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Oriental
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The Oriental may well be the most
colorful
cat
breed on the planet. This breed has
the same svelte body, silky fur and chatty
personality as the Siamese, but comes in a myriad
of colors.
The Oriental
cat is not bound to the Siamese's
point-restricted pattern - the breed has many patterns
from which to choose. This breed is growing in
popularity and appeals to the cat-lover who wants the
elegant Siamese body type and outgoing temperament but
with fresh, colorful packaging. |
In the
busiest moments, your Oriental will find a way to
interrupt your activities; a little nudge while you eat,
a close examination of your tooth brush prior to use, or
some help tying your shoes before you leave in the
morning.
It’s
understood you’ll need help deciding which items to
select from the refrigerator! In the calmest of times
they’ll share the warmth of your lap, provide a
comforting purr, and nuzzle your chin when you need it
the most.
The personality of the Oriental is as distinctive as
the multicolored exterior. They are natural entertainers
- full of enthusiasm, energy and the belief that the
world revolves around them.
When you
arrive home, the Oriental cat will greet you at the door
and tell you all about their day. If you’re late, they
will scold you and tell you how worried they were. Hide
their favourite toy on top of the cupboard? Wrong!
Curiosity and intelligence combine, providing them a
means of finding anything and everything.
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They have been known to open a drawer, or empty
your handbag to discover their favorite toy.
Give them the attention and affection they so desperately
need, and they will do anything to please you. |
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Ignore them, and they will droop
with despair. These elegant, svelte cats remain
playful, spirited and loyal well beyond their
youth.
From the tip
of its nose to the end of its long, whippy tail, the
Oriental is a study in sleek design. This elegant cat
gracefully glides across the room on its tall, slender
legs. The lines of its angular head flow into its large
flaring ears, and are complimented by its almond shaped
eyes. Don’t be fooled by the slim body; these cats have
surprising weight and muscle tone and are neither frail
nor fragile. Orientals represent a diverse group of cats
that have their foundation in the Siamese breed.
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Orientals come in many
colours, whether it be a self colour, havana, black, blue, cinnamon or
lilac or one of the patterned colours a few being, spotted, classic,
ticked, smokes, bi-colours and torties.
Whichever colour you
choose you will have a very elegant and attractive cat with a close
short lying coat with requires minimal grooming. They are very
intelligent and affectionate and love playing games like fetch
with you. They make excellent companions.
History and
Origin
The Oriental is a deliberately created Siamese hybrid.
Breeders wanted to develop a breed that looked and acted
like the Siamese but came in a wider range of colors and
was not confined to the pointed pattern. First in
Britain in the 1950s and then in America in the 1960s
and early 1970s, breeders set out to create a new look
by crossing Siamese cats with American shorthairs,
Russian blues, Burmese and
Abyssinians.
The Siamese's svelte body style, head
type and personality were maintained, however, by
crossing the hybrids back to the Siamese after the color
was achieved.
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Oriental Longhair
The Oriental Longhair is a beautifully balanced cat with an alert,
intelligent expression. The type is the same as the Siamese, Balinese
and Oriental Shorthair - svelte and elegant, and they have the same
lively temperament.
The coat is medium length and fine and silky in texture, with no
woolly undercoat, which makes it very easy to groom. The tail is a long
elegant plume.
The colours and patterns are those of the Oriental Shorthairs.
Longhair
photo courtesy of Melanie Wood
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