colorpoint-shorthair
Sociable, trainable, vocal, family-oriented
Overview
Origin
United States
Life Span
12-16 years
Height
11"-14"
Weight
6-12 pounds
Group
Medium-to-large shorthair
Price
$500-$800
History
The Colorpoint Shorthair cat was developed during the 1940s and 1950s when readers decided that they would like to create different Siamese cat colors. The first successful breeding between a Siamese cat and a red American Shorthair cat led to the first Colorpoint Shorthair cat: a creamy colored individual with remarkable red and cream points.
The red and cream Colorpoint Shorthair cat achieved championship status with the Cat Fanciers Association in 1964. By 1969, CFA accepted multiple colors including tortie and lynx points.
Cat fanciers associations worldwide recognize the Colorpoint Shorthair cat, usually as a distinct breed from the Siamese.
Care
Nutrition
Colorpoint Shorthair cats have no special nutritional requirements. They are prone to obesity, and will benefit from high-quality food without too many carbohydrates.
Grooming
With their short, silky coats, Colorpoint Shorthair cats require very little attention in terms of grooming. A weekly once-over with a soft brush can help remove excess hair and cut down on shedding; even without regular brushing though, these cats don't typically shed much at all.
Exercise
Colorpoint Shorthair cats are natural athletes, with a built-in desire to leap, climb, and run. As playful as they are intelligent, they appreciate interactive toys and readily learn games such as fetch.
Health
Colorpoint Shorthair cats generally enjoy good health, and have a relatively long life expectancy, often more than 12 years.
Breed Standard
Body
Colorpoint Shorthair cats should have long, lean bodies with ample musculature and an elegant, refined appearance.
Head
The head should be wedge-shaped with a flat skull that leads to a long, straight profile that extends from the top of the head to the end of the nose. The nose should not exhibit a dip, and there should be no Bolger over the eyes. The neck should be long and slender.
Eyes
The eyes are always blue and are almond-shaped. They should be of medium size, and should slants toward the nose.
Ears
Colorpoint Shorthair cats should have very large ears that are wide at the base with pronounced points at the tips. The lines of the ears should continue the wedge shape of the head.
Color
All Colorpoint Shorthair cats should have clear, cream-colored coats although subtle shading is permissible. There must be a well-defined contrast between the body color and the points including legs, feet, tail, mask, and ears. The mist should not extend over the top of the head. Nose leather and paw pad colors should complement the coat.
Coat
Colorpoint Shorthair cats have short, silky coats with a fine texture. The coat should lie close to the body.
Tail
Colorpoint Shorthair cats should have long, thin tails that taper to a fine point at the end.
Legs & Paws
The legs should be long and slender, and should be proportionate to the body. The hind legs should be higher than the front legs. The paws should have a tidy, oval shape.