Posted on: 26 December, 2014
Author: Angela Tempest
The Siamese is the most well known breed of Oriental type cat but there are a number of other breeds that have either come from Siamese or naturally occuring. Here we look at the three most popular. Oriental cat breeds all share similarities to the Siamese cats, of which many have been an off-shot. The Oriental style of cat tends to be slender, angular and elegant and can come in pointed coat patterns as well as a host of other colours and patterns. Here we look at some of the most common. The Balinese is effectively a longhaired Siamese cat with the same point coloration and the same bright sapphire blue eyes. It is a natural mutation that results in a cat that looks like a Siamese but has medium length, silky hair and a plumed tail. The Balinese is not from Bali but was bred in the US and UK from the cats brought across from Thailand in the 1850s. they were the naturally occurring longhaired kittens that occurred in Siamese litters and were at first considered a fault but later were recognised as a breed in their own right. They are still very similar to the Siamese in their looks and colours. Balinese are also described as being very similar to Siamese in their temperament and personality. They are social and playful cats that take a lot of interest in their owners and like to vocalise their opinions about things. Some breeds say they are the most intelligent of all longhaired breeds and are very acrobatic and energetic. The Javanese is a longhaired breed of cat that shares many of the features common to the Oriental Shorthair and the Siamese. These include the pointed coat pattern and body type and are genetically closely related to the Oriental. These cats, despite their name, was developed in North America and named after a place in South-East Asia, as is the tradition with breeds developed from the Oriental. The name was first used in the 1950s by a Helen Smith of the MerryMews Cattery who was one of the first to recognise them as a separate breed. Some breeds still consider them to be synonymous with the Balinese breed but others now see them as a breed in their own right. These cats have a long and silky coat that comes in a range of colours. They are very intelligent cats and have the vocalisations of a Siamese, though without the extreme volume. They love to jump, run and play and need to be around people or other pets or may be at risk of becoming depressed. They are also said to be excellent rodent hunters. The Havana Brown is the result of a breeding plan of Siamese cats with domestic black cats developed in the 1950s. These cats are very similar to the Oriental Shorthair, who are often referred to as non-blue eyed Siamese. A group of British lady breeders managed to create the breed, which is noted for being the only cat that needs brown whiskers to earn a Kennel Club Pedigree. These cats are of moderate size with a well-muscled body but can be prone to chubbiness. Their coat must be brown or reddish-brown with no tabby markings and their eyes are green. Males tend to be larger than females, more so than with many breeds. They are intelligent cats and are noted for using both paws to examine things and also to get the attention of their owners. Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com I am the owner of four cats and love to write about the difference between the breeds to help people find the right type of cat for them.