Although the majority of domestic cats in China are naturally propagated, there are some varieties with distinguished strains of breed or regional characteristics. The most famous mainly include the following breeds:
Shandong "Lion cat"
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| Shangdong "Lion cat" |
Also known as "Linqing Lion Cat", they are mainly in white hair, while some areininterspacedblack and white color. The hair on neck and back has a length of up to 4-5 cm. They look like a lion when standing. The "Long-haired Lion Cat" is the most famous and precious among the variety, originating in Linqing City of Shandong Province, so comes the name "Lin Qing Lion cat". Apart from being coated with thick snow-white long hair from head to foot, they also have a couple of "mandarin duck eyes" (also known as "Yin Yangeyes"), one is yellow and the other is blue. They are quite similar with the Persian cat, but have no short puss and the upturned nose of the latter. They have robust body, strong resisting power to disease and good freezing resistance. They are expert at rat catching.
Leopard Cat
The alternate name is "Tabby Cat",distributedin every province of China but concentratedin Shaanxi and Henan provinces. Somewhat liketheAmerican tabby, itsneck and abdomen are covered with hoary hair. The hair color of other part of the body gradually transits from blackish gray into regular stripes, just like that of tigers, from which the name "Tabby Cat" originates. They have short hair and developed sebaceous gland. Although they are expert at rat catching, however, they easily fall prey to cold and diseases.
Clouded Cat
Clouded Cat" got its name for having stripes in the shape of cloud. Being fond of the liquor of coconuts and palms, they are also reputed as "Coconut Cat" and "Palm Cat". They are generally brownish yellow or blackishgray all over, with head in black and limbs and tails in brownish black. There are white spots on the side and underside of their eyes, black dapples on both sides of the body, and several longitudinal black strips on the back. With pretty appearance, they are regarded as a precious ornamental cat variety. On average, they give birth two times a year, with 2 to 4 cubs for one time. They are only distributed over southern China.
SichuanJianzhou Cat
They have a big and robust physique. Moving quickly and excelling in catching rats, they are reputed as "hunting expert" and are raised in large quantity in vast countryside. They are mainly used for catching rats.
Among the remaining 31 species of wild cats all over the world for the moment, 10 species are in China, including "Haizhou Cat" and "Sheyang Cat", which have been recorded in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Leopard Cat, Qian Cat, Asian Golden Cat and Felis Manul, which are among the rare animals under national protection. Felis Bieti and Dappled Asian Golden Cat are even more precious.
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