Not for the Faint of Heart: 6 Large Domestic Cat Breeds Who'll Rule Your Home These Big Kitties Bring Lots to Love

Some folks like big things; big cars, big houses, big cities. If this describes you and you’re a cat lover, then you’re in luck! Some of the biggest around are also the most loving and fun to keep as companions -- take a look at these large domestic cats breeds.

The cats on our list not only have sizable bodies, they’ve also been bred to display unique characteristics, which include companionable personalities, beautiful coat colors and styles, and distinctive facial and body features.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon, also known as the American Longhair, has origins (as their name suggests) in the state of Maine. This cat is one of the oldest breeds in America, and certainly one of the largest. Males can weigh up to 25 pounds. Their long, luxurious coat, gentle disposition, and above average intelligence make the Maine Coon a very popular breed.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Some believe that the Norwegian Forest Cat’s ancestors were brought to Norway, their home country, by Vikings around 1000 AD. True or not, this cat is a Viking at heart. They’re hearty enough to thrive even in very cold climates because of their long outer coat and wooly undercoat. Like the Maine Coon, the Norwegian is stocky and powerful and very friendly with their human family.

RagDoll

This blue-eyed beauty of a cat gets their name from the fact that they become relaxed and limp like a rag doll when you attempt to pick it up. The Ragdoll is an American cat of recent origins, first bred in the 1960s from a mix of Persian and Birman cats. The cat is large, with females often approaching 15 pounds, and has an extremely plush, soft coat. Given this and their docile nature, these pets are excellent lap cats.

Siberian

As their name would suggest, the Siberian cat hails from Russia, where the cat has been known for centuries. Given their soft, luxurious coat that many people believe is hypoallergenic, it seems odd that the breed only appeared in the U.S. as late as the 1990s. Of course, the Siberian is now gaining in popularity worldwide.

The American Bobtail

The American Bobtail is not the largest of the large cats, but they are larger than your standard housecat. The larger males can weigh up to 16 lbs. The American Bobtail has a distinctive bobbed tail, as their name implies. The bobbed gene in this breed is recessive, so if you decide to mate your bobtail, the little ones may or may not have the feature the breed is known for -- the short tail. American Bobtails are pleasant companions, and are known to get along well with children and other house pets.

Savannah

We’ve saved this cat for last, because among the biggest of the domestics, this breed is tops. The Savannah—a mixed breed between a domestic cat and the wild African Serval—can weigh in at 20 pounds or more! The cat’s Cheetah-like spots and tall pointed ears also make the Savannah one of the most distinctive of all domestic cat breeds. These cats are often compared to dogs because of their loyalty and because they can be quite shy around strangers.

More on Cat Breeds

Where Cat Breeds Come From - Infographic
The History of Cats
Wild Cat Breeds for Adventurous Cat Parents
What To Do About Cat Hiccups
How To Treat A Cat's Wound

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