Oriental Cats

Oriental Cats

Oriental Cats:

The term Oriental is not generally used for any one particular breed of cat. Rather, it describes a set of physical characteristics belonging to a number of cats from Southeast Asia.

The Cat Fanciers' Association and the GCCF (the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in the UK), however, do recognize these cats as a specific breed.

They have small, lean, athletic bodies, large triangular ears, almond-shaped eyes, and usually a very curious, inquisitive, intelligent temperament. They

Originally, all were short-haired, with a very light-weight and generally light-coloured coat befitting the hot climate of their origin, but they have been cross-bred with Persians and other long-haired to create medium and long-haired breeds also, such as the Birman and Himalayan.

They are also being cross-bred with the Bengal Cat to produce the Serengeti Cat.

Oriental Hanuma

The most ubiquitous of this breed of cat is the Siamese. Other such breeds include the Japanese Bobtail (described as a semi-oriental), Burmese, Balinese and many others.