Meet the Real-Life Garfields: 8 Cat Breeds That Resemble the Famous Feline

Remember Garfield? This 1980s cartoon cat hero was beloved around the world – including by me. I very much enjoyed his sarcastic sense of humor, baiting poor Odie and his exasperated owner Jim.

But are there Garfield cats out there? The original Garfield was a Persian cat ginger tabby cat. However, there are several breeds whose orange cats have a Garfield-like appearance. So you may be able to get the Garfield look with the cat personality that you desire (there is nothing wrong with Persian cats, but you may have a different preference).

There are both long-haired and short-haired cat breed options for an orange tabby cat – as well as a wide range of looks from the super cute little Munchkin cat breed to the more exotic Bengal cat breed.

So hide your lasagna, take Mondays off the calendar, and get ready to find your new orange sedentary friend!

1. British Shorthair

The British Shorthair cat is a medium to large-sized cat breed with large gold, orange, or copper color eyes, a short, broad nose, and a short to medium coat. Daily grooming of these felines is necessary, especially during seasonal changes.

These lovely kitties are highly intelligent; however, they are still happy to stay inside and play with toys and people. Get some wand-like toys and start a game with your British Shorthair cat; it can be great fun.

This indoor cat breed has an easygoing personality and provides great companionship. While these cats love to play, they don’t require hourly attention.

2. Exotic Short Hair Cat Breed

When considering what type of cat is Garfield, the exotic shorthair should come to mind. The super cute Exotic Short Hair breed is characterized by its mustachioed face and laid-back personality. This breed has short thick legs, broad bodies, large round paws, and short tails.

They have extremely soft coats and come in 140 different colors. They have the same gentle and affectionate personality which is seen in most long-haired cat breeds rather than the boisterous personality of a short-haired cat.

This breed is closely related to the Persian cat breed and is known for its loyalty.

3. Persian

Persian cats are affectionate, docile, and gentle kitties. This breed has a quiet demeanor; they plop down on any soft surface and simply pose for your appreciation. These elegant cats are not very active, which makes them the perfect indoor pet.

Persians have relatively small faces, so their big round eyes are particularly prominent. Most Persians have gorgeous blue eyes, but there can be exceptions – or some who have a different color in each eye.

Although affectionate, Persian cats are discriminative but are great family cats and reserve their affections for a few select individuals. 

This beautiful flat-faced cat breed does get along with children and other household pets; however, they aren’t fans of loud environments but rather serene homes where little changes.

You might enjoy my article on red cat breeds.

4. Turkish Angora

Turkish Angora cats are known for their long, silky coats, which often become the longest around the cat’s neck. They are an adorable combination of large cat ears, almond-shaped eyes, and small to medium-sized heads.

The most common eye color for a Turkish Angora cat is blue. However, they can also have amber, green, or gold eyes as well.

Originally from Turkey (you may have guessed this), the earliest records of the Turkish Angora cat are from the 16th century. However, the breed began to disappear in the early 19th century. The Turkish Angora was bred at the Ankara Zoo to preserve its pedigree, and the breed was officially established in North America in the 1970s.

These friendly and gentle cats also have a more boisterous side and love to run, jump and explore. He loves to play and will do almost anything to get your attention.

This cat breed will maintain the playfulness they exhibit as kittens throughout their lives. They will enjoy curling up next to you and on you on both the couch and your bed.

5. American Bobtail

With a short tail, tufted ears and toes, and a slightly short neck, the American Bobtail cat breed screams cuddle me. The American bobtail was a feral cat that was not bred until the 1960s.

This playful breed is great with families and gets on well with strangers. Many compare his personality with that of a golden retriever dog. This is a devoted and loyal breed that also often enjoys going out on walks.
This intelligent cat breed loves a puzzle or a game and playing fetch. He is also a curious kitty who is quite easygoing, so well suited to travel and outdoor adventures. Be sure to take a great cat carrier along with you if you plan to travel with your cat.

6. Munchkin

The Munchkin cat is everyone’s favorite cutie. With teeny tiny short little legs and normal-sized bodies, these diverse cats are absolutely adorable.

The munchkin’s dog counterpart is undoubtedly the sausage dog, as they share the short-legged trait. This is why these little felines are also called the “sausage cat”.

Considered the original dwarf cat, the Munchkin cat breed is not exclusive and can be linked to a number of other breeds. For example, you can find a Scottish fold munchkin cat or even a Maine coon munchkin cat. It’s all about that short-legged gene mutation.

There is quite a lot of controversy surrounding these sweet-looking felines, as there is concern over potential health and mobility issues. They were not considered an official breed for many years and were not allowed to take part in feline competitions.

Even today, there are a number of councils and associations that do not recognize the Munchkin cat breed.

However, most sources say that the shortness of their legs does not affect the Munchkin’s running and leaping abilities. Also, they are not generally found to have more joint or bone problems than other cat breeds. So, if you are passionate about their little legs, your ethics needn’t be compromised.

The personalities of Munchkin cats are generally sweet, outgoing, and intelligent. They also respond well to being handled, which is lovely, as you’ll undoubtedly want to hold these cuties all day long.

7. Maine Coon

These fluffy felines are really something special. Known to be real gentle giants, they’re often referred to as the dogs of the cat world thanks to their unique Maine Coon personality.

So if you’re a self-proclaimed dog person but looking to broaden your horizons, this will be your perfect transition to being a cat owner too.

Maine Coons are friendly, loveable, and very vocal. Their sizable bodies and heavy, double-layer long hair kept them well-protected against the brutal cold in Maine, which is the state they originated from.

With so much personality and love to give, you may soon find yourself leaning toward the Maine Coon breed.

8. Bengal

Bengal cats are one of the newer cat breeds, a combination of the Asian leopard cat and a US domestic cat. These affectionate cats are energetic and playful.

A distinctive feature of their thick and lustrous coat is the pearl or gold dusting or glitter effect. This is one of the many features of the lovely Bengal cat that contributes to its extreme cuteness.

The breed is also known for its black-rimmed and almond-shaped eyes and distinctive whisker pads. Add to this their thick tail that often finishes in a black tapered tip and you have one seriously cute cat.

Many people want to know what breed is Garfield. With all these possible options, you can easily make your way home with one of these beautiful Garfield cats to call your own.