Cats

Background 
The American Shorthair is a truly American cat! The direct ancestors of the American Shorthair were the first domestic cats to settle in the New World, traveling over with pilgrims on the Mayflower where they were used to catch rats and mice. 

As settlement in North America increased, a lot of the imported European cats interbred. Eventually, a selective breeding program established in the early 19th century perfected the breed, which is now the eighth most popular breed in the United States. 

History
As the ancestor to all modern long-haired cats, the Siberian is among the most ancient breeds. In fact, he’s been around for at least 1,000 years! Similar to the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon, the Siberian is a natural breed from the icy tundra of Siberia and proudly serves as the national cat of Russia. 

History
One of the oldest and most recognized cats in the world, the Siamese hails from 14th-century Thailand, where he was favored by the royal Siam family. In fact, the Siam family used to give these cats to visitors of their royal court as gifts, which contributed to their spread throughout the world. This cat was referred to repeatedly in the “Tamra Maew” (Cat Poems), a collection of ancient Thai manuscripts dedicated to cats. 

History
The Ocicat may look wild and exotic, but he's anything but fierce. You’ll find few breeds friendlier, and the Ocicat’s majestic spots are a sight to see! 

History
A cousin of the Cornish Rex, the first Devon Rex was a feral kitten named Kirlee who was found pouncing around an abandoned tin mine in the county of Devon in the UK. And, like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex is friendly, outgoing, and unbelievably playful! 

History
The Cornish Rex may be a mutant, but he’s also one of the friendliest felines around!

Background 
The origin of the Russian Blue cat breed is a bit of a mystery, but most experts believe that they originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia – also known as the beautifully-named Archangel Isles. In fact, because “Arkhangelsk” means “archangel” in Russian, these distinctive looking cats are also known as Archangel Blues. 

Background 
True to its name, the Norwegian Forest Cat is built to survive Norway’s cold and snow! 

With a thick coat of warm, water-resistant fur, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a truly rugged cat. In fact, most experts agree that its ancestors belonged to the Vikings and were used to catch and control vermin on Viking ships. It is also one of the oldest breeds: its ancestors were brought to Norway by Vikings over a thousand years ago and interbred with longhaired cats imported to Norway by Crusaders.