Colorpoint Shorthair
Meoww!!
A beautiful, intelligent cat, the Colorpoint Shorthair is a cat of physical extremes from its angular head and tall ears to its glossy coat.
In 5 Words
- Active
- Energetic
- Playful
- Loving
- Vocal
Snapshot
Size: Medium
Weight:
Male: medium: 8-12 lbs.
Female: small: <8 lbs.
Origin: England – Siamese Cats
Life Span: 12 – 15 years
Colour: Red Point, Cream Point, Cinnamon Point, Fawn Point, Seal Point, Chocolate Point, Blue Point, Lilac Point, Lynx Point (in any of the colors), Tortie Point (in any of the colors), and Torbie Point (in any of the colors)
Characteristics
Learn About the Colorpoint Shorthair
Development of the Colorpoint Shorthair first began in the 1940s when British and American Siamese breeders tried to produce cats that were similar to the Siamese, but in pointed colors other than those typically seen in the Siamese breed. They crossed Siamese with Abyssinians and red tabby Domestic Shorthairs. The results were mixed, but eventually these cats were crossed back to Siamese.
These cats were still considered Siamese, which caused controversy within the breed. Finally, the name Colorpoint Shorthair was given to these cats. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognized them as a separate breed from the Siamese in 1974. Today, the American Cat Fanciers Association (AFCA) and The International Cat Association (TICA) recognize them as a type of Siamese.
Head :
Long tapering wedge. Medium in size in good proportion to body. The total wedge starts at the nose and flares out in straight lines to the tips of the ears forming a triangle, with no break at the whiskers. No less than the width of an eye between the eyes. When the whiskers are smoothed back, the underlying bone structure is apparent. Allowance must be made for jowls in the stud cat.
Eyes :
Almond shaped. Medium size. Neither protruding nor recessed. Slanted towards the nose in harmony with lines of wedge and ears. Uncrossed.
Ears :
Strikingly large, pointed, wide at base, continuing the lines of the wedge.
Nose :
Long and straight. A continuation of the forehead with no break.
Neck :
Long and slender.
Body :
Medium size, long, and svelte. A distinctive combination of fine bones and firm muscles. Shoulders and hips continue same sleek lines of tubular body. Hips never wider than shoulders. Abdomen tight.
Paw :
Dainty, small, and oval. Toes: five in front and four behind.
Tail :
Long, thin, tapering to a fine point.
Coat :
Short, fine textured, glossy. Lying close to body.
Fault :
Pigmentation of nose leather and/or paw pads which is not consistent with the catOs particular color description. Palpable and/or visible protrusion of the cartilage at the end of the sternum.
Any evidence of illness or poor health. Weak hind legs. Mouth breathing due to nasal obstruction or poor occlusion. Emaciation. Visible kink. Eyes other than blue. White toes and/or feet. Incorrect number of toes. Malocclusion resulting in either undershot or overshot chin.
Character :
The ideal is a cat with type identical to the Siamese, but with its own distinct and unique colors. While the color differences set it apart as a unique breed, the purpose of the hybridization was to establish cats identical in type to the Siamese but with separate colors. The Colorpoint Shorthair standard reflects this objective and preserves it’s unique colors.
The Colorpoint Shorthair is a highly intelligent, playful, and people-friendly breed. They are extremely affectionate and outgoing and enjoy lounging around and playing with people, causing them to also be described as “extroverts”.[2] They can also be very sensitive with nervous temperaments, which do not adapt well to changes of environment or to strangers. Like Siamese, they can be extremely vocal and attention-demanding, feeling a need for human companionship. They have over 100 vocal sounds, much more than regular cats, making very unusual meows. Males are sometimes found to be overly aggressive towards other animals, will fight with other cats whenever they feel their territory has been invaded or just to express dominance.
Though generally healthy, the breed is susceptible to some health conditions such as protrusion of the cranial sternum and endocardial fibroelastosis.
Grooming either a pet or show quality Colorpoint Shorthair is minimal. At home, baths are infrequent as most continually groom themselves. (If a bath before a show seems desirable, be sure to use a gentle shampoo and give the bath a few days prior to the show so that natural oils can return to the coat.) An occasional brushing with a rubber brush to remove dead hair and a nice pedicure is all that is required. At the show, grooming is still not a huge chore. A good brushing with a quality product to help the hair lay down at the beginning of the day, combined with a chamois and a product to give the hair a silky feel before the ring is all that is necessary. Most Colorpoint exhibitors do take the time to trim the ear hair with blunt scissors to give the ears a cleaner, larger appearance, and cleaning the eyes is a must before putting the exhibition in the ring.
