[googley]

I'm thinking of getting a cat. However, I would want a cat that is fine with me being gone for long periods of time 10-12 hrs a day when I'm at work, but would still want to be around me when I am home. Does anyone know of specific breeds who have these characteristics? Thanks.

Could you get two cats (with compatible personalities), so they would have each other for company? It's only my personal opinion but anything over 8h seems too long for a cat to be alone.
As for cat breeds..I know that Russian Blue cats are quite independent and they need little maintenance. Ragdolls are very laid-back and independent cats.
You can browse different cat breeds on this site (contains grooming needs, activity level, healthiness, need for attanetion etc) -> Cat Breeds | Browse 43 different cat breeds | Petfinder

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by googley

I'm thinking of getting a cat. However, I would want a cat that is fine with me being gone for long periods of time 10-12 hrs a day when I'm at work, but would still want to be around me when I am home. Does anyone know of specific breeds who have these characteristics? Thanks.

Googley, what you describe sounds like most cats in general. Given how long you will be gone each day, have you considered getting two cats? They can entertain each other while you are gone, but will still bond with you.

I'd redcommend going to your local shelter and seeing which cat(s) pick you rather than go by breed. Mixed breed, Heinz 57 cats can be very loving. I have three mixed breeds right now. Three of them are very loving. The fourth has issues from his kittenhood before I got him. He will be affectionate, but first he has to work up the courage. I think he has kitty-PTSD.

To answer your question though, Siamese and Ragdolls are known for loving to be with people.

Chocomouse posted while I was typing my reply. She's right about Russian Blues.

Also, kittens are more work than adult or mostly grown cats. Like all babies they take more time and effort.

[googley]

Thank you both for your input. I had thought of getting two cats. I will have to check on my apartment's rules about multiple pets. This is the beginning of my thinking about getting a cat.

[Perna]

Cats are crepuscular, mostly active at dawn and dusk, so you should not have much trouble with their minding you being away during the day. One of mine sleeps in my husband's closet most of the day and the other is usually under our bed :-) However, around TV time, just after dinner (7:00 p.m.) my closet sleeper starts getting insistent that I play with him or pet him or interact with him NOW After a bit of active play he settles down again and the two of them lounge around with my husband me me in the living room.

My female (under bed) will get annoying in the middle of the night sometimes, when I sit up to rest my arthritic arms or to breath (asthma) better for a bit, she'll come over from where she's sleeping to see if she can get some petting and if I get up then (4:30 a.m.) both of them will come downstairs to join me, see what they can get out of it, but rarely do they bother me otherwise and I have to bother them if I want to play with them during the day.