Oriental Longhair is a member of the Siamese family and pretty much retain their long and stylized bodies. They are lively and talkative cats and very attached to their people. They share the same temperament as the Siamese and will communicate and let their opinion known to their people.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: United States
Used for: Companion
Average Life Span: 10-15 years
Color: All colors and patterns
Coat: Soft, fine and long
Average Height: Medium
Average Weight: 5-10 pounds
History and Domestication
Oriental Longhair is a man made breed and originated in 1950s when the breeding cats were drastically reduced after World War II. Due to this many breeding programs were started around that time and modern breeds were developed. Oriental Longhairs were developed by crossing Siamese with British Shorthairs, Russian Blues, Abyssinians and other local breeds. But the resulting cats were not pointed and hence they were bred back with the Siamese. In just a few generations, these new cats were indistinguishable from the Siamese except for their color.
Standard Physical Characteristics
The Oriental Longhairs have a very Siamese like boy which is long, slender and tubular but with the exception of a long and silky coat. The body is svelte and muscular with a long and wedge-shaped head that tapers towards the muzzle. The ears are unusually wide and triangular being wider at the base and tapering towards the edges. The almond-shaped eyes are medium in size and generally green in color. The entire tubular body is supported by long and thin legs with front legs being shorter than hind legs. They have small and oval paws and a long thin tail that tapers to a point. The long and silky coat is longest on the plumed tail.
Care, Grooming and Health
The coat is long but fine and silky and doesn’t require much grooming. It can be kept in a good state by combing or brushing once or twice a week to removed dead hair. You can rub it with a soft cloth to add some shine.
Oriental Longhairs may have varying degrees of genetic problems such as asthma, crossed eye defects, lymphoma and nystagmus that causes rapid eye movements.
Living Conditions
Oriental Longhairs are gentle and social cats and will live happily in families with children and cat-friendly dogs. They love playing games and puzzles and will love all the attention showered upon them.
Temperament
Orientals are lively, sociable and intelligent cats, much like their Siamese group. Many of them are excellent fetchers and retrievers and would play tirelessly for hours. Their love for playing continues much to their adulthood and they can amuse themselves for hours. They are inquisitive and very jumpy and no shelf is safe from their curious paws. They may have long and slender bodies but don’t let it fool you; they are very athletic and confident and can hold their own. They are very dedicated to their people and need companionship. Guests are always welcomed warmly by these cats.
