Is a cat like a cheetah a domestic breed? - briefly
No, a cheetah is not a domestic breed; it is a wild big cat species distinct from domestic cats.
Is a cat like a cheetah a domestic breed? - in detail
A cheetah, despite being a member of the Felidae family like domestic cats, is not a domestic breed. Domestic cats (Felis catus) have been selectively bred over thousands of years to live alongside humans, resulting in traits such as tameness, adaptability to human environments, and a wide variety of physical and behavioral characteristics. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), on the other hand, are wild animals native to Africa and parts of Iran. They are built for speed, with specialized adaptations like elongated limbs, a lightweight frame, and non-retractable claws, which are essential for their survival in the wild. Unlike domestic cats, cheetahs have not undergone domestication and retain their natural instincts, making them unsuitable for life in a typical household. While both species share a common ancestry and certain feline traits, the cheetah’s biology, behavior, and ecological niche are fundamentally different from those of domestic cats. Efforts to domesticate cheetahs have been largely unsuccessful due to their specific needs and the challenges of meeting them in a domestic setting. Therefore, a cheetah cannot be considered a domestic breed or even a domesticated animal in any practical sense.