Cats are beautiful, agile, and graceful. They have long become good friends and loyal pets for humans. Everyone has their own preferences for the appearance of a cat, but long-legged cats are especially popular.
We have assembled for you a list of long-legged cat breeds.
Long-legged Cats: Origin And features
Taming cats began about 9,000 years ago – this is the age of the oldest human burial in which the cat was found. Gradually spreading around the world, traveling with humans, cats began to change. Not only natural conditions were affected, but also mutations, and even later – targeted selection.
So cats began to differ from each other, and few managed to preserve the original parameters of their ancestors. Also, long-legged cats were obtained by crossing wild types of cats and their domestic breeds. For example, a striking representative of this type is the savannah – a hybrid of a serval and a domestic cat.
Features of long-legged cats: Long-legged cats jump much higher than other breeds. The running speed is on average 15–20% higher than in congeners that do not differ in the length of their paws. Weaker musculature as it is thinner and drier. High mobility, which often causes injuries such as sprains and fractures. Long-legged pets need to be monitored so that they do not harm themselves.
Special care for long-legged cats is not required. Regular visits to the vet, proper nutrition, and an active lifestyle – and your pet will be healthy and happy.
Top 11 Wild & Domestic longest-legged Cat Breeds
Bengal Cats
Bengal cats are one of the most popular hybrid breeds. They are the result of crossing an Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat (several breeds). The length of their paws is slightly less than 1/2 of the height at the withers. Although the legs of Bengals are quite long, this is not very noticeable due to their developed muscles.
The most important advantage of the breed is its beautiful, clear pattern inherited from its wild ancestor and soft coat with a glossy sheen.
Egyptian Mau Cats
The Egyptian Mau is a direct descendant of the Libyan steppe cat. Of course, as a result of centuries of cohabitation with humans, the legs of this breed have slightly shortened, but they still remain quite long – a little more than 1/2 of the height at the withers, in some individuals, it is even more.
In addition to grace and long legs, the Mau’s advantages are:
- affection for the owner;
- high intelligence;
- sociability.
Arabian Mau Cats
This is a rather rare breed that, like the Egyptian Mau, decent directly from the Libyan cat. Its paws are also slightly more than half the height at the withers in length, thin, lean. The peculiarity of these cats is that they live in the hot deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and are able to withstand 50-degree heat.
Turkish Angora Cats
Turkish Angoras can boast not only a leg length of more than 1/2 of the height at the withers but also a graceful physique and a long neck. The spectacular parameters of angora can not always be seen because of the long hair, but it only decorates these cats. In addition, Angoras are real “energizers” that will stir up even the most phlegmatic owner.
Abyssinian Cats
The homeland of the beautiful Abyssinian is Ethiopia, so many felinologists believe that it’s in a very close relationship with the Libyan cat. Indeed, the type of color and length of legs (from 1/2 to 2/3 of the height at the withers) Abyssinian cats clearly inherited from their wild ancestor.
Their legs are rather thin but strong, which allows Abyssinians to jump much higher than many other breeds.
Serengeti Cats
The Serengeti is one of the young cat breeds. The purpose of their breeding was to create a home prototype of servals and to protect wild cats from being used as exotic pets. The length of the Serengeti’s legs is slightly less than 2/3 of the height at the withers in individuals that meet the standard (there are cats with shorter paws).
Another feature of the breed is its large rounded ears, like a serval.
Oriental Cats
Oriental cats are similar to aliens, so they have an unusual appearance. They differ in literally everything: a special shape of the muzzle, huge ears, and, of course, long – at least 2/3 of the height at the withers – with thin legs.
Peterbald Cats
The Peterbald is a domestic breed also known as the St. Petersburg Sphynx. They were bred as a result of crossing Oriental and Don Sphynxes. The length of their paws is slightly more than 2/3 of the height at the withers. Peterbalds can be either completely bald or with very short coarse hair.
Cornish Rex Cats
In addition to the length of the paws, varying from 2/3 to slightly less than 3/4 of the height at the withers, Cornish has a soft coat that is tightly curled, like astrakhan fur. Their unusually meaningful, childishly surprised look conquers absolutely everyone.
Chausie Cats
Chausie are hybrid cats obtained from crossing a jungle cat and an Abyssinian. It is the cats of the first generation (F1) that get the longest legs – 3/4 of the height at the withers. They are quite large animals that are easy to tame and are very loyal to their owners.
Savannah Cats
The leg length of the first-generation savannah can exceed 3/4 of the height at the withers. Their beautiful color, graceful appearance, and funny ears are the main, but not the only advantages of the breed.
Long-legged Cats In The Wild
- The cheetah is the fastest cat in the world. Its thin and long legs allow it to reach speeds of over 62 Mile / h.
- Canadian lynx. This fluffy cat boasts legs that are more than half its height.
- Caracal is an inhabitant of the Asian steppes. The owner of strong, muscular, and rather long legs, as well as a short tail and true oriental grace.
- Libyan steppe cat. A small African species with thin and long but strong lamps.
- Ocelot. This cat has an elongated body and muscular long legs. An unusually harmonious constitution and developed musculature allow it to feel at home in the trees.
- African Serval. The longest-legged cat of all species. Its legs allow it to jump to a height of 9-14 feet, and its reaction speed – to grab even flying birds.
Final Thoughts
Long-legged cats are graceful, agile, and have a special charm. Such a pet will delight not only with a cheerful character but also with a beautiful appearance. But whatever your cat is, remember – it all depends on how you treat it and the love you give it.
