Cat
Breed Description:
The Oriental Shorthair breed of cats is an intelligent and vocal breed. The Oriental Shorthair breed is social and friendly to anyone who it encounters, and has a purr that tends to be very noisy. From being bred with the Siamese cat, the Oriental Shorthair has taken on many of the same physical features, including almond shaped eyes that are either blue or green. The Oriental Shorthair breed of cat has a long, slender body and tends to be a small to medium sized cat. Adult males average 10 pounds and females average 7 pounds. Coloring is similar to some Siamese cats, with wild variations in texture, pattern, patches, and color.
Temperament:
The Oriental Shorthair cat is a friendly and loving breed that enjoys the company of its owner, and tends to become quite vocal when excited. The Oriental Shorthair also tends to be troublemakers and have been known to get into mischief when left alone for long periods of time. Unlike that of the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair breed of cat strives for attention, and becomes attached and devoted to its owner.
Health Problems:
Some Oriental Shorthair cats have shown sensitivity to vaccines and anesthetics. They may also be prone to heart disease.
Living Conditions:
Due to its lively and mischievous personality, the Oriental Shorthair needs to have room to run and things that it can get into. Closets, cabinets, and drawers are hiding places that many Oriental Shorthairs have been known to enjoy. A yard with trees or any areas in the house that can be climbed are good assets to have as an Oriental Shorthair owner because of the cat’s love of climbing.
Exercise:
A walk on a leash or harness is a good way to keep an Oriental Shorthair happy and healthy. Cat nip is another good tool to use with this breed because it keeps the cat moving and energetic. Any physical activity that can be done with an Oriental Shorthair is vital to the breed’s success and is enjoyed both by owner and cat.
Grooming:
Oriental Shorthairs need very little grooming except for a good brushing about once a week due to the breed’s short and coarse coat.
Origin:
The Oriental Shorthair was bred around the 1950s not by mistake but rather deliberately due to the success of the Siamese. Breeders wanted the look of the Siamese cat, only with a wider range of colors. In the 1950s The Siamese cat was bred with both Domestic Shorthairs and the Russian Blues cats, and then later in the 1960s the Siamese was bred with the Domestic Shorthairs and the Abyssinians for the color of the coat. 