A confident kitty, Aztecs are friends to all, including newcomers in the home – often going out of their way to welcome them! They are attentive family members and will follow their favourites throughout the house to see what they're up to. These cats especially enjoy the company of children because it probably means more playtime!

Energetic and athletic, don't be surprised to find your Aztec jumping up to the highest bookcase or piece of furniture they can find. Equally, they'll happily jump down for a game or a snuggle with their people. Because of their adaptability, Aztecs take life in their stride and are wonderful to live with. It should be noted though that because of their social nature, these cats do best in the company of another cat if they're expected to be left for long periods of time.

The Ocicat was actually created by accident in 1964, when an American breeder was attempting to develop a Siamese with ticked points, much like the Abyssinian. The breeding programme eventually produced a beautiful spotted kitten, which was thought to look similar to an Ocelot, hence why the breed became known as Ocicat! The Ocicat was then selectively bred to mimic the look of a wild cat by being bred with Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair cats.

The Ocicat's popularity has since spread all over the world, with the first Ocicats arriving in the UK in the late 1980s. The Aztec cat is bred in the same way as the Ocicat and they were fully recognised by GCCF as a new breed in 2013.