• The pedigree pets have come out as the most affectionate and friendly in a survey of all types of cats
  • The most unfriendly were non-pedigree,
    crossbreed ‘moggies’ — also known as domestic short-haired cats —
    Britain’s most common variety

By
Amanda Williams


PUBLISHED:

04:50 EST, 2 December 2012


|

UPDATED:

13:50 EST, 2 December 2012

He might not look like the most genial chap, and he certainly is not the prettiest.

But experts have revealed that the hairless Sphynx cat is actually the friendliest and most affectionate of all the creatures.

An study published in an American journal has ranked breeds of cats according to their friendliness, from the most affectionate to the least.

Friendliest of them all: Experts have revealed the hairless sphynx cat is actually the friendliest and most affectionate of all the creatures

Friendliest of them all: Experts have revealed the hairless sphynx cat is actually the friendliest and most affectionate of all the creatures

Despite their reputation as aloof and solitary creatures, who begrudgingly bestow affection on their owners, the study, published in the Journal of Veterinary behaviour, found that many are much more friendly than they have ever been given credit for.

Those revealed as the most unfriendly were non-pedigree, crossbreed ‘moggies’ — also known as domestic short-haired cats — Britain’s most common variety.

It found they were the most likely to ignore their owners and run away from strangers.

But pedigrees were found to be much more amiable, and the friendliest of all was the hairless Sphynx cat, which can sell for around £3,000.

The study, which involved 129 cats from 14 breeds, as well as crossbreeds, found it was even happy to visit the vet and be bathed.

The researchers believed the Sphynx’s affectionate nature could be due to its reliance on humans to keep warm, the Telegraph reports.

They may look more friendly, but apparently the domestic tabby is one of the unfriendliest of the lot

They may look more friendly, but apparently the domestic tabby is one of the unfriendliest of the lot

The study also claimed pedigrees could be friendlier because breeders tended to leave the kittens with their mothers for longer, during a crucial period in their development, when they are becoming used to humans.

TOP CATS – THE FELINES RANKED IN ORDER OF FRIENDLINESS

The study, which involved 129 cats from
14 breeds, as well as crossbreeds, ranked the felines in order of friendliness

1. The Sphynx

2. Maine Coons

3. Persians

4. Birmans, Somalis, Siamese, Russian blues and exotic shorthairs were all ranked fourth

5. The domestic shorthair – or the common moggy – scored lowest

It could also be the result of selecting more friendly cats for breeding.

The animals ranged from kittens to those more than 20 years old.

Some lived in homes with children and other animals, and others with just their owner.

The cats were a mix of males and females, with some neutered and some not.

Owners were asked a mix of questions, including from how their cat would react when they entered a room, how often it would rub up against them, whether it would appear to avoid them, and how it would behave around strangers and vets.

From the answers each cat was ranked according to friendliness.

The Sphynx scored an average of 22.83, compared with 18.93 for the domestic shorthaired.

Because the numbers of other breeds in the survey were generally small, they were grouped together to score an average for pedigrees of 20.40.

In cases where there were more than just a handful of a particular breed, they were always found to be friendlier than moggies. Maine Coons and Persians, for instance, scored 20.76 and 20.38.

Other pedigrees to score highly were Birmans, Somalis, Siamese, Russian blues and exotic shorthairs.

Owners were given a list of four words to describe their pet.

Pedigrees were generally  described by owners as ‘clingy’ or ‘friendly’, and nonpedigrees tended to be ‘friendly’ or ‘independent’, although none was described as ‘wild’.

Dr Marie Abitbol, of the National Veterinary School of Alfort in Paris, where the study was carried out, said: ‘There is a clear difference in friendliness between the pure-bred cats and the domestic short-haired. In general, the pedigree cats are friendlier than non-pedigree.’

The comments below have not been moderated.

be fair if you look like that , you have to put in that extra effort to make somebody love you , only joking, I have worked in Egypt and with all the feral cats there the ones that fare the best are ones that are friendly, so if you want to be well fed give a lot of love , It works for me,

gmt1948
,

argyll, United Kingdom,
02/12/2012 21:56

Report abuse

How does one ‘define’ a ‘friendly’ cat? Cats have their own silent language and ways of communicating. This ‘humanising’ of a cat’s behaviour is an insult to all felines.

ethel m
,

london, United Kingdom,
02/12/2012 21:55

Report abuse

I like that my cat isn’t a clingy overly needy animal. If I wanted that I’d have a dog.

shannon
,

palatka,
02/12/2012 21:53

Report abuse

Well i have 2 moggies and they are never from my side i had a Persian and he was the same untill he pased on 2 yrs ago bless him!!! i think it depends on how you treat them right from the start in most cases not the breed!

sammy
,

shrewsbury, United Kingdom,
02/12/2012 21:52

Report abuse

Shocking !

Steve
,

Gondolin, United Kingdom,
02/12/2012 21:41

Report abuse

I lost my beloved Sphynx cat in June of this year. The most affectionate, loyal and loving cat I have ever had the privilege to own. Miss him terribly. Sphynx’s like to be with you, and not having him sitting on my shoulder, purring in my ear like a motor breaks my heart.

DonDons
,

Cornwall, United Kingdom,
02/12/2012 21:35

Report abuse

Not sure I totally agree……… My beautiful short-hair mongrel in a tortoishell coat has to be physically removed from my lap on occasion when my legs go dead underneath her, and earplugs are needed to drown out the loud purring 🙂 – Anon , UK, 02/12/2012 19:19———————————->>>> I too have a tortoiseshell, she is four years old. But I only recently read up on a something known as “Tortitude” (you can google it – all about the behaviour/attitude of tortoiseshell cats) and it described my sweet affectionate cat’s (and your’s too by the sound of it!) behaviour to a T. So maybe they should have taken in to account the different types of ‘mongrel’ cats, as they have done so with the pedigrees.- JJ from the hut , Countryside- apparently, 02/12/2012 20:19……………. Cheers for that JJ – I will certainly google “tortitude” :-)

Anon
,

UK,
02/12/2012 21:23

Report abuse

Aww one day I will own one of these Sphynx Cats, I’ve always liked them. Until thenI I will cherish my two moggies who are absolutely adorable…I don’t understand why they would rank low.

realdebbie
,

Up North, United Kingdom,
02/12/2012 21:16

Report abuse

Lol, my little mongrel tabby bucks the trend – couldn’t find a friendlier, more affectionate cat, who adores attention and sitting on any lap available. Possibly because she was abandoned by mum at 3 weeks and subsequently hand-reared, so she’s been very socialised with people. Don’t think I’d ever get a Sphynx though – so unnatural to be without fur/whiskers and you could never let the poor thing go outside. I live on a farm and my cats have a job to do keeping mice/rats under control and out of the house!

dexie
,

Carmarthen, United Kingdom,
02/12/2012 21:11

Report abuse

nc, uk – stating all cats are horrible is a very narrow minded and childish remark – like humans all cats are different and individual – some are nice, some are naughty.Many people appreciate their non judgemental affection. If they don’t appeal to you as a species, fair play, hope you find something else to fill your life.

rose
,

wmids,
02/12/2012 21:07

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.