Oriental longhair cat, breed features

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Experts believe that the Oriental cat breed is one of the most promising. These animals are smart and beautiful, sociable and graceful. Thanks to their playfulness and gentle nature, they have won the hearts of many pet lovers all over the world. The seeming fragility of these beauties is combined with perfectly developed muscles and inexhaustible energy.

Oriental Breed History

These animals appeared in Thailand in the 13th century. For a long time, their export outside the country was banned. And only in the 19th century, the Englishmen who visited Thailand brought some animals out of the country for presentation at the exhibition in London. The unusual appearance of these cats combined the signs of a Siamese breed with an uncharacteristic head size and body shape. This made the jury doubt that a new breed was represented in their court. It was decided that this is just a cross, the breeding of which should be prohibited. This decision took effect, and the breed was forgotten for a long time.

In the sixties of the last century, breeders took up seriously the Oriental breed, turning its differences from Siamese cats into advantages. It was officially recognized in 1974. The oriental cat, the photo of which is presented in the article, came to the USA in the middle of the XX century, where breeders appreciated it.

In 1958 a standard was developed for the breed. A special feature of the breed is the color Havana Brown (chocolate) and black. After that, active work began on the recognition of other monochromatic colors. As a result of this activity, this species was completely legalized in 1977. In the new standards, the elongated shape of the body and head was spelled out, and the concept of working with breeding was developed.

Two-color Orientals recognized in 1994. Animals were allowed to breed for certified offspring. In 1997, an Oriental breed cat received a long-haired gene. It was formed by crossing related species.

Oriental cat: breed description

The appearance of these animals indicates their activity and enormous unspent energy. The breed standard is categorically not overweight, but cats should not appear thin. Orientals are medium in size, males tend to be larger and heavier than females. Cats weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 kg, and cats weigh up to 4.5 kg. The height of an adult individual at the withers is from 20 to 25 cm, and the length can reach 90 cm.

Representatives of the Oriental breed (pictured in the article) have a muscular body with thin bones and long legs. Hind feet slightly longer than the front. To the tip the long tail is thinned.

One of the features of the Oriental cat breed is the wedge-shaped head. The nose is long and flat, large, wide at the base and slightly rounded at the tips of the ears. Obliquely set eyes are almond-shaped.

Wool and colors

Orientals have short, shiny and thin hair. The undercoat is practically absent, the spine fits tightly all over the body. There are many colors of these cats.

For convenience, the main shades are divided into several groups:

purple (lavender),
havana (dark chocolate),
gray or blue
cinnamon (between chestnut and cream),
faun (beige)
cream without dark tones),
red (red),
white,
ebony (black).

Most colors can be a drawing, which also exists a lot:

smoky (shaded),
solid (solid uniform),
bicolor
tortoiseshell,
Tabby (tiger, marble, spotted, ticked, silver).

Long-haired Orientals: a new breed or variety?

Sometimes long-haired kittens are born in the litter of these cats. A group of breeders decided to work with them separately and form a new breed. As a result, this only led to disputes, disagreements, confusion. Felinological organizations relate differently to this species.

TICA considers her a long-haired oriental cat. In CFA and FIFE, cats are recognized as a separate breed called the Javanese. American organizations (ACFA, CFF, CFA) consider them Balinese with a non-traditional color.

Orientals

In the description of the Oriental breed in different sources, special attention is paid to the nature of these Oriental cats. They are smart and quick-witted, tender and attached to the family, playful and extremely curious. Interest in fun in these animals persists to old age. Oriental breed cats, photos of which can often be seen in special editions, are very fond of being in the center of attention, sometimes even annoying.

Due to the inexhaustible energy, they manage to participate in all household chores - cleaning, washing dishes and even washing. Only loneliness is given to them - representatives of the Oriental breed are very bored, remaining alone in the house for a long time. If the cat does not pay enough attention to the family, its character changes, and not for the better. In order for your pet to show all its positive qualities in full, it is necessary that from the very birth the kitten does not lack love and communication with the person.

Orientals are gullible and docile. Usually they are very attached to one person. They are tolerant to children and calm about their games. Representatives of the Oriental breed are intelligent, easily trainable, they are very fond of intellectual games and can bring various items on command. In addition, they are extremely emotional and talkative. This should be taken into account by people who prefer silence. These Oriental beauties will “talk” always and everywhere, they voice many of their actions, changing the tone and pitch of the sound to express different feelings.

Content

Representatives of the Oriental breed can get even people who do not have experience with animals. Enough to provide your pet with everything you need and pay him as much attention as possible. Orientals perfectly endure life in an apartment and the lack of walks in the fresh air. Taking into account the high activity of representatives of the Oriental breed, experts recommend installing game complexes in the house and be sure to provide your pet with a choice of several toys.

Eastern breeds are easy to contact and get along well with other pets. However, sometimes they try to take a dominant position, as a rule, this concerns cats.

Since Orientals have practically no undercoat, short-haired animals do not require complicated grooming. It is enough to comb them during the molt once a week with a brush with natural bristles or a special rubber mitten. These animals are clean, and therefore do not need regular bathing. The task of the owner is to closely monitor the purity of the ears, eyes, condition of the oral cavity.

An important component of the content of the Orientals is proper nutrition. Its type depends on the choice of the owner and recommendations of breeders and veterinarians. Feeding with natural products and super premium premium feeds is allowed.

In the first case, the basis of the diet should be meat products:

In addition, your pet should receive fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir, low-fat sour cream), vegetables, eggs. Meat should be fed lightly scalded or frozen.

Breeders recommend giving Orientals professional ready-made feed. They are fully balanced and meet the needs of the cat. Until one year old, it is necessary to use feed for kittens, and later compositions for active adult animals. There should always be fresh water near the feed. Since cats of this breed are not prone to overeating, you can offer food in unlimited quantities. In this case, you can use the automatic feeder.

Adult animals are fed 2 times a day, oriental kittens are fed 5 times a day in small portions.

Breeding oriental cats

It is interesting to breed cats, but not as simple as it might seem at first glance. It would seem that there may be problems - have found a suitable oriental cat or a cat, and the issue is resolved. For amateur breeding of animals of this breed, this approach is quite acceptable, it is enough to master the basic knowledge:

features of care
feeding rules
preparation for childbirth, etc.

But to get healthy offspring that meets the standard is not enough. The owner will need to understand the nuances of breeding, taking into account the characteristics of the breed, to explore the intricacies of this process.

For breeding, breeders recommend knitting an animal once a year or keeping a minimum period between births of six months. It is necessary in this matter to take into account the physiological needs of the cat. If she still shows signs of sexual activity while feeding the kittens, it is better to carry out the next mating. Otherwise, you can provoke complications and health problems.

Knitting a cat is a responsible process for the owner. The owner should try very hard and find a suitable partner, calculate the necessary time of mating, create a calm atmosphere for animals. If the purpose of mating is to obtain offspring of the show class, the partner should be chosen accordingly.

At the same time, even when animals fully comply with the standard, no one will give a 100% guarantee for receiving offspring of the show class. Experienced professional breeders intuitively feel the potential of their animals from an early age and almost immediately can unmistakably say which kitten has prospects for breeding, and which will be content with the pleasant lot of a pet. Therefore, acquiring a baby, pay attention to this aspect. In addition, in the future, the breeder may recommend a suitable partner. The same information you can provide in the breed club.

Pregnancy

If mating has passed without problems, the oriental cat becomes pregnant. It lasts from 58 to 70 days. Special care for a pregnant cat is not required, except for increasing the diet of your pet, which needs to feed the growing offspring.

During this period, it is advisable to use food for pregnant cats. They contain more vitamins and minerals that the expectant mother and kittens need.

By the end of the seventh week, you can begin preparing for childbirth. The cat should be prepared a place where she will give birth and take care of her offspring. It should be equipped in a warm, dry and windproof corner. Births in the representatives of this breed are the same as in most felines. Before the process begins, the animal may lie, or may toss from corner to corner and meek plaintively. It depends on the individual characteristics of the cat's body. On average, the birth process takes about six hours.

Kitten selection and price

Today, oriental cats are fairly widespread, breeders often breed them together with Siamese, therefore, most likely, there will be no problems with finding a suitable nursery. If the breed of the animal is not important for you and you are completely satisfied with the resemblance, you can buy a kitten in the poultry market. But it should be understood that in this case no one can guarantee your health and the typical character of the baby for the breed. Therefore, having decided to start an oriental, decide for what purposes you will buy a kitten. Do you just need a gentle and playful pet or an animal with an exhibition perspective and the possibility of breeding. Purchasing a kitten for the family involves further sterilization or castration. After confirming the sale and purchase operation, the breeders give the new owners the pedigree and veterinary passport of the animal.

In some clubs allowed interbreed knitting Orientals and Siamese. In this litter in this case kittens of different breeds can be born. Kittens, as well as adult animals that have the prospect of breeding, are much more expensive. It is important that they are of a good type. For the buyer, it is possible to consider a purchase of an extreme type as a big success - with thin bones, low-set ears, a straight profile, a long muzzle and a very short, tight-fitting coat. The breeding work of modern breeders and breeders is aimed at obtaining just this type.

The average price range for Orientals ranges from 15 to 50 thousand rubles. The breeder determines the prices for animals, based on supply and demand, personal considerations, the age of the animal, the quality of the breeding producers. Purebred show-class kittens can cost up to a thousand dollars, and kittens bred from breeding, with some minor flaws, are often sold at the lowest price.

Appearance

The long-haired oriental cat inherited the triangular head shape from its short-haired counterparts: the scientific description of the breed is more like a lecture on geometry. The upper corners of the triangle form long long ears, the lower corner is the muzzle, together these parts of the head form an equilateral triangle. Ears must be standing: a cat of the Oriental breed is clearly visible in the photo in profile.

Another, smaller triangle on the muzzle is formed by almond-shaped oblique eyes and nose.

The constitution is distinguished by thin lines and oriental grace: the body, tail, neck and legs are long and thin, but strong, the musculature is very well developed.

Wool is classified as long, but the maximum hair size is determined closer to the tail. The hair on the head and shoulders is also not short, but it fits very tightly to the body, which makes it seem so. Undercoat is underdeveloped. The coat is thickest on the tail, along the spine, on the abdomen and the upper part of the hind legs.

Colors are allowed any: the classification of the breed of cats Oriental by color is very difficult due to the variety of colors and patterns. Monophonic, tortoise, bicolor, smoky, tabby, ticked and shaded versions, colored in all possible colors: from pure black to completely white, are allowed. Restrictions on the evaluation of the breed relate to more matching the color of wool and leather, is also important type of pattern. So, for tabby, the presence of the letter M on the forehead and a specific pattern on the body are mandatory, and for bicolor, the letter V; for a tortoise color, it is important that the spots or patterns are evenly distributed. Marble color suggests the presence of a butterfly pattern on the shoulders; in the spotted tabby, the spots must be oval, the silver tabby must have a dark border of the eyes and nose, and the tiger must have a characteristic pronounced stripe along the spine and transverse thin.

There are more requirements for eye color: shades of green are considered standard, differently colored eyes are mandatory for bicolors: one is green, another is blue. White or blue eyes may be different. Blue eyes put the classification into question, as it is a specific feature of Siamese cats: in this case, the evaluation of the breed is difficult and often requires genetic examination.

The Oriental cat inherited from its Siamese ancestors a person-centered attitude, and therefore cannot fully exist outside of human society. And the reason is not in genetic disorders, but in psychological organization: for oriental cats, constant communication with a person is more important than caring; without this, an animal can be seduced and even die.

Another distinctive feature of long-haired Orientals is the activity and tendency to regular games. This is especially evident in childhood: many Oriental lovers noticed the love of Oriental kittens for playing curtains.

In addition, Oriental cats are very talkative. The timbre, volume and richness of the voice are very individual and depend on many factors: mood, general condition. The owners of this breed sometimes notice that their pets seem to mimic the voice of a person or other animals - it is quite possible, given the focus on human society and the sociability of this breed.

Orientals require proper grooming and nutrition. This is especially true for animals of the show and the breed class, for which the quality of wool and body build is extremely important, because these are the main criteria for evaluating the breed.

Bred long-haired Orientals need frequent grooming: at least once a week, and during the molt period daily. It is also important to look at least once a week to clean the ears: their large size creates additional risks of infection. But frequent bathing is not recommended: washing is necessary only as needed: if there is no obvious dirt on the hair and body, then the oriental cat will cope on its own.

In drawing up the ration, it should be remembered that the main characteristic of this breed is a flexible and thin body. Therefore, you can not overfeed Oriental. Правда, ожирение ориенталам не свойственно, но все равно питательность корма не должна превышать 300 килокалорий в день, для самок чуть меньше. Дробность питания: не чаще двух раз в день. Котята нуждаются в более частом питании.

В отличие от многих домашних пород, ориентальной длинношерстной кошке жизненно необходимо молоко: для них это не питье, а еда. Количество молока входит в сумму допустимых суточных калорий. This product can not be combined with others: between a normal meal and a saucer of milk should be about two hours. In fact, the milk intake makes the oriental cat's diet three times a day: two full feeds and a third milk.

Oriental cats origin history

The ancestors of all Orientals (both short-haired and long-haired) come from Siam. This state was located on the territory of modern Thailand and became home to many interesting breeds, which later gained popularity around the globe. The first documented mention of Oriental cats can be considered the ancient manuscript "Book of poems about cats", or "Smud Koi". It was created in 1358–1767 in the historical capital of Siam, Ayutthaya.

For a long time this breed was a national treasure of local residents, and its export outside the territory of the state was prohibited. The exception was made only by those citizens of other countries who had merits in front of the government court, to whom animals were presented as a gift as a token of special gratitude. Most likely, in this way oriental cat still got to Europe in the XIX century.

For a long time, the breed was not recognized as an independent one, considering it because of its color as defective Siamese. She received a formal "right to exist" in the world of felinology only in 1977 in the United States.

The turn of the Oriental long-haired cat to be recognized came later - in 1985. According to one version, Oriental longhair kittens they were obtained by mating them with the Siamese, and according to another, they were the result of crossing with a Balinese cat in the 60–70s of the last century. Today this breed is recognized all over the world.

Oriental Longhair Cat Description

Oriental longhair cat is a graceful and graceful animal of medium size.

The weight of an adult individual is usually 4–6 kg.

Because of the thin skeleton, one may get the impression that the body is very fragile, which would be a big mistake. These are strong and strong pets who lead an active lifestyle.

The breed standard imposes the following requirements on animals:

Head has the appearance of a rather long and harmoniously narrowing wedge, while the muzzle looks neat and pointed. The tip of the chin in combination with the tip of the nose is a straight line. There is no bulge in the eye area, and the rather long nose is an even one, which is a continuation of the frontal bone without a break. The jaws, along with the chin, have medium proportions, and they cannot be called massive, because of which the muzzle seems to be even more elongated.

Ears everyone has Oriental longhair cats differ in the big sizes. They organically continue the wedge-shaped silhouette of the head. Wide at the base, to the tips smoothly rounded.

Large eyes, having the form of an almond nut, put on the face obliquely. Their inner corner has a pronounced slope towards the nose. At the same time, they perfectly complement the shape of the head, creating a “corporate” look for Orientals. Eyes should be set wide, that is, the distance between them should be no less than the width of one. Eye bulge and strabismus are not allowed. Eye color is predominantly green, although it may have a faint yellowish tint. The exception to this rule is white oriental cats, in which it may be sky blue.

Neck long, in harmony with the body. It gives the animal a sophisticated, aristocratic look.

Body representatives of this breed are long and very slim. Shoulders and hips organically continue the line of the body. Oriental cats have no tendency to obesity, have thin bones. The width of the hips should not exceed the width of the shoulders.

Limbs thin, long. A small paw has a rounded shape. The height of the hind limbs is greater.

Tail also quite long, curving.

WoolOriental longhair cats smooth and silky to the touch. Thin villi fit snugly to the skin due to the lack of downy undercoat. And the most "woolen" looks tail.

As for the coloring of these oriental cats, it can be diverse, including consist of several colors. There are about 300 options. In their homeland, animals with blue and copper wool are most valued.

Features of Oriental cats

Firstly Oriental longhair cats inherited from the Siamese attachment to the owner, whom they fully trust. But, unlike their relatives, jealousy is shown very rarely.

This is an extremely friendly breed, good for all households and strangers who have come to visit. The pet will surely find a common language with small family members, indulgent to childish pranks. Oriental longhair cat is ready to make friends even with a dog. Before you start it, you need to think about whether a sufficient amount of attention will be paid to it, because these animals do not tolerate solitude.

From the Siamese they also inherited a tendency to "cat talk." But the voice of the representatives of this breed is gentle, having a rather pleasant timbre. In general, the vocal abilities of each animal are individual and depend on its temperament, upbringing and mood.

Oriental long-haired kittens quickly adapt to the new place and begin to explore all the nooks in the house. As they grow up, the pet becomes more relaxed, but always loves to play. Using his long and strong paws, he easily jumps on high shelves.

But this breed cannot be called “hooligan” for sure, because adult cats create the impression of noble aristocratic animals. They can sit on the couch with a proud look of time, imposingly watching what is happening around. Another distinctive feature of the oriental longhair cat's character is love to spend time at home. Walking on the street does not interest them at all!

Care and maintenance of long-haired oriental cats

Care Oriental longhair cats mainly consists in maintaining the coat in good condition. It is important that it is regular and timely. The absence of downy undercoat makes work much easier, so the animal's fur does not tend to stall. It is enough to comb a pet every week with a special brush designed for breeds with long hair. It can be purchased at any pet store.

From the moment the kitten gets into the house, it is necessary to ensure the correct diet, which includes all the necessary substances. Good nutrition is also necessary for adult oriental long-haired cats for their health. The beauty of their fur coats depends on providing the body with essential mineral elements and vitamins. Feed this breed can be both natural and purchased feed. But do not save on it - it must be of high quality and balanced.

Diseases of Oriental Breed Cats

Oriental long-haired cats can not be called painful, because they are quite strong animals. But, like all Orientals, they can be prone to gingivitis, so they need to periodically brush their teeth. There is also a risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system, therefore, periodic examinations by a veterinarian will not be redundant.

With proper attention to health, long-haired oriental cats live 13-18 years.

Conclusions about the breed

Oriental longhair cat is a very affectionate animal, focused on communicating with a person. She will be the perfect companion for people willing to give her their love and affection. But those who are constantly absent at home, such a pet does not fit, because it is hard for loneliness.

To get Oriental longhair cat, you need to find a nursery with a good reputation, which will sell pedigree and healthy animal. It will be necessary to provide him with good nutrition and regular grooming. As they grow up, the naughty kitten will turn into an imposing and sophisticated pet, selflessly loving its owner.

general description

Oriental longhair cat today is considered one of the most popular and promising breeds, attracting attention with its chic appearance, sociability and developed intelligence.

In addition to the most diverse colors, otherwise it is not much different from its Siamese ancestors. The size of these animals is average - the weight of adults is usually 4-6 kg. Under normal conditions, an oriental cat can live 14–16, and in some cases even 20 years.

Breed history

It is believed that the first kittens of this breed were born as a result of the crossing of the Oriental Shorthair and Balinese cats. Such breeding work was carried out in the 60s of the last century in the United States and was crowned with success.

As a result, in 1977, the newly acquired breed was officially recognized as the Oriental Longhair. The breeders appreciated the unusual coat of these cats and their surprisingly good-natured nature.

By character and appearance, they resemble both Siamese and Balinese. For several years, Orientals with a light coat color were not allowed to participate in exhibitions. This restriction was lifted in 1997, it was then that the first champion among the representatives of this breed appeared.

Today, the Oriental long-haired cats are recognized by many international felinological associations.

External breed description

These elegant and unusually beautiful animals have a great resemblance to their ancestors - Siamese and Balinese cats:

The elongated, slim body is quite muscular and strong, despite its thin bones. The hips and shoulders form smooth lines, giving the body a tubular shape. Limbs long, slender, front a little shorter than the rear. Small elegant legs have an oval shape.
Medium-sized wedge-shaped head slightly pointed and resembles a triangle. A long nose and a smooth transition from it to the forehead emphasize the noble origin of these cats.
Almond-shaped eyes are large and very expressive. They are set quite widely and are predominantly green, sometimes with yellowness. Only for completely white individuals, blue eyes are acceptable.
The ears are impressive in their size. Wide set, they have the shape of an isosceles triangle.
Wool is the main feature that distinguishes this breed of cats. It is very soft, silky, pleasant to the touch. The undercoat of these cats is not, and the coat fits tightly enough to the body, so it visually looks a little shorter than it actually is. Only the tail adorns the long and fluffy hair.

One of the advantages of this breed is the variety of acceptable colors. Oriental cat hair does not have any particular color. Color can be smoky, tabby, solid, shaded. There are more than three hundred colors.

The noble appearance of this breed of cats creates the impression that their purpose is to lie on expensive pillows, delighting those around them. In fact, these are very mobile and playful animals, constantly showing their curiosity.

Thanks to well-developed muscles, they easily conquer the highest cabinets and shelves. They are able to entertain themselves by being fascinated by playing with any piece of paper or an empty box. However, the boundaries of the permitted never go over and naughty in moderation.

These are very friendly animals, which are great for both familiar and unfamiliar people. But they mostly trust only their master, quickly becoming attached to him and demanding attention.

It is not recommended to start such a pet to people who are forced to stay at home for a long time, since these cats suffer loneliness very hard.

Walking in the fresh air is not necessary for them, but Orientals require a lot of time for communication, games and training. They are smart enough and they easily learn some simple tricks, for example, to bring an abandoned toy in their teeth.

With other pets, the cat quickly finds a common language and becomes a ringleader. For children, this is a great, tireless partner in games and fun, ready to patiently endure all the obsessive caresses of a young child.

Orientals are a very sociable breed. They love to "talk", however, their voice is much softer and more tender than that of Siamese cats. Such a pet is suitable primarily for people who are sociable and energetic.

Content Features

Despite the long hair of this oriental cat, she does not need any special care. Due to the absence of undercoat mats are not formed, so frequent combing the animal is not required. It is enough to do it once a week. It is necessary to bathe a cat only as needed.

Mandatory care requires the eyes and ears of a pet. They must be periodically washed using special cleaning agents. It is advisable for a pet to brush their teeth regularly, especially if they are prone to dental diseases.

To care for an Oriental long-haired cat you will need the following items:

Brush for combing wool,
Special shampoo for cats,
Ear cleaner,
Vata,
Claw scissors (clappers).

To prepare the animal to participate in exhibitions may require other additional funds.

The main requirement for nutrition of an oriental cat is its balance. The easiest way to take advantage of ready-made premium feed, which include all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

When feeding a pet with natural products it is necessary to approach the preparation of a diet very competently and responsibly.

It must necessarily contain the necessary fats for animal hair. Food from the home table (especially spicy, salty or sweet) is absolutely not suitable for cats.