Oriental Shorthair

Coat and looks how to spot one

very short, fine, glossy coat lying close to the body, with almost no undercoat

A long, slim and elegant cat with fine bones and firm, well-toned muscles, its shoulders no wider than its hips. The head is a long, clean wedge with a straight nose, leading out to very large, pointed ears set wide at the base, which give the breed its striking outline. The medium, almond-shaped eyes slant towards the nose and are usually a vivid green; white cats may have green, deep blue or one of each. The legs are long and slender with small oval paws, and the tail is very long, thin and whip-like. The coat is extremely short and satin-smooth, with a glossy sheen.5213

Personality what they are like

A lively, clever and talkative companion that bonds closely with its people and wants to be involved in whatever is going on. Orientals are curious, love interactive games and often learn to fetch, and many stay kitten-like and playful into adulthood. They enjoy conversation and attention, and some happily curl up on a lap despite their sleek, athletic look. They are sociable with families and usually thrive with company.2134

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. These are agile jumpers that love heights, so provide cat trees, perches and shelves, plus daily interactive play such as fetch, wand toys and puzzle games. Many can be taught to walk on a harness and lead.413

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very little coat care needed. A weekly brush or rub with a soft glove keeps the short coat glossy, and most Orientals enjoy grooming as a moment of attention; they shed only lightly. The Oriental Longhair variety needs regular combing, although its silky coat has no woolly undercoat and resists tangles.214

Home where they are happiest

Adapts well to indoor or apartment living as long as there is vertical space to climb and perch, scratching posts, and plenty of toys and daily play with people.41

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, balanced cat food suitable for its life stage, with measured portions to keep this slender, long-legged cat lean. Fresh water should always be available.4

Company who they like around

Very people-oriented and does best with an attentive household. GCCF notes Orientals do not tend to enjoy being the only animal and are happier with other cats or pets and people around them for company when owners are out.124

The story where it all began

Orientals are essentially Siamese cats without the restriction of pointed colouring. In Britain in 1951, Baroness von Ullmann began crossing chocolate-pointed Siamese with a non-pedigree black cat to produce solid-coloured cats with the fine 'foreign' body type, and in October 1952 the first modern chestnut brown cat, Elmtower Bronze Idol, was born; this colour became known as the Havana. Lilac cats followed, and in the 1960s breeders developed the blue-eyed Foreign White. To widen the palette, British breeders also brought in Russian Blues, British Shorthairs, Abyssinians and domestic shorthairs. In the early 1970s, American breeders such as Vicky and Peter Markstein imported solid and tabby foreign-type cats from British catteries including Angela Sayers' Solitaire and Patricia White's lines. Oriental Shorthairs International formed in 1973, CFA accepted the breed for registration in 1974 and granted championship status in 1977, added bicolours in 1985 and the longhair variety in 1988. The GCCF recognised the colours step by step, first under names like Havana and Foreign White, before grouping them under the Oriental name.132

Recognised by the official bits

CFA

Accepted for registration 1974, championship status 1977; bicolours added 1985; longhair variety added 19882

GCCF

Section 6 (Siamese & Oriental), Group 1; recognised colour by colour from the 1950s, starting with Havana, Oriental Lilac and Foreign White; bicolours 19971

FIFe

Fully recognised, Category 4 (code OSH), sharing a standard with Siamese, Balinese and Oriental Longhair6

TICA

Breed standard held3

WCF

Breed standard held3