Jim Davis Never Named Garfield’s Breed, but Fans Have Theories

Quick Take

• Jim Davis has actually spoken about what inspired Garfield, and his answer rules out every popular breed theory. See what Davis said →
• The leading breed theory is convincing on looks alone, yet one glaring physical detail quietly undermines the whole case. Explore the Persian theory →
• One fan theory hinges on a single physical trait Garfield shares with a breed that couldn't be more different from him in personality. See the British Shorthair case →

Garfield is an orange tabby cat of an unspecified breed. Some people theorize that he could be a Persian, British Shorthair, or even a Maine Coon. It’s also possible Garfield is just a domestic shorthair or longhair, which is essentially the mutt of the cat world. This article will discuss Garfield’s breed: what we know, existing theories, and more.

Garfield’s Breed: What We Know for Certain

The only thing we truly know about Garfield is that he’s an orange tabby. Tabby isn’t a breed, but a coat pattern with a distinctive letter “M” marking on the forehead and stripes throughout the body. Orange tabbies tend to have lighter orange coats with darker markings and stripes. Garfield’s markings are black to make them stand out more on his body, and his eyes hide his forehead where a real-life tabby would have that “M” shape.

Garfield’s creator, Jim Davis, said that Garfield isn’t a specific cat breed. Instead, he modeled him based on the many cats he met throughout his life. Davis previously lived on a farm with dozens of cats, so he had a lot of experience to draw from. He said Garfield was mainly based on cats he remembered from childhood and that humans also inspired his personality.

Therefore, Garfield’s breed is left open to interpretation. Some people think he’s a Persian, others think he’s a British Shorthair, and yet another theory is that he’s a Maine Coon. Let’s go over these three popular theories so that you can decide for yourself!

Theory #1: Persian

The leading theory is that Garfield is a Persian. This is due to both his appearance and similarities in his behavior.

Persians have the following physical similarities to Garfield:

• Short snouts
• Large eyes
• Some orange tabby Persians have lighter-colored markings around the mouth (this area is yellow on Garfield)
• Round cheeks
• Stocky build
• Flat face
• Short ears

Like Garfield, Persians love to lounge and can be motivated by food, although they are unlikely to be excited about lasagna. Persians are not high-energy cats and often prefer napping to playtime. However, Persians are said to be sweet, quiet, and laid back, which isn’t exactly like Garfield. Persians are known for bonding closely with the people they spend most of their time with. This is a lot like Garfield! However, Persians still love the other people in their family and can warm up to strangers, even if slowly.

Theory #2: British Shorthair

I’ll admit, I didn’t think much about Garfield’s breed before researching for this article. But now? I’m all in on this theory. My main argument? Garfield does look a lot like a Persian, but he isn’t shown as a long-haired cat. One drawback of the British Shorthair theory is that many orange tabby British Shorthairs have white markings on their bodies, while Garfield doesn’t. However, there are some cats without white markings.

British Shorthairs have the following physical features in common with Garfield:

• Large eyes
• A short snout
• Round cheeks
• Stocky body
• Orange tabby coat with white markings often seen around the mouth
• Short fur
• Short ears

When it comes to personality, there are some definite similarities between Garfield and British Shorthairs. They’re both loyal, they’re not super cuddly but love to spend time with family, and they’re both intelligent. However, these cats also tend to be super friendly and are pretty active, so they do differ from Garfield in some ways as well.

Theory #3: Maine Coon

Finally, some people think Garfield is a Maine Coon because he’s a large cat. Maine Coons develop slowly, sometimes not reaching their full size until five years old. They stand a whopping 10-16 inches tall and weigh up to 25 pounds.

Maine Coons have the following physical similarities to Garfield:

• Large, heavy-boned body
• Orange tabby patterned coat
• Lighter patches of fur around their mouths
• Large eyes
• Large, round feet
• Wide muzzle

Maine Coons don’t have Garfield’s short ears or flat face, but a longer snout is healthier for cats. Some personality similarities to Garfield include intelligence, being highly vocal and communicative with their human families, a mischievous streak, and comical antics. Maine Coons are also friendly and gentle, whereas Garfield acts brash and can be rude sometimes.