Oriental Shorthair cat

Abbreviation:

Oriental Shorthair

FIFe :

OSH

Place of Origin:

United Kingdom

Ancestors:

Siamese cats, domestic cats

Breed type:

Short-hair cat

Body type:

Long, lovely

Weight:

4 - 6.5 kg

Colour variety:

All colours and patterns except Himalayan

History: Oriental Shorthair cats were created by crossing Siamese cats with non-thoroughbred cats and other breeds. There was trial to breed Siamese cat without badges in England around 1950. The first ones were brown cats (Havana), but later added a lot of other colours. They were recognized in 1974 in the same type as Siamese cats. In the US, this breed is called foreign shorthair.

Temperament: Just like the body structure, the character of Oriental cats is comparable to Siamese cats. As a rule, they get well with other cats and dogs, and they also get very well with children. They are very social cats that cannot stay longer alone. They love stroking and cuddling. Just like Siamese, the lack of attention they can make a noise. They are also equally suspicious and they like to be in the spotlight. Playful and curious they can keep at high age and learn a lot of different pieces. They do not have the problem with retrieving and wearing of harness.

Body: As it was said, the type and character of the Oriental Shorthair cat is comparable to a Siamese cat. The difference between them is the colour of the coat and the colour of the eyes. The Oriental is a medium sized cat with a slender body and a fine skeleton structure. It has a flexible, graceful and elegant look. There must be no roughness anywhere. Slim long legs have oval paws. The hind legs are longer than the front. The long thin tail tapers to the tip. The wedge head should form a perfect triangle with its large, oblique ears. The chin must not go back or be too prominent. Almond eyes are slightly sloping on the head, the long nose has a straight profile.

Coat: The very short and fine coat of Oriental Shorthair cats is silky by the touch. Subsidies are little or completely missing.

Care: Usually, coat of Oriental Short-hair cats should brush a fine brush once a week. During moulting period this brush will help remove dead hair with a wet suede cloth. In the case of Oriental cats at show, it may sometimes be necessary for a cat to be bath with a quality shampoo designed for cats several days before the show. The sharp ends of the claws should be regularly cut and the ears can be cleaned if necessary.

Colour variants: Oriental Shorthair cats always have green eyes. Besides the Himalayan colour, they can be found in countless colours and patterns. The most popular colours are black and blue, but the most popular are also individuals with patterns:

• Full colour: The most famous full colours are Havana (chocolate), ebony (black), red, cream, cinnamon, blond or lilac, blue. Ideally, the colour should be uniformed throughout the coat. Especially by red and cream cats, it is almost impossible to get a clean colour without the hint of patterns. If the cat has a full-coloured silvery white background, it is a smoke colour. White Oriental cats have green eyes or they are different by their eyes.
• Tabby cats: Oriental Short-hair cats are recognized in four different patterns: blotched, mackerel, spotted and ticked tabby (Abyssinian). Abyssinian pattern gives ticking all over the body. Other tabby variety forms distinct patterns. These must be as clearly defined as possible. Very desirable are closed rings around the tail or the following dark coloured ribbons around the neck. Above the eyes should be a distinct dark-coloured M-shaped badge (so-called scarab pattern). Cats with a pattern they are found in a range of colours, including black, blue, lilac, red, cream, cinnamon, and chocolate, with or without a silky white undercoat.
• Turtle cats: Mostly female. The coat there are small, irregularly formed stains of different overlapping colours. The primary colour can be, for example, black, blue, chocolate or lilac with red or creamy stains. The Smoke Turtle Cats (Smoke) goes if they have a silvery white undercoat.
• White spotted cats: These are combined with all possible colours or patterns. The amount of white can range from a bicolour or tricolour division to several colour spots on an otherwise white body.

There are also Oriental Short-hair cats that have both tortoiseshell and tabby. These are called tortoise tabby. They can be recognized with a silvery white undercoat or without it.