The Most Obedient Cat Breed In The World

When you think of the word "obedient", all manner of examples come to mind. But it's a safe bet that none of those examples include the word "cat." But take heart, because there are indeed some breeds of cat that can be considered obedient. Even trainable. Probably not "Timmy's-Down-the-Well-Go-Get-Help, Lassie" trainable, but with cats, you've got to take whatever small victories you can get. 

According to VetStreet's Dr. Marty Becker, there are a few breeds, that are more amenable than others to behavior modification. The good doctor cautions us, however, that "some breeds or individuals are definitely more willing to learn – and show off their talents — than others." Think about that before you ask Mr. Fluffernutter to perform a medley from Phantom of the Opera.

First on the list is the Abyssinian, described as "highly acrobatic" and one which "excels at learning tricks." (Probably like "hiding Daddy's insulin and watching from on top of a bookcase.") PetCentral adds that the attention they get from learning games and tricks makes them happy, calm and focused, so it's really a win-win.

The American Shorthair/Domestic Shorthair is next, even though we're guessing this Domestic isn't into keeping the kitchen tidy and having a hot meal ready at 5 PM sharp. They're intelligent and some will even respond to a request ("you don't command a cat, after all," notes the doctor, wisely) to walk on a leash. Funnily enough, their strong response to positive reinforcement, coupled with their downright photogenic appearance makes them ideal cat actors and models.

Then there's the Bengal, who can be "highly intelligent, curious and active." It needs lots of cat toys to keep it entertained, or else it might start taking things apart to see how they work. Basically a 10-year-old-boy with access to a Skilsaw. But it's love of attention and play is also the key to its ability to learn. Finally, there's the Siamese. Dr. Becker tells us that these, too, will take to a leash, or anything that resembles positive attention, because this breed becomes deeply attached to its family. You could argue that it even respects you! But mostly — and we have a hunch this is true of nearly every model of cat — their best trick is "teaching you to do what they want."

At the end of the day, remember that these are not hard and fast rules, and to an extent, with the right amount of love, attention and positivity, any breed is capable of a modest amount of learning. Patience is key.