47
SHORTHAIRS
A DELICATELY PATTERNED CAT WITH AN UNUSUAL AND SUBTLE BEAUTY
ORIENTAL—SHADED
The chance mating between a chocolate-point Siamese
(pp.54–55) and a Persian Chinchilla (p.140) produced a litter
that included two kittens with shaded silver coats. This aroused
breeders’ interest, and so began the slow progress toward a new
range of Oriental cats. In a shaded Oriental, the coat is essentially
a modified tabby pattern, in which the darker markings occur
only on the upper ends of the hairs. These
markings—which can appear as ticked, spotted,
mackerel, or classic tabby patterns—may be
quite pronounced in kittens, but as the cat
matures, the pattern becomes less distinct
and in some cats is barely visible.
Place of origin UK
Date of origin 1970s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 9–14 lb (4–6.5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All tabby patterns and colors,
except white.
Long neck
Wedge-shaped
muzzle
Distinct outline
around eyes
Chocolate-silver
tabby coat has
glistening sheen
Tabby markings more
pronounced on tail,
legs, and face
Huge ears
very wide
at base
Almond-shaped
green eyes
Contrast between
tipping and light
ground color
Silvery-
white
throat
Small, oval paws
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CATALOG OF BREEDS
48
THIS LIVELY CAT COMBINES STREAMLINED LOOKS WITH A RANGE OF BEAUTIFUL TABBY PATTERNS
ORIENTAL—TABBY
Following the rising popularity of solid-colored Oriental
Shorthairs, breeders turned their attention to producing a
line of Oriental tabbies. Early attempts to introduce the tabby
patterning to Orientals used crosses between nonpedigree
tabbies and Siamese (pp.54–57). The first of these patterned
Orientals, officially recognized in 1978, was a modern copy
of the Siamese-type spotted tabbies believed to be the
ancestors of today’s domestic cats. By the 1980s, Orientals
with ticked, mackerel, and classic tabby patterning in a wide
variety of colors had also been developed. The patched-
tabby Oriental, typically with patches of red or cream, was a
further addition to the color palette.
Rich brown
markings on pale
bronze ground
Chocolate classic
tabby coat
Black tortoiseshell
silver-spotted coat
Large, blotched
markings on flanks
Dark rings
on tail
Necklace
markings
Barring
on legs
Place of origin UK
Date of origin 1970s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 9–14 lb (4–6.5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All colors and shades in tabby
and patched-tabby patterns.
Also with white.
Lines run from
top of head to
back of neck
Green
eyes
Belly lighter
in color
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49
SHORTHAIRS
THE PATTERNED COAT GIVES THIS CAT A PATCHWORK LOOK
ORIENTAL—TORTIE
According to an illustrated manuscript, The Cat Book Poems,
which may date back to the old kingdom of Siam (Thailand),
tortie (tortoiseshell) patterned Oriental cats have a long history.
Development of the modern Oriental Tortie began in the 1960s,
with matings between solid-colored Orientals (p.44) and red, tortie,
and cream-point Siamese (pp.54–55). The breed
eventually gained official recognition in the
1980s. The Tortie coat comes in several ground
colors mingled with contrasting patches of cream
or red and cream, depending on the base color.
Due to the distribution of tortoiseshell genes,
torties are nearly always females; the rare males
are usually sterile.
Place of origin UK
Date of origin 1960s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 9–14 lb (4–6.5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Ground colors are black,
blue, chocolate, lilac, fawn,
cinnamon, and caramel;
tortoiseshell pattern.
Thin,
tapering tail
Firm, medium-
sized body
Head narrows to
a fine muzzle
Chocolate tortie coat
is warm brown mixed
with red shades
Green eyes
Dainty, oval paws
Random-
patterned coat
Fine bone
structure
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CATALOG OF BREEDS
50
A LITHE AND SLENDER CAT WITH OFTEN DRAMATIC COLORING
ORIENTAL—BICOLOR
Breeders in the US initially developed this exciting addition
to the Oriental Shorthair group through crosses that included
a Siamese (pp.54–57) and a bicolor American Shorthair (p.61).
In Europe, further programs experimented with other crosses
to achieve the right look. The first Oriental Bicolor in the UK
arrived in 2004. This striking cat comes in a wonderful range of
colors splashed over the coat in an endless variety of patterns;
there is even a colorpointed, or Siamese, version.
The breed standard requires the white patching to
cover at least a third of the cat and to include
the legs, underside, and muzzle.
Long, slender
body
Firm belly
Large,
erect ears
Red and
white coat
Fine-textured black
smoke and white coat
lies close to body
Long,
slim legs
Long, slim,
whippy tail
Triangular head
ending in fine
muzzle
Small, oval paws
Place of origin US
Date of origin 1970s
Breed registries FIFe, GCCF,
TICA
Weight range 9–14 lb (4–6.5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Various solid colors,
shades, and patterns,
including tabby, tortie,
and some colorpoints,
always with white areas.
Slender,
graceful neck
Slanting
blue eyes
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51
SHORTHAIRS
A PLAYFUL, CHARMING, AND GENTLE CAT THAT ENJOYS AN INDOOR LIFE
HAVANA
A rare breed with a confusing background, the Havana (originally
known as the Havana Brown) was developed originally to have two
different looks, both with a rich brown coat. In the UK, the cat was
produced through crosses with the Siamese (pp.54–57) and
domestic shorthairs. This version, which had the long, lean Siamese
conformation, was eventually classified as a solid-colored Oriental
Shorthair (p.44). In the US, breeders did not use the Siamese,
resulting in a cat with a rounder face and less elongated body
(shown here). The stunning Havana is hard to ignore, but if
it does not receive attention, it will certainly seek it. This
affectionate cat likes to be close to people at all times.
Brown whiskers
match coat color
Sleek, rich
chestnut-brown coat
with no other
color markings
Firm, well-
muscled body
Vivid green
eyes
Brown nose
leather has
rosy tinge
Straight, slim legs
with oval feet
Muzzle narrows
behind whiskers
Narrow head with
rounded muzzle
Place of origin US
Date of origin 1950s
Breed registries CFA, TICA
Weight range 6–10 lb
(2.5–4.5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Rich brown and lilac.
Large,
round-tipped
ears
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