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Bombay vs Korn Ja
The Bombay is a documented, recognised, affectionate black shorthair; the Korn Ja is a very rare Thai breed with few records and no registry.
Verdict
The Bombay and the Korn Ja are both short-coated cats that need almost no grooming. The one thing that decides it is what you can verify. The Bombay is uncommon, recognised as a championship breed by the CFA since 1976, and rates 5 for affection and children. The Korn Ja is very rare, not recognised by the CFA, and has limited documented facts. Choose the Bombay for a reliable record and the Korn Ja only if you are a dedicated rare-breed enthusiast.
Choose the Bombay if
- You want a loving cat that scores 5 for affection and 5 for children.
- You want a breed with a written record and a registry behind it.
- You want a cat for a small flat, with apartment living at 5.
- You accept that it dislikes long hours alone.
Choose the Korn Ja if
- You are a dedicated rare-breed enthusiast who is happy to rely on a breeder's records.
- You want a small cat of about 6 to 11 lb, as breeders report.
- You prefer a cat that scores 3 for independence, higher than the Bombay's 2.
- You accept that descriptions of the coat differ between sources.
Where they are alike
Both cats are friendly, short-coated companions with energy at 3 and grooming at 1. Each suits an owner who wants an easy-care coat and a sociable cat.
Side by side
| Bombay | Korn Ja | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United States, with a separate British type | Thailand |
| Size | Medium | Small |
| Typical weight | 6-11 lb (2.5-5 kg); males are larger | 6-11 lb (2.7-5 kg), as reported by breeders |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years | — |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, close-lying coat with a patent-leather sheen | Short coat; descriptions differ between sources |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Uncommon | Very rare |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 3 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short, close coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Bombay. | — |
| Suits | A family or single owner who wants an affectionate, adaptable cat with a coat that needs almost no grooming. | A dedicated rare-breed enthusiast who is happy to rely on a breeder's records. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away for long hours, or who wants a cat that keeps its distance. | Anyone who wants a breed with a registry, a written standard or health data. |
| Registries that recognise it |
| — |
| Health conditions to watch |
| — |
Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026