Other Names

Oriental Longhair

Native Country

United States

Breed Description

Head: Long and triangular. Flat forehead. Straight profile. Slender muzzle without break. Long, straight nose. Strong chin.
Eyes: Medium-sized, almond-shaped, and slanted as in Oriental types. Green or blue in white cats.
Neck: Long, slender, and graceful.
Body: Medium-sized and Oriental in type, that is, long and tubular. Fine-boned. Firm muscles.
Paw: Long and slender. Hind legs longer than forelegs. Fine-boned. Slender, firm muscles. Small, oval paws.
Tail: Long and well-furnished.
Coat: Semilong, fine, silky hair lying flat against the body. Thin undercoat. Shorter hair on the tops of the shoulders and head. Ruff and britches present. Plume on the tail. All Oriental Shorthair colors are recognized. Chocolate and lilac are the most desirable.
Fault: Round or broad head. Short or broad muzzle. Sloped nose. Small, round eyes without slant. Short body. Short coat. Absence of plume on the tail.

History

A refined Oriental type with a long coat. This semi-longhaired Oriental type was obtained recently by crossing Oriental Shorthairs and Balinese (longhaired Siamese). Today, American breeders continue to cross Oriental Shorthairs, Balinese, and Siamese in order to better establish the new breed’s characteristics. The Oriental Longhair received provisional recognition from the C.F.A. in 1994. T.I.C.A. published a standard in 1998. This breed is still rare in Europe.

Behavior

These lively, energetic, playful cats with a strong personality are calmer and more even-tempered than the Oriental Shorthair. Oriental Longhairs are sociable, getting along well with other cats, but reserved with strangers. Very affectionate and highly attached to their owner, they are real “talkers” with a lovely voice. They do not like being left alone. They are easy to groom.