Oriental Shorthairs are intelligent, social animals who bond closely to their families. They are inquisitive,
friendly, emotional, demanding and often quite vocal.
Oriental Shorthairs are like the Siamese in body type and personality. They share the long, fine-boned legs and tail, tubular body, wedge-shaped head and large ears.
The breed was created in the 1970s to create a Siamese-type cat with a wider variety of colors and patterns, not restricted to colorpoint patterns. Some Oriental Shorthairs do come in pointed varieties. These pointed cats cannot be shown in all associations; in some other associations, pointed Orientals are shown as Siamese.
Like the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair is an outgoing, people-oriented breed. They are talkative, playful, acrobatic, and energetic
Active and playful even in their golden years, Oriental Shorthairs are the pinical of the interactive cat. The Oriental Shorthair’s high intelligence and curiosity make them natural mischief makers, particularly if you aren’t around to entertain them.
At the end of the day, however, they happily curl in your lap or by your side for a cuddle. While the Siamese demands your attention, the Oriental Shorthair craves it. Extremely people-oriented and trusting, with the proper attention and care they grow into a loving, devoted companion. They usually bond with one person and become completely dedicated to him or her.
The Oriental Shorthair comes in every kitty color you've ever imagined, and likely some you haven’t. The Oriental’s reason for being is the coat color whether it is solid, shaded, smoke, parti-color, bi-color or tabby patterned. Sometimes called "Ornamentals" because of the more than 300 possible combinations, the breed is essentially a Siamese not confined to the colorpoint pattern or the four traditional colors. They may well be the most colorful cat breed on the planet. Great for families or individuals living alone.
Oriental Shorthair
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