I want a cat. I've wanted one for quite a while. A pair of Siamese cats, to be exact. When I move into my new place....the first thing I'll do is buy a pair of Siamese cats/kittens, before I even buy any furniture. Life is funny, or strange. When I was young, I loved dogs and hated cats. But now, as I age, I like cats...and kind of don't care for dogs, anymore.
If you really want a cat, and don't care for dogs? Trust me, do NOT get Siamese. You will hate them as much as you might hate a bad dog. They are just nasty cats. If you want a pure-breed? Get Maine Coons. Bestest purebreeds out there. Intelligent, funny, loads of personality. If you want a general runt? American Shorthair. Playful, independent, but not aggressive, unlike those nasty fukin' Siamese assholes. Those are the only two breeds I would recommend.
Siamese cats are known to be assertive, intelligent, independent-minded, and vocal....and known to act like dogs. Not everyone likes that headstrong type of personality, but some do. Maine Coons are huge, and very furry. I neither want a huge cat, or a very furry one. American Shorthair....plain Jane boring, common, cat. I love the blue eyes of Siamese....mesmerizing and hypnotizing, I once dumped bird seed in my backyard soil garden....and I found a Siamese cat taking a dump on it. And he stared me down. And I once opened my kitchen/backyard door in the morning....and I found a Siamese cat just staring at me, It's like a Divine sign...I need to buy a Siamese cat, it's for me,
If that is your idea of a cat you want, and it fits your personality, then go for it. But those cats can and will turn on you. As you said, "assertive". And when they do? Well, they have sharp claws, which dogs do not have. Remember, yer going to live with the animal for 15ish years. Keep that in mind. Imagine an angry granny with Freddie Kruger gloves. It is your choice to go down that road, because you are making a decade+-long commitment to an "assertive" pet. I am speaking from experience. Do what you will.