The term Oriental cat is not generally used for any one
particular
breed of cat.
Rather, it describes a set of physical characteristics belonging to a number of
cats from
Southeast Asia.
The
Cat Fanciers' Association and the GCCF (the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy
in the UK), however, do recognize the
Oriental as a specific breed.
Orientals have small, lean, athletic bodies, large triangular ears,
almond-shaped eyes, and usually a very curious, inquisitive, intelligent
temperament. They also have a loud voice and 'talk' a lot more than most other
cats. Originally, all orientals were short-haired, with a very light-weight and
generally light-coloured coat befitting the hot climate of their origin, but
they have been cross-bred with
Persians and other long-haired to create medium and long-haired oriental
breeds such as the
Birman and
Himalayan. They are also being cross-bred with the
Bengal Cat
to produce the
Serengeti Cat.
The most ubiquitous 'oriental' cat is the
Siamese. Other oriental breeds include the
Japanese Bobtail (described as a semi-oriental),
Burmese,
Balinese and many others.
Oriental Hanuma