The Dragon Li: China's Own Forest Hunter

The Dragon Li is one of the oldest cat breeds native to China, with a lineage stretching back more than a thousand years. Its tabby coat is reminiscent of a tiger's pelt, and a clear 'M' marks its forehead. In classical Chinese poetry, the character 狸 long referred to this very cat. Hardy and exceptionally skilled at hunting, the Dragon Li has long been the farmer's most trusted defender against rodents. In 2010, the breed received formal recognition from international feline registries — the first Chinese breed to be honored this way. Today, it is gaining admirers abroad, drawn to its wild, independent spirit.