Longhaired cats are known for their beauty and lustrous yet industrious coats. Popular breeds include the glamorous Balinese, the affectionate Himalayan, the almost dog-like Maine Coon, the water-loving Turkish Van, and the quintessential Persian. If you’re a lover of long-haired cat breeds, read on for 10 fun facts about long-haired cat breeds.

1. Long-haired cats were first seen in Europe in the early 16th century. The first known longhair, the angora, received its name from the Turkish city of the same name. Meanwhile, Persians were not imported into Europe from Persia until 1620.

2. The Maine Coon is the largest non-feral domestic cat breed and regularly grows to over 20 pounds. This hardy, robust cat originated from Maine and is known for its love of snow and unique willingness to “play fetch.”

3. The Norwegian Forest Cat is another long-haired breed known for its size. These hardy, independent, winter-loving cats will reach up to 22 pounds and are believed to be the ancestors of the popular American Maine Coon.

4. The Turkish Van is one of the oldest cat breeds and unique for its love of water. Vans are known to enjoy the occasional swim and love to wade into bathtubs, puddles, and any other bodies of water they can find.

5. The longhaired Persian cat is the most popular purebred cat breed in North America. Beloved for their sweet and gentle disposition, these cuddly felines could win anyone’s heart.

6. Most long-haired cat breeds are known for their docile and sweet dispositions. Because many long-haired breeds, such as the Himalayan and Persian, are very passive, it’s important to keep these gentle, friendly cats indoors and safe from potential predators.

7. A cousin to the popular Balinese breed, the Javanese is a long-haired breed known for its intelligence. Acclaimed by breeders and cat fanatics, the Javanese is often touted as the most intelligent feline. These playful cats have been known to open doors, break into cupboards, and track down treats hidden in locked drawers.

8. The Burmese, a long-haired Asian folk, is believed to have sacred origins in his homeland of Burma and Thailand. Legend has it that Sinh, the first Burmese cat, was owned by a respected and renowned priest named Mun-Ha and was appointed guardian of Lao Tsun’s temple. Legend has it that one day Mun-Ha was killed during an attack on the temple. When he died, Sinh placed his feet on his fallen master and his legs turned brown like the Earth, his eyes blue like the sky and where his feet touched his master they turned pure white. .

9. The Cymric, a close longhaired relative of the Manx, is known for its small and sometimes absent tail. This unique breed is known as “the rabbit” thanks to its wavy tail and tufts of fur on its neck and belly. This playful breed is also reputed to chase anything that moves.

10. The Ragdoll, a relatively new large long-haired breed, was first bred in the 1960s in California. Bred specifically for their gentle personalities, the Ragdoll is often considered the gentlest of the breed.