10 Long-Haired Tortoiseshell Cat Breeds (with Pictures)
By Hanh Duong
Updated on
Cats with tortoiseshell fur, also known as “torties,” are renowned for their stunning, bi-colored coats that resemble tortoise shells. These felines have a standout appearance, a fascinating history, and distinctive personality characteristics. Tortoiseshell isn’t a breed, but many breeds of cats can be tortoiseshells, and they are common household companions.
Here are 10 long-haired tortoiseshell cat breeds to give you some inspiration for your next pet.
The 10 Long-Haired Tortoiseshell Cat Breeds
1. Persian
| Height | 14–18 inches |
| Weight | 7–14 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
The Persian cat, also called the Persian longhair, is a long-haired cat breed distinguished by a round face and short muzzle. There is some debate about the breed origin, but most believe these cats came from Mesopotamia, later known as Persia (hence the name), which is now Iran. They are said to have been smuggled out of Iran by European explorers in the 17th century.
Persian cats continue to be one of the most popular cat breeds today. They have luxurious coats, bright eyes, great personalities, and an elegant, almost regal attitude. These stunning felines can come in smoke, cream, tabby, chocolate, black, tortoiseshell, lilac, or blue colors and patterns.
For centuries, Persian cats have been a household favorite. They make great family pets because they get along well with kids and other animals. However, this breed appreciates company so much that you shouldn’t leave them alone for long periods of time.
2. Domestic Longhair
| Height | 9–16 inches |
| Weight | 8–15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 9–15 years |
The Domestic Longhair, a cat known for their rodent-hunting abilities, arrived in America on ships from Europe in the 1700s. They are mixed-breed cats that don’t belong to any one specific, determined breed. So they should not be confused with standardized cat breeds identified by various registries, such as the American Longhair, the British Longhair, or others with “Longhair” names.
These felines stand out from the crowd thanks to their distinctive ancestry and flowing mane. The fur on Domestic Longhairs can grow up to 6 inches long. They appear in every color, mixture of shades, and pattern you can see in other cat breeds.
Today, the Domestic Longhair is one of the most popular cat breeds. Having a high level of independence while maintaining affection makes them great companions for many lovers. These pets do well in households without other animals, and they need plenty of toys, games, and fixtures that will allow them to satisfy their natural prey drive.
3 . Manx
| Height | 7–11 inches |
| Weight | 8–12 pounds |
| Lifespan | 9–13 years |
The Manx cat is a domestic cat breed from the Isle of Man and has a naturally occurring mutation that causes the tail to appear shorter. Although several Manx felines have tiny stub tails, they’re most famous for being completely tailless—this is the breed’s most distinctive feature.
Manx cats have two types of coat lengths, and whether they have short or lengthy hair, they still have a dense, double-layered covering. You can find these attractive pets in almost every color and pattern, with tortoiseshell, orange, or tabby being the most common and color-pointed or all-white coats being the rarest.
Manx cats are not rare, but they are less widespread than other breeds like the Scottish Fold or the American Shorthair. These felines are affectionate and playful, making them the perfect family pet for households with children.
4. Maine Coon
| Height | 19–40 inches |
| Weight | 12–18 pounds |
| Lifespan | 11–13 years |
One of North America’s first native breeds, the Maine Coon is a large domestic cat that originated in the U.S. state of Maine. With their large stature, regal manes, and bushy tails, Maine Coons have several distinctive qualities that set them apart from other cat breeds, though it is fair to say that all cats are unique in their own ways.
These felines are renowned for their gentle nature and vocalization, earning them the nickname “the gentle giants” of the cat world. They have dense, silky, long hair that gets shorter near the shoulders. Colors and patterns vary widely among Maine Coons. Along with parti-color, tabby, bi-color, shaded, tortoiseshell, and calico, you can also find pure white, cream, blue, red, and black.
Families of all sizes can enjoy having Maine Coon cats as companions. They seem to get along with children of all ages and other pets, even canines. However, because many breeders only produce Main Coon cats for sale at specific times of the year, sometimes it’s hard to find one.
5. British Longhair
| Height | 12–14 inches |
| Weight | 8–16 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
According to the International Cat Association, British Longhair cats were bred from British Shorthair and Persian cats in Great Britain in the early 20th century. These felines are devoted animals that enjoy socializing and are adaptable to most environments. In addition, they also have a strong sense of independence and frequently feel comfortable going their separate ways.
Although this breed is still relatively uncommon in the United States, their adorable faces promise them great success in the years to come. British Longhair cats are gentle and do not show aggression, so they are perfect for a household with young children. These cats also get along well with their peers and even canines. They will be very grateful to have another animal to keep them company if their owner is gone all day.
6. American Bobtail
| Height | 10–14 inches |
| Weight | 7–16 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
American Bobtails are renowned for their rugged appearance, short bobbed tails, and playful characteristics. The breed first appeared in the 1960s after a cross between a bobtailed feral cat and a seal point Siamese. Because of their affectionate and friendly qualities, they have been called the “Golden Retriever” of the cat world. These felines have a sweet, gentle nature and love being around people, which makes them excellent companions.
American Bobtails are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. However, the breed is relatively rare in the US, so finding a trustworthy breeder can be a bit challenging.
7. Ragamuffin
| Height | 9–11 inches |
| Weight | 15–20 pounds |
| Lifespan | 15–18 years |
Ragamuffin cats have a relatively recent past as a distinct breed like their close relative, the Ragdoll. They were created through the combination of Persian, Himalayan, and Ragdoll cats, and the first Ragamuffin appeared in the 1970s.
Ragamuffins are genuine lap cats that adore being cuddled by their owners. They are best known for their large, long bodies and extremely plush coats. The most common RagaMuffin hair colors are blue, tortoiseshell, brown tabby with white, and mink. These felines are highly clever, friendly, and “puppy-like.” In addition, a lot of Ragamuffins develop a love of learning new tricks and playing games like fetch. Some even come to enjoy walking with a leash!
Ragamuffin cats are highly adaptable, making them suitable for many home environments, including apartments and larger single-family houses. They also do well with young children and other pets. Today, the breed is loved by many!
8. Ragdoll
| Height | 9–11 inches |
| Weight | 10–20 pounds |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years |
As mentioned above, Ragdoll cats are a comparatively new breed. These big and adorable felines are extraordinarily gentle and patient. The imposing size of Ragdolls does not deter their calm and quiet natures. They love nothing more than playing and cuddling with their owners.
One of the most well-known traits of Ragdolls is their long, white, and silky coats. The Ragdoll Fanciers Club states that there are five different hair pattern types: colorpoint, lynx point, bicolor, mitted, and tortie point.
Due to their well-known social nature, Ragdolls are excellent companions for bustling households with plenty of visitors and other friendly animals. Nonetheless, these felines are rare because their distinctive characteristics require specialized knowledge from breeders.
9. Japanese Bobtail
| Height | 8–9 inches |
| Weight | 5–10 pounds |
| Lifespan | 9–15 years |
Japan and Southeast Asia are the original homes of the Japanese Bobtail. The existence of these ancient animals dates back to the 6th century in Japan and has been featured in art throughout time.
The Japanese Bobtail is a small but affectionate cat. The breed’s short tail, which some fans call a “pom,” is their most distinctive characteristic. These felines can have either short or long hair and come in many colors and patterns, including tortoiseshell shades.
These cats make excellent family pets because they are friendly and playful. However, Japanese Bobtails are not a breed that will do well when left alone for extended lengths of time because they are so attached to their owners. And be aware that these cute cats are relatively rare in the US.
10. Norwegian Forest Cat
| Height | 9–12 inches |
| Weight | 12–16 pounds |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years |
The Norwegian Forest is an ancient cat breed that evolved naturally in Norway’s forests for hundreds of years without human assistance. These large, devoted cats are known to their fans as “Wegies.” Their coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns. In addition to white and black, it can be blue, scarlet, cream, silver, or golden. Extra choices for these fluffy cats’ hair patterns include solid, bicolor, tortoiseshell, calico, and tabby.
These sweet cats are affectionate, gentle, and easygoing. If you can give them lots of love, regular brushing, and safe surfaces to climb, they’ll become a great family member. Although uncommon here in the United States, Norwegian Forest cats are a familiar pet choice throughout most of Scandinavia, China, and France.
Conclusion
Tortoiseshell cats have unique coloring due to a genetic mutation, which has contributed to their popularity and made them beloved by people around the world. The 10 breeds of long-haired tortoiseshell cats listed above not only own an attractive appearance, but they also have great personalities.
No matter whether you have been a cat lover your whole life or are considering getting a new pet, bringing a kitty home is an exciting experience. However, you need to do some research and make sure they’re a good match for you and your lifestyle before making that crucial decision.
Featured Image Credit: Daniel Zopf, Unsplash
