Page 52 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

50 C A T AL OG OF BREED S

ORIENTAL—TORTIE

THE PATTERNED COAT GIVES THIS CAT A PATCHWORK LOOK

Place of origin UK According to an illustrated manuscript, The Cat Book Poems,
Date of origin 1960s which may date back to the old kingdom of Siam (Thailand),
Breed registries CFA, FIFe, tortie-(tortoiseshell) patterned Oriental cats have a long history.
GCCF, TICA
Development of the modern Oriental Tortie began in the 1960s,
Weight range 9–14lb (4–6.5kg)
with matings between solid-colored Orientals (p.44) and red, tortie,
Grooming
and cream point Siamese (pp.54–5). The breed
eventually gained official recognition in the
Colors and patterns 1980s. The Tortie coat comes in several ground
Ground colors are black,
blue, chocolate, lilac, fawn, colors mingled with contrasting patches of cream,
cinnamon, and caramel; or red and cream, depending on the base color.
tortoiseshell pattern.
Due to the distribution of tortoiseshell genes,
torties are nearly always females; the rare males Head narrows to
a fine muzzle
are usually sterile.
Random-
patterned coat

Chocolate tortie coat
is warm brown mixed
with red shades
Green eyes

Thin,
tapering tail

Firm, medium-
sized body

Fine bone
structure
Dainty, oval paws