oriental-bicolor
Affectionate, inquisitive, gregarious, athletic
Overview
Origin
United States
Life Span
8-12 years
Height
8"- 10"
Weight
8 - 12 pounds
Group
Medium-sized Short-haired
Price
$400-$2000
History
The first Oriental Bicolour cats were the result of pairings initiated by Lindajean Grillo, who owned Ciara Cattery. In 1979, Grillo decided to pair Siamese cats with bicolored American Shorthair cats. The most appealing bicolored offspring were then mated back with Siamese or Oriental cats to enhance type.
In Europe - primarily in France and the Netherlands - breeders worked to create their own Oriental Bicolour cats, first pairing a red and white Moroccan street cat with a Siamese, and then pairing a black and white Cornish Rex cat with a Siamese.
American cats were imported as a method of assuring genetic diversity when mating Oriental Bicolor cats with one another.
The International Cat Association (TICA) granted its official recognition in 1983, and a cat named Ciara Quite-N-Oreo was the first TICA Oriental Bicolour champion.
In 2003, Federation International Feline (FIFe) granted championship recognition status to bicolor Oriental Shorthair cats. The organization granted recognition to white and colorpoint cats from the same group in 2005, but separated them further into the breed name Seychellois.
In 2004, Oriental Bicolour cats were imported to the UK. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) granted recognition in 2006, and in 2008, the breed achieved provisional status.
It’s worth noting that different organizations categorize Oriental Bicolor cats differently. Some differentiate between long and shorthaired varieties, and some opt to keep solid and colorpoint patterns separate from one another.
The GCCF treats Oriental Bicolour cats as a separate, distinct breed and prohibits cats that carry color-pointed longhair genes. GCCF does allow for outcrossing but only to Siamese, Balinese, Oriental Longhair, and Oriental Shorthair cats. The resulting offspring are not allowed registry under the outcrossed parent’s breed but instead, must be registered as Oriental Bicolour cats, with one exception: Any offspring without white spots can be registered and shown as Orientals.
Care
Nutrition
Oriental Bicolour cats have no exceptional nutritional needs, however they will greatly benefit from a high-protein diet that includes real meat or fish as the number one ingredient. The better your cat’s food quality, the better their health and longevity is likely to be.
Grooming
The Oriental Bicolour usually has a short single-layer coat, so there’s no fluffy undercoat to shed. These cats can keep themselves looking fabulous without much help from their people. Still, it’s helpful to offer a quick brushing once or twice per week. This can help reduce shedding and eliminate the risk of hairballs, plus it’s something your feline friend is likely to enjoy! After brushing, you can polish the coat by giving it a rubdown with a chamois or a silk scarf.
Exercise
Oriental Bicolour cats are accomplished athletes, and you’ll have no trouble ensuring that they get enough exercise for good health. Running, jumping, and climbing are favorite activities, and like other Oriental cats, this breed excels at interactive games such as fetch.
Health
Oriental Bicolour cats are a robust breed in general. Still, there is a risk of complications that are common to the Oriental group in general including cancer, asthma, dilated cardiomyopathy, megaesophagus, liver amyloidosis, feline lower urinary tract disease, and progressive retinal atrophy. Some are cross-eyed.
Breed Standard
Body
The body is long, slim, and tubular. Oriental Bicolour cats should appear lithe and athletic.
Head
The head is triangular, with a wedge-shaped muzzle and a long, straight nose that creates a distinctive elongated profile.
Eyes
The eyes should be medium size, with an almond shape. They should slant slightly, continuing the visual lines that the head and ears create. Various eye colors are accepted; most Oriental Bicolor cats have green eyes; colorpoint varieties typically have blue eyes.
Ears
The Oriental Bicolour cat should have very large ears that continue the triangular lines of the head. The ears should have wide bases and pointed tips.
Color
Color requirements depend on registry. In most cases, the term “Oriental Bicolor” refers to solid color Oriental cats with white spots in their coats.
Coat
The coat may be long or short, with a soft, silky texture. Most Oriental Bicolour cats have short coats.
Tail
The tail should be long and thin, and should taper to a fine point.
Legs & Paws
The legs should be long and slim, with the hind legs being longer than the forelegs. Paws should be small and dainty, and should exhibit an oval shape.
Personality & Temperament
An engaging personality plus an adorable appearance add up to none other than the Oriental Bicolour Cat!
These stunning kitties are almost identical to their Oriental Shorthair or Oriental Longhair cousins; in fact, many of these Orientals are also Oriental Bicolor cats. We’ll cut through the confusion in the breed history discussion but first, what can you expect if you bring an Oriental Bicolour into your family?
As it turns out, these fascinating felines have a whole lot more than mesmerizing good looks going for them! Their personalities tend toward the playful, curious side - and that’s probably due to heavy Siamese influence. These intelligent cats love to follow their family members around, getting involved in whatever’s happening at the moment. Like their close cousins, they are exceptionally chatty, chirping, warbling, and sometimes meowing loudly to emphasize a point!
Not only do Oriental Bicolor cats appreciate their human family members, they have a fondness for other felines and they even make friends with dogs. Where some breeds tend to be a bit standoffish with other pets, Oriental Bicolours like constant companionship and develop close relationships with other animals. These kitties like to have at least one friend nearby at all times and without enough attention from the people and animals they bond with, can develop serious depression.
Oriental Bicolors are a bit more demanding than many other cats, it’s true: But what they require in attention, they repay infinitely. Loving, attentive, fond of cuddling, and always happy to brighten even the gloomiest day, this kitty is one you’ll cherish for a lifetime.