The Oriental Shorthair was developed to explore all the possibilities of color and pattern. Since its initial acceptance in CFA, Oriental breeders have maintained a constant pace to fulfill its destiny. The Oriental has an equally colorful personality. From the tip of its nose to the end of its long, whippy tail, the Oriental is a study in sleek design. This elegant cat gracefully glides across the room on its tall, slender legs. The lines of its angular head flow into its large flaring ears, and are complimented by its almond shaped eyes. These cats have surprising weight and muscle tone and are neither frail nor fragile. Orientals represent a diverse group of cats that have their foundation in the Siamese breed. When the Oriental Shorthair was accepted for championship status in 1977 it rapidly became one of CFA’s most popular breeds. With the 1995 addition of the Oriental Longhair into this family of sleek, muscular felines the Oriental breed can provide a cat for just about anyone. With over 300 different colors and patterns to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find an Oriental that will tickle your fancy. Imagine a Siamese wearing a head to toe coat in white, red, cream, ebony, blue, chestnut, lavender, cinnamon or fawn. For a sparkling undercoat, stir in the silver gene and you have a smoke Oriental. Paint splashes of red or cream on any of these coats and you have a parti-color. If you like stripes on the legs, tail and face, try a tabby in any of four different patterns: classic, mackerel, spotted, or ticked. Finally, breeders dedicated to developing another major addition to the breed added the longhair variety, paralleling their Balinese and Japanese counterparts. These beautiful felines carry the same graceful bodies with the addition of a silky long coat, goatee, and long plumed tail.