15 Black Cat Breeds That Could Be Your Perfect Companion

No one wears all-black quite like the Bombay. Sleek in stature and with glowing gold eyes, the Bombay cat breed is the closest you’ll ever get to owning a pet panther. This is the only breed that’s always black and all black—even their paw pads and whiskers are the inky hue.

While uncommon in the U.S., Bombays are typically affectionate and friendly cats who love cuddling up with their family members, including children and even the family dog. 

A black cat with a forever-kitten personality? Yes, please! The American Curl is known as the “Peter Pan of cats” because they have a playful personality that lasts well past kittenhood. And really, what could be more fitting for a cat with playfully curly ears? 

The unique ear shape is a genetic trait that isn’t known to affect this cat’s lifespan. However, American Curls may be more prone to ear infections than other cats, so keep an eye out for head shaking or frequent ear scratching.

American Curls are also available in plenty of other coat colors and patterns, like white and silver to chocolate and tortie.

These easygoing cats come in a wide variety of colors (more than 60!), including solid black. Not to be confused with the domestic shorthair (which is a mixed-breed cat), the American Shorthair is a pedigreed breed who once earned their keep as pest control on ships.

Today’s American Shorthair house cat still has a love for hunting, so keep the wand toys handy unless you want your toes mistaken for a mouse. That said, they’re also known for being adaptable and affectionate, making them a great cat for families, multi-pet households, or seniors.

If the idea of chasing mice all day sounds a bit too much to handle, a black cat with a more laid-back attitude might be a better match. Meet the British Shorthair—often described as the teddy bear of the cat world because they have a plush, dense coat and adorably chubby cheeks.

British Shorthair cats tend to be gentle, cheerful companions. That said, don’t mistake their laid-back demeanor for laziness. While they tend to be more reserved than some other breeds, these cats still enjoy daily playtime. 

From plush to wavy, black cat coats come in all textures, and the Cornish Rex is proof. This cat breed is instantly recognizable by the soft, wavy coat—a signature trait of all Rex breeds.

With a slender body, high cheekbones, oversized ears, and big almond-shaped eyes, the Cornish Rex is as eye-catching as they are cuddly. Their coat (which feels like cashmere) comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including black.

Another curly-coated cat, the Devon Rex is a total goofball with a love for affection. This cat breed comes in a wide range of coat colors and patterns, all-black being just one.

This quintessential “Velcro kitty” loves to be close—perched on your shoulder, snuggled in your lap, or following you from room to room (even to the bathroom!). They’re not too picky about who gives them attention either, making them great for social households that enjoy welcoming guests.

If you’re looking for a long-haired cat and live a quiet lifestyle, the Persian might be your match. These cats are calm, gentle, and tend to be reserved around strangers. Like all cats, they still need daily play, but they’re more into lounging than being the life of the party.

But what Persians lack in spunk, they definitely make up for in grooming needs. That thick, long coat means combing and brushing your cat every day is a must to prevent painful matting. Persians come in more than 50 shades, including black.

If you love the look of a black Persian cat but not the grooming routine, meet the Exotic Shorthair. This breed has the same sweet, smooshy face minus the high-maintenance coat.

Nicknamed “the lazy person’s Persian,” Exotic Shorthairs are playful and affectionate but much easier to care for. They have a plush, dense coat that doesn’t easily mat. That said, you’ll still want to brush them weekly, especially during spring shedding season.

Black cats are often tied to tales of witches and magic, but the Manx has a story all their own.

One of the oldest known cat breeds, the Manx hails from the Isle of Man and is best known for their lack of a tail. According to legend, a Manx cat was late boarding Noah’s Ark, and as she squeezed through the closing door, her tail was accidentally snipped off!

This cat (which comes in all sorts of colors, including black) is beloved for their playful, easygoing personality and cheerful presence.

The Maine Coon has long, thick fur and comes in colors like black, orange, white, and everything in between. They’re also the largest domestic cat breed, with males weighing up to 25 pounds. In fact, everything about them is big, from their ears with big, fluffy tufts to their big paws.

Many Maine Coons are polydactyl, meaning they have extra toes. There’s no black cat magic here, just a genetic quirk that may have helped these sturdy cats trek through the snowy landscapes of their namesake state: Maine.

Another large cat that can come in black, the Norwegian Forest Cat weighs up to 19 pounds, though most are 12–15 pounds. With a thick double coat and impressive mane, they often appear even larger than they are.

Wegies, as they’re affectionately called, are believed to be the mythical cats of the Norse gods, and their climbing and hunting abilities only add to the lore. So, make sure you have plenty of mouse toys and an extra-large cat tree (or two).

If you’re fond of black cats but not their shedding fur, consider the Sphynx. They’re nearly hairless cats—Sphynxes are covered in a soft layer of peach-fuzz fur.

But how can a cat with almost no fur be black? Feline skin tone usually mirrors the fur they have (or would have). Black Sphynx cats typically have deep gray or charcoal-colored skin.

Keep in mind: Just because they don’t have much fur doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for grooming. In fact, Sphynxes require more grooming than many other cat breeds. Without fur to absorb oil, Sphynx cats need regular baths with specially formulated shampoo, like Douxo S3 PYO Antifungal Shampoo, to keep their skin healthy.

Siamese cats are one of the most beautiful cat breeds, but they only come in color point, which means their body is light with darker markings on the face, ears, paws, and tail.

If you love the Siamese’s outgoing personality and chatty nature but have your heart set on a black cat, you’re not out of luck. The Oriental Shorthair is a Siamese hybrid, and they come in more than 100 coat colors and patterns, including black.

Like their Siamese cousins, they’re lively, social, and super chatty. But you won’t confuse the two: Oriental Shorthairs have a distinct “honk” that sounds more like a goose than a meow. 

Some stories of black cats include tales of shapeshifting—felines taking on mysterious, otherworldly forms. But maybe they just saw a black Selkirk Rex, which admittedly looks more like a curly-haired sheep than a cat. 

Cute as can be, the Selkirk Rex is a sturdy breed weighing 6–16 pounds, with big, expressive eyes and curly fur that ranges from tight ringlets to loose waves. These friendly cats come in a variety of colors, including black.

You might think you’ve seen every type of black cat: curly-haired black cats, honking black cats, even tailless black cats. But let us introduce you to the Scottish Fold, a darling cat with a round face and ears that fold forward toward her nose. 

These docile cats have lots of love to give, but in return, they need a responsible pet parent who can spot subtle signs of pain and give Scottish Folds the extra TLC they need. Those signature folded ears are the result of a genetic condition called osteochondrodysplasia, also known as Scottish Fold disease, which affects bone and joint development. 

Which cat breed is fully black?

The Bombay is the only cat breed that’s always fully black, right down to their nose, paw pads, and whiskers.

How do I tell if my black cat is a Bombay?

If your cat has an all-black coat—including black whiskers and paw pads—with striking copper or gold eyes, they could be a Bombay. A DNA test, like the Wisdom Panel Complete Cat DNA Test, can help you confirm their breed.

Is a pure black cat rare?

Black cats themselves are not rare. In fact, they are among the most overlooked cats in shelters. However, the Bombay cat, which is the only fully black cat breed, is rare. There are only a handful of Bombay breeders in the U.S.

Are black cats cuddly?

Black cats are a coat color, not a breed (with Bombay cats as the exception). So, whether a black cat is cuddly or not depends on their individual temperament and personality—it has nothing to do with coat color.