Oriental Shorthair CatsForeign Cat

Common Name(s)     Oriental Shorthair Cat, Foreign Cat

Background     The original Siamese breed included many different colors and pattern types. However, when the breed was brought to the west, Breeders focused on a specific color type: the Seal Point coat (a pale coat with brown extremities) with blue eyes. Later, other pointed variations were accepted, but the many other possible color patterns were excluded. As a result, many Siamese color types disappeared, until in the 1950s, when breeders became interested in reviving the other Siamese coat colors and patterns. This ambition was accomplished by crossing the Siamese with various other shorthair breeds, while taking care to pass on the new colors while retaining all other Siamese features. In Britain, the new breed was called the "Foreign", when referring to solid colors other than the Havana Brown, and "Oriental Shorthair" when referring to the other pattern types. Later, in the early 1990s, the two names were consolidated and all Foreigns, except those that were solid white with blue eyes, became known as Oriental Shorthairs. The solid white variation is known as the "Foreign White". In the United States, they were always referred to as "Oriental Shorthairs".

Description      The one feature that distinguishes the Oriental Shorthair from the Siamese is its coat color. Essentially, the Oriental Shorthair is a Siamese without a pointed pattern. The following are the various categories of patterns with specific examples: Solid (Blue), Shaded (Fawn Sliver), Smoke (Cameo Smoke), Tabby (Ticked Tabby Pattern), and Parti-Color (Ebony Tortie). One specific color form that deserves mention is the Oriental Spotted Tabby, since breeders attempted to give it standing as a separate breed that resembled the ancient Egyptian domestic cat.
Except for the coat color and pattern, the Oriental Shorthair has the same appearance as the Siamese. The body is medium in size, long, and svelte. The tail and legs are long and slender. The head is wedge-shaped with large pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes. The coat is short, fine, and glossy. They weigh 9 to 14 pounds and live approximately 12 to 15 years.

Care and Feeding     This breed requires no special diet, though a diet low in fat is preferred in order to maintain their slender form.

Housing Your Cat     Oriental Shorthairs enjoy the indoors and the outdoors. However, they are very active, so if kept inside, they should be provided with toys and a scratching post, in order to prevent them from turning to curtains and furniture for entertainment.

Maintenance      Weekly brushing is recommended, as it is for any low-maintenance cat.

Social Behaviors     Oriental Shorthairs are social cats that need plenty of attention, but may not get along with young children, other cats, or other animals.

Activities     This breed is very active, and should be provided with toys and play time.

Breeding/Reproduction     This breed matures quickly. Breeding is generally not a problem, unless the female is especially fine-boned. Litters contain approximately 4 to 6 kittens.

Common Health Problems     Oriental Shorthairs are generally healthy with no special problems documented.

Availability     Oriental Shorthairs are readily available in many different color variations on the internet and from local breeders. Prices range from $175 to $650.

Author: Ruth Bratcher