Chic cats that have the build of a Siamese and which are bred in a myriad of color and patterns, Foreign and Oriental Shorthairs are among the most distinguished-looking in the feline repertoire.
History
In both the US and Britain Siamese were bred to other Shorthairs to produce an elegant Foreign0type cat without point markings. Recognition was granted towards the late 1970s.
Temperament
These cats have the same energetic and inquisitive nature as the Siamese. They make loving companions.
Varieties
Varieties include Black, White, Blue, Lilac, Red, Cream, Silver, Cameo, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Caramel, Black Smoke, Chestnut Smoke, Cameo Smoke, Tabby, and Tortoiseshell. Eye color is green in most cases, but can be blue or orange in the American White, and must be blue in British Whites. Amber eyes are allowed in the Black, and colors from copper to green are legitimate in the Cream and Red. In Britain, solid-colored types are known as Foreign Shorthairs, whereas Tabby, Ticked, and Spotted cats are called Oriental Shorthairs. There is a move, however, towards a redefinition of terms and a regrouping of varieties.
Foreign Lilac Shorthairs
The Havana breeding program in Britain during the 1950s gave rise to the development of this variety. If two Havanas produced from crossing Russian are mated together, the litter will contain Foreign Lilacs.
Picture: Foreign Lilac Shorthairs
Body
Medium in size, a long, svelte, lithe, type with long, slender neck.
Coat
The fur is short, fine-textured, and close-lying. The color should be pinkish-grey, with a frosty-grey tone.
Tail
Long, thin at the base, tapering to a fine point.
Legs
Long, slim, and elegant. Hind legs are higher than the forelegs.
Feet
The paws are dainty, small and oval with lavender-colored paw pads.
Head
A Siamese wedge-shape with a long nose and lavender-colored nose pad.
Eyes
Medium is size, almond-shaped and slanted with green-colored eyes.
Ears
Large and pointed.
Facial Characteristics
Foreign Lilac Shorthair.
Picture: Foreign Black Shorthair
Foreign Black Shorthair
Quintessential feline elegance.
Picture: Foreign blue Shorthair
Foreign blue Shorthair
A cat that deserves a high profile.
Oriental Chocolate Tabby Shorthair
Oriental Tabby Shorthairs
Oriental Tabbies were produced originally by mating non-pedigree tabbies with Siamese. Later on, however, Tabby-point Siamese were used in the breeding program. All colors and tabby patterns are now accepted.
Head
A Siamese wedge-shape with a long nose and pink nose pad, rimmed with chestnut.
Eyes
Medium in size, almond-shaped and slanted with green-colored eyes. Eyes rimmed with chestnut.
Ears
Large and pointed.
Facial Characteristics
Picture: Oriental Chocolate Tabby Shorthair
Oriental Blue Tabby Shorthair
Picture: Oriental Lilac Ticked Tabby Shorthair
Oriental Lilac Ticked Tabby Shorthair
Each hair has bands of dark shading.
History
In both the US and Britain Siamese were bred to other Shorthairs to produce an elegant Foreign0type cat without point markings. Recognition was granted towards the late 1970s.
Temperament
These cats have the same energetic and inquisitive nature as the Siamese. They make loving companions.
Varieties
Varieties include Black, White, Blue, Lilac, Red, Cream, Silver, Cameo, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Caramel, Black Smoke, Chestnut Smoke, Cameo Smoke, Tabby, and Tortoiseshell. Eye color is green in most cases, but can be blue or orange in the American White, and must be blue in British Whites. Amber eyes are allowed in the Black, and colors from copper to green are legitimate in the Cream and Red. In Britain, solid-colored types are known as Foreign Shorthairs, whereas Tabby, Ticked, and Spotted cats are called Oriental Shorthairs. There is a move, however, towards a redefinition of terms and a regrouping of varieties.
Foreign Lilac Shorthairs
The Havana breeding program in Britain during the 1950s gave rise to the development of this variety. If two Havanas produced from crossing Russian are mated together, the litter will contain Foreign Lilacs.
Picture: Foreign Lilac ShorthairsBody
Medium in size, a long, svelte, lithe, type with long, slender neck.
Coat
The fur is short, fine-textured, and close-lying. The color should be pinkish-grey, with a frosty-grey tone.
Tail
Long, thin at the base, tapering to a fine point.
Legs
Long, slim, and elegant. Hind legs are higher than the forelegs.
Feet
The paws are dainty, small and oval with lavender-colored paw pads.
HeadA Siamese wedge-shape with a long nose and lavender-colored nose pad.
Eyes
Medium is size, almond-shaped and slanted with green-colored eyes.
Ears
Large and pointed.
Facial Characteristics
Foreign Lilac Shorthair.
Picture: Foreign Black ShorthairForeign Black Shorthair
Quintessential feline elegance.
Picture: Foreign blue ShorthairForeign blue Shorthair
A cat that deserves a high profile.
Oriental Chocolate Tabby ShorthairOriental Tabby Shorthairs
Oriental Tabbies were produced originally by mating non-pedigree tabbies with Siamese. Later on, however, Tabby-point Siamese were used in the breeding program. All colors and tabby patterns are now accepted.
HeadA Siamese wedge-shape with a long nose and pink nose pad, rimmed with chestnut.
Eyes
Medium in size, almond-shaped and slanted with green-colored eyes. Eyes rimmed with chestnut.
Ears
Large and pointed.
Facial Characteristics
Picture: Oriental Chocolate Tabby ShorthairOriental Blue Tabby Shorthair
Picture: Oriental Lilac Ticked Tabby ShorthairOriental Lilac Ticked Tabby Shorthair
Each hair has bands of dark shading.
