22 Black Cat Breeds: Stunning Cats With Solid Black Coats
Is a black cat a breed? No, it is a color, and the Bombay is the only all-black breed. Meet 22 black cat breeds with profiles, traits, eye-color guides, and care tips for every solid black cat.
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If you have ever wondered which black cat breeds exist, the honest answer surprises most people: black is a coat color, not a breed of its own. Dozens of pedigreed cats can be born with a solid black coat, yet only one breed, the Bombay, was deliberately developed to be exclusively black from nose to tail. The rest are everyday breeds that happen to come in black, plus the millions of non-pedigree black domestic shorthairs filling shelters every fall.
Below you will meet 22 black cat breeds, starting with the panther-like Bombay, then the common black domestic shorthair, and then 20 recognized breeds that can wear a glossy black coat. Each profile covers temperament, coat length, eye color, typical size and weight, lifespan, and a quick note on what black actually looks like in that breed. We also break the list down by eye color and coat length, settle the most-searched questions in a comparison chart and FAQ, and link the deeper single-breed guides we have already published.
Black is a coat color, not a breed. At least 22 cat breeds can produce solid black cats, but the Bombay is the only breed bred to be exclusively black. Most black cats people own are not pedigreed at all, they are black domestic shorthairs, the most common cat in the world.
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Is a Black Cat a Breed?
No, a black cat is not a breed. Black refers to a coat color caused by a high concentration of the eumelanin pigment, and that color can appear across many different black cat breeds rather than defining a single one. The Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association recognize black, or its dilute version blue, as an accepted color in more than 20 breeds. The Bombay is the lone exception: it is the only breed standard that calls for an entirely black coat, black nose leather, black paw pads, and copper to gold eyes.
So when someone asks what breed their black cat is, the most accurate answer is usually no breed at all. The overwhelming majority of black cats are mixed-ancestry domestic shorthairs or longhairs, not pedigreed animals. Genetically, the solid black coat comes from a dominant non-agouti gene that masks the tabby pattern every cat secretly carries, which is why a black cat in strong sunlight sometimes reveals faint ghost stripes.
If you want the short version, here are the breeds most often born solid black: Bombay, American Shorthair, Persian, Maine Coon, Sphynx, and Devon Rex. The full list of 22 follows, but those six are the ones you will see named again and again.
- If a black cat has any white hairs, green eyes, pink paw pads, or faint tabby stripes in bright light, it is almost certainly a black domestic shorthair rather than a pedigreed Bombay. A true Bombay has copper or gold eyes, black paw pads, and a patent-leather coat with no white anywhere.
Bombay: The Only True All-Black Cat Breed
The Bombay is the headline act of any black cat list, and for good reason. American breeder Nikki Horner created it in the 1950s by crossing sable Burmese cats with black American Shorthairs, aiming for a miniature panther with a wild look and a lap-cat heart. The result is a medium-sized, muscular cat with a short, satin-smooth black coat that practically shines, plus those unmistakable round copper or gold eyes.
Bombays are famously dog-like: they fetch, follow you room to room, ride on shoulders, and chat in a soft voice. They are warm, people-focused cats that bond hard and dislike being left alone for long stretches, so a second pet or a busy household keeps a solo Bombay content. For the full breed deep-dive, see our Bombay cat profile.
Because of its Burmese roots, the Bombay shares the rounded head and sturdy build of that line. If you are weighing the family tree, our guide to Burmese cat price and traits explains the ancestry behind the mini panther. Want the deeper temperament read on the breed itself?
Read the complete Bombay cat breed profile for personality, care, and what it is like to live with one.
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Coat | Short, sleek, glossy solid black |
| Eye color | Copper to gold |
| Weight | 8 to 15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12 to 18 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, vocal, dog-like, social |
| Typical price | $500 to $2,000 from a reputable breeder |
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Black Domestic Shorthairs and Bombay Mixes
Here is the entry no competitor roundup bothers to profile, even though it describes the cat most readers actually own. The black domestic shorthair, sometimes called a moggy or simply a black house cat, is not a breed at all. It is a mixed-ancestry cat with a solid black coat, and it is the single most common cat on the planet. If you adopted a sleek black kitten from a shelter, odds are overwhelming you have one of these, not a pedigreed Bombay.
Black domestic shorthairs are wonderfully varied in personality because their genetics are wide open. They range from couch-loving lap cats to chatty live wires, and they tend to be hardy, long-lived, and low-maintenance thanks to that genetic diversity. Many carry one or two telltale white hairs on the chest, a small white locket, or green to yellow eyes, all signs of a non-pedigree background rather than a flaw.
A Bombay mix sits in between. These are cats with some Bombay ancestry crossed with domestic shorthairs, so they often have the glossy black coat and affectionate streak without the pedigree price tag or the strict copper-eyed standard. If your black cat is unusually people-focused and shadow-smooth but has greenish eyes, a Bombay mix is a reasonable guess.
- Solid black cats are statistically adopted slower than any other color, a bias rooted in superstition rather than temperament. Shelters fill with friendly black domestic shorthairs every kitten season, so if coat color is flexible for you, a black cat is often the kindest and most rewarding adoption you can make.
If you are thinking about adoption, our coverage of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month is a good place to start, and our piece in praise of black cats makes the case for giving these overlooked cats a second look.
More Cat Breeds That Come in Solid Black
Beyond the Bombay, at least 20 recognized breeds can be born with a solid black coat. Some, like the Maine Coon and Persian, are everyday favorites that simply happen to come in black. Others, like the Oriental Shorthair, wear black as one color in a huge palette. Here is each breed, what its black coat looks like, and the traits that set it apart.
Maine Coon
The gentle giant of the cat world, the Maine Coon can absolutely be solid black, and a black Maine Coon is a showstopper: a huge, shaggy, long-haired cat with a plumed tail and ear tufts. They are friendly, dog-like, and famously big. See our black Maine Coon guide and the story of the biggest Maine Coon ever recorded for just how large they grow.
Persian
The luxurious Persian comes in solid black with a long, dense double coat and a flat, expressive face. Black Persians are calm, quiet, and devoted lap cats that need daily grooming to keep that coat mat-free. Our Persian cat price and cost guide covers what to budget for one of these high-maintenance beauties.
British Shorthair
Best known in blue, the British Shorthair also comes in a dense, plush solid black. These are calm, easygoing, sturdy cats with round faces and copper eyes. Learn more in our British Shorthair temperament guide and see the full palette in our British Shorthair colors guide.
American Shorthair
One of the original parent breeds of the Bombay, the American Shorthair comes in a clean solid black with gold eyes. These are easygoing, adaptable, family-friendly cats that are healthy and low-maintenance, an excellent first cat for households that want a steady, undemanding companion.
Sphynx
The hairless Sphynx still comes in black: the pigment shows in the skin, giving you a warm, suede-soft, charcoal-to-black cat. Sphynx cats are extroverted, attention-seeking, and need regular bathing because they have no coat to absorb skin oils. Read our Sphynx cat personality guide before you fall for one of these velcro cats.
Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair comes in over 300 color and pattern combinations, and a solid black ebony Oriental is sleek, elegant, and almost greyhound-like in build. They are intensely social, vocal, and people-bonded, very much in the Siamese family tradition of running the household.
Scottish Fold
With its signature folded ears and owl-like round face, the Scottish Fold also appears in solid black. They are sweet, placid, and famously fond of sitting in odd poses. A black Fold pairs that quirky silhouette with a glossy dark coat for a uniquely charming look.
Norwegian Forest Cat
The Wegie is a large, hardy, long-haired breed built for cold climates, and it comes in a striking solid black with a thick, water-resistant double coat. These are calm, friendly, climbing-obsessed cats. Our Norwegian Forest cat personality guide covers what life with this fluffy giant is like.
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex wears a short, soft, wavy coat that comes in solid black, paired with huge ears and an impish, pixie-like face. They are playful, mischievous, heat-seeking lap cats that bond intensely with their people and stay kitten-like for life.
Cornish Rex
Similar in spirit to the Devon, the Cornish Rex has an even finer, marcel-waved coat that comes in solid black. These are athletic, dog-like, endlessly energetic cats with a slim build and a love of warm laps and high perches.
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Siberian
The Siberian is a large, powerful, triple-coated forest breed that comes in solid black. Despite the heavy coat, fans consider them more tolerable for some allergy sufferers. They are affectionate, agile, and surprisingly playful. See our Siberian cat personality guide for the full picture of this Russian native.
Exotic Shorthair
Often called the lazy man's Persian, the Exotic Shorthair has the Persian's flat face and sweet nature in a short, plush coat that comes in solid black. They are quiet, affectionate, and far lower-maintenance to groom than their longhaired cousins.
American Curl
Instantly recognizable by ears that curl backward, the American Curl also comes in solid black in both short and long coats. They are playful, people-oriented, and stay kittenish well into adulthood, making the curled-ear-plus-black-coat combination especially eye-catching.
Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail, with its short pom-pom tail, comes in a solid black sometimes nicknamed a good-luck cat in its homeland. They are active, intelligent, talkative cats that enjoy interactive play and carrying toys around like little retrievers.
Manx
The tailless Manx comes in solid black and pairs a rounded, rabbit-like rump with a sturdy, muscular body. They are loyal, dog-like companions that often bond to one person. Our Manx cat personality guide explains what makes this tailless breed such a devoted family cat.
American Bobtail
Larger and shaggier than the Japanese Bobtail, the American Bobtail comes in solid black with a wild, lynx-like appearance and a short kinked tail. They are easygoing, adaptable, and known as the golden retriever of cats for their patient, friendly temperament.
Selkirk Rex
Nicknamed the cat in sheep's clothing, the Selkirk Rex has a curly, plush coat that comes in solid black for a soft, teddy-bear look. They are patient, tolerant, and laid-back cats that fit easily into busy or multi-pet homes.
LaPerm
The LaPerm sports a distinctive curly to ringleted coat that appears in solid black, giving a tousled, just-out-of-bed charm. They are affectionate, curious, and gently active cats that love to be near their people without being demanding.
RagaMuffin
A large, sweet-tempered relative of the Ragdoll, the RagaMuffin comes in solid black with a silky, plush coat and a tendency to go limp with contentment when held. They are gentle, docile lap cats well suited to calm households and families with children.
Chantilly-Tiffany
Once nearly lost, the Chantilly-Tiffany is a semi-longhaired breed whose foundation color is a rich solid black, often with golden eyes. They are loyal, moderately vocal, and devoted companions that prefer steady routines and close human company.
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Black Cat Breeds by Eye Color
Eye color is the fastest way to read a black cat. Against a jet-black coat, the iris does all the talking, and the shade often hints at whether you are looking at a pedigree or a moggy. Breeders generally aim for deep copper or gold in pedigreed black cats, while bright green or yellow eyes show up most in mixed-ancestry black domestic shorthairs.
Black Cat Breeds With Yellow or Copper Eyes
Copper and gold are the gold standard for pedigreed black cats. The Bombay leads here with its signature penny-bright copper eyes, and the British Shorthair, American Shorthair, and Exotic Shorthair all pair black coats with warm copper to gold. These rich, dark-gold eyes are exactly what breeders select for, so vivid copper eyes on a glossy black cat point toward pedigree ancestry.
Black Cat Breeds With Green Eyes
Green eyes against black are striking and most common in non-pedigree black cats, though several breeds carry them too. Oriental Shorthairs often have brilliant green eyes, and many black domestic shorthairs show green to yellow-green as they mature from kitten blue. If your black cat has clear green eyes, it is more likely a domestic shorthair than a Bombay, since the breed standard calls for copper, not green.
Long-Haired, Fluffy, and Big Black Cats
Coat length and size change the whole feel of a black cat, from a sleek shadow to a fluffy panther. If you specifically want a big, fluffy black cat, a handful of breeds deliver that dramatic look, while others give you the low-shed, easy-care short coat.
Fluffy and Long-Haired Black Cats
For maximum floof, look to the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Persian, Siberian, RagaMuffin, and Chantilly-Tiffany. These long-haired and semi-long-haired breeds turn a black coat into a cloud of glossy dark fur, complete with plumed tails and ruffs. The trade-off is grooming: plan on brushing several times a week to prevent mats and reduce shedding around the home.
Big and Large Black Cats
The largest black cats come from the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian, and RagaMuffin, all of which can top 12 to 20 pounds in healthy males. A solid black Maine Coon in particular earns the mini-panther nickname better than almost any cat short of the Bombay, simply because of its sheer size and shaggy coat.
- Long-haired black cats hide nothing: white dander, lint, and clumps stand out against the dark fur, and a heavy coat means more litter tracking. Brush several times a week and pair a fluffy black cat with a high-sided box and a strong odor-control litter to keep the home fresh.
Black Cat Breeds Comparison Chart
Use this quick-reference chart to compare the most popular black cat breeds at a glance, from coat length and size to eye color and typical lifespan.
| Breed | Coat | Size | Eye color | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bombay | Short | Medium, 8 to 15 lb | Copper to gold | 12 to 18 years |
| Maine Coon | Long | Large, 10 to 20 lb | Gold to green | 12 to 15 years |
| Persian | Long | Medium, 7 to 12 lb | Copper | 12 to 17 years |
| British Shorthair | Short, plush | Medium to large, 9 to 17 lb | Copper | 12 to 17 years |
| American Shorthair | Short | Medium, 8 to 15 lb | Gold | 15 to 20 years |
| Sphynx | Hairless | Medium, 6 to 12 lb | Varies | 9 to 15 years |
| Oriental Shorthair | Short | Medium, 8 to 12 lb | Green | 12 to 15 years |
| Norwegian Forest | Long | Large, 12 to 20 lb | Green to gold | 12 to 16 years |
| Siberian | Long, triple | Large, 10 to 20 lb | Gold to green | 11 to 18 years |
| Devon Rex | Short, wavy | Small, 6 to 9 lb | Varies | 9 to 15 years |
Black Cats: Myths, Luck, and History
No roundup of black cats is complete without the folklore. Depending on where you stand in the world, a black cat is either rotten luck or a walking good-luck charm. In much of Europe and North America, medieval superstition tied black cats to witchcraft and bad omens. In Japan, the United Kingdom, and parts of the world, the same cat is a symbol of prosperity, protection, and good fortune.
If you love the lore, dig into our pieces on black cat superstitions and the Halloween myths and safety tips every black-cat owner should know. Both untangle the history and separate genuine seasonal safety advice from old wives' tales.
The takeaway for anyone choosing a cat: superstition has nothing to do with temperament. A black cat is exactly as affectionate, playful, or aloof as its breed and individual personality dictate, no more cursed and no luckier than a tabby or a tuxedo.
Black Cat Breeds FAQ
No. Black is a coat color, not a breed. More than 20 cat breeds can be born solid black, but only the Bombay was bred to be exclusively black. Most black cats are non-pedigree domestic shorthairs rather than members of any single breed.
Most typical black cats are not a breed at all. They are black domestic shorthairs, mixed-ancestry cats with a solid black coat. They are the most common cat in the world, hardy, long-lived, and wonderfully varied in personality thanks to their wide gene pool.
At least 22 recognized cat breeds can produce a solid black coat, from the Bombay and Maine Coon to the Sphynx and Devon Rex. Add the countless non-pedigree black domestic shorthairs and longhairs, and the kinds of black cats run far beyond any single number.
Among pedigreed breeds, the all-black Bombay and the once-endangered Chantilly-Tiffany are uncommon. The rarest single black cat is the male tortoiseshell-and-black, since black plus tortoiseshell color genetics almost never occur together in a male.
The Bombay is the only cat breed whose standard requires it to be fully black, from its short, glossy coat to its nose leather and paw pads, finished with copper or gold eyes. Every other breed comes in black as one color among many.
A true Bombay has a short, patent-leather black coat with no white hairs, black paw pads, a black nose, copper to gold eyes, and a muscular, medium build. Green eyes, white spots, pink paw pads, or ghost tabby stripes mean you most likely have a black domestic shorthair.
Solid black coats are not biologically rare, since the black gene is dominant and common. Truly pedigreed pure black cats like the Bombay are less common because few breeders specialize in them. Black domestic shorthairs, by contrast, are abundant and fill shelters every year.
The Bombay is the breed most famous for deep copper to gold eyes against a black coat. The British Shorthair, American Shorthair, and Exotic Shorthair also commonly pair solid black coats with warm copper or gold eyes, the color breeders intentionally select for.
Green eyes against black are most common in the Oriental Shorthair and in non-pedigree black domestic shorthairs, which often mature from kitten blue to bright green or yellow-green. A black cat with clear green eyes is more likely a moggy than a Bombay.
Yes. The fluffiest long-haired black cats include the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Persian, Siberian, RagaMuffin, and Chantilly-Tiffany. These breeds turn a black coat into a dramatic cloud of dark fur, though they need regular brushing to stay mat-free.
There is no scientific proof that coat color changes personality, but many owners and shelters describe black cats as especially affectionate and friendly. Breeds like the Bombay are genuinely people-focused, and friendly black domestic shorthairs are adopted out every day.
A black cat's personality comes from its breed and individual nature, not its color. A Bombay is social and dog-like, a Persian is calm and quiet, and black domestic shorthairs run the full range. Superstition aside, a black cat is simply a cat, shaped by genetics and upbringing.
Whatever black cat breed you choose, or whatever wonderful black moggy chooses you, you are getting a sleek, striking companion with a personality all its own. For more on living with one through the spookiest season, revisit our black cat Halloween safety guide.
Coreen Saito is a pet writer and longtime shelter volunteer with more than a decade in animal rescue. She covers cat behavior, breed care, and the small, ordinary science of sharing a life with companion animals, with a particular focus on honest takes about the products and decisions that actually matter. At home in Arizona, she's outranked by Mac (a dog with the loudest opinion in the house), Rebel (a cat who governs by quiet authority), and Meri (an orange tabby who runs the late shift and the laundry basket). She writes about all three, plus the rescues that keep coming through her life, at LifeWithMinty.com.
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