The Egyptian Mau cat resembles a tabby but behaves more like a dog.

Have you ever mistaken a striped tabby for a spotted cat after seeing its body? Chances are, you encountered an Egyptian Mau ("mau" means cat in Egyptian). These sleek, medium-sized cats are the only naturally domesticated spotted cat breed. And yes, they truly hail from Egypt.

Betsy Whitlock, a breeder at Belle Hollow Farms and Exotics in Franklin, North Carolina, explains that technically, the Egyptian Mau is classified as a spotted tabby.

"Their pattern resembles that of a tabby – the "M" mark on the forehead, stripes near their eyes," she explains. "Their legs also have stripes. The key difference is that where their bodies once had stripes, those stripes have transformed into spots, which is the natural coloration for cats, as opposed to stripes. Most wild cats are either spotted or start off with spots and later develop solid colors."

The Origin of the Breed

The Egyptian Mau was once a well-adapted street cat in Egypt. The breed eventually spread to Europe but suffered a major setback during World War II. According to legend, an exiled Russian princess, Nathalie Trubetskoy, brought several Egyptian Maus to Italy in the early 1950s for breeding purposes. She later introduced the breed to the U.S., where she established a cattery and began advocating for it. The breed grew in popularity as more cats were brought to the U.S. during the 1980s and 1990s. The Cat Fanciers Federation recognized the breed as a champion in 1968, followed by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1977.

In addition to their spots, Egyptian Maus are famous for their unique gooseberry-green eye color – a striking blend of green and yellow – and their distinct eye stripes, reminiscent of the bold eye makeup seen in ancient Egyptian art.

"Their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs, and they possess an additional flap of skin between their belly and hindquarters, which allows them to stretch their stride and run faster than most other domestic cats," Whitlock states. "They are incredibly fast and full of energy."

Some Egyptian Maus have been recorded running at speeds of 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour and exhibit exceptional jumping and hunting skills. However, despite their remarkable athleticism, Whitlock and many breeders advise against allowing these cats outdoors to run or hunt.

"Nothing good ever comes from a free-roaming cat," she cautions. "They can get injured or killed, and they will hunt, possibly affecting the local bird population. They are athletic and fast. If they choose to hunt, they will catch their prey."

The Egyptian Mau Makes an Excellent Pet

Fortunately, Egyptian Maus are also full of personality. "They make excellent family pets or fit well in any home," says Whitlock. "The defining feature of the Egyptian Mau is its remarkable adaptability. Coming from street cats, it has learned to live with humans independently, without much domestication, and adapts easily to any environment. Wherever they grow up, they learn to adjust to that lifestyle. We have cats that live on boats, in motor homes, with the elderly, and with young children. They're good with other pets as long as they are raised with them. I like to say you could drop an Egyptian Mau in the ocean, and it would make friends with a fish."

Whitlock mentions that Egyptian Maus may be shy around strangers but are incredibly loyal to their owners.

"They know who their family is," she says. "Their temperament is somewhat like that of dogs. They are fiercely loyal to their owners and sometimes even form a special bond with one family member in particular."

As a breeder, Whitlock grew to appreciate how the steady nature of the Egyptian Mau influenced other breeds, such as Bengals and Savannahs.

"The Egyptian Mau is involved in both Bengal and Savannah breeding, and it brought stability to the personalities of those breeds," Whitlock explains. "Both Bengal and Savannah cats are based on spotted wild cats, but neither is particularly suited as a pet on its own. When you mix in the Mau with its stable personality, you get a much better hybrid."

Due to their breeding from a small gene pool, primarily consisting of feral cats, each Egyptian Mau litter tends to produce kittens with consistent personalities. "You won’t find many divas in the Egyptian Mau world," she notes.