A List Of The 20 Largest Domestic Cat Breeds

The 20 Largest Domestic Cat Breeds

There are many different cat breeds in the world, but some of the largest ones include the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragdoll, Savannah, and Siberian Forest Cat. These breeds can grow to be quite large, with some individuals weighing up to 25 pounds or more. They are all known for their large size and playful personality. This article is a list of the largest domestic cat (pet cat) breeds in descending order from the largest domestic cat breed. This list is ordered by the overall body size of the breed members, their shoulder height range, their body length range, the weight range of the males, and then the weight range of the females.

The Largest Domestic Cat Breeds

• Maine Coon Cat Breed
• Highlander Cat Breed
• Turkish Van Cat Breed
• Ragdoll Cat Breed
• Chausie Cat Breed
• Savannah Cat Breed
• British Shorthair Cat Breed
• Burmese Cat Breed
• Pixie-bob Cat Breed
• Bengal Cat Breed
• Ragamuffin Cat Breed
• Norwegian Forest Cat Breed
• Siberian Cat Breed
• American Bobtail Cat Breed
• Birmans Cat Breed
• Egyptian Mau Cat Breed
• Selkirk Rex Cat Breed
• Persian Cat Breed
• Abyssinian Cat Breed
• American Shorthair Cat Breed

Keep reading for more details on each of the largest domestic cat breeds and pictures of some of their examples.

1. The Maine Coon cat breed

The Main Coon is the largest domestic cat breed. One of the oldest natural breeds in North America, the Maine Coon is generally regarded as a native of the state of Maine (in fact, the Maine Coon is the official State Cat of Maine). They are a hardy, handsome breed of domestic cat, well equipped to survive the hostile New England winters. Maine Coons are large cats, standing 10 to 16 inches (25 to 40 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 19 to 32 inches (48 to 81 cm) with males weighing 18 to 22 pounds (8.2 to 10 kg). Maine Coons don’t typically reach full maturity until they are 4 years of age.

2. The Highlander cat breed

The Highlander is a large, powerful, and muscular cat with a long sloping profile, loosely curled ears and a naturally short tail. Highlanders are large cats, standing 10 to 16 inches (25 to 40 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 cm) with males weighing 15 to 20 pounds (6.8 to 9 kg).

3. The Turkish Van cat breed

The Turkish Van is an ancient, natural breed cat that originated in the rugged and climatically varied region of Lake Van, Turkey. They are a rare breed even in their native homeland where they are regarded as a regional treasure. The Turkish Vans are large cats, standing 10 to 14 inches (25.4 to 36 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 14 to 17 inches (36 to 43 cm) with males weighing 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg).

4. The Ragdoll cat breed

The Ragdoll cat is a relaxed, happy cat and, like a child’s ragdoll, many of these cats will go limp in your arms and flop like a stuffed doll when cuddled. The Ragdolls are large, heavy cats, standing 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 17 to 21 inches (43 to 53 cm) with males weighing 15 to 20 pounds (6.8 to 9 kg). The Ragdoll cats mature slowly and reach full weight and size by four years of age.

5. The Chausie cat breed

Bred to retain their resemblance to the Jungle Cat, the Chausie is a tall, long-legged, lean and supple cat. Chausies are good-natured, loyal, highly intelligent and trainable. The Chausies are medium to large-sized cats, standing 14 to 15 inches (36 to 38 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 16 to 22 inches (40 to 56 cm) with males weighing 11 to 16 pounds (4.98 to 7.25 kg).

6. The Savannah cat breed

The Savannah cat is a domestic breed which closely resembles its ancestral source the African Serval but is smaller in stature. The Savannah cats are medium to large-sized cats, standing 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 20 to 22 inches (51 to 56 cm) with males weighing 12 to 25 pounds (5.4 to 11.3 kg). 7. The British Shorthair cat breed One of the oldest breeds, the British Shorthair is a descendent of the cats of ancient Rome. The British Shorthair is an imposing breed, often resembling a sturdy teddy bear, they are medium to large-sized cats, standing 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 22 to 25 inches (56 to 64 cm) with males weighing 10 to 16 pounds (4.5 to 7.2 kg). 8. The Burmese cat breed Burmese cats originate near the current Thai-Burma border and developed in the United States and Great Britain. The Burmese cat breed is a medium-to-large cat with a strong, well-muscled body, standing 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 cm) with males weighing 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kg). 9. The Pixie-bob cat breed Originating in the Northwestern part of the United States, the Pixie-bob cat resembles the wild Coastal Red Bobcat. The Pixie-bob cat breed is a medium-to-large cat that has large bones and muscular bodies, standing 9 to 13 inches (23 to 33 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 13 to 17 inches (33 to 43 cm) with males weighing 12 to 17 pounds (5.4 to 7.7 kg). 10. The Bengal cat breed The Bengal cat breed’s name is a reference to the scientific name of the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus Bengalensis. The Bengal cat is a medium to large cat with a very muscular and solid build, standing 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 14 to 18 inches (36 to 46 cm) with males weighing 9 to 15 pounds (4 to 6.8 kg). 11. The Ragamuffin cat breed The Ragamuffin, a variant of the Ragdoll cat breed, is very social and loves to cuddle, either falling limp in your arms or curling up in your lap. Ragamuffins are a medium to large cat breed with substantial bone structures and full bodies, standing 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) with males weighing 15 to 20 pounds (6.8 to 9 kg). 12. The Norwegian Forest Cat breed Despite their large size, the Norwegian Forest Cat, the official cat of Norway, is a very gentle and loving breed with a strong, nurturing instinct. The Norwegian Forest Cat is a medium-to-large strongly built cat, standing 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) with males weighing 12 to 18 pounds (5.4 to 8.2 kg). 13. The Siberian Cat breed The Siberian cats are gentle cats that enjoy playing and clowning around with their families. The Siberian Cat is a medium-to-large cat native to the forested, subarctic area of Siberia, it is a strong, powerfully built cat, standing 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 15 to 18 inches (38 to 46 cm) with males weighing 15 to 25 pounds (6.8 to 11.34 kg). 14. The American Bobtail cat breed With an appearance that resembles that of a wild cat, the American Bobtail cat breed, native to North America, is a naturally occurring short-tailed cat which is a product of natural selection. The American Bobtail cat is a medium-to-large cat standing 9 to 10 inches (23 to 25 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 cm) with males weighing 12 to 16 pounds (5.45 to 7.25 kg). 15. The Birman Cat breed The Birman cat breed is a medium-longhaired pointed cat with white feet, a unique feature of the Birman. The Birman cat is a medium-to-large, long cat and can become large. They are heavily boned cats standing 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 15 to 18 inches (38 to 46 cm) with males weighing 10 to 12 pounds (4.5 to 5.4 kg). 16. The Egyptian Mau cat breed The Egyptian Mau cat breed originated in ancient Egypt, Their ancestors are visible in the artworks of the Ancient Egyptians. The Egyptian Mau is a medium-sized, colourful, elegant cat with an alert appearance, standing 11 to 14 inches (28 to 35.5 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 12 to 16 inches (30.4 to 40.6 cm) with males weighing 07 to 12 pounds (3.2 to 5.45 kg). 17. The Selkirk Rex cat breed Easy-going and relaxed, the Selkirk Rex resembles a soft, stuffed toy. The Selkirk Rex is a medium to large cat with a good balance between legs and body, standing 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) with males weighing 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kg). 18. The Persian Cat breed One of the oldest and most recognizable cat breeds, the Persian cats are known for their sweet, flat face, large, round eyes and fat cheeks. Persian cats are medium-sized with well-developed muscular bodies. They are short and cobby with little short legs, standing 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 15 to 18 inches (37 to 44 cm) with males weighing 09 to 13 pounds (4 to 5.9 kg). 19. The Abyssinian Cat breed The Abyssinian Cat is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cats. They look like a small mountain lion or cougar with almond-shaped eyes. The Abyssinians’ body is medium-sized, lithe, graceful and muscular, standing 08 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 12 to 16 inches (30 to 41 cm) with males weighing 07 to 12 pounds (3.2 to 5.45 kg). 20. The American Shorthair Cat breed The American Shorthair cat breed originated from cats following settlers from Europe to North America. Records indicate that ships carried several cats to hunt the ship’s rats. The American Shorthair cat breed is a very balanced medium size, medium-boned cat, with a firm muscular feel to the body, well proportioned in all parts, standing 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) tall at the shoulders, with a body length of 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) with males weighing 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kg). These are just a few of the largest cat breeds in the world. If you are looking for a large and playful cat, then one of these breeds may be a good fit for you. My cats are a cross between the Siberian Forest Cat and the Persian Cat breeds, and I really love them :) More resources about cat breeds: The International Cat Association (TICA): TICA is a major cat registry that recognizes over 70 cat breeds. (https://www.tica.org/). The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA): CFA is another major cat registry that recognizes over 40 cat breeds. (https://cfa.org/).