5 Cat Breeds That Developed Without Human Intervention

Cats that developed without human intervention are those that emerged over generations in specific regions without deliberate breeding. While many of these breeds now have established standards and are consciously bred, they originally evolved on their own.

In this article, you’ll discover the history and characteristics of some cat breeds that emerged without human intervention (though the list is not exhaustive). These are truly unique creatures!

Here are the cat breeds created without human intervention

1.) Turkish angora

In its homeland, the Turkish Angora is considered a national treasure. It is the oldest known long-haired breed and is likely the ancestor of other long-haired breeds. Graceful, elegant, and refined in appearance, the Angora is delicate only in looks: it possesses extraordinary willpower and muscular strength and only walks on the ground when absolutely necessary. The breed was named after the city of Ankara in Turkey, formerly known as Angora. Written records about them date back to the 16th century, when they were brought from Turkey to Europe. Legend has it that Marie Antoinette counted Angoras among her favorite pets.

In the 1930s, the Turkish government initiated breeding programs in zoos after realizing the sad fact that the breed was on the verge of extinction. This decline was largely due to their extensive use in developing Persian cats.

2.) Korat

The Korat, a breed originating from Thailand, has a rich history that dates back to the 1300s. Despite its long history, its unique appearance has changed very little over the years. The Korat was first discovered in Amour Pimain, a part of Thailand’s Korat province, which was a major commercial hub. However, these animals were not accessible to just anyone! Considered symbols of good luck, they were only owned by those with a “pure background.” The breed is also a symbol of prosperity and happiness, and it was traditionally gifted to brides.

In 1959, Jean Johnson imported the first two Korats to the United States. Ten years later, Daphne Negus returned from Thailand with nine cats to strengthen the bloodline. It was during this period that deliberate breeding of the Korat began.

3.) Kurilian Bobtail

The Kurilian Bobtail traces its origins to Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, a group of approximately 56 volcanic islands stretching 700 miles between Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido island. Fortunately, in Russia, it has been documented that these short-tailed cats have lived on the islands for at least 200 years. Due to their exceptional hunting skills, they managed to survive in such a relatively isolated environment for so long.

In the 1950s, Russian soldiers and scientists brought them back to central Russia to domesticate them as mousers. Lilia Ivanova and Tatyana Bocharova (of the Renaissance Cattery) were the first to start breeding the breed in Russia, and later, others joined them. Bocharova regularly imported cats from the islands to avoid inbreeding.

4.) Sokoke

The Sokoke, or Sokoke Forest Cat, is a natural breed of domestic cat that was developed and standardized in the late 1970s from the feral Khadzonzo landrace of coastal eastern Kenya. It is named after the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, the area where the foundation stock for the breed was sourced. Due to its unique appearance, many believe the Sokoke to be of ancient origin, but this claim has yet to be proven. Similarly, it has not been confirmed whether the Sokoke is a hybrid of domestic and wild cats. The native population is closely related to a group of island-dwelling cats called the Lamu Cat, found further north.

The Sokoke’s history as a breed began in the 1970s when Jeni and David Slater lived near the Sokoke Forest. They adopted two native kittens and observed that these cats hunted exclusively for insects. When they spoke to a local veterinarian, he mentioned having seen similar cats that lived specifically in trees. This information inspired Jeni to begin breeding them.

5.) Aagean

The Aegean, or Aegean Sea Cat, originates from Greece, specifically the Cyclades island group, and western Turkey. It is considered one of the oldest domesticated cat breeds. It is believed that cats were introduced to the islands during the Bronze Age. In both Greece and Turkey, they can still be found living as feral cats, often residing in fishing ports in hopes of a richer meal. Otherwise, they hunt along the rocky shores of the islands, preying on Aegean wall lizards (Podarcis erhardii). In Greece, they are regarded as a national treasure.

The development of the Aegean as a breed began in the early 1990s, but it has yet to be officially recognized by any major organizations. It is the only indigenous Greek cat breed.

(The opening picture shows a Turkish Van cat, also a gift from nature.)