Norwegian Forest vs Somali
Compare Norwegian Forest and Somali side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Norwegian Forest
Somali
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
30 – 35 cm
23 – 28 cm
Weight
5 – 10 kg
2 – 5 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 15 years
11 – 16 years
Child friendly
5/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
5/5
Intelligence
4/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
4/5
3/5
Shedding
4/5
3/5
Barking level
0/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
0/5
0/5
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Characteristics
Norwegian Forest
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Somali
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Summary
About Norwegian Forest
The Norwegian Forest cat is a large, muscular Scandinavian breed with a dense, water‑resistant double coat and strong climbing ability. Slow to mature, they are gentle, affectionate, and intelligent, needing vertical space, regular grooming, and play to stay healthy and content.
About Somali
The Somali is an athletic, foxlike cat with a silky, low‑shedding ticked coat and plumed tail. Intelligent and playful, it enjoys tricks, climbing, and puzzle toys. Social and people oriented, it needs daily interaction, gentle grooming, and environmental enrichment to stay happy.
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