Sometimes when looking at breeds of cat, the phrase landrace comes up to describe some of the older breeds. So what is a landrace and which breeds are considered to be so?

Definition

The definition of a landrace in general is a domesticated regional ecotype, a locally adapted traditional variety of a domesticate animal or plant that has developed over time. The characteristics of a landrace that are relevant to cats include:

• Genetically adapted to and able to withstand local environment, including climate

• Not the product of a formal (government, organisation or private) breeding program

• Historic origin within a specific area and often has its own local name

Landraces are separate from standardized breeds, though some may have their origins in landraces. Examples of cat breeds that are termed as natural breeds such as this include the Egyptian Mau, Korat, Kurilian Bobtail, Maine Coon, Manx, Norwegian Forest Cat and the Siberian.

Aegean

The Aegean is the landrace from the Cycladic islands of Greece and is considered to be the only native cat breed of the country. They are named for the Aegean Sea and are found, often living feral, in the ports around this sea. They are believed to have been taken from island to island aboard ships and are considered a national treasure.

These cats are of medium size with a semi-longhaired coat and come in bicolor or tricolor variations with one of these colors always being white. Other colors include black, red, cream, blue and can have tabby markings as well.

Cyprus

The Cyprus landrace is believed to have descended from the cats of either Egypt or Palestine and were said to have been brought to the island by St Helen to rid the island of snakes and vermin. The Cyprus Longhair is a closely related breed. The cat is found around the island from the mountainous regions to the lower, hotter areas around the coast, showing their adaption to different climates. Large feral populations are found in cities including Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca and Paphos.

Kellas Cat

The Kellas Cat is a small black cat found in Scotland that was once thought to be a myth. When one was killed in 1984 by a gamekeeper, tests were run to show the cat was actually a hybrid between a wild and domestic subspecies of Felis silvestris. This means it is a landrace of feline hybrids and was named for the place where it was first identified, Kellas in Moray. It is around 25 inches long with powerful hind legs and a tail that can reach 12 inches in length.

Khadzonzo

The Khadzonzo is the landrace of the Kenyan coast and has now been adapted and bred into a formal domestic breed known as the Sokoke. These cats were originally street cats that were found in the cities of the Kenyan coast.

Van

The Van is the Turkish landrace cat from the Lake Van area in eastern Turkey. This cat is of large size and has a chalky white coat with either blue, amber or odd eyes. It is believed to be the basis of the Turkish Van breed that has been purposefully created from it and continues its coloration and eyes.