Domestic cats have been bred for centuries to produce purebred lines that ensure that each generation will have the same traits as its predecessors -- and the process continues even today. The governing authority in the U.S. for purebred cats is the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), which currently recognizes 40 distinct breeds,representing hundreds of color and pattern variations. Here's an introduction to these official breeds.

One of the oldest known breeds, Abyssinians resemble the paintings and sculptures of ancient Egyptian cats, which portray an elegant feline with a muscular body, beautiful arched neck, large ears, and almond-shaped eyes.

There is probably no breed anywhere more loyal than the Aby. Once you have acquired one as a companion, you will never be able to complain that no one understands you.

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They may look like wildcats, but American Bobtails are loving, kind, and incredibly intelligent cats that get along well with most dogs and interact well with people of all ages.

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Descended from a stray cat with funny ears that appeared at a Lakewood, California, doorstep in 1981, the American Curl -- distinctive for its curled-back ears -- retains a kittenlike personality well throughout adulthood.

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The American Shorthair is recognized in more than 80 different colors and patterns, including the striking brown-patched tabby and the glistening blue-eyed white. The best-known variant is the silver tabby, with dense black markings set on a sterling silver background.

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The coarse coat is what separates the American Wirehair from all other breeds, though there is considerable variation among wirehairs. The gene that produces the coat is dominant, so approximately half of the kittens in a wirehaired litter display it.

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The Balinese breed arose from a spontaneous mutation in Siamese cats to produce a long, flowing coat. But under this ermine covering, these cats are all Siamese: a clown with a heart as big as a circus tent.

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Once considered a sacred companion of Burmese priests, the Birman, a large, stocky cat with a long, silky coat, is a gentle, active companion who can be quiet and unobtrusive when you're busy with other things.

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The Bombay's pantherlike looks are the result of careful breeding that began in 1953. But Bombays are hardly the aloof predator you'd imagine -- they're congenial, outgoing, and easy-to-train companions compatible with dogs and kids alike.

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Still relatively rare in the U.S., the British Shorthair is a large cat that prefers to be earthbound rather than jumping around. Because of its easygoing nature and intelligence, it has become a favorite of Hollywood animal trainers.

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Though closely related to the Siamese, Burmese have a more compact body and rounder head than their cousins, and darker coloration. Almost doglike in their tendency to shadow their owners and to give and receive affection, they can even be taught to retrieve.

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Chartreux are unmistakable for their wooly blue coat, heavy body, and finely boned legs. Expect this quiet, loyal breed to be fascinated by television and participate in telephone conversations by chewing on the cord.

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Another cousin of the Siamese, Colorpoint Shorthairs are distinguished by the sixteen different colors that may appear on their "points" (face, ears, feet, tail). They require little grooming and produce little dander, making them a good choice for households with mild cat allergies.

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First appearing in Cornwall, England, in the 1950s, the Cornish Rex boasts a short, wavy coat that calls to mind a Karakul lamb. Extremely affectionate and people-oriented, they are also active cats whose kittenlike antics last throughout their lifetime.

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Devons are readily identifiable by their coat of loose waves and curls along with their pixielike face, big, low-set ears, and slightly upturned nose. Powerful jumpers, they are highly active, playful, and involved with everything, inviting themselves along for every human activity.

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With an elegant body, expressive green eyes, distinctive mascara lines, and a graceful, cheetahlike stride, the Egyptian Mau has been clearly identified in the artwork of ancient Egypt. Extremely intelligent, they are moderately active and fiercely loyal to their human family.

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Like their North American cousins (simply known as "Burmese"), European Burmese are descended from Wong Mau, brought to the U.S. in 1930. Europeans have greater color variation and subtle differences in head and body shape. They love people as well as the companionship of another animals, making them excellent pets.

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Exotics are essentially short-haired Persians, making them ideal pets for those who love Persians but don't have time for daily grooming. These easygoing cats tend not to demand constant attention, but will instead quietly follow you from room to room just to be nearby.

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This breed was born of a desire to create a solid brown Siamese. The result is a cat with a glistening, mahogany-toned coat, close-lying, green, oval-shaped eyes, and a head that is slightly longer than it is wide. They are people-oriented, and quietly demand human companionship.

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In addition to their unique bobbed tail, these cats are known for their tonal range, propensity for playful troublemaking, and ease with dogs and children.

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Korats are considered a symbol of good fortune in their native Thailand, where their silver color signifies wealth and amber eyes evoke the rice harvest. They are gentle pets, moving softly and cautiously, and they form a strong bond of affection with their owners.

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On an Oregon farm in 1982, a kitten who was born completely bald began to grow very soft, curly hair. For the next 10 years, similar kittens were born, leading to the LaPerm breed. They are inquisitive by nature, always wanting to know what is going on around them.

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The Maine coon is a native American long-haired cat with a long history as a prized mouser. Nature bred the Maine coon into a sturdy cat ideally suited to the harsh winters and varied seasons of the northeast. It is well known for its loving nature, kindly disposition, and great intelligence.

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Although the Manx is best known (and prized) for being tailless, it can, in fact, be born with a full, short, or stumped tail. Other distinctive physical features are its large, round head, as well as rear legs that are much longer than the forelegs.

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Because they can differ so greatly in looks from winter to summer, when they lose their downy undercoat, Norwegians are really two for the price of one. These people-oriented cats can easily be socialized with children and other pets.

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While the spotted ocicat -- named for its resemblance to the ocelot -- looks wild, its temperament is anything but ferocious. The ocicat is not a demanding, clinging-vine type; it's confident as well as dedicated. Most are also quite extroverted around strangers and tolerant of other pets.

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The Oriental breed was developed to explore all the possibilities of color and pattern, and with more than 300 varieties, it appears to have met its original objective. Curiosity and intelligence combine to provide them a means of finding hidden toys -- and mischief.

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With their long flowing coats and open pansylike faces, Persians are America's most popular registered breed. Creatures of habit, they are most at home in an atmosphere of security and serenity, but with love and reassurance they can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households.

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These gorgeous, massive cats have large, expressive eyes, sumptuous color, and a soft coat. RagaMuffins are extremely sweet and thrive on attention, and their calm and patient temperament makes them wonderful with children.

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Ragdolls were developed in the 1960s from free-roaming cats to sport a plush, silky semilong coat and an endearing personality. They are gentle cats, and usually play without extending their claws. Their name came about because early specimens tended to go limp when picked up and petted.

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The Russian Blue is a gentle, affectionate cat easily distinguished from other breeds by its dense, bright blue coat. Silver tipping on each hair gives the Russian a lustrous sheen -- an appearance that can best be appreciated in natural light.

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Originating from a white barn cat discovered in Scotland in 1961, this breed is unique for its ears that fold forward and downward on its head, resulting in an endearing pixie look. These hardy cats have tiny voices, adore human companionship, and adapt to almost any home situation.

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This naturally curly breed originated from a house cat found in a Montana shelter. Bred to a black Persian, the cat produced three curly-coated kittens out of six, meaning that unlike the Devon and Cornish Rex breeds, the Selkirk's curly gene was dominant.

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Siamese are among the most popular and widely recognized cat breeds. Their sleek lines, striking color contrasts, finely chiseled, aristocratic heads, deep blue almond-shaped eyes, and short, silky coats make them living art. They are also quintessential "people cats."

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Siberians are all but ubiquitous in their native Russia, but rare in the U.S. Their semilong coat, which is fuller and longer in the winter than in the summer, comes in just about any color. Siberians are agile problem-solvers that can leap great distances and heights and have a comic personality.

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Originating in the streets of Singapore, this breed is smaller than average, with large, expressive eyes and ears. The light beige coloring is unique. Extroverted, curious, and playful, the Singapura could be considered pesky by some, but many find its active disposition endearing.

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With its large ears, masked face, full ruff, and bushy tail, the Somali bears an uncanny resemblance to a little fox. Notable for a ticked coat, with 4 to 20 bands of color on each hair, Somalis are intelligent extroverts and very social.

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In 1966, a natural mutation created a hairless kitten that gave rise to this breed, but the Sphynx may sometimes sport a fine down. Common color and patterns are visible in the skin pigment. This inquisitive cat thrives on attention, and will perform antics for its owners' entertainment.

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This breed is the result of cross-breeding Burmese with Siamese, resulting in a beautiful, intelligent, gregarious cat with a sense of humor. A Tonkinese will quickly take over your household -- and your life -- with affectionate ways that are impossible to ignore.

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This rare and beautiful breed is considered a national treasure in its native land, tracing its written history as far back as the 16th century. Turks are not only intelligent but extremely adaptable, loving, and playful, which makes them an excellent choice for families with young children.

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Another rare and ancient breed, the Turkish Van is known for its piebald coloration: white but for colored markings restricted primarily to the head and tail. Their unique cashmerelike coat is water-resistant -- in fact, these cats love water and have come to be known as the "swimming cats."

Photo (c) Chanan Photography/Richard Katris