Oriental Bicolor

Meoww!!

The Oriental Bicolour is any cat of Oriental type, either longhaired or shorthaired and in any pattern including colourpoint, which has white areas on its coat caused by the white spotting gene.

In 5 Words

  • Loving
  • Affectionate
  • Intelligent
  • Agile
  • Athletic

Snapshot

WEIGHT RANGE:

Male: medium: 8-12 lbs.
Female: small: <8 lbs.

EYE COLOR:

Blue, Green, Odd-eyed

EXPECTATIONS:

Longevity Range: 8-12 yrs.
Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
Tendency to Shed: Moderate, High

COAT:

Length: Medium
Characteristics: Smooth, Straight
Colors: White, Blue, Ebony, Cream, Red, Brown, Frost, Platinum, Fawn, Chocolate, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Lavender, Champagne, Seal
Pattern: Solid Color, Tortoiseshell, Bicolor, Tricolor/Calico, Tabby, Ticking, Smoke, Shaded, Points
Less Allergenic: No
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate, High

CLUB RECOGNITION:

Cat Association Recognition:
CFA, ACFA , FIFe, TICA
Prevalence: Rare

Characteristics

Playfulness
Friendliness
Trainability
Intelligence
Health Issues
Did You Know?

Like the Siamese, Orientals are true extroverts with a loving and affectionate nature..

Learn About the Oriental Bicolor

History

What is Oriental Bicolor Cat Breed? The Oriental Bicolour is any cat of Oriental type, either longhaired or shorthaired and in any pattern including colourpoint, which has white areas on its coat caused by the white spotting gene. The coat is composed of Short Hair and Long Hair and can be described as Flat Lying, Glossy, Long, Short, Silky and Sleek. Maintenance wise, the Oriental Bicolor has Minimal Shedding and requires Minimal Grooming.

Starting in 1979, Grillo carried out a series of matings between Siamese and Bicolour American Shorthairs. She then selected the best Bicolour offspring to mate back to Siamese or Orientals in order to regain type. The variety was granted recognition by TICA in 1983 and the first champion was Ciara Quite-N-Oreo. Although some experimental breeding took place during the 1970s and 1980s in the UK, including Pat Turner’s Seychellois breeding program, the modern-day Oriental Bicolour owes its origins to matings initiated in the USA by Lindajean Grillo (Ciara Cattery).

Description

The Oriental Bicolour is any cat of Oriental type, either longhaired or shorthaired and in any pattern including colourpoint, which has white areas on its coat caused by the white spotting gene.

The Oriental Bicolour is a cat of Oriental type with a long, slender body and tapering whip-like tail. The triangular shape of the head is made of straight lines with a straight side profile and large, wide-set ears. The eyes are green, except in the colourpoint varieties which have blue eyes.

The Oriental has the same svelte and elegant body shape as the Siamese, with comparable characteristics and traits, and a similar distinctive voice. Coats are sleek and glossy, and although Orientals are so closely related to the Siamese, in practice the coat of the Shorthairs is often shorter and glossier than in the Siamese.

Temperament

Like the Siamese, Orientals are true extroverts with a loving and affectionate nature. They are very sociable cats that relish the company of their human families as well as that of other pets, and should not be left on their own for long periods.

The Oriental is highly intelligent, agile and athletic, and loves to play. Keep his busy brain active with puzzle toys and his body exercised with teaser toys that he can chase and a big cat tree he can climb. He is fully capable of opening doors and drawers or rifling through your purse in search of something interesting or shiny to play with.

Health

Orientals do not have known breed-related health problems, and pets from reputable breeders should be strong and healthy. In common with all breeds of cat, they nevertheless need annual vaccination boosters against the common feline ailments of flu and enteritis, as well as against Feline Leukaemia if they go outdoors.

Asthma/bronchial disease

Congenital heart defects such as aortic stenosis

Crossed eyes

Gastrointestinal conditions such as megaesophagus

Care

The Oriental Bicolor Cat has a coat that is Flat Lying, Glossy, Long, Short, Silky and Sleek, and it requires Minimal Grooming.

Eyes and ears should also be checked and kept clean if necessary, and it is advisable to brush the shorthaired varieties lightly from time to time to remove loose hair.

The short, fine coat of the Oriental Shorthair is easily cared for. Comb it every couple of weeks with a stainless steel comb or soft bristle brush to remove dead hair, then polish it with a soft cloth to make it shine.