The Whiskas Web site (www.whiskas.com) provides good information on getting a cat and includes the following: After you’ve made up your mind to get a cat, should you get a purebred cat or a non-purebred cat? Should it be longhaired or shorthaired, male or female? You may even be wondering if you should get two or more cats, either for your own enjoyment or so your cat will never be alone. Here are a few tips to help you choose a cat:

Pedigree or Non-Pedigree?
There are between forty and eighty different cat breeds and about five hundred varieties within these breeds. Characteristics vary enormously among breeds. Just look at the ever popular Siamese, Burmese, and Persian, the Manx who has no tail, or the hairless Canadian Sphinx. Apart from the differences in their appearance, each breed has a distinct temperament and personality. The Siamese, for example, is well known as an extrovert, whereas the longhaired Persians are generally more sedate.

Many books are available describing the characteristics of different breeds. On your fact-finding mission, you can check out the peculiarities of every breed. You’ll also have a chance to meet all these different kinds of cats if you go to a cat show. There you can see what breed appeals to you most. Chances are, you’ll see a lot of amazing and adorable cats you’ll want to take home right on the spot!

Most cat owners don’t choose a purebred. For most of us, non-purebred cats have all the attributes we’re looking for, and come in a wide variety of different colors and coat types.