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10 Flat-Faced Cat Breeds (With Info & Pictures)

By Rachael Gerkensmeyer
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Persian cat at the hands of the owner

Flat-faced cat breeds (also referred to as brachycephalic cat breeds) are unique felines because their faces look smushed compared to the typical cat.1 Most have large, round eyes that give them a worried look, along with cute flat noses. Brachycephalic cats have flat faces because they have shortened facial bone structures. Flat-faced cat breeds are a special bunch, and there are not many of them in existence. Here are 10 beautiful flat-faced cat breeds to learn about!

Top 10 Flat-Faced Cat Breeds

1. Munchkin Cats

munchkin cat
Image Credit: Piqsels

Breed Overview

Origin:

United States

Size:

6–9 pounds

Temperament:

Active, friendly, loyal

Munchkin cats are friendly and curious. They love spending time with their family members, and they always want to be part of the action. As kittens, they are extremely curious. Even as adults, Munchkin cats tend to have a “kitten” personality and attitude as they grow older. They are typically athletic throughout their lives.


2. Persian Cats

white himalayan persian cat laying on chair hepper
Image Credit: Hepper

Breed Overview

Origin:

Iran

Size:

7–12 pounds

Temperament:

Quiet, sweet, lazy

These medium-sized cats have stocky bodies, rounded heads and ears, alert eyes, and cute pug-like noses. Persians are typically quiet cats that like to lounge around. They can be downright lazy! They require inspiration to get active, so interactive gameplay with human companions is a must.


3. Scottish Fold Cats

scottish fold cat sitting on kitchen counter
Image Credit: LightField Studios, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Origin:

Scotland

Size:

9–13 pounds

Temperament:

Inquisitive, loving, loyal

The Scottish Fold is a gentle cat with soft, fluffy fur and a curious personality. These cats come in a wide variety of colors, including tortoiseshell, calico, tabby, smoke, beige, and white. This is a charming cat breed that is easy to live with because they tend to go with the flow. They don't usually like being touched or stroked on the tail, but they love rubs on the rest of their body.

See Also: Persian Scottish Fold Cat Mix


4. Himalayan Cats

Himalayan cat
Image Credit: No-longer-here, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Origin:

United States

Size:

7–12 pounds

Temperament:

Intelligent, loyal, shy

These smart kitties are quite shy and prefer to live in a quiet and calm environment. They can put up with kids, but they don't appreciate being teased or roughhoused with. But they do love hanging out on the couch and cuddling up in bed at night. They will stick by their human companion's side while they are cooking, cleaning, or watching a movie.


5. British Shorthair Cats

orange british shorthair close up
Image Credit: MelaniMarfeld, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Origin:

Great Britain

Size:

9–17 pounds

Temperament:

Intelligent, affectionate, patient

These cats are funny, smart, and frisky. They love hanging out with kids and other animals, and they will never pass up the opportunity to explore a new space within or outside the home. Giving a British Shorthair cat an empty box to play with is sure to enhance their day and won’t break the bank. All these cats care about is quality time, not what’s available to play with during that time.


6. Exotic Shorthair Cats

ginger Exotic shorthair cat sleeping near a door
Image Credit: Wutlufaipy, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Origin:

United States

Size:

8–15 pounds

Temperament:

Gentle, calm, curious

Although gentle and calm, the Exotic Shorthair is a playful and curious kitty that tends to let loose only when the family is home. When visitors show up, they will likely hide in a closet or under a bed. These are adorable kitties that will give you all their loyalty in exchange for safety and comfort.


7. Bombay Cats

bombay cat sitting on grey background
Image Credit: Oleksandr Volchanskyi, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Origin:

United States

Size:

8–15 pounds

Temperament:

Active, curious, adaptable

These solid black cats look spooky to some people, but they happen to be active, friendly cats that enjoy spending time with human companions. These cats like to be the center of attention and will happily spread themselves out on a newspaper that you’re reading or jump in your lap whenever you’re lounging on the couch.


8. Burmilla Cats

Burmilla Cat
Image Credit: JE Jevgenija, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Origin:

United Kingdom

Size:

6–13 pounds

Temperament:

Affectionate, playful, loyal

While a bit demanding and mischievous at times, the Burmilla cat is a beautiful breed that loves to play and explore their surroundings. They are sweet to their family members but are wary of strangers. They have soft, long hair that must be brushed regularly to keep tangles to a minimum.


9. Selkirk Rex Cats

Selkirk rex cat sitting on the counter_
Image Credit: athree23, Pixabay

Breed Overview

Origin:

United States

Size:

9–16 pounds

Temperament:

Friendly, energetic, active

This is an adaptable cat breed that hardly ever seems shy. Selkirk Rex cats are extremely affectionate and tend to stick by their human companion’s side when spending time together at home. These cats love children of all ages and are happy to greet strangers at the door.


10. Burmese Cats

close up of Burmese cat standing on gray background
Image By: Seregraff, Shutterstock

Breed Overview

Origin:

Burma

Size:

8–15 pounds

Temperament:

Intelligent, loyal, calm

Burmese cats are extremely intelligent and can be trained to do things like come when called, sit, and even walk on a leash. They require minimal grooming, which makes them easy-to-care-for pets that are suitable for busy households. These cats are typically sable brown with large, green or blue eyes and hardy, athletic bodies.

Final Thoughts

All these beautiful flat-faced cats can make great pets for families of all shapes and sizes. Some are a little shyer than others, and some might be more or less independent. If you are thinking about adopting one of the breeds on this list, it’s a good idea to learn all that you can about their personalities and care needs to determine which breed will be the best fit for your household.


Featured Image Credit: Zanna Pesnina, Shutterstock

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Rachael Gerkensmeyer
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Rachael Gerkensmeyer

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