Quick trivia question: how many cat breeds are there?
If you answered 71, 44, or 43 you’d be correct. The answer depends on which cat association you ask. With so many different cat breeds it can be difficult to decide what breed you like because they all have different appearances and personalities. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at some very special breeds of cats: Cats with big noses!
Most cats have very small noses, especially flat-faced cats are known for their very tiny nose but there are a few breeds out there for big-nose lovers. Let’s take a look!
Oriental Shorthair
The oriental shorthair is an elegant cat with long legs, a short, smooth coat, big pointy ears, and of course, a big nose! The Oriental shorthair has one of the biggest noses of any domesticated cat breed and it’s one of their most defining facial features. Their nose is long and straight, and very defined.
This breed is a result of crossbreeding the Siamese Cat with a variety of other breeds. The breed was first introduced in the United States in 1970 and was quickly recognized as a distinct breed by various cat fancier organizations.
This breed is often described as being highly affectionate, friendly, great with kids and other pets, playful, energetic, intelligent, and vocal. Their exercise needs are mediocre.
Another nice aspect of this breed is that they’re often described as hypoallergenic. While no cat breed is truly hypoallergenic, Oriental shorthairs do produce less Fel D1 proteins, which is the protein responsible for triggering allergies so they’re a good fit for people who suffer from cat allergies.
Oriental Longhair
The Oriental Longhair looks similar to the Oriental Shorthair, but as the name suggests, there is one major difference: hair length. The Oriental longhair used to be known as the British Angora but was renamed in 2002 to avoid confusion with the Turkish Angora. Just like the Shorthair, the Oriental Longhair has the same large nose.
The Oriental Longhair is a very affectionate breed that does well with kids and other pets. It’s also very energetic and loves to play. They’re a very curious breed that needs a lot of mental stimulation in order to stay happy. The Oriental Longhair is also very trainable due to its intelligent and inquisitive nature.
You might assume that due to the breed’s long hair they might be high-maintenance but that’s not really the case. This breed does not have a double coat which means that they require much less intensive grooming.
Bengal Cat
Yet another breed that has a large nose is the Bengal Cat. The Bengal is one of the largest cat breeds out there with a broad, large, and slightly puffy nose.
The Bengal Cat is a crossbreed of domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat. The breed was first created by Jean Mill, a woman from California. The breed gained championship status from The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1991.
The Bengal has a wild appearance with a golden shimmer and beautiful markings. This is one of the most energetic breeds around and they need a lot of exercise and play to stay happy. Because of this breed’s beautiful appearance, its popularity has grown rapidly. In 1992 there were only 125 registered Bengal breeders but in 2019 the number of registered breeders had increased to 1,972!
The Bengal cat is very affectionate, playful, and intelligent. This makes him a fun companion but can also pose challenges. They’re a relatively high-maintenance breed and need a lot of attention, so make sure you have the time required if you choose to adopt this cat into your home.
Chausie Cat
The final big-nosed cat breed on this list is the Chausie Cat. As you can see in the picture above, they have quite a sizeable nose, although it’s not quite as large as that of the Oriental.
The Chausie is a hybrid breed that was created in the 1990s by crossbreeding domesticated cats with wild Jungle Cats, which is why this breed resembles a wild cat in appearance. The breed has been officially recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) since 1995 and received championship status in 2013.
The Chausie Cat has a long, sloping forehead with high cheekbones, triangular ears, and a large, wide nose with puffy nose leather. The breed is quite large with an athletic, lean body which makes them excellent runners and jumpers.
This breed is highly active and playful and needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation. They do not like to be alone, so they might not be the best breed for people who are away from home a lot. With the right owner, this breed is highly loyal, affectionate, and a great companion.
Turkish Van
The Turkish van is a breed that has a straight and Asiatic nose. Their nose is long for a semi-shorthair and gives this breed an exotic appearance.
This breed is officially recognized by most major cat fancier associations. However, in Turkey, the breed is considered a national treasure. Because of that, imports are quite rare. The Van pattern, meaning a white body with color on the head and tail, is named after this breed.
Turkish Vans are highly athletic cats that love to play. They’re a high-energy breed that needs to be kept busy in order to stay content.
They’re not the most social cat breed. As shown by a study done in Finland, they have higher than average tendencies towards fearfulness, aggression towards humans, and lower stress tolerance. However, as long as they’re treated with respect and kindness they can be very social and loving.
Final words
So, there you have it, the top 5 domesticated cat breeds with large noses! Whether you’re in the market for a long-nosed breed or simply wanted to satisfy your curiosity, I hope this overview was helpful. If you know of any other cat breeds that have particularly big noses, let me know. Which one is your favorite?
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