Choosing a Nebelung

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

The Nebelung is a longhaired, solid blue cat that resembles the Russian blue. The German word nebelung (pronounced nay-bel-ung) means “creatures of the mist,” which brings to mind exotic animals roaming mysterious forests, fading away into shadows just before you get close enough to catch a really good glimpse – an appropriate name for a feline with a long, luminous coat, glowing green eyes and an intelligently cautious nature.

History and Origin

In the early 1980s in Denver, a black domestic shorthair named Elsa had a tryst with a shorthaired Russian blue-type neighborhood tom. This chance rendevous produced a litter of six – five solid black or blue shorthairs and, surprisingly, one solid blue longhair with a beautiful lustrous coat, long legs, and a Russian blue-type body. Computer programmer Cora Cobb adopted the cat and named him Siegfried after the hero in Wagner’s epic opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung.

Elsa’s next litter, again sired by her Russian blue-type boyfriend, included seven kittens, including one longhaired solid blue female of exceptional beauty.  Her long silky hair was longer and lighter than Siegfried’s, and Cobb thought these two might be the beginning of an entirely new breed. Cobb named the female Brunhilde (Siegfried’s lady love in the Wagner opera), and allowed nature to take its course. In May 1986, Siegfried and Brunhilde produced a litter of three solid blue longhairs.

With the help of the genetics chair Dr. Solveig Pflueger of The International Cat Association (TICA), Cobb wrote the Nebelung’s standard, almost identical to the Russian blue’s except for the coat length and opening description. TICA accepted the Nebelung for registration in September 1987.

Since then, the number of Nebelungs has slowly grown and, despite setbacks and resistence from Russian blue breeders, the breed caught worldwide attention. In 1997 TICA granted championship status, a major step for the breed. Only a small number of breeders are currently working with the Nebelung, but they expect that number to grow as more people come to know and love these longhaired beauties and their sweet, gentle personalities. Nebelungs are also being bred in Russia and a number of Russian Nebelung cats have been imported to strengthen the American lines and widen the gene pool. Fanciers consider the Nebelung a re-creation of the Russian longhairs shown at the first modern day cat show in London’s Crystal Palace in 1871. These longhairs looked much like the Nebelungs of today.

Appearance

The primary difference between the Nebelung and the Russian blue is coat length. The Russian blue’s coat is short and dense, while the Nebelung’s fur is medium-long, fine, soft, silky and double layered. The coat is semi-long over the body beginning at the shoulders, where the coat is slightly shorter. The hind legs possess pantaloons, and the tail sports an elegant plume.

This breed comes in only one pattern, solid, and one color – what cat fanciers call blue, but what is actually a light gray. The color is contrasted with lighter, silver-tipped guard hairs, making the coat catch the light and giving it a luminous quality. Eye color is always green, although kittens may have yellow eyes that deepen to green as they mature. By eight months, a green ring should have appeared around the pupil.

The Nebelung’s body style is semi-foreign, which means long, slender, and athletic with medium bone structure. Although the Nebelung’s body is slim, it is still muscular and strong; a Nebelung can easily leap to the top of the tallest bookcase. The head is a modified wedge shape, more pointed than rounded, although the long hair may give a rounded look to the face. The eyes are slightly oval and widely spaced, and the ears are large and pointed.

Personality

Like Russian blues, Nebelungs are sweet, gentle, soft-spoken companions that dislike change and usually need a “getting to know you” adjustment period. They are reserved around strangers, ranging from hiding under the bed in terror to warily eyeing the intruders from a safe distance. But once they adjust and learn that they can trust their human friends, Nebelungs become playful and affectionate companions. They tend to bond with one person and shower him or her with love and devotion.

While loyal to their family, Nebelungs are not in-your-face intrusive. Some enjoy lap sitting while others prefer sitting beside you, and most refrain from driving you crazy asking for attention. That doesn’t mean you can leave them alone for days and expect them to take care of themselves. They need the love and attention of their human family and particularly from their chosen person if they are to lead happy lives. If you must leave them alone while you earn the cat food, provide a cat companion to keep your Nebelung company while you’re away.

Grooming

Even with the double layered coat, the fur resists matting and doesn’t require the amount of grooming some longhairs do. Still, Nebelungs do require a certain amount of care to look their best. Figure combing twice or three times a week with a good quality steel comb, and every other day during the seasonal shedding periods. The Nebelung generally goes through two yearly sheddings – once in the fall when they shed their summer coat and once in the spring when they shed their winter coat . Seasonal variations in coat length are common in this breed.

Nebelungs are still quite rare and can be hard to obtain. In the United States, breeders can be found in Washington State, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, and Mississippi.

Association Acceptance

The Nebelung is accepted for championship by:

The Traditional Cat Association, Inc. (TCA)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

In the non-championship experimental class by:

Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF)

For registration only by:

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)

Special Notes

In order to keep the gene pool healthy and to keep the Russian blue body type, breeders use Russian blues in their breeding programs. This results in a number of shorthaired Nebelungs, which closely resemble Russian blues. Since such kittens cannot be registered or shown as either Russian blues or Nebelungs, they are easier and less expensive to obtain, and still possess the Nebelung’s sweet personality traits.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a Himalayan

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

To say the Himalayan is popular is an understatement. Each year, the Himmie, as he’s affectionately called, recruits more devoted humans into his not-so-exclusive fan club. Membership requires only two things – a desire to share your life and heart with a sweet, devoted feline, and a willingness to spend part of every day slaving over a hot cat comb. The Himalayan demands a serious time commitment to keep those long locks looking lovely.

History and Origin

The Himalayan was created in the 1950s by American and British breeders whose goal was to create a cat with the pattern and color of the Siamese but the body and head type of the Persian. By breeding together Persians and Siamese and then crossbreeding the offspring, these breeders succeeded in producing the desired appearance.

The Cat Fancier’s  Association (CFA) and American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA) recognized the breed in 1957 under the name Himalayan, so named for the color pattern found in other animals such as the Himalayan rabbit. By 1961, all major United States cat associations recognized the Himalayan.

In 1984, the CFA united the Himalayan and the Persian breeds into one, with the Himalayan considered a division rather than a separate breed. Himalayans are shown in the Himalayan color division of the Persian breed, and are called pointed pattern Persians. Persians that carry the colorpoint gene are called colorpoint carriers. The reason for this change? By the 1980s, the body, head, and coat types were the same for both breeds. Only the colors and pattern remained of the Siamese ancestors. Also, since the breeders were required to cross their Himalayans to Persians now and then to maintain the body and head type, registration and status problems arose for the hybrid offspring. Previously, the hybrids were not considered true members of either breed. As varieties of the same breed, the hybrids could be registered and shown in whatever color division they qualified.

The decision was controversial, however, and not everyone was happy with the new policy. Some Persian breeders didn’t like the idea of hybrids being introduced into their pure Persian bloodlines, and some Himalayan breeders were concerned about losing the breed that they had worked so hard to refine. In fact, a group of fanciers split from the CFA and formed the National Cat Fanciers’ Association (NCFA) because they so strongly disagreed with the new policy.

Appearance

Heavily boned, broad through the chest, low on the legs, and massive across the shoulders and rump, the ideal Himalayan is a large, substantial cat with an overall impression of roundness, a body style known as “cobby.” The long coat adds to the impression of roundness and mass.

Two distinct facial types exist – the extreme and the traditional. In both types, the Himalayan has small, rounded ears set low on the head, wide, round eyes, full cheeks, and a full well-developed chin. Although the extreme head type is favored in the show ring, the traditional has many fans. The extreme’s face is round and flattened, and the nose is short and snub with a definite break. The nose is nearly as high as the eyes. The current show trend toward a more extreme facial type troubles some fanciers, who feel the extreme face is harmful to the breed. Reported problems include breathing distress, eye tearing, malocclusions, and birthing difficulties.

The traditional’s head is also round and massive. However, the nose, while short and snub, is placed lower on the face, and only has a slight break. The up-curving mouth helps give the desired sweet expression that fanciers of this type prize. Reportedly, this type experiences fewer problems than his extreme counterpart.

Like their Siamese ancestors, Himalayans are decorated with the pointed pattern. Pointed and lynx-point colors accepted are seal, chocolate, lilac, blue, flame, cream, tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, and lilac-cream.

Personality

Himalayans make perfect indoor companions. Like their Persian siblings, Himmies are devoted and loyal. They are gentle, calm, and sweet-tempered, but they also possess a fun-loving, playful side. Himalayans love to play fetch, and a scrap of crumpled paper or a kitty toy will entertain them for hours. More vocal and active than the Persian (a gift from their Siamese ancestors, no doubt), they are nevertheless much quieter and less active than the Siamese. Himalayans are devoted and dependent upon their humans for companionship and protection. They crave affection and love to be petted and groomed, which is a good thing since every Himalayan owner will spend part of each day doing just that.

Grooming

Breeders recommend a 10 to 15 minute grooming session each day and a thorough one hour grooming session once a week. During the shedding months – spring when they shed their heavier winter coats, and fall before growing their winter coats – additional grooming is usually necessary. Occasional bathing is also needed to remove oil accumulation. Some breeders recommend a bath every two weeks, although some can go longer, depending on the oiliness of the skin. Daily face washing is necessary if tear staining is a problem, which it often is with this breed. Fortunately, with their calm, gentle personalities, Himalayans take well to grooming if you are gentle, consistent, and start their grooming programs early in their lives. Some breeders report that the Himmie coat is easier to maintain, and that eye tearing is not as much of a problem as it is with the Persian.

Although the breed is popular and plentiful, some breeders still have waiting lists for their kittens. If you want a bargain, look for a retired breeder or show cat. They can be purchased relatively inexpensively since the breeder generally is looking for a good home for the cat, not a high price.

Association Acceptance

The Himalayan is accepted for championship by the following North American cat associations:

American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE)

American Cat Association (ACA) as a division of the Persian breed

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) as a division of the Persian breed

Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF)

National Cat Fanciers’ Association (NCFA)

Traditional Cat Association (TCA)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

United Feline Organization (UFO)

Because Himalayans are regularly crossed with Persians, most associations have special rules that allow for these Himalayan/Persian hybrids. In TICA, for example, Persian, Himalayan, and exotic (shorthaired Persian) hybrids may be registered and shown with the parental breed they resemble. That means if a cross between a Persian and a Himalayan results in offspring that look like Himalayans, they can be registered and shown as Himalayans. If the mating produces offspring that look like Persians, they can be registered and shown as Persians.

Special Notes

Himalayan health concerns include breathing difficulties, eye tearing, malocclusions and birthing difficulties due to the head size and the flat face of the extreme Himalayan. Reportedly, traditional Himalayans tend to have fewer of these health problems. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which can cause kidney failure, is also known to exist in some Persian and Himalayan lines. Ask the breeder if the cat has been screened for PKD before agreeing to buy.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a Cymric

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

Also known as the longhaired Manx, the Cymric is a plush, huggable breed with the unique qualities of the Manx plus a dense, semi-long coat. Like the Manx, the Cymric is one tail short – the defining characteristic of the breed. While some unenlightened souls think that a cat is ill-dressed indeed without an elegant tail, Cymric fanciers believe a cat should not be defined by its tail any more than humans should be defined by the style of their clothes or the color of their skin. And Cymrics get their feelings across just fine without a tail to lash.

History and Origin

The ultimate survivor, the Cymric developed on the Isle of Man, a small island located in the middle of the Irish Sea midway between Liverpool, England, and Belfast, Ireland.

Also known as the longhaired Manx, the Cymric is a plush, huggable breed with the unique qualities of the Manx plus a dense, semi-long coat. Like the Manx, the Cymric is one tail short – the defining characteristic of the breed. While some unenlightened souls think that a cat is ill-dressed indeed without an elegant tail, Cymric fanciers believe a cat should not be defined by its tail any more than humans should be defined by the style of their clothes or the color of their skin. And Cymrics get their feelings across just fine without a tail to lash.
The Isle’s records indicate that the breed first began as a mutation among the island’s domestic cat population, although some believe that the mutation may have occurred elsewhere and was transported onto the island by trading ships. However, since this happened hundreds of years ago, we’ll never know for sure.

Since both long and shorthaired cats were present on the island, both longhaired and shorthaired varieties developed on the Isle. Presumably, the gene for long hair passed around the island’s closed environment, just as did the dominant gene for taillessness. Unlike the Manx gene, however, long hair is a recessive trait, and the gene can be carried without manifesting for generations.

While the Cymric was shown in America as early as 1963, the breed didn’t really begin to become popular until the mid 1970s. The breed’s name was derived from the word “Cymru,” the Welsh word for Wales. Pioneer Cymric breeder Blair Wright had heard her grandmother tell tales of the longhaired tailless cats she’d seen in that area during her childhood, so the name seemed appropriate. Today, most cat associations accept the Cymric as a breed in its own right.

Appearance

Short on tail, the Cymric is long on fur. It’s the luxurious coat that sets the Cymric apart from the Manx. The heavy, glossy coat is medium long, dense and full. A thick undercoat gives the coat density and a well-padded appearance and adds to the Cymric’s illusion of size and heft. The breeches, abdomen and neck-ruff are usually longer than the fur on the main body. Tufts decorate the ears and toes, and the cheeks sport full, thick sprouts of hair, giving the face a broad appearance. Like the Manx, the Cymric comes in all colors and patterns except those that suggest hybridization, such as the Siamese pointed pattern.

The body and head style is the same as the Manx’s. The overall impression is that of roundness: round head, firm, round muzzle, prominent cheeks, broad chest, and a rump as round as a grapefruit. The legs are short and substantial and the hind legs are strong and longer than the front, giving the cat spring power.

Tail Types

The “Manx gene” produces a variety of tail lengths, and any given litter can have all four types. Predicting how many pet-quality and show-quality Cymrics one is likely to get in a single litter is difficult indeed. Tail types are separated into four varieties:

Rumpy Cymric are highly prized since this tail type is favored in the show ring. Rumpies are completely tailless and often have a dimple at the base of the spine where the tail would ordinarily begin.

Rumpy-risers have a short knob of tail which consists of one to three vertebrae connected to the last bone of the spine. Risers can be shown if the vertical rise of the tail doesn’t stop the judge’s hand when the cat is stroked.

Stumpies have a short tail stump that is often curved or kinked and cats with this tail type are usually pet quality.

Longies have tails that are almost as long as an average cat’s. Many breeders dock the tails of these pet-quality kittens to make them easier to place and to avoid a manifestation of the Manx gene, which causes the tail vertebrae to ossify in later years, causing great pain.

Personality

The Cymric shares the Manx’s pleasant personality. Cymrics are even-tempered, calm, intelligent and adaptable, and generally form strong bonds with their human companions. While they ordinarily bond with one special person, they enjoy the company of all family members. Cymrics generally make good family pets, and get along with other companion animals, even dogs. Cymrics are playful, and if given the opportunity become talented mousers. Like the Manx, Cymrics are fascinated by water. Cymrics are remarkable jumpers because of their powerful back legs and can usually be found perched on the highest shelf.

Grooming

Because of the semi-long fur and thick undercoat, some grooming is required. However, the fur reportedly resists matting and therefore doesn’t require as much grooming as other longhaired breeds. Still, the Cymric’s dense coat needs combing with a good quality steel comb two or three times a week to remove loose fur and prevent matting.

Cost

Pet quality Cymrics range from around $500 to $700, depending upon the breeder, location, gender, coat pattern and color and, of course, the type of tail. The rare, prized rumpy Cymric runs $1,000 and up, particularly if its body type meets the show standard and its coat is of good quality and texture.

Association Acceptance

American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE)

American Cat Association (ACA)

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) under the name “Manx Longhair”

The International Cat Association (TICA)

United Feline Organization (UFO)

In 1994, the CFA accepted the Cymric as a division of the Manx breed, renaming the breed “Manx Longhair.” This was a boon to breeders since longhaired kittens born to Manx parents (possible when both parents carry the longhair gene) could be registered and shown in the longhair division. The other associations consider the Manx and the Cymric separate breeds, but most allow longhaired Manx offspring to be registered as Cymrics. This eliminates status problems with “split litters,” in which both hair lengths are present. TICA considers the Manx and the Cymric members of the Manx/Cymric breed group.

Special Notes

Cymric kittens that inherit two copies of the Manx gene, one from each parent, die before birth and are reabsorbed in the womb. Since these kittens make up about 25 percent of all kittens conceived from Cymric to Cymric matings (and Manx to Manx matings) litters are usually small, usually averaging two, three or four. The Manx gene can also cause severe defects of the spine such as spina bifida, gaps in the vertebrae, fused vertebrae and defects of the colon. These problems usually occur within the first month, but since they can occur within the first four months of age, most breeders keep their kittens for at least 16 weeks. Buy from a breeder who is willing to guarantee the health of his or her kittens, and avoid Cymrics that show any signs of weakness in the hindquarters or that walk stiffly, hop or have trouble moving.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a Chantilly/Tiffany

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

The chantilly/tiffany, a dipped-in-chocolate brown feline breed with a confusing name, is prized for a beautiful semi-long coat, long, semi-foreign body style, and gently pleasing personality. While currently rare, the breed has a small but devoted group of cat fanciers with a taste for chocolate. In fact, this breed is billed as the chocoholics delight.

Despite rumors to the contrary, the chantilly/tiffany is not, never was, and never will be a longhaired Burmese. The body, head and coat types of the two breeds are entirely different, and Burmese have never been used in the chantilly/tiffany breeding program.

History and Origin

For a new breed, the chantilly/tiffany has been around for a long time. The breed was discovered in 1967 when the breed’s original proponent, Jennie Robinson, bought two longhaired chocolate-colored cats from a pet shop in White Plains, New York.

The two – an 18-month-old male, Thomas, and a 6-month-old female, Shirley – produced their first litter in May 1969. During the next 7 years, Thomas and Shirley produced some 60 longhaired solid chocolate brown kittens. The American Cat Association (ACA) registered the cats as “sable foreign longhairs” and in the early 1970s Thomas and several kittens were exhibited in shows on the east coast.

Eventually, Robinson stopped breeding, but in the 1970s breeder Sigyn Lund bought Robinson’s cats and continued working with the breed. Because show judges thought the name “foreign longhair” was too general, Lund named the breed “tiffany” after the Tiffany Theater, whose name she associated with class and elegance. Since Lund was a Burmese breeder, fanciers assumed the breed was a longhaired Burmese bred from her stock, although this was not so. The misinformation spread, however, and articles and books repeated the error, creating confusion. In 1979, TICA accepted the tiffany, but in the Burmese breed section. ACA dropped the breed from recognition because it was so rare. When Lund stopped breeding in the mid-1980s, the breed came close to extinction.

The breed probably would have vanished if not for fancier Tracy Oraas of Onoway, Canada, who fell in love with the tiffany in 1988. After a lot of detective work, Oraas concluded that Burmese were never used in the breeding program. She and breeder Jan DeRegt created a new breeding program using European Angoras, Havanas, Somalis and nebelungs.

In 1992, Oraas was asked to rename the breed because of possible confusion with the British tiffanie. They chose “chantilly” because they wished to preserve the elegance the tiffany name represented. The breed is now known as the tiffany, the chantilly and the chantilly/tiffany, depending upon the cat association. Still rare, the breed is slowly gaining in both numbers and acceptance.

Appearance

The ideal chantilly/tiffany is a striking feline with a slender, long, semi-foreign body elegantly clothed in glossy, silky semi-long fur. The fur lacks the downy undercoat that would mat easily. The tail bears a glorious plume, and ear furnishings extend from inside the ear like long streamers. A handsome neck ruff frames and softens the gentle contours of the face.

The head is a broad modified wedge shape with gentle contours, further softened by the long fur. The muzzle is strong, broad and softly squared. The vivid yellow, amber or gold eyes are modified ovals set far apart and at a slight angle. The ears are medium in size, rounded, and set well apart.

Originally only accepted in solid chocolate brown, today the chantilly/tiffany comes in a range of colors and patterns. Accepted colors are chocolate, blue, cinnamon, fawn and lilac. Accepted patterns are solid, mackerel tabby, spotted tabby and ticked tabby.

Personality

With a low-key, warm personality as pleasant as a cup of cocoa on a cold night, chantilly/tiffanies are gaining fanciers. They are gentle, quiet cats that nevertheless enjoy a good game of fetch, or any game in which you participate. They have temperate personalities – not too docile, too active, or too vocal – in fact, say fanciers, just right. They enjoy making conversation with their favorite humans but their voices are quiet. Their soft, sweet chirps sound a bit like pigeons cooing.

Chantilly/tiffanies usually bond with one or two family members and become devoted and loving but not overly demanding companions. They’ll follow you from room to room but won’t pester you for attention the way more active breeds will. Don’t get the idea that they don’t need companionship, though. Very people-oriented, chantilly/tiffanies need human interaction and don’t do well if ignored or left alone for long periods. Although loyal to their favorite humans, they are usually reserved around strangers.

Grooming

The breed’s semi-long fur lacks the dense, easily matted downy undercoat, so chantilly/tiffanies don’t need as much grooming as some longhaired breeds. A good combing twice a week, with special attention paid to the longer fur on the ruff and hindquarters, is enough. The ears need regular cleaning with a cotton ball and warm water, however, since they’re inclined to accumulate wax.

Association Acceptance

American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE) in the New Breed and Color class under the name “chantilly”

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA) in the New Breed and Color class under the name “chantilly”

The International Cat Association (TICA) for registration under the name “tiffany”

Traditional Cat Association, Inc. (TCA) for championship under the name “chantilly/tiffany”

United Feline Organization (UFO) for championship under the name “chantilly/tiffany”

Special Notes

The chantilly/tiffany should not be confused with the tiffanie, a breed recognized by Britain’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). A striking cat with a silky semi-long coat and a Burmese body and head type, the tiffanie and his shorthaired counterpart the Burmilla was created in 1981 in London by a mating between a lilac Burmese female and a silver chinchilla Persian male. The tiffanie is not related to North America’s chantilly/tiffany.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a California Spangled Cat

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

The California spangled cat is a spotted feline with the look of the wild and the heart of a domestic. Specifically bred to resemble spotted wildcats such as the ocelot and leopard, the spangled cat was created to make a statement about the plight of the world’s dwindling wildcats. Ironically, the spangled cat is one of the most rare of cat breeds. Nevertheless, the spangled has a small but dedicated following with people who love the breed’s active personality and exotic looks.

History and Origin

A conversation with the late anthropologist Louis Leakey inspired Paul Casey, animal advocate and writer, to undertake the creation of the spangled cat. When working on a writing project in Africa in 1971, Casey visited the famous Olduvai Gorge where years before Louis and Mary Leakey had discovered fossils of a new hominid species.

While there, Casey was shocked to hear that one of the last breeding leopards in that territory had just been killed by poachers. In their later conversation in California, Casey and Dr. Leakey explored the idea that if people had a domestic cat that looked like a mini-leopard, they would have a concrete reason to relate to the conservation problem. In other words, people wouldn’t want to wear fur coats that looked a lot like their beloved house pets.

The idea stuck with Casey and in the mid-1970s he drew up an 11-generation blueprint for his lap-sized leopard, using traditional Siamese, Angoras, British shorthairs, American shorthair, Manx, and Abyssinians. These breeds gave Casey the core bloodline and each was introduced in a precise order to provide a specific characteristic to the breed. No wildcats were used in the breeding program. After he developed the core line, Casey added a spotted street cat from Egypt that possessed the feral, primitive look he wanted: a domed forehead, heavy musculature, wide-set eyes and ears, and well-defined whisker pads. And, of course, spots. This Egyptian cat, Casey claims, is a descendant of the original spotted cat worshiped in ancient Egypt. He also found that the Egyptian cat had a wonderful, social temperament, a bonus for the breed. Lastly, Casey added a shorthaired, spotted Malayan domestic cat that added musculature and a short, soft, velvety coat.

By 1985 Casey had the look he wanted for the spangled cat. He gathered a small group of breeders to help promote and propagate the breed, and formed the California Spangled Cat Association (now called CSCA International), not only to further the spangled cat but to promote protection of wildcats as well.

To gain national attention for the spangled cat, Casey introduced the cat-loving public to his creation through an advertising campaign in the 1986 Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalog. The cats were featured in a two-page spread as “his and hers” gifts priced at $1400 each. The promotion was controversial, particularly so since the same catalog featured fox, beaver, mink, coyote and ermine fur coats. This advertising strategy managed to anger just about everyone, from the animal-rights people, who were against deliberate breeding of domestic cats, to the cat fancier’s, who felt that the three spotted breeds already accepted were plenty. Even the Neiman-Marcus folks were mad; they weren’t pleased that Casey was speaking out against wearing furs.

However, it’s rightly said that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, because the advertising and the controversy brought the spangled cat exposure it otherwise never would have had. Neiman-Marcus received hundreds of inquiries about the cats, and took many more orders than Casey could fill. The demand for the cats depleted his stock, which slowed the breed’s development.

Today, numbers are still small and acceptance in most of the cat associations has eluded the California spangled cat. However, a small, devoted group of breeders and fanciers are working with the breed and continuing their conservation efforts. Members of the California Spangled Cat Association think of these cats as little ambassadors for their wild cousins.

Appearance

The California spangled cat truly resembles a little leopard with the dynamic spots, low-slung hunter-like gait, and long, lean, muscular body. The forelegs are carried at a nearly 90-degree angle at the elbow, allowing the body to ride low, heightening the wildcat effect. Overall, the spangled creates the illusion of a much larger cat.

The face is expressive with wide, well-contoured, sculpted cheekbones, well-developed whisker pads, and a strong chin and jaw. The muzzle is broad, medium length and well-developed. Medium-sized, rounded ears set high on the head and well back from the face add to the wild look. The almond-shaped eyes are set well apart and slope gently.

However, the spots set the breed apart. The short coat shows off the pattern nicely. Blocked or rounded spots are preferred. Round, square, oval or triangular shapes are permissible, while crescent, eyelet, or fish scale markings are considered faults. Tabby-like barring may be present on the head, chest, and legs, but the body is unmistakably spotted. The spots may be grouped into rosette patterns.

Because of the diversity of colors used in the breed’s creation, the spangled cat comes in a wide palette of spotted colors: silver, bronze, gold, red, blue, brown, black and charcoal. The spots themselves are dark, well-defined, and sharply contrasted to the background color.

Two other varieties exist as well – the snow leopard and the king spangled. The snow leopard resembles the central Asian great cat by that name. A light background, vivid spots, and blue eyes give this variety a particularly dramatic look. Born white, the snow leopard develops markings as she matures. The king spangled resembles the endangered king cheetah. At birth, the king spangled is completely black except for the face, legs and underbelly. In adulthood, strap-like segments and rows of diamond-shaped markings join at the cat’s sides. The face shows pale tear-stain markings which extend from the inner corner of the eye down to the outer edge of the mouth.

Personality

Despite the wild look, California spangled cats are affectionate, curious, social, and devoted to their humans. Known for their well-honed intelligence, spangled cats generally find ways to wrap their humans around their spotted paws, and make you love them for it. You’ll find them perching at eye-level to keep eye contact with you and to get a good view of the action. They are also noted for their energy and athletic abilities, and will keep you amused with their acrobatics. They have strong hunting instincts and are quick to pounce on unsuspecting toes or catnip mice — or the real thing, if so allowed. Toys with feathers are always a hit. Spangled cats particularly enjoy games in which you take an active role.

Grooming

California spangled cats need little grooming. Their short, sleek coats need minimal maintenance. Use a rubber brush once a week or so to remove loose hair, particularly during the fall and spring shedding seasons.

Cost

Getting a spangled cat is difficult since numbers are limited, prices high, and waiting lists long. Spangled cats begin at about $800 and go up to $2500, sometimes more. Too, preference may be given to people who will be active in breeding their cats, since numbers are vital to the advancement of this breed.

Association Acceptance

The California spangled cat is accepted for registration by:

The International Cat Association (TICA)

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a Bengal

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

If you like to walk on the wild side, the Bengal may be the breed for you. Originally created by crossing Asian leopard cats with domestic cats, the Bengal is a large, athletic, spotted cat with short, glossy fur. Now generations away from its wild ancestors, the Bengal is domestic in temperament but has retained its exotic, feral look. The Bengal is the most numerous and popular of the spotted domestic breeds and is the only domestic cat/wild cat cross that’s widely accepted.

History and Origin

While the first Bengal was created in California in 1963 by an unintentional mating between a female Asian leopard cat and a domestic shorthair male, the breed as we know it today began in 1980, when breeders began a planned breeding program. The originator, Jean Mill, wanted to create a cat that looked like the Asian leopard cat but had a domestic’s temperament.

The Asian leopard cat, Felis bengalensis, a small spotted wild cat native to southern Asia, was used in the breed’s foundation. Leopard cats provided by a geneticist at the University of California at Davis were bred to American domestics, ocicats, Egyptian Maus, Abyssinians, and Burmese to create the Bengal’s unique appearance.

Appearance

The Bengal is a large, sleek, beautifully spotted cat with a powerful, athletic frame. Adult males are usually 10 to 18 pounds in weight, while adult females usually run 7 to 12 pounds. The body is long and very muscular, resembling the leopard cat’s powerful appearance. The head is a broad modified wedge-shape and is longer than it is wide. Large almond-shaped eyes, set wide apart, and short rounded ears enhance the feral look.

In the Bengal, the spots are aligned horizontally rather than in random or tabby configuration. Like snowflakes, no two Bengals have the same pattern. Accepted colors are brown tabby, seal lynx point, seal sepia tabby and seal mink tabby. The spots can be black, brown, tan, chocolate or cinnamon and contrast with the background color. Vivid markings with sharp contrast of colors is the mark of a show Bengal. Some Bengals possess a recessive “glitter gene” that gives the fur an iridescent glow, as if covered with warm frost. The coat is short with a thick, luxurious, unusually soft texture.

Personality

What’s the Bengal like? In a word – active. Bengals are lively, energetic cats with a healthy dose of feline curiosity. Graceful, strong, and agile, Bengals love to climb and will gravitate to the highest point in any room. Almost uncannily intelligent, Bengals learn quickly and can be taught a number of tricks – as long as you make it worth their while with a few cat treats, of course. In fact, some learn tricks you’d rather they didn’t, such as opening cupboards, turning on and off light switches and flushing toilets. They are fascinated by water, and some will even join their owners in the bathtub for a dip.

Bengals form strong, emotional bonds with their human friends, and become loving, loyal companions. Because of their deep attachment to their humans and their high activity level, they need more human interaction than some breeds. If you’re away all day and have an active social life at night, another breed might be a better choice.

Grooming

The Bengal is easy to care for; just a brief combing once a week to remove dead hairs will keep Tiger looking terrific.

Cost

Pet quality Bengals usually run $500 to $1,000, depending upon the breeder and location. Breeder quality will set you back $1,000 to $1,500 and show quality runs $1,500 to $2,000. When choosing a Bengal, make sure she is at least four generations away from her Asian leopard cat ancestors to avoid getting a cat with the Asian leopard cat’s shy nature and unpleasant elimination habits. Leopard cats are virtually impossible to litter box train, because in the wild they eliminate in running water to keep bigger predators from tracking them. Ask the breeder if the cat has been bred Bengal to Bengal for at least four generations, and ask to see a copy of the pedigree.

Association Acceptance

American Cat Fanciers’ Association (ACFA)

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

United Feline Organization (UFO)

Traditional Cat Association, Inc. (TCA)

Each year, the Bengal gains more fans as fanciers discover the breed’s charms.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing an American Wirehair

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

At first sight, these scruffy-looking, bright-eyed kitties might look like American shorthairs

whose coats have been shamefully neglected. Look again. The American Wirehair is supposed to look like that – frizzy, kinky, wild hair standing up in springy ringlets or coarse clumps. Look closely and you’ll see that each hair looks like it’s been crimped with a miniature curling iron. It’s the distinctive coat that sets this rare breed apart.

History and Origin

Like the American curl and many other new breeds, the wirehair began as a spontaneous mutation in the domestic cat population. The first American wirehairs were born in 1966 to ordinary barn cat parents on small farm in Verona, N.Y. The parents, Fluffy and Bootsie, were ordinary domestic cats with no special traits, but somewhere along the bloodline Mother Nature worked her magic and all five of their kittens in that special litter had peculiar wiry fur.

Unfortunately, all but one were killed by a weasel, and subsequent matings between Fluffy and Bootsie produced no more wirehairs.

Joan O’Shea of nearby Vernon, N.Y. acquired the one remaining kitten – a red and white bicolor male. An experienced breeder of rex cats, O’Shea recognized that the frizzy ball of wiry fur might represent a new breed. Council Rock Farm Adam of Hi-Fi, as the kitten was named, was later mated with a calico named Tip-Toe, who promptly produced two red and white wirehairs and two straight-coated kittens. O’Shea bought the two wirehairs and named them Aby and Amy. All of today’s wirehairs are descendants of the appropriately named Adam, the first of his kind, even though he died when he was only about 4 years old.

Subsequent matings of Adam to unrelated females confirmed that the gene governing the unique hair was dominant. In theory, approximately fifty percent of kittens in any given litter will be wirehairs if one parent has one copy of the dominant wirehair gene.

Breeders Bill and Madeline Beck joined O’Shea and were instrumental in getting the breed recognized. In 1967 the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) accepted the American wirehairs for registration and in 1978 granted championship status.

O’Shea stopped working with the breed around 1970, and the Becks stopped soon after. Since then, a small handful of breeders and exhibitors have kept the breed going.

Appearance

Since American shorthairs were, and still are, used in wirehair breeding programs, the body type has been influenced by the ASH. Medium to large in size, wirehairs are strong and well-muscled with strong legs and firm full paws. The head is round with prominent cheekbones and a well-developed muzzle and chin. The ears are medium size and slightly rounded, and the eyes are large, round, and set well apart. The medium length tail tapers to a rounded tip.

Of course, it’s the coat that really sets this breed apart. Each hair is crimped, hooked or bent, including the whiskers and the hair within the ears, giving this breed a unique coat that’s short, springy, resilient, coarse, and very dense. While not considered one of the rex breeds, the American wirehair possesses a mutation that’s similar in some respects. All three types of hairs (down, awn and guard), are affected. Since the breed is still being developed, significant variation in fur texture and length can exist from cat to cat.

All colors and patterns are accepted with the exception of those showing evidence of hybridization resulting in the colors chocolate, lavender, the colorpoint pattern or those combinations with white.

Personality

As with any breed, temperament depends upon upbringing and bloodline, and the American shorthair crosses has had an effect on the wirehair personality, too. However, in general, fanciers say that a sweet, loving personality comes with the kinky coat. Wirehairs are playful without being hyper, and affectionate without being clingy. They want to be involved in every aspect of your life, and will follow you from room to room to make sure your activities meet with their approval. Wirehairs generally dislike being held and cuddled, though, preferring to be a “four on the floor” cat.

Wirehairs are also known for their playful natures and clown-like antics. They love to be the center of attention and amuse their humans with daring attacks upon catnip mice and daring leaps to the tops of cat trees.

Fanciers say that wirehairs seem particularly in tune with their humans’ feelings and offer comfort and companionship when their favorite humans are feeling blue. That’s when they turn on the purrs and crawl into your lap to offer feline support.

Grooming

If you hate slaving over a hot cat comb, the American wirehair is for you – it’s one of the few breeds that does not benefit from grooming. The wiry hair is fragile and easy to damage with brushing or combing, particularly if wire slicker type brushes are used. During the spring and fall shedding seasons, some grooming may be needed to remove dead hairs.

Association Acceptance

American Cat Association (ACA)

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

United Feline Organization (UFO)

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a Bombay

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

Bombays may look like miniature black panthers, but these cats are purely domestic. A comparatively rare breed, Bombays are well loved by fanciers for their pleasing packaging and people-oriented personality. Black to the roots with snapping copper eyes, this breed combines the body style and personality of the Burmese with the solid black coloration of the black American shorthair.

History and Origin

The Bombay is a creation of the late Nikki Horner. A breeder and exhibitor since the age of 16, Horner bred award-winning American shorthairs, Burmese, exotics, Himalayans, Persians, and Siamese over her long cat fancy career. In the 1950s, while she was breeding sable Burmese and the black American shorthairs, she envisioned a Burmese with a sleek black coat and snapping copper eyes – sort of a pint-sized panther. Because she imagined it would look like the black leopard of India, she named her brainchild after the city of Bombay.

Her first effort in 1958 was a failure – the kittens she produced looked more like poor American shorthairs than black Burmese. However, in 1965 she tried again, choosing her breeding stock more carefully, and eventually she achieved the look she wanted. Despite opposition from Burmese breeders – they were not excited about Horner coloring outside their bloodlines – in 1970 the Cat Fancier’s Association accepted the Bombay for registration and in 1976 granted championship status.

Horner quit breeding at this point, exhausted from the long years of struggle to get the breed accepted. Other breeders, however, had fallen in love with the Bombay’s beauty and personality and worked to keep the breed going. Starting over with new bloodlines, breeders Herb and Suzanne Zwecker produced Road to Fame’s Luv It Black, a breakthrough cat for the breed. Until Luv It Black’s win as CFA’s Second Best Cat in 1985, Bombays were doing poorly in the shows due to poor breed quality and opposition from Burmese breeders. Luv It Black can be found in the pedigrees of many of today’s Bombays.

Appearance

The Bombay is known as the cat with the patent leather coat and new penny eyes. The ideal contemporary Bombay is medium-sized with substantial bone structure and good muscular development, a cat that feels surprisingly heavy for its size. The head is pleasingly rounded with no sharp angles, and the face is full with considerable breadth between the eyes. The muzzle is broad and moderately rounded. The eyes are rounded and are set far apart. Eye color ranges from gold to copper. The medium-sized ears are tilted slightly forward and set well apart. The tail is straight and medium in length.

Two head types exist, the traditional and the contemporary. The traditional Bombay has a longer, narrower muzzle than the contemporary Bombay. The less extreme head type of the traditional is preferred by some fanciers, and are more often seen in TICA shows. CFA shows favor the contemporary.

The coat, one of the breed’s nicest features, is fine and close-lying with a patent leather sheen. The short satiny fur feels like warm velvet to the touch. Only one color and pattern is accepted – solid black – although most breeding programs produce a certain number of sable-colored cats. To maintain the desired head, body and coat type, breeders cross their Bombays with sable Burmese. This creates certain problems. The gene governing the sable color is recessive, and the gene for black is dominant. If a Bombay has one copy of the black gene and one of the sable gene, as many Bombays do, the cat will be black but will carry sable and can pass it along to the offspring. Any cat that inherits a copy of the sable gene from both parents will be sable. Sable Bombays can only be shown in TICA, where they are considered Burmese.

Personality

If an aloof, independent cat is what you’re craving, this breed isn’t for you. Like Burmese, Bombays are velcro kitties, sticking to your side as if attached. They crave constant attention, and they’ll follow you anywhere to get it. People-oriented and extremely affectionate, Bombays tend to love the entire family rather than bond with only one person. Fanciers say they are particularly good with children.

Bombays have inherited traits from both their parent breeds. Like Burmese, Bombays are playful and intelligent. Like the American shorthair, they are even-tempered and less talkative than the vocal Burmese. When motivated by empty food dishes or momentary neglect, however, they will speak their minds. Bombays don’t do well if left alone for long periods; consider getting another cat to provide company for your Bombay if you’re gone all day.

Grooming

Bombays need little grooming; their short, glossy coats are easy to maintain. Breeders recommend using a rubber brush to remove loose hair, particularly during the fall and spring shedding seasons. In the winter their coats get heavier in texture and in the spring their coats thin out. An occasional bath is also a good way to remove dead hairs, if your Bombay will cooperate.

Cost

Petquality Bombays cost $500 to $700, although some breeders sell sable Bombays for less; a sable Bombay closely resembles a Burmese. Breeder and show quality runs anywhere from $850 to $2000, depending on the breeder, location, bloodline, and gender. Since this is a relatively rare breed, finding your dream kitten can take time. Most breeders maintain waiting lists since demand is high. Retired breeder and show Bombays usually run $200 to $300 to approved homes, but they can be difficult to find as well since the breed is rare.

Association Acceptance

The Bombay is accepted for championship by the following North American cat associations:

American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE)

American Cat Association (ACA)

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)

Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF)

National Cat Fanciers’ Association (NCFA)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

United Feline Organization (UFO)

Special Notes

Bombays are generally healthy cats . However, because they are so closely related to the Burmese, the Bombay can have some of the same health issues. These can include runny eyes, asymmetrical jaws, and sinus and breathing problems. Reportedly, traditional Bombays have fewer of these problems because their faces are not as extremely flattened. Getting a written health guarantee is a wise practice when purchasing any pedigreed cat.

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a Havana Brown

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

One of the cat fancy’s best kept secrets, the Havana brown, first strikes you as an elegant cat with brilliant emerald green eyes in a setting of fur the color of chocolate kisses. Wrapped in that blanket of rich brown fur, however, is a feline with a personality that would enchant any cat lover. Fanciers say Havanas are charming companions with exceptionally devoted temperaments. However, contrary to their name, Havanas are in no way related to the island of Cuba.

History and Origin

Like the Siamese, the Havana brown originates in the mysterious land of Siam, according to a manuscript of verses and illustrations called The Cat-Book Poems. This manuscript was written in the city of Ayudha, Siam, sometime between 1350, when the city was founded, and 1767 when the city was razed by invaders. Solid brown cats were considered very beautiful and were believed to protect their owners from evil.

In the 1800s, solid brown cats and the pointed pattern Siamese were transported from Siam to Britain. Early reports describe these brown cats as “Siamese with coats of burnished chestnut with greeny-blue eyes.” At first, the solid browns were popular. Fanciers exhibited them in Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, in the 1920s, Britain’s Siamese Cat Club no longer permitted the breeding of any but blue-eyed Siamese. Without the club’s support, interest in the green-eyed solid browns dwindled.

However, interest in the solid browns didn’t completely disappear. In the early 1950s, a group of English breeders reproduced them by breeding black domestic shorthairs to chocolate point Siamese, and Russian blues to seal point Siamese. In 1958, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) accepted the breed for championship under the name “Chestnut brown foreign.” Later, the breed was renamed “Havana.”

The first Havana reached the United States in 1956, a female with the grand name of Roofspringer Mahogany Quinn. This cat became the mother of this continent’s Havana brown – almost all Havana browns in North America have Roofspringer somewhere in their ancestry. The breed was first recognized in 1959 under the name Havana brown and in 1964, the CFA granted the breed championship status. Today, the breed has championship status in almost all North American associations.

In Europe, the Havana still exists, but it is very different from the North American Havana brown. This breed is what we would call a chestnut Oriental shorthair – similar in color to the Havana but with a Siamese body style.

Appearance

Havanas are not as svelte as the modern Siamese, but they have a grace all their own. The Havana’s conformation falls midway between the stocky Persian type and the extremely svelte Siamese type, but leans more toward the elegant, slender side.

The Havana’s head shape is unique in the cat fancy. It is longer than it is wide and narrows to a rounded, somewhat narrow muzzle with a pronounced break on both sides behind the whisker pads. This unique muzzle shape is sometimes described as a light bulb or a corn cob. Large, alert ears tilt forward, giving the cat a look of constant curiosity. The brilliant, alert and expressive eyes are oval in shape and set wide apart.

Most associations accept the breed in only one color and pattern: solid warm mahogany brown. However, the Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF) and The International Cat Association (TICA) accept the breed in solid lilac as well – a color described as frost gray with a pinkish tone. Lilacs have the same brilliant green eyes, as do the browns. In both associations, the breed is called the “Havana,” since it is no longer solely brown.

The Havana is the only cat whose breed standard requires a specific whisker color. The standard specifies brown or lilac whiskers to complement the color of the coat.

Personality

Havanas are gentle, intelligent and remarkably adaptable. They take almost any situation in stride, and with confidence and poise set about to rule whatever roost they are given. One-room walk-up or palace – it’s all the same to them as long as they have plenty of love and attention from their human friends.

Havanas make wonderful companions if you like interactive cats. Devoted, affectionate and constantly curious, Havanas want to be where you are, preferably right in the middle of the action. They want to help you read the paper in the morning, type on the computer in the afternoon, and prepare dinner in the evening. Their playful attitudes and ability to adjust to other pets and children make them great family companions. Unlike the Siamese, they are vocally quiet.

However, like the Siamese, Havanas need human interaction and don’t do well if they are ignored or left alone for long periods. Havanas are just not happy without humans around to love. If you work all day and have an active social life at night, consider a less dependent breed.

Grooming

Unless you plan to show, the Havana brown needs little care to keep that glossy coat looking sharp. In fact, breeders warn that excessive grooming can result in bald spots. The coat is very short and close lying with no undercoat, so a once-a-month grooming with a rubber curry brush is enough to remove dead hairs and keep the fur glossy. Breeders recommend the Safari Curry Rubber Brush® for Cats. Brush gently to avoid damaging the coat.

Pricing varies depending upon the quality, breeder and the bloodline. Since the breed is rare and the best stock is generally kept, it’s difficult for a novice fancier to buy breeder or show quality.

Expect delays, too — waiting lists are common. Since Havana brown breeders are more rare than the cats themselves, you may find no breeders in your area or even in your state. In that case you may have to buy your kitten sight unseen and have her shipped to you. Ask to see photos of the parents and all the kittens in the litter, not just yours, and ask for references. Check out the breeder’s cattery with the registering association to make sure he or she is in good standing. Above all, get a written sales contract with a return clause, in case the kitten isn’t as promised.

Association Acceptance

The Havana brown is accepted for championship by the following North American cat associations:

American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE)

American Cat Association (ACA)

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)

Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF) under the name “Havana”

The International Cat Association (TICA) under the name “Havana”

United Feline Organization (UFO)

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Choosing a Balinese

By: Christian Yost

March 29, 2009

Named for the graceful dancers of the Island of Bali, the Balinese is perfect for those who want a companion with the personality and svelte styling of the Siamese and the luxuriance of a semi-long soft-as-ermine coat. And since the fur has no downy undercoat, this breed doesn’t require the upkeep that some longhaired breeds need. You can spend more time playing with your Balinese instead of grooming her.

History and Origin

Unlike many of our newer Oriental breeds, the Balinese was not created intentionally. In fact, breeders were shocked when, in the early 1900s, longhaired kittens began appearing in otherwise shorthaired Siamese litters. This meant both Siamese parents possessed one copy of the gene for long hair, a gene that, as purebred Siamese, they shouldn’t have had. Since long hair is a recessive trait, cats can have the gene and pass it along to their descendants without having long hair themselves.

Only cats that inherit two copies of the gene will have long hair.

How the Siamese picked up the long hair gene has been the subject of debate for many years. Some fanciers think it was introduced into the Siamese gene pool in Europe after World War I. Since the Siamese breed was nearly obliterated in the chaos, other cats were used after the war to help rejuvenate the breed. It’s thought that the Turkish Angora, a breed with a silky, semi-long coat, may have been one of the breeds used.

Other fanciers believe that a natural genetic mutation occurred within the Siamese bloodlines, producing a natural longhaired Siamese. This theory is appealing to some fanciers because it means the Balinese is only one gene apart from the Siamese and is a natural rather than a hybrid breed. But no one really knows for sure. At any rate, most early Siamese breeders quietly gave away these occasional longhairs, fearing other breeders would suspect them of crossing their Siamese with other breeds.

In the 1940s, however, a few progressive fanciers realized these longhaired rebels might make a respectable breed in their own right. New York breeder Helen Smith and California breeder Sylvia Holland began working with the longhaired cats born in Siamese litters. Only Siamese were used in their breeding programs — no other breeds need apply.

Other Siamese breeders, however, were not at all pleased with the new breed and did their best to keep the Balinese from gaining acceptance. But the Balinese fanciers were persistent, and by 1970 all major North American associations recognized the breed.

Appearance

The extreme Balinese has the same body type as an extreme Siamese: a long, tapering wedge-shaped head perched on a long, slender neck; strikingly large, pointed ears that are wide at the base; and medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes. The body is graceful, long, svelte, and tubular with a distinctive combination of fine bones and firm muscles. The tail is long and thin and tapers to a point, but the tail hair makes it appear larger than it actually is. Long, slim legs end with dainty oval paws.

The primary difference between the Siamese and the Balinese is hair length. The Balinese’s coat is fine, silky, and medium length, but the fur lies against the body so it appears shorter than it actually is. The hair on the tail is longer, however, and spreads out in a striking plume. Because of the longer coat, the Balinese has a softer look and appears to have a less extreme body type than the short-coated Siamese.

Two body and head styles exist today — the extreme and the traditional (once called the applehead). The extreme Balinese is the one you generally see at cat shows it has the svelte body style and wedge-shaped head of the extreme Siamese. The traditional Balinese has the stockier body style and the rounder head type of the traditional Siamese, and possesses a semi-long coat.

The Balinese comes decorated in the same colors and pointed pattern as the Siamese. Four colors are accepted by all of the cat associations: seal point, blue point, chocolate point and lilac point. However, most cat organizations, except the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA), recognize the Balinese in the additional colors of red point, cream point, lynx (tabby) point and tortie point. In CFA cat sporting these additional colors are considered a separate breed called the Javanese.

The Javanese was created by crossing Balinese and the colorpoint shorthair. Since the colorpoint shorthair was created in the 1940s by crossing Siamese, Abyssinian, American shorthairs and domestic shorthairs, technically this makes the Javanese a hybrid. The Balinese, however, was created from purebred Siamese lines, so CFA created a separate breed for the cats produced by these crosses.

Personality

Like the Siamese, Balinese are outgoing, people-oriented cats with an appetite for amusement, a talent for conversation, and a burning curiosity about what’s hidden in your cupboards. You can count on them to meet you at the door with a witty remark when you come home from a hard day of earning the Cat food. If you like your cats seen but not heard, this isn’t the breed for you.

Balinese are active and playful, too. They are agile leapers that love heights and can usually be found on top of the highest bookshelf, when they’re not perched on your shoulders. They easily learn to fetch tossed cat toys– in fact, some will teach you the game — and will keep you entertained with their inventive acrobatics.

However, fanciers say it’s their deep desire for love and affection and their loving, trusting personalities that make them wonderful companions. Highly social and perceptive, Balinese are in tune with your moods and are right there to cheer you up if you’re sad or to share in the fun when you’re happy. Since they are vocal themselves, they are sensitive to your tone and dislike loud voices and harsh scoldings. One of the most dependent breeds, Balinese don’t do well if left alone for long periods. If you work all day and play all night, consider another breed or another kind of pet.

Grooming

Because the Balinese’s coat is only semi-long and possesses no downy undercoat, the fur doesn’t mat the way breeds with longer, double coats will. A weekly combing is enough to keep your Balinese buddy looking great.

Cost

A pet quality Balinese runs $500 to $700. Breeder quality costs $1,000 to $1,200, and show quality will set you back $1,000 to $2,000, depending upon breeder, area, bloodline, color, and gender. Breeders will occasionally sell retired breeder or show cats for around the cost of a pet-quality Balinese (sometimes less) to approved homes.

Association Acceptance

The Balinese is accepted for championship by the following North American cat associations:

American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE)

American Cat Association (ACA)

American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)

Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF)

National Cat Fanciers’ Association (NCFA)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

Traditional Cat Association (TCA)

United Feline Organization (UFO)

Special Notes

Like the Siamese, Balinese are generally healthy. However, like most purebred breeds, genetic weaknesses exist in some lines. Notably, some Balinese have problems with gingivitis and the heart disease cardiomyopathy. Tooth care and annual checkups are a must. According to Traditional Cat Association (TCA), the traditional Balinese lacks some of the health concerns of the extreme. Either way, buy from a breeder who offers a health guarantee and registration papers.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com