12 lovable large cat breeds

It's no coincidence that large cat breeds, like Maine Coons or Norweigan Forest cats, also happen to be some of the most popular kitties around. After all, there's just so much more to love, right?

If you were hoping to spend the next 10 minutes of your day staring at some seriously cute (and cosmically-sized) felines, then we have good news for you. For here, we explore some of the most popular large domestic cat breeds around - with a couple of extra exotic-looking felines thrown in for your purr-using pleasure...

12 popular large cat breeds

Maine Coon

When it comes to breeds of large domestic cats, they don’t get bigger (or bolder) than the Maine Coon! Known as the gentle giant of the feline world, the Maine Coon cat is the largest domesticated cat breed - with male cats weighing in at an impressive 25 pounds. 

These larger-than-life felines are known for their playful and affectionate nature - they've even been referred to by some as the 'dogs of the feline world'. These powerhouse kitties have muscular bodies and thick, waterproof coats - a throwback to their days surviving the harsh Maine winters, where these luscious long-haired cats originate. 

Breed facts

Weight: Typically, females weigh around 8 - 12 pounds while male cats can weigh between 15 - 25 pounds.

Height: On average, Maine Coons stand at around 10 - 16 inches tall. 

Body length: In a word: long! The colossal Maine Coon can grow to a pretty impressive 40 inches in length.

Siberian 

Meet the Siberian cat: a charming, notoriously affectionate feline (we're sensing a theme here) with floof in abundance. Despite all that thick, lush fur, allergy-sufferers will be pleased to know that this large breed of cat typically produces less Fel d1 (the most common cat allergen) than other felines, and is generally considered to be hypoallergenic (however, it's worth mentioning that no cat - or dog, for that matter - is truly hypoallergenic). 

Fun fact: they're not only one of the large house cat breeds around - they're also one of the smartest and most trainable. Rumor has it, they can even learn a trick or two!

Breed facts

Weight: A fully grown Siberian cat can weigh between 15 - 20 pounds, with males typically sitting at the higher end of the scale. 

Height: On average, you can expect your Siberian pal to stand between 10 - 12 inches tall. 

Body length: These long boys (and girls) have a typical body length of between 15 to 25 inches.

Norwegian Forest cat

With these fluffy felines, it’s almost hard to tell where the fur ends and the body begins! With charm in abundance and floof for days (literally - heads up, these felines are known to be big seasonal shedders!), we think the Norwegian Forest cat might just take the 'most majestic moggy' title of all our featured felines. 

Their wild appearance isn't just by chance - it's thought that these fluffy cats were first created in Norway by breeders who crossed domestic moggies with wild cats. And that wild streak runs strong - these active felines love to play and climb, and weighing in at up to 16 pounds, they’ll need ample space to do so! 

Breed facts

Weight: On average, female Wegies (as they are affectionately known) weigh between 9 - 12 pounds, while males tend to weigh between 12 - 16 pounds. 

Height: These fluffy felines stand between 9 - 12 inches tall on average.

Body length: These muscular, sturdy cats have a typical body length of around 12 to 18 inches.

Savannah cat

Ever heard of the Savannah cat? They're a hybrid cross-breed of a domestic cat and an African wild serval. Not all Savannahs are alike, though - these cats are categorized by a filial number (ranging from F1 to F8), which essentially refers to how closely related they are to their African wild serval parent. 

The F1 Savannah is the most closely related to the serval - they're also the largest, and the most rare (on average, large exotic cat breeds like F1s can sell for $20,000 each!). These semi-wild kitties are not for the faint-hearted, though, and in many places owning an F1 Savannah (or anything earlier than an F4) is illegal. F4/F5 Savannahs onwards tend to be the most domesticated (and the most suited to family life).

Breed facts

Weight: Savannahs can weigh anywhere between 8 - 25 pounds, depending on the filial number. 

Height: Savannahs have tipped the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest domestic cat - and can stand as tall as 17 inches high!

Body length: F4 and F5 Savannahs tend to be around 16 - 18 inches long. Earlier filial numbers can have a body length of up to 22 inches long.  

Ragamuffin 

Social butterflies of the feline universe, these cosmically-sized cats are lovable, docile, and happiest when in the company of others.

Their gorgeous, expressive faces (and large round eyes) are guaranteed to have any feline fanatic wrapped around their (not-so-little) paws in no time. Ragamuffin cats are known for their loving disposition and family-friendly qualities - they're also closely related cousins to the Ragdoll, another large breed of feline (with an equally adorable name!).  

Breed facts

Weight: Females weigh between 10 - 15 pounds, while males can weigh up to 20 pounds in total. 

Height: These cuties typically stand between 10 - 15 inches tall.

Body length: On average, a Ragamuffin's body stretches between 12 - 18 inches.

Bengal cat

At first glance, you might be mistaken for thinking the Bengal is a full-on wild cat. But no - these chic, sleek felines sit proudly in our ‘breeds of large house cats’ list.

It’s thought that the Bengal was first bred from a domestic kitty (likely the Egyptian Mau) and a wild cat (the Asian leopard cat). Despite their wild-looking exteriors, pet parents and cat sitters alike will be pleased to know the Bengal cat is known for its friendly nature and loyalty to their humans. They're an active and playful breed, and a purrfect family companion that comes in a variety of colors from brown to sepia (with exquisite marbled spots).

Breed facts

Weight: These medium-large sized kitties weigh on average between 8 - 15 pounds. 

Height: Your Bengal buddy could sit anywhere between 13-15 inches tall. 

Body length: On average, Bengals are around 16 - 18 inches long in the body. 

British Shorthair 

An all-round feline crowd-pleaser and the original Chonk: the beloved British Shorthair, a truly iconic breed (and the pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat). They're best known for their stocky builds, striking amber eyes, and of course, that beautifully dense British 'blue' coat (which, rather than being actually blue in color - imagine that - is a solid gray hue).

Thanks to their laidback and affectionate nature, these British buddies make wonderful family pets. But here's something about British Shorthair cats that most people don't know: they are one of the oldest breeds of cats. In fact, experts believe they descend from Ancient Rome (Caesar who?), although they really made their mark in the Victorian era, after stealing the spotlight at the first-ever cat show in 1871.

Breed facts

Weight: These distinguished kitties can weigh anywhere between 9 and 17 pounds. Females tend to sit between 7 - 12 pounds, while males average at around 9 - 17 pounds.

Height: The average British Blue will stand between 12 - 14 inches. 

Body length: A fully grown floof can stretch out to between 22 - 25 inches long.

Chausie

The British Shorthair feeling a bit too mellow? Enter: the Chausie. In case you haven't heard of them before, the Chausie is an exotic-looking hybrid kitty that's athletic, outdoorsy - and full of beans! 

They have a real 'King of the jungle' vibe going on - in fact, their name, 'Chausie', derives from the Latin "felis chaus", which literally means “jungle cat". These large active felines aren't for everyone - they require a lot of attention, stimulation, and exercise to keep destructive behavior at bay.

Breed facts

Weight: These elegant felines weigh on average between 15 to 25 pounds. 

Height: You can expect your Chausie to grow to between 14 - 18 inches. 

Body length: These jungle babies have an average body length of between 16 - 22 inches. 

Ragdoll

Another kitty that takes the ‘big cat breeds’ title: the ever-adorable Ragdoll. Ever wondered where they got their name from? Apparently, it's due to their knack for going limp whenever they're picked up - you know, like a ragdoll?

They have a docile, easy-going disposition, while their adorable fluffy gray faces, cute blue eyes, and pointed color patterns make them (in our humble opinion) seriously cute-as-a-button. Honestly, it's no wonder they constantly steal the top spots in the list of America's most popular cat breeds!

Breed facts

Weight: These cuties tend to weigh between 10 - 20 pounds. Like most breeds, males tend to sit at the higher end of that scale.

Height: These kitties stand on average between 9 - 12 inches tall.

Body length: Typically, Ragdolls are around 17 - 21 inches across the body (not including that mega floofy tail!) 

Turkish Van 

These kitties are known for their all-white bodies, which are complemented by a darker-colored tail and head. These cuties are quite a rarity when it comes to the domestic feline world, so if you're the pet parent to one (or have the privilege of cat sitting for one), considered yourself one lucky human! 

One thing you need to know when it comes to these large, lovable felines? They love to swim. Yes, really! We know, it goes against more or less everything we think we know about cats, but if you don't believe us, just take a look at the (many) online videos showing these water-loving babies paddling away to their heart's content.

Breed facts

Weight: In general, female Vans weigh between 7 - 12 pounds, while males can tip the scales at between 10 - 20 pounds.

Height: These fluffy felines have an overall average height of between 10 - 14 inches.

Body length: These long-bodied cats have an average body length of about 14 - 17 inches. 

Ocicat

Your eyes aren't deceiving you - while the Ocicat looks very much like it should be prowling through the jungle, these domestic kitties are highly sociable, people-loving cats who adore attention (and aren't afraid to demand it...).

Want to know an interesting fact about these felines? They came about almost entirely by chance. A breeder created them by accident while attempting to develop a Siamese-style cat with ticked point patterns. The result was a spotted (not so little) feline that resembled a wild Ocelot - hence the name! 

Breed facts

Weight: While smaller than the other felines on our list, the Ocicat still sits at an impressive 6 - 15 pounds on average. 

Height: Typically, the wild-looking Ocicat will stand between 9 - 11 inches tall.

Body length: On average, Ocicats have a body length of between 13 - 16 inches.

American Bobtail 

Short, stout, and seriously cute, it's the American Bobtail, known best for their 'bobbed tails' (yep, no prizes for guessing where their name comes from!) and tabby pattern coats.

We wouldn't blame you for thinking that the American Bobtail doesn't fit into the ‘largest cat breeds’ category - but believe it or not, these muscular felines can weigh up to a hefty 20 pounds! Known for their 'dog-like' personalities, the Bobtail is a popular family pet with a loving, affectionate disposition that's guaranteed to have anyone in their vicinity fall positively head over paws in love with them.

Breed facts

Weight: Typically, these fluffy tabby-coated cats weigh between 7 - 16 pounds. 

Height: American Bobtails stand on average between 9 - 10 inches tall.

Body length: On average, these kitties have a body length of around 17 - 19 inches. 

9 rare cat breeds (to know and love) 

Loved meeting these large-and-in-charge kitties? If niche felines are more your bag of catnip, then why not check out these rare cat breeds next.