One of the oldest domestic cats in the world — a large, rugged, mountain-dwelling cat from Cyprus, sometimes nicknamed 'Aphrodite's Giant'. Hardy and devoted, it thrives in active family homes.
- Origin
- Cyprus
- Category
- longhair
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 4–11 kg
- Coat
- Semi-long, soft and weather-resistant
- Colours
- All colours and patterns
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Cyprus cat may be the closest thing we have to the original domestic cat. In 2004, archaeologists excavating a 9,500-year-old Neolithic grave at Shillourokambos on Cyprus found a cat deliberately buried beside a human — the earliest firm evidence anywhere of people keeping cats, predating the Egyptian record by thousands of years. The island's free-roaming cats descend from this ancient stock; legend even credits Saint Helena with shipping cats to a monastery to control snakes in the 4th century. Modern breeders have worked to formalise these natural cats into a recognised breed, sometimes distinguishing the larger semi-longhaired mountain type ('Aphrodite's Giant') from the lowland short-haired cats.
🧼 Care & grooming
The semi-long, weather-resistant coat is fairly low-maintenance and needs brushing once or twice a week to prevent tangles, with a little extra attention during seasonal moults. These are athletic, mountain-bred cats that appreciate space, climbing and exercise; secure outdoor access or a catio suits them well. They are highly people-oriented, forming strong bonds with their families and generally getting on well with children and other pets.
🩺 Health notes
As a naturally evolved landrace shaped by survival rather than selective breeding, the Cyprus cat is robust and has no notable breed-specific inherited conditions. They mature slowly, sometimes taking up to two or three years to reach full size. Standard preventive care — vaccination, parasite control, dental checks and a good diet — is all most Cyprus cats ever need.