Majestic Giants: A Guide to the Top 10 Large Domestic Cat Breeds

large yellow cat lounging on gray couch — Note: While the breeds in this collection tend to be large domestic cats, individual pets will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.

9 Cat Breeds

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Maine Coon

These chatty companions are America’s second-most popular breed for a reason—they dole out love and affection in spades. Devoted to their families and incredibly intelligent, these cats are basically kittens in big catsuits. Gentle giants who are playful well into old age, Maine Coons are clever and form strong bonds with their households. Most want to be near you but not on your lap. Maine Coons are true family members and participate in all family routines, whether watching you channel surf from the comfort of the couch or following you from room to room. As befits a former seafarer, Maine Coons are fascinated by water, perhaps because their thick coats are water-repellent and won’t become annoyingly soaked as easily as a thinner coat would. Some will join their humans in the shower briefly, or at least walk around on the wet floor after you get out. They prefer to stand on the edge of the tub, however, and touch the water with a curious paw.

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Bengal

The Bengal is born an entertainer. Known for their bold personality and playfulness, they love to learn new things and can even be trained to perform tricks. Don’t let the wildcat appearance fool you—Bengals are friendly, full of life, and love people. They are clever, athletic, and curious, and make fantastic pets for experienced cat owners. 

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Ragdoll

Ragdolls are docile, sweet, friendly, and renowned for being laid-back cats. They’re always happy to assume the role of your best friend: they want to spend time with you and assist you in your day-to-day activities and routines (though they prefer to watch instead of participate). Working from home that day? They’ll be right there with you curled up on your desk asking for love.  Ragdolls give what they receive. They are very in touch with their owner’s emotions and sense when you’ve had a hard day and will be the first to curl up in your lap to try to make it all better. They are infamous for being food-motivated but have soft, polite voices (even at dinnertime). Ragdolls are curious cats who are always along for the ride, preferring quality owner time over everything else. 

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Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat strikes a perfect balance between independence and companionship. These intelligent, gentle giants are happy to entertain themselves while you're away but will also enjoy curling up next to you for some quality cuddle time. While they are reserved with new visitors, they are playful and affectionate with their loved ones and appreciate physical contact, though their thick fur makes them less inclined to be constant lap cats.

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Siberian

Siberians are often seen as the perfect cat: They can be left alone for small periods and can sufficiently entertain themselves as long as they are given the means to do so, and they are super affectionate, enjoy being handled, and love being around people.Adept at problem-solving, they are expressive and use quiet meows, trills, chirps, and a lot of purring to talk to their owners. They’ll meet you at the door when you come home to tell you about their day—and will want to hear about yours.They are fascinated with water, often dropping toys into their water dishes or investigating bathtubs before they’re dry. This is a cat that will want to be near you when you shower, often walking on the edge of the tub to dip a curious paw into the water to play. 

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American Bobtail

The American Bobtail cat might look like a wild cat, but don’t let that fool you—they are fully domesticated sweet, loving, and smart cats that enjoy being with their owners. They are self-assured, outgoing, and adaptable cats that do well in most homes. They are not as chatty as other breeds but aren’t afraid to use their voices. Playful and full of energy, they will ask for your attention by meowing or jumping in your lap. 

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Selkirk Rex

Selkirk Rex cats are beloved for their sweet and affectionate personalities. These cuddly companions love spending time with their humans and are often described as "teddy bear" cats due to their soft, curly coats and gentle nature. 

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Turkish Van

Turkish Van cats are beautiful bundles of energy with a splash of personality. Known for their love of water and playful antics, these cats are anything but ordinary. They're intelligent, crave attention, and form incredibly strong bonds with their favorite people. They're always on the move, exploring their environment with fearless curiosity. 

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Ocicat

Intelligent, active, and a social butterfly, the Ocicat has a big personality. They love being up to date on family activities and the social calendar and can even seem dog-like in their eagerness. Great “supervisors,” they like to follow their family members around the house, shadowing them. Like a gymnast, Ocicats can jump high and balance on narrow ledges, although it’s up to you whether or not you want to give them a gold medal for doing so. While sweet and inquisitive, Ocicats can be high energy and demanding of owner attention, so they do best with owners who can devote a lot of time and energy to them. 

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