little darling prima donnas will need their linens washed daily along with special dietary needs heavy on the protein so they can withstand the chill in the air. They require special care, but knitting fun outfits and naming the baldie kitty Fluffy could make it all worthwhile though.
Price Tag: $300–$3,000
Fun Fact: Sphynx cats have no whiskers but they can have peach fuzz all over their little coiffure-challenged frames.
9. Scottish Fold
The original Scottish Fold cat was named Susie. She was found at a farm in Scotland in 1961. She had weird ears with an odd fold in the middle that gave her the appearance of an owl. When Susie had kittens, two were born with folded ears. A dominant genetic mutation causes the cartilage in this breed’s ears to have one, two, or three folds. The folds make the ears flop forward. The more folds in the ears, the more the ears will closely hug their heads. At birth, ears will look normal but after three weeks they’ll begin to fold. These kitties are sweet, laid-back and good for families, even those with other pets or small children.
Price Tag: $500–$3,000
Fun Fact: Scottish Fold cats like to sit in an L-shaped position. With their back straight, they like to sit with their legs straight out in front of them giving them a human look. They are also known to suddenly flop onto their back and fall into a deep sleep.
8. Savannah
The Savannah is a cross between an African wild cat and a domestic cat. They have exotic wild spots and stripes and they like to chirp, meow and hiss. They’ll follow you around the house, play fetch, and happily walk on a leash. They playfully enjoy greeting you with a head butt or pounce and don’t be surprised if they join you in the shower by leaping in. They love to bat water around and can jump eight feet into the air from a seated position.
Price Tag: $4,000–$20,000
Fun Fact: A Savannah cat named Scarlett Magic holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest domestic cat. She stands at 17.1 inches from shoulder to toe! Savannahs tend to be tall and can grow to 30 pounds.
7. Russian Blue
Favored for their short, thick, velvety silver-blue fur, the Russian Blue cat also has mesmerizing green eyes that grow ever greener with age. Another unique feature is that, due to their prominent whisker pads and upturned mouth, they look like they are smiling. Who knows, maybe they are. Russian Blues tend to be lusciously affectionate and loyal. They are shy with strangers but once they know you, they love you.
Price Tag: $350–$3,000
Fun Fact: Russian Blues are so sensitive to the mood in their home that they have been known to play games to try to cheer a crying child or pat your face in a similar way a mom would say, “there, there” to a youngster. They crave peaceful and quiet environments and love a predictable routine.
6. Peterbald
Bald as a ping-pong ball, these hairless cats have only existed since 1994. They are dramatically slim and resemble the Siamese cat, but the Peterbalds possess distinctively large and widely-set ears. They tend to be curious, affectionate, smart and sweet. Originally from Russia, these baldies will get very attached to you and want to be with you always but, you should know, they have webbed feet with oval paws that can open doorknobs when you’re not looking.
Price Tag: $500–$3,000
Fun Fact: A heavily-shedding, balding cat named Varya was responsible for two types of cat breeds—the Peterbald and the Don Hairless.
5. Manx
The Manx cat is best known for its absent tail. Many Manx have stubs but most are entirely tail-less. It is a naturally occurring spontaneous mutation. Manx are also known as rabbit-like. They have longer back legs so they tend to do the bunny hop, even when they’re just moseying along. Farmers love them because they are terrific mousers. White Manx are rare and sell at the higher end of the price spectrum.
Price Tag: $800–$4,000
Fun Fact: Manx are very dog-like in that they can be taught tricks. They’re bright, playful, and grow very attached to their humans, even following them around from room to room like a loyal pup.
4. Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is the official cat in the state of Maine. It’s one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. They boast a long flowing coat, gentle personality, and great hunting skill. They’re the second most popular cat breed — bumped out of spot number one by the Persian. Maine Coons tend to be impressively large. Guinness World Records listed Stewie, the Maine Coon cat, as the longest. Stewie measured 48.5 inches from nose to tail.
Price Tag:$1,000
Fun Fact: A Maine Coon cat named Cosey won “Best Cat” at the very first cat show in the U.S. It was in 1895 and took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
3. British Shorthair
Due to this cat’s square body shape, thick legs and musculature, the British Shorthair is often referred to as the “bulldog” of the cat-o-sphere. Their heads are round and British Shorthairs are chubby-cherub-cheeked little felines. They have widely set, large eyes of copper or gold.
Price Tag: $500–$1,500
Fun Fact: They come in a wide variety of colors that read like choices in a Victoria’s Secret catalogue: cinnamon, fawn, chocolate, lilac, cream, black, red, white, or blue.
2. Bengal
The Bengal is a hybrid cross between an Asian Leopard cat and a domestic cat. They can have the coat of a leopard but a gentle, tender and friendly personality. Word to the wise: they aren’t lap cats. They’re active and playful and love to explore. Expect objects to be knocked to the floor and cupboards to be opened. Bengals are attracted to water and known to jump into the sink, toilet and bath to investigate. They will be gentle with kids but need their freedom. They aren’t cuddly and hate being confined. However, you better not ignore them. They’ll meow, chirp and howl until you provide the attention they crave.
Price Tag: $1,000–$4,000
Fun Fact: The Bengal cat is a closer relative to the Asian Leopard cat, bengalensis, than to the far more distantly related Bengal tiger.
1. Ashera
The Ashera looks like a cross between a leopard and a cat. It is a hybrid mix of an African Serval and Asian Leopard cat plus the genes of a domestic cat. Asheras can weigh up to 40 pounds and they are so rare that only about four to five of them are created each year.
Price Tag: $22,000–125,000.
Fun Fact: A hypoallergenic version is available for a mere $37,000. One with a snow leopard pattern can be had for $125,000.
Source: http://www.petside.com/slideshow/expensive-cat-breeds
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