Known for their large eyes, short ears, and slightly flattened faces, the American Shorthair is known as the original house cat, having come to America on the Mayflower. With a fur palette of more than 80 colors and patterns, American Shorthairs aren’t always black, but they’re almost always easygoing and sweet.

Similar to the Angora rabbit, the Turkish Angora cat is characterized by its small head, thick tail, and luxuriously soft fur. While this sociable breed typically gets along with just about everyone, including dogs and kids, they also tend to be the alpha of their household.

LaPerms can be found in just about every color and coat pattern (including black), though they do share a distinct feature: their incredibly fluffy fur. Funnily enough, LaPerm kittens are either born hairless or quickly lose all their hair, with their bouncy, curly coats growing in at about four months.

Just like a rag doll, the calm and loving Ragamuffin is likely to go limp in your arms with just a little bit of petting. In addition to its warm disposition, this breed is known for its soft, low-maintenance coat.

Like most cats with Persian heritage, the Selkirk Rex is known for its big eyes, flat nose, and round head. This breed tends to be mellow and friendly, and they’re beloved for their soft, curly fur, which comes in a variety of colors in addition to black.

Manx cats get their name from their homeland, the Isle of Man, off the coast of Britain, and they’re most easily recognizable for their lack of a tail, which is due to a genetic mutation from breeding. In addition to black, Manx cats can also be found in white, red, blue, cream, or silver.

Since the Sphynx is a hairless cat, its skin is what determines its coloring (and yes, there are Sphinxes with black skin). Since they have no fur, it’s important that owners of this breed keep them out of the cold and sun as much as possible.

Though they didn’t make their way to the U.S. until 1979, this native black-furred Norwegian breed is believed to have been brought aboard viking ships to hunt for rodents. Nowadays, the Norwegian Forest Cat tends to be a homebody that enjoys the company of humans and other pets.

Exotic Shorthairs are also known as “the lazy man’s Persian,” as they have similar faces to Persian cats, but much shorter coats that require less maintenance. They come in many colors, including black.

Burmese cats can be traced back to the 1930s when a dark brown hybrid Siamese cat from Burma was first brought to the United States. Typically these kitties come in shades of tan and brown, but there are deeper black ones as well.

Adaptable, energetic, and wildly intelligent, the Siberian is Russia’s national cat, and its long hair comes in a variety of shades. You can find these felines in brown, gray, white, and, of course, black.

This medium-sized cat was developed in the 1950s and is a cross between a sable Burmese and a black American Shorthair. The Bombay is great with children, dogs, and other cats, and its soft, velvety coat is short, making it easy to groom.

Though most Japanese bobtails are van-patterned or bi-colored rather than solid-colored, this breed comes in a variety of colors, including a lovely shade of black. This medium-sized cat is playful, affectionate, and a great fit for families.

Though best known for its folded ears (which are the result of a genetic mutation), the Scottish Fold can also be recognized for its rounded head and big, sweet eyes. This short-haired, medium-sized cat gets along well with everyone and loves to follow you around, so if you’re looking for a little shadow, this is the breed for you.

Ever since the Persian came into vogue during the Victorian era, this fluffy cat has become the most popular pedigreed cat in the U.S. (and perhaps even the world). Expressive and affectionate, this cat may be high-maintenance, but it will make up for that extra grooming with lots of love.

The American Bobtail was first developed by selectively breeding feral domestic cats possessing a natural bobtail, allowing them to survive feral environments. Wildly intelligent, this medium- to large-sized cat loves to play and is known for getting along with both other cats and dogs.

The most distinct characteristic of the American Curl is its adorable ears, which curl backward instead of standing up as the result of a spontaneous natural mutation. This breed has a particular fondness for children, probably because it loves to play and socialize (and doesn’t like to be left alone).

The British shorthair was once know as the British Blue because it came only in that one color, but nowadays, this cat’s short coat comes in a variety of shades, including pure black. Though this dignified cat may not be willing to sit on your lap, it will want to stay right by your side wherever you go.

The Oriental was created by using the Siamese as a base and crossing it with American and British Shorthairs, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, and domestic cats. With its triangular face, tall ears, and slender legs, the Oriental is unmistakable, though it has the same loving, whip-smart personality as the Siamese.

This native American long-haired cat was first recognized as a specific breed in Maine, and its sturdy build and thick coat makes it well-suited for harsh winters. Though large, the Maine Coon has earned a reputation as a “gentle giant,” as the breed is sought-after for family pets and therapy cats.

With its large ears and svelte body, the sweet, people-oriented Cornish Rex is a total original. Perhaps the most distinct feature of the breed is its curly coat, which is short and soft as velvet (as well as a product of a spontaneous natural mutation).

Impish and big-eyed, this almost-dog-like cat is totally unique in both appearance and personality. Better yet, the Devon Rex does not discriminate and is happy in the company of pretty much anyone, human or animal.