Humans and cats have a close relationship that’s thought to date back over 10,000 years, when the first domesticated felines were evolved from African wildcats.
They are now the world’s second most popular household pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we welcome into our hearts.
It means that there are a staggering number of pet cats out there - in the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends taking up our rugs, sofas and beds.
There are a huge range of types of cat to choose from, with The International Cat Association recognising 73 ‘standardised breeds’.
Then there a bewildering number of crosses, alongside the trusty Moggy - an indistinct mix of cat that is the most popular type.
Most people who opt for a pedigree cat opt for one of a handful of common breeds - cats like the Ragdoll, Siamese, Burmese, British Shorthair or Maine Coon.
But if you are looking for something a bit different then there are a whole host of rare cat breeds that you may not have encountered before.
Here are 10 of the rarest.
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9. Singapura
One of the tiniest breeds of domestic cat (generally considered to be both the shortest and lightest), the Singapura originated in Singapore (athough the cats were later found to have been imported from the USA). It has a distinctive ticked coat, large eyes, and an energetic, affectionate temperament despite its tiny stature. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Peterbald
Developed in Russia, the Peterbald can have either a near-hairless or extremely fine coat. These elegant and affectionate cat were first created in St. Petersburg in 1994 from an experimental cross of a Don Sphynx and an Oriental Shorthair. They remain rare, particularly in the UK, and are banned in the Netherlands due to health issues related to their lack of protective hair. | Canva/Getty Images