With cat popularity now eclipsing that of dogs, people ask: What kind of cat would be best for me?
This is a question that will involve looking at yourself, your lifestyle, and that of your household and who else is in it; and not just children but other pets you have as well. That old saying "fight like cats and dogs" does nave some truth to it but on the other hand there are cat and dog households in which the duo (or greater) get along like Milo and Otis. Then there are those kinds of pets that definitely may be difficult to pair up with a cat or cats, and then there are other circumstances-for example, persons who have known allergies of any kind or whose child or children as well have allergies-I know of individuals whose child was developing breathing or asthmatic problems in which the parents were so befuddled by their child's non-stop sniffles, sneezes, and even shortness of breath only to discover that it was due to the dander of the family cat, and it was heartbreaking to have to rehome Fluffy.
Many people consider a cat's temperament and personality a strong determining factor when choosing one for adoption, and rightly so.
Ideally you want a cat that is not as predisposed to be snippy, aggressive or abnormally skittish. While cats as a rule are independent, solitary, playful and intelligent, dispositions vary about as much as the day is long. When you have a cat with a somewhat difficult personality on top of other cat-related quirks, you may have unexpected stresses to deal with. You don't want that if you can help it, especially if you have young children or other pets around. Also take YOUR personality and needs into account when considering how it may fit in with certain different breeds of cats. If you cherish the idea of having a loyal, attached type of cat that will be glad to "own" you indefinitely, Siamese and Oriental shorthairs are in this "very loyal to their owner" category.
While I am on the subject of allergies or dander, some cats require more grooming than others. Angoras, Persians, and Himalayans are in this category. Yes, it is true that cats do groom themselves regularly, but there is a limit for the luxurious, long-haired varieties as their coats do become matted and tangled easily without proper brushing. This is something you would have to start doing early in your cat's life (preferably kittenhood so as to get them used to the idea and the routine.) Short and medium-haired cats may need less grooming, but don't look at daily brushing as a "chore". It is for their benefit, too! Besides, in my experience, long and medium-length-haired cats tend to have more docile dispositions and less aggressive tendencies. Now if you suffer from allergies, this is some important food for thought.
There is a breed called the Sphinx, famously known as the "hairless cat".
They may be odd-looking, perhaps impish in appearance, but from what I have heard are intelligent and have GREAT personalities.; and obviously, put out much less dander so you don't have to shelve your yearning for a cat companion due to allergy problems. Rexes have short, wiry/coarse coats and less dander, too, as a result; plus they have charming personalities!
Right now Ragdolls are very popular and sought after. Great disposition, gentle temperament, beautiful color patterns, they are a little large in size (like the Maine Coon) but are recommended to not spend time outdoors as they are not as quick to defend themselves against their enemies. The Ragdoll might be ideal for my household, but I have to take into consideration the fact that I also have two other cats and one of them is pretty territorial. So if you already have a cat or another type of pet please take that into consideration. The best cat duos or trios tend to be cats that grew up together (such as littermates). With a common bond of familiarity, it is easier to bridge the gap of social dynamics that occur with getting along, than cats who get introduced to cats they do not know or are not related to.
Though there is always a segment of the population that favors exotic breeds, or some that have some kind of blue-blood status, the most important part of your homework here in choosing a cat is to ask yourself what personality traits are most important to you; including energy level, temperament, attitude, or "cat-titude" AND determine if those traits will fit in with your lifestyle and those of your household as well.
You may even want to give up the notion that you need to look into the "designer" breeds. I have heard stories of people who have found a cat (or sometimes the cat found them) unexpectedly somewhere, and that it was a match made in feline heaven! There have been three-legged or blind cats who have found wonderful, loving owners-sometimes that "designer" thing can just go right out the window when you discover the purr-fect friend by chance one day at a shelter or Adoption Day event. So try to get acquainted with some resources like these... There might be a cat that will choose YOU one day!
