| Oriental Shorthair is a feline breed that has occurred | | | | simply the Oriental. |
| in Thailand, alongside the Siamese, for a long time as | | | | A svelte and finely built animal, the Oriental Shorthair |
| a self-colored cat and was brought over with other | | | | is amongst the most attractive of all domestic cats. |
| cats from the Orient to Britain in nineteenth century. | | | | Its lithe, tubular body appears slender but is in fact |
| Even as it was initially just considered a non-pointed | | | | quite well muscled. Head is wedge shaped with large |
| version of the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair gained | | | | pointed ears and slanted almond shaped eyes that |
| formal recognition only in the twentieth century | | | | occur in blue or green colors. Legs and tail are long. |
| when, in the fifties, development of the cat was | | | | Coat of the Oriental Shorthair occurs in an amazing |
| started through breeding with Abyssinians, Domestic | | | | array of colors and patterns, with over three |
| Shorthairs, Russian Blues and Siamese. The cat was | | | | hundred variations recognized. Combinations include |
| termed as 'Foreign' in United Kingdom and 'Oriental' in | | | | bi-color, parti-color, shaded, smoke, solid and tabby. |
| United States. It was another two decades before | | | | Like their longhair counterparts Oriental Shorthairs are |
| official recognition and championship status was given | | | | prone to certain ailments in some of their lines. These |
| to the graceful cat. Today it is registered and | | | | include dental disorder, Amyloidosis of liver and dilated |
| recognized as a distinct entity in nearly all cat fancies | | | | cardiomyopathy. These conditions are rare overall |
| around the world. Occasionally, as in the case of Cat | | | | though and generally the cats live a long healthy life |
| Fanciers' Association, it is coupled with its sister | | | | of fifteen years or more. |
| breed, the Oriental Longhair, into a single breed called | | | | |