It seems you either love or hate cats — there is no middle ground.  Cats come in many shapes and sizes. From the American Shorthair, Egyptian Mau to the Siamese. We’ve picked 5 cat breeds that have something a little extra special, that stand out a bit from others. Whether you’re a cat person or not, you’ll instantly fall in love with them.

Burmese

Nobody can resist the cuteness of a Burmese cat. They are slender, pointy-eared and short haired. This domestic cat originated from Thailand and are descendants of one female cat called Wong Mau which was brought from Burma to America. Originally all Burmese cats were dark brown but are now available in a wide variety of colours. They are small to medium-sized cats with a longer body and a cute wedge-shaped head. The Burmese are friendly and high energy which makes them a good fit for families. They seem to be very attached to their owners and depend on human interaction.

Norwegian Forest Cat

This cute and cuddly breed of domestic cat originated in Northern Europe. They are adaptive to freezing climates because of their glossy, long, water-shedding hair and a woolly undercoat for insulation.  The Norwegian Forest Cat is strongly built and larger than the average cat with a long, sturdy body. They weight anywhere from 8 to 20 Ibs.  Their ancestors may have been the shorthair cats brought to Norway from the U.K around the time of the Vikings who bred them with long-haired cats from Siberia and Turkey. They are quiet, friendly and intelligent. Since theses breeds have strong claws, they are very good climbers.

Siberian

The Siberian, the national cat of Russia, is a domestic breed that has been around Russia for centuries but has only recently developed as a formal breed. They vary from medium to large. Another name for them is the Moscow Semi-Longhair. The cat is believed to be an ancestor of all modern long-haired cats and has similarities with the Norwegian Forest Cat. (Some think that the Siberian is actually an ancestor of the Norwegian Forest Cat.) The Siberian sheds less fur than other types of cats which can be good for people who have allergies. As agile jumpers, they are strong and powerfully build with well-rounded paws and a full tail which makes them very attractive.

British Short hair

This cat kind of looks like a plush teddy bear more than a cat. It is a pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat with a distinctive dense coat and broad face. They are traditionally a solid blue-grey colour with copper eyes, but has developed in a wide range of other colours and patterns. They are good-natured and calm which has thrust them in the spotlight in more than a couple of Instagram accounts. Did you also know that the British Shorthair was also the inspiration for perhaps the most famous cat of all? That’s right the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.

Bengal

The Cat Breeder’s Association doesn’t officially recognize the Bengal as a breed.  It is breed to look like an exotic jungle cat such as a leopard. The name “Bengal Cat” was derived of the Asian Leopard Cat.  Bengal cats are generally a bright orange to light brown colour, although pale or off-white “snow” Bengals also exist, and are popular among owners.

And because 5 breeds really isn’t enough here are some bonus breeds for you to enjoy…

Munchkin

Yes, that’s right there is a type of cat called the Munchkin. They are very happy and playful cats which makes it great for families. They also have a strange variety of coat patterns on their fur which makes them even more adorable. The Munchkin got its name because of its short legs which are caused by a genetic mutation. These types of cats generally live between 12 and 15 years on average. They do tend to develop some health problems due to their short legs.

Scottish Fold 

These are another cute type of cat with distinctive curled ears. This breed is also from a gene mutation that affects the cartilage throughout the body, causing the ears to fold downwards towards the front of the head which maximizes the cuteness of this cat. These cats were originally called lop-eared after the lop-eared rabbits. They are loving companions and a highly sought-after pet, making them extremely rare.