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                                                                 P e d i g r e e   C a t   B r e e d e r   i n   L a t v i a    

 

Oriental cats

© Anne Moss

The Oriental Cat - An Overview                                                                                                                                       Put simply, the Oriental breed is a non-pointed Siamese. These elegant and elongated cats of many colors and patterns share the Siamese build and personality. This has become a popular breed in both the shorthair and longhair versions.

   

The Oriental Cat - Breed History                                                                                                              Several historical sources show that the original cats of Siam (now Thailand) were not all colorpointed. Indeed cats of all colors were imported to the west from Thailand at the beginning of the twentieth century. Yet, in the 1920's, an official decision made by the Siamese breed association, has set the colorpoint  pattern as the only acceptable pattern in the Siamese breed.

    

                                                                Engraving of Siamese               Siamese belonging to Mrs. Armitage
                                                     from Our Cats and All About Them,  Source: Fur and Feather, August, 1890
                                                             by Harrison Weir, 1889                                                                   

During the 1950's, breeders in the UK began to explore the new possibilities of multi -colored cats with the Siamese build and personality. Later on, American breeders joined the efforts and in the 1970's the new breed was recognized as the Oriental. At first, in the UK the breed was also known as the Foreign type cat. The Oriental is the standard name today in most associations. The only exception is the white Oriental, which is still called the Foreign White in the UK. 

      

The Oriental Cat - Breed Description

The Orientals share the svelte body shape of modern Siamese. The body is slender and elongated, with talls legs and a long tail. The wedged head shape is complemeted by long large ears and large almond-shaped eyes

 

Orientals come in virtually every coat color and pattern. Solid Orientals are quite impressive cats, with dazzling black, blue or white coats, or any other solid variation. are also available in the various tabby patterns and colors. In recent years, bi-color Orientals have entered the show and become quite popular. Eye color can vary and should be consistent with coat pattern and color. Only white Orientals can have blue eyes.

                

Orientals can be either shorthaired or longhaired. Shorthairs have smooth close-lying coat that needs very little  Longhairs have silky semi-long coat that does not mat easily and is relatively easy to groom.

            

Orientals are active and inquisitive cats that need plenty of attention. Like their Siamese relatives, they are quite vocal and communicative.

The Oriental Cat - Special Needs                                                                                                              Orientals do not require special grooming, other than a weekly brushing to remove dead . These are active cats that need to remain so throughout their lives, in order to maintain the slender body shape. Individuals that do not get enough exercise, may gain weight and lose the unique body shape. This can be changed with daily play sessions and a balanced diet.

© Darlene Cheek

8th most popular feline breed

The Oriental isn't a specific breed of cat, but rather a group of cats with the shape of the Siamese and an incredible array of color patterns.                                                                  

Oriental Colors and Patterns                                                                                                                        The beautiful Oriental cat, which boasts an amazing range of colors and patterns (112 in tabby pattern alone and more than 300 altogether), originated with just that intent in mind. It would take more than one article to cover how each of the Oriental’s colors were created by outcrossing, but they have genes from an incredible variety of breeds, most of whom have the Siamese as their foundation.

Differences Between the Oriental and Siamese                                                                                       The main differences between the original Siamese and the Oriental are that the Oriental isn’t a color pointed cat, and they have green eyes instead of blue, except for the Foreign White, which does have blue eyes. Also like the Siamese, the Oriental comes in both shorthair and longhair but neither version requires excessive grooming.

Oriental Characteristics                                                                                                      Oriental cats are the picture of elegance and grace. They have the same body type as the Siamese, including the wedge shaped head, large ears, and almond shaped eyes. The Oriental’s coat is soft and silky, even in the shorthaired varieties. Orientals have a very long, fabulously expressive tail that lends to their lithe appearance.

Oriental Temperament                                                                                                                                         As with most breeds on the Top 10 Most Popular Cat Breeds list, the Oriental is mostly treasured for its personality. If you are looking for a docile cat, skip this article and go straight for the Persian because the Oriental is anything but! They are an active and vocal cat, insisting on your attention and companionship. They want to be actively involved in everything you do! Everything. The Oriental is incredibly curious and intelligent, and they maintain their playful personalities well into their later years.                                                                                                                      Orientals are well known for their affection and loyalty to their people. They need to be with you and will suffer if they are not. Your Oriental will be by your side to assist you and train you, they will be there to welcome you home from work, and they will make sure you have enough love and cuddles and someone to talk to. Oh yes, they are quite vocal! If you don’t have time and patience to devote to your kitty, reconsider adopting the more than devoted Oriental. Not only will they get lonely, but they will also get bored, and no one wants a bored kitty that is this creative and smart.

Oriental Health                                                                                                                                         The Oriental varieties have been so extensively outcrossed that they have a sort of hybrid vigor. Orientals have no special dietary needs, but they do need exercise so they do not get chubby. Some may have crossed eyes, but this affects their health in no way. The only other worry is the possibility of heart defects, but this isn’t a wide-spread problem.