CFA Oriental Breed Council

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CFA Oriental Breed Profile

CFA Oriental Breed Standard

                           

The Oriental Cat

The Oriental is a study in long straight lines. They have long tubular bodies, long slender legs and tail all in perfect harmony and balance with each other. The dramatic almond eyes and large flaring ears compliment the wedge shape of the head. The body is firm and muscular, though looking as light as air, they have surprising weight and are not fragile by any stretch of the imagination.

While the Shorthair Classes of the Orientals have short, tight coats, often referred to as “painted on.” Outcrossing to Javanese and Balinese gave us the Longhair Varieties of the Orientals. These Longhair Orientals have the same long lines as their Shorthair counterparts with the addition of a long silky coat, and plumed tail.

Orientals bond very closely with their owners and very often they seem more like small children than a cat. They always want to be part of your activities. Should you try to sit quietly and read a book or newspaper, they will find a way to sit in the center of it and give you that look with those dramatic eyes. They seem to know when you are sad and will comfort you in their own special way. If you are gone for long hours, you may expect to be scolded when you return. Open a door or closet that has been shut for a time and they are right there to help you explore the mystery of that new area. Many Orientals learn to fetch, providing hours of entertainment. 

Click below to purchase any of the art work you enjoyed at Meet the Breeds! 
Part of the proceeds will go to Slinky Katz Rescue!!!

Original art by Robyn Sprung


Thank you for sponsorship at MTB



GC, NW, BW Purrmatix Harvst Moon
Red and White SH Male
Best OSH Cat 2008-2009
First bicolor National Winner (tied)
First variant National WInner

GC, PR, BW Purrmatix Drop-of-Golden Sun
 Cream point and White LH Neuter
Best OLH Cat 2008-2009
 


GC, NW Injoi's Hot Gossip of Ti Shebi
Ebony Patched Ticked Tabby and White SH Female
Best OSH Kitten 2008-2009
First Bicolor National Winner (tied)

The Oriental was accepted to compete in the Championship Classes in 1977 and has quickly become the one of the more popular breeds in CFA. The first Orientals seen in the United States were actually called Foreign Shorthairs. They were "lavender" in color and were imported from Great Britain. As interest in the breed grew, other colors were developed. Originally included in the gene pool were the Siamese, American Shorthair, Colorpoint and later Javanese and Balinese.

 

not pictured: Best OLH Kitten 2008-2009: CH Derry Down's I Remember U, Chestnut Tortie LH Female, 


GP, NW Kat Attack's Ricochet of SlinkInc.
Green Eyed White SH Neuter
BEST OSH in Premiership 2008-200
9

The Orientals have a very wide and diverse gene pool both because of their original ancestry and because of their popularity throughout the world. It is because of this diverse gene pool that they are used for out-crossing by the Havana Brown breed and now also the Balinese and Javanese (Longhair pointed colors only).   
Text by Laura McIntyre

 


GP, RW Purrmatix Moody Blues (of Swiftriver)
Blue LH Neuter
BEST OLH in premiership 2008-2009

Web content by Julie Keyer, CFA Oriental Breed Council Secretary
Photographs are copyrighted by the individual photographer.

Last updated December 22, 2009