Felis catus
Dilmun Cat Longhair
The Dilmun Cat Longhair is the longhaired division of the Dilmun Cat (Bahraini Dilmun), Bahrain's national cat and one of the few officially recognized cat breeds from the Arabian Peninsula. TICA carries the breed in its registration programme. The standard describes a medium-sized cat with a distinctive spotted or ticked pattern reflecting the breed's ancient Mesopotamian heritage.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- Bahrain
- Origin period
- Indigenous Bahraini cat population; formally standardized and registered with TICA 2000s–2010s
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- Spotted tabby (preferred), Ticked tabby, Mackerel tabby
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Recognition
- —
Origin
The Dilmun Cat is indigenous to Bahrain, an island nation in the Arabian Gulf with one of the world's oldest recorded civilizations. The breed has been the companion of Bahrainis for millennia. Bahraini cat fanciers formalized documentation and standardization to preserve the unique characteristics of the island's cat population and brought the breed to TICA's registration programme. Both shorthair and longhair coat-length classes are registered.
Standard
The TICA registration standard describes a medium-sized, lean, athletic cat with a moderately wedge-shaped head, medium-large ears, and almond-shaped eyes. The preferred coat pattern is spotted tabby, reflecting the natural desert cat's camouflage. Ticked and mackerel tabby patterns also occur. The longhair division has a semi-long, fine, silky coat with the same tabby pattern and a plumed tail.
Connection to Ancient Dilmun Civilization
The Dilmun Cat takes its name from the ancient Dilmun civilization, which occupied Bahrain and adjacent coastal regions of the Arabian Gulf from approximately 3000 BCE to 800 BCE. Dilmun was a major trade hub connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilizations, and cats — valued for rodent control on trading ships — were likely present throughout the region. The breed's name honours this ancient connection between Bahrain and a civilization known in Sumerian texts as a paradise land.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-27
- registry-breed-profile — accessed 2026-05-27
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dilmun Cat related to the Egyptian Mau?
Both the Dilmun Cat and the Egyptian Mau are Middle Eastern spotted-tabby breeds, and they likely share ancient common ancestry in the region's domestic cat population. However, they are standardized as separate breeds with different geographic origins, conformation standards, and registry trajectories.
Which registries recognize the Dilmun Cat?
TICA carries both coat-length divisions in its registration programme. CFA, GCCF, FIFe, and WCF do not currently recognize the Dilmun Cat.
Is the Dilmun Cat the only recognized breed from the Arabian Peninsula?
The Dilmun Cat is the most formally standardized breed originating from the Arabian Peninsula. There are no other Arabian Peninsula breeds recognized by major international registries (CFA, TICA, FIFe, GCCF, WCF). The Dilmun Cat's TICA registration makes it the sole representative of Arabian Peninsula indigenous cat breeds in international felinology.
