Humans are thought to have kept cats as pets for over 10,000 years, with the first domesticated felines evolving from African wildcats.
Since then they have become the world’s second most popular pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we most like to welcome in to our homes and our hearts.
In the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends in households.
And there are a huge range of types of cat to choose from - according to The International Cat Association there are 73 ‘standardised breeds’, along with a bewildering number of crosses.
Before you choose your breed it’s worth thinking what kind of attributes you want your cat to have - while individual cats will have their own unique personality, particular breeds are known to commonly demonstrate certain traits.
While dogs can famously perform many different tricks and commands, it’s less well known that cats can also be trained - from walking on a lead to coming when you call their name.
These are the 10 breeds of cat that are known for being easiest to train.
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1. Abyssinian
Abyssinians are clever, inquisitive cats that thrive on mental stimulation. They quickly understand routines and interactive games, although they do have a stubborn independent streak meaning if they get bored they'll just trot off and do something more interesting instead. | Getty Images
2. Siamese
Intelligent, curious, and highly food-motivated, Siamese cats learn tricks, commands, and routines quickly. They also enjoy interacting closely with people, making reward-based training particularly effective. | Canva/Getty Images
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3. Bengal
Bengals are exceptionally intelligent and known to be particularly happy to learn how to walk on a lead like a dog. They often enjoy learning tricks and solving puzzles. This is an especially rewarding feline friend to train. | Getty Images
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4. Maine Coon
Another cat that can be trained to walk on a harness, Maine Coons are intelligent, sociable, and generally cooperative when it comes to getting them to obey commands. Their calm temperament makes them receptive to training, while their strong food motivation can encourage them to learn new tricks. | AFP via Getty Images