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Oriental Longhair

Appearance

Origin

Temperament

Appearance

Origin

Temperament

Home

Oriental Longhair

Appearance

Origin

Temperament

Appearance

Origin

Temperament

Oriental Longhair

Other names: British Angora, Javanese, Foreign Longhair, Mandarin

The Oriental Longhair is a variety of domestic cat and a relative of the Oriental Shorthair. With its semi-long coat, the Oriental Longhair possesses the same beauty and elegance as the Oriental and Siamese breeds. Some registries, such as The International Cat Association (TICA), recognize it as a distinct breed, while others, like the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), consider it a division of the merged breed, the Oriental, along with the short-haired variety. As there is no universally acknowledged naming convention, other cat enthusiasts may refer to this type as Foreign Longhair, Javanese, or Mandarin.

Parent breeds:

Oriental Shorthair

Size

Moderate

length

30-38

11.8-15

cminch

cm inch

hight

20-25

7.9-9.8

cminch

cm inch

weight

3-6.8

6.6-15

kglbs

kg lbs

life span

12-15 years

country of origin

fur length

Half-long

breed origin

Crossbreed

size

Moderate

Recognized by: 7 registers

ACFA CCCOFA CCA-AFC ACA GCCF LOOF TSACC CFSA ACF FIFE WCF NZCF TICA CFA

Appearance

The Oriental Longhair is a slender and elegant cat, characterized by its long, delicately muscular, and firm body. It has a long, whip-shaped tail, and its legs are long and thin with small oval feet. The ears are large, wide at the base, and pointed, while the almond-shaped eyes are positioned obliquely, in what is known as an oriental-type set. The eye color of the Oriental Longhair always matches the color of its coat, with green being the preferred color, except for whites, which may have green or blue eyes, or be odd-eyed with two different colored eyes. The coat of the Oriental Longhair is fine, silky, of medium length, and lacks a woolly undercoat. It comes in a variety of colors, such as black, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, red, cream, tortoiseshell, smoke (silver undercoat), shaded or tipped, tabby, or white.

Coat type

Fur colour

Body type

Ears

Eyes shape

Fur length

Fur type

Head shape

Tail

Size

Coat type

Fur colour

Body type

Ears

Eyes shape

Fur length

Fur type

Head shape

Tail

Size

Gallery

View 4 more photos

Origin

It is believed that the Oriental Longhair is the result of accidental crosses between the Balinese and the Oriental Shorthair that occurred in the 1980s. Although the first cats of this variety are referenced in England in 1890 as the Angora cat, they differed from Persians by having an angular head, larger ears, and a longer, silkier coat. Later, this variety was named the British Angora to differentiate it from the "Turkish Angora" breed. After 1900, the only long-haired cat officially recognized by the GCCF in England was the Persian breed. In the United States, the Oriental Longhair is one of the last breeds to be accepted within the Eastern-Siamese group. In 1983, it was recognized as a breed under the name Oriental Longhair by TICA and became eligible for championship in 1985. It was later accepted by CFA in 1995. In the International Feline Federation, the Oriental Longhair is referred to as the Javanese, and in other associations, it is known as the Mandarin. In 2002, the GCCF renamed the "British Angora" to its current name, Oriental Longhair, in England.

Parent animals

African Wildcat

Breed origin

Crossbreed

Parent breeds

Oriental Shorthair

Temperament

The Oriental Longhair breed is known for its high energy levels and playful nature. If their owner is unable to engage with them, they will often entertain themselves with toys. Additionally, they are skilled jumpers and are graceful in their movements, rarely causing any damage to items in the home. With their sharp intelligence, these cats make wonderful companions for individuals who enjoy having their pets nearby. Their active disposition also makes them a great fit for families with children, as they can keep up with the high energy levels of young ones. Orientals are known to be loyal pets and generally get along well with other cats, particularly those from the same breed. These social creatures thrive in interactive environments and do not do well in solitary settings. Their expressive voices and knack for learning make them excellent candidates for leash training from a young age. Furthermore, their curiosity and agility enable them to open cabinets, doors, and even refrigerators, showcasing their clever and mischievous nature.

Behavior:

Friendly toward other pets

Loyal to owner

Friendly toward humans

Activity Level:

Active

Keeping conditions

Diet preferences

Grooming

Common health issues

Diet preferences

Grooming

Common health issues

Oriental Longhairs do not have any specific dietary restrictions, but they do require high-protein food to sustain their active lifestyle. You have the option to feed your cat dry food, wet food, or a mix of both. Moreover, it is crucial to ensure that your cat has continual access to fresh, clean water to aid in maintaining proper hydration.

An Oriental Longhair cat does most of the grooming themselves, so it does not require much time to take care of their coats. Brushing them once a week is enough to keep their coats shiny and reduce dead hair. Don't forget to clean their ears, trim their nails when needed, and brush their teeth as often as possible to avoid periodontal disease.

Grooming intencity:

Easy to groom

Oriental Longhair cats generally have robust health, but their Siamese lineage does elevate the risk for certain health issues. These include asthma, megaesophagus, feline lower urinary tract disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, liver amyloidosis, and progressive retinal atrophy. Some Oriental Longhair cats may also experience flat-chested kitten syndrome, a condition where the cat's chest doesn't develop properly, leading to breathing difficulties. Amyloidosis, a disease causing liver damage and potentially chronic renal failure, can also affect Oriental Longhairs, among other Siamese-derived breeds. This condition can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, despondency, and loss of appetite. While there is no cure for amyloidosis, its symptoms can be managed with anti-inflammatory treatments and medications aimed at slowing the progression of kidney failure.