THE ORIENTAL SHORT HAIR

The Oriental cat was first developed from the Siamese to explore all possibilities of coat color and pattern. Imagine a Siamese wearing head to toe a satin coat of every color and pattern imaginable and you have an Oriental Shorthair (OSH). When the OSH was accepted for Championship status in 1977, it became one of America's  most popular breeds in the Cat Fanciers' of America (CFA) registry.  Now there are over 300 colors/patterns to choose from, and each color has is special purr-sonality attributes. Solids, or for a sparkling undercoat stir in the silver gene at the roots or tips, paint splashes of cream and you have a parti-color. If you like stripes, try tabbies in any of 4 different patterns: classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked. Torties with a sprinkling of red and cream on a background of seal, blue, chocolate or lilac, create a clown-like appearance and their nature is the equivalent of the "dizzy blond", as if in the mix-up of colors they can't make up their minds about how to behave. If Lucille Ball was ever reincarnated as a cat, she would definitely be a "tortie"!

OSHs are a study in sleek design from the tip of the long pointy nose to the end of the long whippy tail. The lines of the angular head flow into large flaring ears, and are complemented by almond shaped green (or sometimes golden) eyes. This elegant cat gracefully glides across the room on tall slender legs. But don't be fooled by their svelte tubular body. These cats have surprising weight and muscle tone and are neither frail nor fragile.

Pictures of Oriental Shorthairs | Pictures of Oriental Longhairs