Page 51 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

SHOR THAIRS 49

ORIENTAL—TABBY

THIS LIVELY CAT COMBINES STREAMLINED LOOKS WITH A RANGE OF BEAUTIFUL TABBY PATTERNS

Place of origin UK Following the rising popularity of solid-colored Oriental
Date of origin 1970s Shorthairs, breeders turned their attention to producing a
Breed registries CFA, FIFe, line of Oriental tabbies. Early attempts to introduce the tabby
GCCF, TICA
patterning to Orientals used crosses between non-pedigree
Weight range 9–14lb (4–6.5kg)
tabbies and Siamese (pp.54–7). The first of these patterned
Grooming
Orientals, officially recognized in 1978, was a modern copy
of the Siamese-type spotted tabbies believed to be the
Colors and patterns ancestors of today’s domestic cats. By the 1980s Orientals
All colors and shades in tabby
and patched-tabby patterns. with ticked, mackerel, and classic tabby patterning in a wide
Also with white. variety of colors had also been developed. The patched-
tabby Oriental, typically with patches of red or cream, was a Green
further addition to the color palette. eyes

Lines run from
top of head to
back of neck

Rich brown
markings on pale
bronze ground
Black tortoiseshell Large, blotched
silver-spotted coat markings on flanks
Chocolate classic
tabby coat

Necklace
markings

Dark rings Belly lighter
on tail Barring
in color
on legs