10 Big Domestic Cat Breeds That Will Turn Your Home Into a Mini-Jungle

Bengal

At first glance, it’s hard to believe the Bengal is a big house cat and not wild. With an athletic body and a unique, patterned coat, the Bengal cat breed looks like it's straight out of the jungle. Bengal owners say this breed is as loving and friendly as other domestic cats. They’re people-oriented cats that love to play and climb all day.

Persian

The most striking attribute of the Persian cat is their face. This long-haired cat has a round, often flat face and a distinctly short muzzle, giving a squished face look. The long hair gives them a larger appearance. In actuality, this is one of the smallest of the big house cats. Unlike most larger cats, this cat is content lounging around all day and is not as active as some other breeds.

American Bobtail

A distinctly short, stubby bobbed tail is what makes this big house cat stand apart from all the other breeds. This cat also has long hind legs and an alert hunting gaze—attributes consistent with a bobcat. The breed was developed by intentionally breeding stray cats noted to have short tails until, over time, a distinct breed was recognized.

Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is another one of the large domestic cat breeds that people love. These cats earned their name because of their docile, cuddly, and affectionate nature. Ragdolls collapse into their favorite person’s arms when picked up, just like a rag doll.

Their history is shrouded in mystery, and there are many claims of how they came to be, including CIA experiments. This tremendous family-friendly breed gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1990s, and the Cat Fanciers' Association recognized it in 2000.

Siberian

The unique Siberian cat breed is large, sturdy, and intelligent—this cat had to be, growing up in an exceptionally unforgiving climate with painfully short summers and long, harsh winters. The breed was domesticated and brought indoors, away from the elements, where its true colors could emerge. Siberian cats are notably affectionate and playful, making great house pets.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Imagine a wild, long-haired cat with wide yellow eyes and a muscular body, and you'd see an encyclopedia entry for a Norwegian forest cat. These large, sturdy cats were first bred in Norway by breeders who may have crossed domestic cats with wild cats.

Since the breed was domesticated, this has become a friendly, playful, and intelligent cat with a moderate activity level. The Norwegian forest cat is perfect as a loyal pet to stay by your side.

Ragamuffin

The Ragamuffin is closely related to another larger breed, the Ragdoll. The Ragamuffin is large, lovable, and mellow. These cats are known for their docile nature and thick, luscious coat. Their personality is quite similar to the Ragdoll, but their faces typically have a friendly overall expression with larger, rounder eyes.

Maine Coon

The strong, shaggy Maine coon is another one of the popular large domestic cat breeds. This is a well-proportioned cat. There are many stories of how this breed developed. Some believe they originated in America as a cross between a house cat and a raccoon, although that myth has been scientifically debunked.

That raccoon myth was one explanation for the Maine coon’s long, smooth coat and voluminous tail. This unique and affectionate breed is a great family pet known for being a gentle giant in the domesticated cat world.

Savannah

The Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and a serval, a medium-sized African wild cat with distinctly large ears. Their exotic, leopard-like appearance makes them a commonly desired pet among big cat enthusiasts.

Savannah cats are classified by the amount of each breed they contain to inform people of how genuinely wild they are. For example, F1 and F2 generations are usually the largest and have more genes from the African serval, as these are the first and second generations of breeding directly between a wild serval and a domestic cat.

Some locations don’t allow people to keep Savannah cats as pets, while others require a permit. Check your local laws before deciding to get one of these cats.

Chausie

An exotic-looking breed, and yet another one of the large domestic cat breeds, the Chausie is extremely active and intelligent. The breed got its name from the Latin name “felis chaus,” meaning “jungle cat.”

People likely gave the cat this name because of their natural hunting skills and regal demeanor combined with a large-and-in-charge appearance. These cats tend to be very fast, high jumpers, and demand a lot of attention.