| Country of Origin: | China |
| Colors: | single color, brown mackerel tabby, and should show spectacular color and clarity of pattern. |
| Average Size: | Weight: 6-10 lbs (2.7- 4.5 kg) Length: Medium |
| Life Span: | 9 to 16 years |
| Coat: | Short |
| Personality: | Unmistakable intelligence, an uncanny cognizance in relation to its surroundings |
| Characteristics: | Energy: High Talkative: Moderate Kid Friendly: No Allergic: No |
Dragon Li is a self domesticated cat, originally from China. It is believed that it is domesticated wild cat sub-specie, or to be more correct, a domesticated Chinese mountain cat. This is a very rare cat breed and almost difficult to find outside China.
The Dragon Li cat is also known as Li Hua Mao, which is said to be a more prevalent name for this cat breed. However, to reflect the symbolic nature of China, the name of this cat breed changed to Dragon Li who was a mythical Chinese dragon.
This cat breed that is base on a native landrace is a formal breed, recognized by the US CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) and by the Chinese CAA (Cat Aficionado Association).
These cats have a unique golden brown tabby pattern and are of a very strong body structure due to their wild nature. They have large almond shaped green/yellow eyes, distinctive ear tipping, and are very valued for their intelligence. These cats are very good companions, they are also very playful and very active.
The Dragon Li cats are not very affectionate, but are also not very vocal. These cats are not too demanding like for example the Burmese or Abyssinian cats, they are rather independent and they get along very well with other pets. They are also tolerant to children (but not too young children-not recommended for families with children younger than 10 years), but are suited more for homes where they can move plenty and where they can be active. Furthermore, they are more outdoor cats than indoor cats, so their freedom shouldn’t be restricted to 4 walls only.
As for their hygiene, a light comb or brush every week is enough to keep their fur in good condition. There is no undercoat which makes this cat breed very sensitive to cold weather. Also, these are naturally healthy cats.
I have had a Dragon Li since 2009. I picked him up at the local animal shelter, a Chinese family gave him up because he belonged to their grandmother who passed away.
He was only about 6lbs when we got him which indicates that his age was about 1 yr because they are slow to develop. His name is Hercules (and that’s about right too). He is now 8 years old, 33.5 in long from nose to tail and weighs 16.2 lbs. He is not showing any signs of joint discomfort, or really any other symptoms of aging, other than he is less active than he use to be, but he still plays like a kitten as long as someone else will play with him. Instead of entertaining himself, he sleeps.
I have taken him to the vet regularly, and it’s funny because the vet knows nothing about the breed and keeps telling me he needs to lose weight lol! Anyway, he’s really smart and can say a few different words and does tricks. He actually comes when you call him too, and my husband is convinced he likes cartoons (he kind of watches tv, but only certain stuff). We think he’s a reincarnated dog who was sentenced to live as a cat because he’s so smart.
However, my Dragon Li does NOT like dogs or other male cats, and he hates babies and smaller children. He was traumatized (the dog just stood up and Herc freaked out) by a Great Dane when he was a kitten, so that probably has a lot to do with his issue with big dogs. He just makes little dogs his “bitch”, and they’re scared of his size or something. As for other male cats, yeah he’ll kick their ass too. Female cats on the other hand, he is just best friends with! We haven’t tried bringing a puppy in the house, but we hope to get one soon after we move home in a couple years.
I think I have I am trying to figure out if she is a Dragon Li I wonder.
I find it hilarious that my cat Tommy (female) is a Dragon Li and is the product of Incest. Not a very honorable, noble union. Her father Puma (Named by a small child) is one of the most intelligent creatures. He will go up to my stepfather at the same time every night and demand he go to bed so that my stepfather can cuddle him while he sleeps. I live in a sketchy neighborhood and am going to get a dog. I have a feeling that Tommy will enjoy being put on a kitten leash and finding out which puppies she gets along with. I personally feel like its a waste of money to get another animal with out first checking to see if the existing babies get along with it.
I have a Dragon Li, so I’m thinking there’s probably more than 4 in the US. He’s super intelligent, and he’s learned to open all the doors in our house by himself. We lock the front and back doors so that he can’t get them open. He rules the roost! He lets me know when it’s time for bed by coming and sitting on the arm of the couch and staring at me. He also taught himself to wake me up when I have a central apnea attack. Since that type of apnea cannot be helped with a machine, I credit him to saving my life many times. He’s a beautiful cat, and I get comments all the time on how handsome and huge he is. He’s currently a little over 16 lbs. I love how wild he looks and his looks remind me of a highland wildcat from Scotland. He’s very independent and non-demanding (until food time). I could not ask for a more awesome cat, and I hope this breed does take off.