Most animal lovers know that the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog breed in the U.S. for a long time. He is followed closely by the German Shepherd, the Yorkie, and the Golden Retriever. But how many of us know which cat breeds are the most popular? Just as the top dog breeds are varied in their looks, size and personalities, the top 10 cat breeds in the U.S. are very different from each other.
There are about 90 million pet cats in the U.S. according to census data. This means there are many more whose owners do not claim them as pets even though they take care of them. Many of these cats are identified as domestic longhairs or domestic shorthairs and only about 3-5% are purebred. The list of cat breeds is large - most registries recognize around 40 breeds of cats and at least one new breed is added yearly.
Purebred cat lovers generally choose a breed that is similar to their personality. A person who is reserved and introverted might choose a breed such as the somewhat aloof Scottish Fold or the American Curl. A person who is more outgoing and is looking for a dog-like cat might choose the Manx or the Birman. Cat owners are also drawn to cats based on their looks. From the sleek Siamese to the rough and tumble Maine Coon, you'll find that often a cat does look like his person.
The top ten cat breeds in the U.S. are as varied as their American