This isn’t your average cat article. You won’t find any pictures of cats in bread. Or cats in socks. Or cats in boxes. And no funny cat fails. Instead, this article is about human fails – one, in particular: incredibly stupid beliefs. Back in the day, we humans believed a lot of silly things that’s easy to laugh about now. At one point, we thought heroin could cure coughs. When trains were first invented, people believed that traveling at the blistering, unfathomable speeds of 20 mph could cause the human body to disintegrate. More recently, we were told cigarettes were healthy. As you can see, some of these misguided beliefs are nothing but funny stories to laugh over now but other superstitions have managed to carry over into our unquestioned subconscious and continue to have real consequences. Take, for example, the continuing bias against black cats. We all know where this particular superstition is stems from: an especially shameful point in human history when lone women were accused of being witches and hunted down. Black cats just happened to be on the receiving end of the care and food these poor women provided and ended up “guilty by association.” And it’s an association that continues ’til today. The consequences of this silly superstition Black shelter cats have the lowest adoption rate and the highest euthanasia rate. It’s time we cat lovers united to banish the black cat bias once and for all. ‘Cause by this point, we’re all smart enough to realize that black cats are beautiful felines who deserve just as much love as all the other cats in the world. So in celebration of black cats, here’s a list of these dark cat breeds with pictures and personality profiles! This is by no means a complete list – the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) actually recognizes 22 cat breeds that can come with solid black coats. So if you’re tasteful enough to appreciate the beauty of a black cat, you’re bound to find one who fits your personality purrfectly!

American Bobtail

Don’t let my wildcat looks fool you. Despite my rugged bobbed tail and muscular physique, I m as friendly and playful as a kitten. In fact, I m one of the most playful cats you’ll ever come across. I have very high energy levels and I won’t mind playing vigorously with you for an hour or two. I love the attention of my humans and I m not above asking for it so prepare for lots of playtime. That includes going for walks and teaching me tricks, which makes me sort of like a cleaner, smarter canine. Read more about the American Bobtail.

American Curl

It’s a good thing most people find my curly ears irresistably adorable because I’ve got an insatiable desire to be adored. Spend just a few minutes with me and you ll know that I m one of the sweetest and most affectionate felines you’ve ever met. I thrive on warmth and closeness and I m as much of a giver as a taker, showering my love and energy on all those I hold dear, human, canine or feline. Life’s just too short for discrimination! Read more about the American Curl.

Bombay

Unlike every other cat breed on this list, I come in only one color: jet black and beautiful. But despite my regal good looks, I am nowhere near as mysterious as I look. In fact, I m an open book ? wide open to giving and receiving as much lovin? affection to and from every single member of my family ? including the little ones. I’ll even follow you all around til I get my fill of love so, pretty much forever. Read more about the Bombay.

British Shorthair

With my round, fluffy teddy-bear looks, it’s no wonder I m the most popular cat in Britain. And it’s not just my looks that keep me ranking on the world’s most popular cat charts, either ? I am a well-mannered, genteel feline with a zen-like disposition toward life and fellow creatures. I love being sociable and don’t think twice about shaking paws with a stranger or perhaps getting chummy with a cat-friendly dog. What can I say Life’s too short to discriminate. Read more about the British Shorthair.

Cornish Rex

I am a sheer marvel of graceful curves, from my curly coat to my elegantly arched body. But in contrast to my aristocratic looks, I m a ridiculously playful cat, bursting with unabashed enthusiastic playfulness. I m ridiculously playful ? to the point of being clownish ? and I won’t hesitate to make a fool of myself if it makes you smile. Oh, and I m clever too ? I can even learn how to open doors with my paws. You’ve been warned. Read more about the Cornish Rex.

Devon Rex

My large eyes and ears combined with my short, wavy coat has earned me a few nicknames, including elf cat? and poodle cat,? but the most accurate is monkey in a cat suit? for my dexterous climbing and jumping abilities as well as my people-pleasing performances. Although I am not as demanding compared to other breeds, I won’t hesitate to trill and coo if I want to be given a lil bit of attention and a lot of affection. I even talk to birds and insects that I see passing by while relaxing on the windowsill. Read more about the Devon Rex.

Exotic

Love the cuddly good looks of the Persian but can’t deal with all the fur? Then I m purrfect for you, since I’ve got all the adorable looks of the Persian minus the high-maintenance coat. I’ve even inherited the Persian’s easy-going, affectionate disposition, but with another crucial difference ? I m actually active and playful. This means that I’ll be up for enjoying a game or two with you in between my regular naps and thanks to my short coat, you get to spend more time playing with, rather than grooming, me every day. I m also an exceptionally clever cat so I can even remember where my toys are kept and lead you toward them when I m in the mood to play. Read more about the Exotic Shorthair.

Maine Coon

I m a true American ? big, hearty, and one of the oldest breeds to originate in the US. A rugged sort of cat, I m built to survive ? and thrive ? with my water-repellant fur and top-notch hunting skills but underneath my brawny good looks lies the heart of a gentle giant. Yup, I may look like imposing but I m as loving and affectionate as a kitten. And despite my feral appearance, I am even friendly and patient with little humans and other pets and won’t resort to using my claws when harassed or when another pet is hogging the attention limelight. Read more about the Maine Coon.

Manx

My lack of a tail isn’t the only un-feline thing about me. I m also highly sociable, protective of my home, and enjoy a game of fetch as much as your average canine. Moreover, I m laid back and extremely patient, which makes it easy for me to mingle with children or even other pets. Oh, and did I mention I can be taken for walks and bathed in water as well? Told you I wasn’t your average cat. In fact, cat fanciers say my overall temperament is a lot like a dog. Read more about the Manx.

Oriental

I thrive on attention and will do anything to get it. That includes following you around til you give me belly rubs or exercising my vocal chords til you acknowledge my very acknowledge-able presence. I m the purrfect companion if you’re looking for constant, active feline company. I m also a highly clever feline who can figure out how to open doors and even finagle cabinets with latches. I’ve been known to figure out where the cat treats are kept as well so you might want to keep that in mind. Read more about the Oriental.

Persian

I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve officially been the most popular cat breed for, like,forever. My desirability has both to do with my adorably fluffy looks as my extremely laid-back personality. I m very zen-like, you know ? gentle, soft-spoken and capable of accepting every moment with gracious nonchalance. I prefer to do all this, of course, while relaxing. The whole relaxation thing is exhausting, which is why I have to relax some more. It’s a vicious cycle. Read more about the Persian.

Scottish Fold

With my huge eyes and droopy ears, I am possibly the cutest cat that ever lived. But my cuteness isn’t just fur-deep ? I am cute to the core. Sweet, gentle, and good-naturedly docile, I get along with everyone and retain my kitten-like playfulness well into adulthood. But as affectionate as I may be, I actually don’t mind some alone time. That’s cause I always find plenty to do on my own. You see, I m a very inquisitive cat and I can entertain myself for hours exploring every nook and cranny in the household. Oh, did I mention I rock at posing for pictures! Read more about the Scottish Fold.

Sphynx

Highly sociable and unreservedly affectionate, I know no shame when it comes to begging for attention. I m such a bundle of lively enthusiasm that fanciers describe my breed as being part monkey, part dog, part child and part cat. And it couldn’t be truer. My energy levels are off the charts and I love to monkey around with anything that catches my attention. I’ll greet you when you get home, follow you wherever you go, talk to you endlessly, learn to play fetch so we can bond further, and even snuggle up to sleep with you. Personal space? isn’t in my repertoire so no boundaries between us, okay Read more about the Sphynx. Browse Cat Groups Cat Breeds A-Z