Although there are several big cat breeds that are known for having spots, it is a trait that is far less common than you would think in domestic cats. Some do exist, however, including those with big cat ancestors. Some, like the Bengal, have prominent spots that cover most of their bodies, while other breeds like the Pixie-bob have a combination of stripes and spots. Below are seven breeds of spotted domestic cats to help you find your next spotty feline friend.
The 7 Spotted Cat Breeds
1. Bengal cats
The Bengal is arguably the best-known of the spotted domestic cat breeds. They look like a leopard, although obviously much smaller. It is a highly active cat and will enjoy spending time on top of cupboards and units or anywhere that is high off the ground. They are very intelligent, loves to spend time with people, and can even be trained to perform tricks. As well as being one of the very few spotted breeds, the Bengal holds the distinction of being the only domestic cat with “rosettes” that are similar to the spots on leopards and ocelots.
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2. Egyptian Mau
It is often said that cats never let us forget that they were worshipped as gods by the Egyptians, and this is especially true and fitting of the Egyptian Mau breed. Although the breed obviously has Egyptian heritage, it was actually developed in Italy. With thier green eyes, the Mau can come in silver, bronze, or smoke coloring and despite their aloof appearance, they will actually form a very close bond with their human owners. The spots of the Mau are randomly situated on the body and may appear more like stripes in some instances.
3. Ocicat
Despite its name, the Ocicat was not bred from the Ocelot, but for its resemblance to the big cat. In fact, it was created by accident when breeders tried combining a Siamese with an Abyssinian. Many colors of this cat are now accepted, but originally only four were considered standard—chocolate, silver, black, and lilac. The Ocicat is muscular and strong, with plenty of energy, but like the Bengal and the Mau, he is a loyal and loving cat that will bond closely with his human owners. The spots of the Ocicat may be elongated, which makes them look more like stripes in some instances.
4. Savannah Cat
The Savannah is a large and athletic cat. It has a distinctive black nose, stripes down its back, and spots that may be round, oval, or elongated. This breed requires daily interaction with its owner, and despite its stunning appearance, it remains a rare breed that is not widely recognized around the world. The Savannah was created by breeding a Serval and a domestic cat, and the first example was born in the 1980s. While it has become more popular, it still remains a rare breed to this day.
5. Pixie-bob
The Pixie-bob is a big domestic cat that looks like a brawler. It has a bobbed tail and his hair can be short or long. Many examples of this breed are polydactyl, which means that they have one or more additional digits on their feet. This is another breed that originated in the 1980s. They tend to be tabby in appearance, with small spots, and they can have brown or green eyes. This rare breed is recognized in the USA and has yet to really spread or gain recognition outside the country.
6. Serengeti
The Serengeti is a relatively new breed, having been first bred in the 1990s. It is a descendant of the Bengal, which was bred with the Oriental Shorthair, and they have long ears and long legs. The breed is very agile, loves to spend time with its humans, and has a tendency to be quite vocal, which only serves to make the stunning cat stand out even more. They can also get along very well with other cats and other pets, as long as they enjoy a proper introduction.
7. California Spangled Cat
The California Spangled Cat is very rare, and it is reported that there are only several hundred examples of the cat alive today. They look like a house leopard but, despite their appearance, they are actually quite docile and much prefer to spend time on the lap of their human, rather than running around outdoors. This cat was first bred with a very noble goal when writer Paul Casey and anthropologist Louis Leakey teamed up to create a domestic cat that looked like a leopard, in the hope that people would be far less likely to want to wear leopard fur if they looked like a domestic cat fur.
Spotted Domestic Cats
Spotted cat breeds are rare and unique, although it is possible to find some examples of other breeds that have spots as their markings. However, the seven breeds above are examples of the only breeds that are known and indeed recognized for having spotted markings. While they might look like wild cats, most of them love the attention of their humans just as much as the next domestic cat breed.
Featured Image Credit By: Shvaygert Ekaterina, shutterstock
