It's decided I am getting a cat but what breed is best?

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Liger. GET A LIGER!! !!

This.
You're not going to get an exotic cat without paying for it. Pet breeding never sat right with me anyway, because inbreeding causes all sorts of health problems. I hate what they did to Persian cats. Not that I don't find the extreme Persians still cute, but the short nose (in cats or dogs) causes breathing issues. Airlines often refuse to transport them, because they are liable to die from breathing issues during transport.

Here is an exact clone of my cat

I love calicos!

Yes. it is a Bengal cat. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal_%28cat%29

^ are house cats, but their behavior is between a dog and a wild cat; with the intelligence of a dolphin. These guys are even more bosses of their own world than your normal house-cat. They love to sniff things to confirm what it is; you have to let them sniff you hand everytime you approach them; even if they know you.
These cats do not appreciate being dominated by being picked up; and they will never get used to you approaching them. Any approach is seen as a challenge; more than usual.
They will sleep with you though, and hangout. Just they are not lap cats; unless you get a really lucky random born personality of one being more mellow.
Best way to get these cats, is via pet rescue adoption places; unless you are willing to pay a large sum. I adopted my bengal, and don't regret it. Another note, being cats from a wild ancestry, they have very little expected diseases. DISCLAIMER: Doesn't mean they won't get sick!

The OP will not want a bengal cat, if he loves the cuteness and interaction of his friends cat. They are also smaller cats; but so well muscled that nothing can mess with them. You would have to really spoil it to get one fat.
Loyalty-wise, they are loyal to the person they interact with most love. Again, these things are as smart as dolphins, they will know who is earnestly in love with them; and who thinks its 'just cute' and want to pet it.

My bengal is very loyal to me. It follows me around, sits by me, and sleeps on me. It will respond to my voice and can tell that I am calling for it (I don't think it knows its name though). It is not a scaredy-cat; just, it is equally indifferent of everyone else. My mother and any unknown guest get the same treatment; while me and my little sister get returned affection. It will hangout with guests and my mother, though, if they are not too unpredictable.
My cat will stand by the house-door and wait for me as I come back from university for the day. My mother says she gets there 5 minutes before I arrive; and that is despite the fact I don't arrive at the same time everyday.

Last edited by Infoseeker on 10 Jun 2011, 3:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

It may be different here, but I got my two Maine Coons at a shelter. Granted they're probably a mix but there's definitely some Coon in there. They make the cutest sounds!

There's a thing with cats. Cats character and personality depends more on your communication with the cat than on the breed. The more you communicate with your cat the greater and more interesting your cat will be.
I have two cats and they both chose me. One of them meowed at me in the shelter and I adopted her. The other approached me in the street and meowed at me which I understood as a cry for help so I took her in. She was in a very bad shape and probably would've died soon. They both are amazing cats now with very different and interesting personalities.
Btw, my mum had a cat (also taken in from the streets) that was very loyal to her but hated all the strangers. The cat acknowledged the family members but scratched and bit anyone else.
So if you want your cat to have a great personality you should just communicate with her/him a lot.

I've had many cats over the course of my life, and I can't say there's any breed that isn't wonderful. However, if you're looking for something unusual, I can recommend a Russian Blue. They're known for being very loyal and social - more responsive to their "owners" than most other breeds. They often enjoy playing fetch, but beyond this they are definitely not very much like dogs in my experience. The one I had was a real scrapper - he was always outside looking for animals to chase or other cats to spar with, and he was incredibly strong. At the same time, he was very calm when with people and liked to sit on our laps. He also had a tendency to sit perfectly still for hours with his eyes open, and given the blue-gray color of the fur, he looked just like a statue. They are also highly intelligent. They respond to their names and other words more than most cats do. I actually trained mine to sit on command!

The edible variety

Sounds cute!

Well before I have had just normal cats (not a race) when I was little. I'd like a cat that is smart and affectionate but also melodious. And as I am fascinated with fashion (mind you I mean fashion for humans, I think anyone who puts a sweater on an animal is insane) I'd like an unusual cat that is also beautiful.

I second owning a Liger.

What about an Ocicat? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocicat

Or a Savannah? (very exotic) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_cat

Calicos. I had a Calico cat and I loved her but she got stupid when she got to around eight years of age but then it turns out she may have been senile. She wouldn't use her litter box anymore and she would miss it when she use it and she didn't bury her poo anymore. She pee in the house too and not even tell you when she wanted out.

No way I can get one on the plane! lol

Both very expensive. What are my chances of getting a healthy Mau without breaking the bank?

Maine Coons were always my favorite: