The Oriental is a man-made breed. The first Oriental was born in England in the 1950s. Breeders needed to rebuild their programs after World War II. Several breeds of cats were developed from cross breedings; one such cat being the Oriental longhair. Cats that were born with color points were reintroduced into the Siamese breeding programs, and cats without points were bred to each other. The resultant litters were the first ancestors of the modern Oriental.
Like other members of the Siamese group of cats, the Oriental longhair is a sleek cat. Fine boning and a triangular head give the Oriental a unique appearance. Fanciers warn new owners not to let the thin appearance of this cat fool you into thinking it is fragile. The Oriental is an excellent athlete that loves to play.
Personality
If you are familiar with any cat in the Siamese group, you can guess what the personality of the Oriental longhair is like. Intelligent, sociable and lively, these cats are nothing if not amusing. The strong personality of these cats means that you love them or you don't; there's no in between. Typical of the Siamese group, the Oriental is a talkative cat. You'll find Orientals following their owners through the house, talking all about their day. This breed does well with humans of all sizes, dogs and other cats. If you decide to welcome an Oriental into your home, keep in mind that it will not do well as an only pet. This is not a cat for someone who enjoys peace and quiet.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 12 years |
| Nicknames: | British Angora, Javanese, Foreign Longhair Mandarin |
Oriental Longhair Build Information
Like other members of the Siamese group of cats, the Oriental longhair is a sleek cat. Fine boning and a triangular head give the Oriental a unique appearance. Fanciers warn new owners not to let the thin appearance of this cat fool you into thinking it is fragile. The Oriental is an excellent athlete that loves to play.
| Size: | Medium - Large |
Behaviour and Personality
If you are familiar with any cat in the Siamese group, you can guess what the personality of the Oriental longhair is like. Intelligent, sociable and lively, these cats are nothing if not amusing. The strong personality of these cats means that you love them or you don't; there's no in between. Typical of the Siamese group, the Oriental is a talkative cat. You'll find Orientals following their owners through the house, talking all about their day. This breed does well with humans of all sizes, dogs and other cats. If you decide to welcome an Oriental into your home, keep in mind that it will not do well as an only pet. This is not a cat for someone who enjoys peace and quiet.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Very affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
As with any longhair cat, the Oriental longhair should be combed or brushed daily. This combing helps to prevent fur from becoming matted. Daily combings also help to prevent hairballs from accumulating in the cat's gut. Claws should be clipped about once a month to keep them short.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | High maintenance (daily) |
Oriental Longhair Common Health Conditions
There are no particular health issues unique to the Oriental longhair. Like any cat, Orientals need a nutritionally-sound diet to maintain optimum physical health. Asthma is fairly common to cats of any breed, and heart and kidney problems can develop as these cats age.
Oriental Longhair Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
There are 281 different colors found in the Oriental longhair breed. If this breed were a human, it would be said to have a dancer's body. The Oriental longhair is a talkative breed. The breeds most similar to the Oriental longhair are the Oriental shorthair and the Siamese.