15 Black Cat Breeds: Fluffy, Long-haired, Shorthair & More (with Pictures)

There’s something special about an all-black cat that’s as dark as night with bright piercing eyes! If you have your heart set on bringing home a black cat, you should know that there are several black cat breeds to choose from.

Check out our list of black cat breeds below to find the perfect pet for you! Whether you want a fluffy, black cat or a shorthair cat, we are sure you will find a cat that you will love.

The 15 Black Cat Breeds

1. Bombay Cat

The Bombay cat has short black hair and striking copper-colored eyes. It’s the world’s only cat breed that comes in just black. The Bombay cat is intelligent with a curious, lively personality. This breed may not be right for you if you value your sleep because this cat loves being active, especially at night!

The Bombay’s short hair is very low-maintenance, which is great if grooming isn’t your thing. When you have a Bombay cat, you’ll have a friend for life as this breed is very dedicated to its owner and eager to please.

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2. Oriental Cat

The Oriental breed was developed from the Siamese breed and can have either a short or long-haired coat. When you own an Oriental, you’d better be ready to give that cat lots of attention because he’ll demand it!

An Oriental is a loving, curious, and chatty cat with a long, lean body like its Siamese ancestors. With its wedge-shaped head and striking black fur, this cat demands attention and typically gets it!

While this breed gets along great with kids and other pets, it does require a lot of attention. Therefore, it’s not the best breed for a busy family with little time available to spend with a cat. This breed is generally very healthy and can live up to 15 years.

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3. Maine Coon Cat

The Maine Coon is a plus-sized cat with a muscular body and long hair. This gentle, giant has dense water-resistant hair that’s longer and shaggier on the underside and rear to protect the animal from cold and wet surfaces. The Maine Coon has a long bushy tail it can wrap around its body for warmth and keep the cat from sinking in the snow.

With its above-average intelligence, it’s easy to train a Maine Coon. This breed gets along well with kids, dogs, and other cats, making it a good family pet. But if you’re looking for a lap cat, the Maine Coon may not be right for you because this big guy isn’t so interested in cuddling.

A Maine Coon is friendly, loyal, and loving with an independent streak. It’s best to keep this cat in a home where it can come and go as it pleases. Maine Coons are known for their frequent vocalizations which may include howling, trilling, and chirping. This fluffy cat needs plenty of grooming to keep its long hair free of tangles and mats.

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4. Japanese Bobtail Cat

The Japanese Bobtail breed gets its name from the cat’s unusual bunny-like tail that can be rigid or flexible, with one or more angles or kinks. If you’d like a medium-sized black cat that’s pet and kid-friendly, this may be the ideal breed for you.

The Japanese Bobtail cat loves to vocalize and will spend time “talking” to you in a soft, chirpy voice that’s very endearing. When he’s not telling you about his day, you can expect your Japanese Bobtail to be playing in a puddle outside or indoors with his water dish because this cat loves the water.

This cat loves a good challenge so be ready to toss down a cat puzzle toy that will keep your little guy happy for hours. This friendly and adaptable cat breed can live happily in an apartment or a house.

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5. Cornish Rex Cats

With its large ears, small narrow head, and thin and curly short hair, the Cornish Rex is an eye-catching cat breed. This interesting breed has a strong chin and long slender legs. This is a playful and affectionate black short-haired cat that’s perfect for people with avant-garde taste.

If you’re allergic to long-haired cats, the Cornish Rex could be just what you need. This is an elegant and playful cat that gets along well with kids and other pets. The Cornish Rex needs plenty of owner interaction so it’s not suitable for busy families with little time to spend with their pets. Because it doesn’t have much hair to keep it warm, this cat should be kept indoors during the winter with adequate heat.

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6. Sphynx

The always-comical Sphynx cat is a short-haired breed that’s quite the jokester. When this cat isn’t entertaining you with feline antics, it will be spending its time following you around like a shadow.

The extroverted Sphynx is another allergy-free cat breed on our list. Even though the Sphinx looks hairless, it’s not bald as it has a layer of fine, downy hair. This means it won’t wreak havoc on your carpeting and furniture nor require much grooming. You will have to apply sunscreen to your black Sphinx cat to protect its skin from damage.

This highly active and affectionate cat is often described as part cat, part dog, and part monkey because it’s always entertaining and quick to greet anyone who enters its home.

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7. American Curl

Characterized by its adorable ears that curl back from the face, the American Curl is one of the youngest cat breeds. If you have one of these cats, you have to be careful with its ears because rough handling can damage the cartilage in the ear. This is why this cat isn’t a great choice for a family with small kids.

The American Curl cat doesn’t like being left alone for long so it’s not the best breed for people with busy schedules. This is a good breed choice for homes with other pets as these cats are friendly and adaptable.

The American Curl is a shorthaired cat with a friendly, affectionate, and docile character. But this breed isn’t big on cuddling, so don’t expect your American Curl to become a lap cat. This cat breed has a moderate tendency to shed, which means you’ll have to vacuum often to keep up with the loose cat hair.

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8. LaPerm

If you’re looking for a black cat that’s a real charmer, take a close look at the LaPerm breed of cats. These kittens are either born hairless or quickly lose all their hair after birth, only to grow into short and curly hair or long curly fluffy hair.

If you’re looking for a black fluffy cat that loves to cuddle, a full-coated LaPerm is a magnificently fluffy cat that loves sitting on his favorite person’s lap. LaPerm cats are charming, gentle, and affectionate.

This curly-coated breed is great with children and other animals, making it an ideal family pet. The downside to this breed is that it’s hard to come by. There simply aren’t many LaPerms available because it’s a relatively rare breed. The breed’s rarity also makes it a rather pricey cat to buy as LaPerm kittens can cost between $800 and $1,500 each.

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9. Chantilly-Tiffany

The Chantilly-Tiffany is a gorgeous fluffy cat with a silky feel that’s both affectionate and demanding. This is a social breed that loves some quality lap-time. This cat gets more beautiful as it ages because its golden eyes intensify in color with time.

The Chantilly-Tiffany doesn’t enjoy being left alone, so it’s not the best breed for someone with a busy schedule. This is a very people-oriented cat that will follow you around and beg for attention by “chirping” or “talking”. It’s also an adaptable, easy-going cat that tolerates other pets well and gets along with children.

Be prepared to hunt high and low for a Chantilly-Tiffany because this is a rare breed that’s not easy to find. Because of its rarity, a Chantilly-Tiffany kitten can cost several hundred dollars or more.

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10. Persian

The Persian breed of cats is popular the world over for many good reasons. This is a flat-faced, long-haired cat with a charming personality. When you have a Persian, you’ll have a friendly and affectionate pal who will love cuddling and following you around.

Persians are vocal cats that like to “talk”. This is a docile cat that can suddenly show sudden bursts of kitten-like energy. A Persian may be sunning itself by a window one minute and zooming around the house the next minute after getting a sudden burst of kitten-like energy!

Persians are very friendly toward everyone and get along well with other pets and children. If you get a Persian, be sure to have plenty of grooming tools on hand because the cat’s long, thick hair needs regular brushing. Because these docile cats are prone to obesity, you’ll have to feed a Persian quality cat food and ensure it gets adequate exercise.

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11. Devon-Rex

The Devon-Rex is a wavy-coated shorthaired cat that’s lots of fun to own. This wide-eyed little guy will entertain you non-stop with his devilish antics. The Devon-Rex has an impish look with a slender body, high cheekbones, and long ears. This cute cat loves nothing more than clowning around and showing off.

The Devon-Rex is super-social and a cat that gets along with everyone, including total strangers and pets. It can tolerate a whole lot, including getting picked up and fussed over. Whether you’re a first-time cat owner living alone or someone with a big active family, a Devon Rex will easily fit into your lifestyle and keep you charmed and entertained for years!

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12. British Shorthair

If you’re looking for a black shorthair cat with an amazing temperament, you should consider the British Shorthair breed. This cat is affectionate without being clingy and active without being boisterous. It’s an easy cat to train and groom and one that can live a long and happy life of up to 20 years.

The British Shorthair is an intelligent, friendly, and mellow cat that loves being around its favorite people. While this cat may not want to sit in your lap and cuddle, it will want to be by your side on the couch or at least nearby.

This cat has a short nose, chubby cheeks, and big round eyes, all of which combine to give him a smiling appearance. The British Shorthair gets along famously with other pets and people of all ages. This breed is well-suited for any home with people who will love him. It’s a hearty breed with a stocky, sturdy build and short, strong legs. This cat’s hair may be short, but it’s plush and luxurious.

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13. Manx

The Manx is a social cat easily recognized by its absence of a tail and elongated hind legs. While some Manx cats have short stubby tails, most are tailless. While Manx cats can have either short or long hair, all Manx have a thick double-layered coat. This is a broad-chested, muscular, lean cat with an expressive face and big golden eyes.

The Manx makes a good family pet, but it’s a cat that shies away from strangers. This is an intelligent breed that’s very playful. This cat gets along with people of all ages, including young children. The Manx prefers living a peaceful lifestyle, whether it’s in a big house with a family or an apartment with a sole owner.

The Manx is a gentle cat with an undemanding activity level, making it a suitable breed for seniors. While a Manx can get along with other peaceful pets, it doesn’t like being around boisterous, high-energy dogs and cats.

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14. Norwegian Forest Cat

Native to Norway, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a gorgeous fluffy breed that’s well-suited for cold weather. This isn’t the best breed for hot weather climates due to its thick, double-layered coat of fur. The Norwegian Forest Cat has tufted paws and a thick bushy tail like the Maine Coon, but with a shorter, more triangular head and rounder nose.

This gentle giant of a cat is sweet-natured but shy around strangers. When you allow a Norwegian Forest Cat to go outdoors, he’ll spend his day roaming around and hunting for prey.

Don’t be surprised if your Norwegian Forest Cat brings you a ‘gift’ now and then, which could be anything from a mouse, reptile, or bird. These cats love to climb and spend time around water. This breed is best suited for living in a house with a large property it can use to roam and explore. Because it has a long, thick coat, a Norwegian Forest Cat needs to be groomed regularly.

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15. Scottish Fold

Native to Scotland, the adorable Scottish Fold is recognized by its ears that fold down toward the nose. If a cat and an owl could have a baby, it would probably look like the Scottish Fold!

This is a quiet, loyal, and relaxed cat with big round eyes and curly whiskers that give it a shocked look that doesn’t mesh with its sweet personality. When you’re not petting and loving on your Scottish Fold, you’ll be using your camera to take photos of your beautiful cat to share on social media.

The Scottish Fold makes a terrific family pet. It’s a breed that gets along with people of all ages and even other cats and family pets like calm-natured dogs. Along with its wonderful personality and charming looks, the Scottish Fold is a people-loving cat that thrives on human interaction without being too demanding.

Conclusion

Now that you know you have several choices in black cat breeds, you can narrow down your list of favorites to pick the perfect pet. Regardless of whether you get a fluffy, black cat or a shorthair cat, your new pet is going to provide you with years of loving companionship!

Related Reads:

• 13 Low Maintenance Cat Breeds
• 10 Orange Cat Breeds (with Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: Viktor Sergeevich, Shutterstock