Everyone looks great in designer jeans. In the case of the Oriental Shorthair, though, it is designer genes that make it such an eye-catching and popular cat – and as Cat Diaries discovered, it is a relatively new breed with an ancient history.

Origins
Officially recognised as a breed in the 1950s, the Oriental Shorthair has its roots in the Siamese breed originating in Siam (which is now Thailand). British breeders who liked the look of the Siamese but wanted a greater variety of colours began cross-breeding the Siamese with domestic shorthairs such as the Russian Blue, Abyssinian and British Shorthair. The result was a cat that was Siamese in body shape and facial features, but with such a wide variation of colours that it earned the nickname ‘Ornamental’.

Appearance
While the Oriental Shorthair is similar in appearance to the Siamese, it can come in over 300 colour and pattern variations. The Oriental Shorthair has a medium build and triangular face and head with large ears and slanted almond eyes. The hair is much softer and thicker than on many other shorthaired breeds, although it remains close to the body.

Temperament
Like the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair is a brilliant family pet, as it is both people-oriented and affectionate. The Oriental Shorthair craves attention and is both loyal and vocal about its love for humans, often ‘calling’ to owners throughout the house and having ‘conversations’ when spoken to. Many Oriental Shorthair owners report them as being almost doglike in their loyalty and need for company.

The Oriental Shorthair is both aesthetically pleasing and social, making it a wonderful addition to any family. Be prepared to lavish affection on it, however, as the Oriental Shorthair is notorious for loving a good cuddle on the couch!

[IMAGE SOURCE www.pictures-of-cats.org; www.mainecoonbreeders.com]

History
Although there is conjecture – and even a touch of controversy – surrounding the breed’s origins, the most compelling theory suggests that the Dragon Li cat came about through the natural self-domestication of wild descendents of mountain cats. Self-domestication is the adaptation of wild animals to human presence, and there is evidence to suggest this is exactly what has happened as China’s human population grew.

Appearance
Looking at a Dragon Li, it’s not difficult to see the correlations with its wild relatives. The Dragon Li has a distinctive ‘hunter’s’ gate, with more severely almond-shaped eyes and a thick, well-muscled body. Its head is rounded and large, and it features distinctive tipping on the ears.

Temperament
What sets this breed apart is its incredible intelligence and uncanny adaptability. The Dragon Li is said to have a highly instinctual understanding and awareness of its surroundings, and remains calm and oriented in any location. Because of this, along with a love of playing and exploring, the Dragon Li is a well-adjusted family pet and rarely becomes distressed or needy.
With the confidence of the wild in its past and a sharp awareness of its present, the Dragon Li is a brave, happy and content addition to any household.

[IMAGE SOURCE www.cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org]

‘Ojos azules’ means ‘blue eyes’ in Spanish, and it is the deep-blue eyes unique to the breed that is both its identifying trait and the reason for its existence. However, the Ojos Azules has a breeding history tinged with sadness that, although now addressed, means this is one of the rarest of all cat breeds.

History

The foundation cat for this breed came from humble beginnings, spotted in a pack of feral cats in Mexico in 1984. So far, so unremarkable… except that this female was a tortoiseshell with deep-blue eyes. This was unheard of, since that sort of eye colour had previously only been found in white and colourpoint cats like the Siamese (and has been linked to deafness).

Enchanted by the deep-blue eyes, her discoverers decided to breed the cat, named Cornflower, with male cats without blue eyes – and discovered that the trait was dominant, as all Cornflower’s kittens had those same dark-blue eyes.

Appearance
A medium-sized cat, the Ojos Azules can come in any coat colour, the one proviso being the distinctive eyes. Apart from their pigmentation, those eyes are large and round, which give the cat a permanently inquisitive and kitten-like look. However, white-coloured specimens of the breed are difficult to distinguish these from regular white, blue-eyed cats, many of whom have a tendency towards deafness. A flattened tail tip is another distinguishing characteristic.

Breeding difficulties
The breed was accepted for registration by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 1991. However, it was later discovered that although the eye colour was not linked to deafness, it was linked to cranial defects. This led to a temporary suspension of the breeding program when it became apparent that certain combinations of the blue-eyed gene (particularly when two blue-eyed cats were bred together) could prove fatal.

The solution was to ensure blue-eyed cats were only bred with non-blue-eyes, resulting in a litter of 50% blue-eyes and 50% non-blue-eyes. Although this means only the blue-eyed kittens can be considered Ojos Azules, it ensured the breeding program was able to resume. However, the Ojos Azules remains one of the rarest of all cat breeds.

Images sourced from : Fimho

For this month’s breed of the month, we thought we’d do something a little different and profile a very rare wild cat that lives the high life in South America. The Andean Mountain Cat may be wild, but we’re wild about it after seeing the adorable pictures of this beautiful little feline. An endangered species, we think they’re just too special to let pass us by.

Found in Peru, Chile and Bolivia, this mountain-dweller is no bigger than a domestic cat, although its splendid long tail gives the impression of a much larger animal. Preferring to roam at high altitude, the Andean Mountain Cat is rarely even seen, and most of what is known about the species has been discovered through fieldwork and the discovery of skins. However, it is known that there are none in captivity, and there are estimated to be as few as 2500 in the entire world.

Appearance

Silvery-grey in colour, the Andean Mountain Cat has been compared to a smaller version of the (also rare) snow leopard. It prefers a similar elevation to the snow leopard and shares its bushy tail and well-defined facial features. The length of the mountain cat’s tail (70 per cent of its total body length) helps it balance on unsteady rocks, and it has elongated claws for gripping cliff faces.

Habitat and diet

Because of the cat’s fondness for remote places, it has been difficult for researchers to put together a comprehensive description of its diet, prey and hunting methods. However, it is thought that its main source of prey is the Chinchilla, a small rodent-like creature that shares its habitat.

Endangered

While it is commonly agreed that it is the Andean Mountain Cat’s lack of numbers, rather than direct threats, that put it on the endangered species list, the reduction in chinchilla numbers due to the fur trade could have something to do with the low population. Conservation efforts are being made by the Small Cat Conservation Alliance, and a small but dedicated group of researchers are dedicating their lives to exploring the fascinating creatures and its habitat.

Image Sourced from: wild cat conservation

Holy cat!
The Chartreux has a fascinating history. Legend has it that the breed began being cultivated in Le Grand Chartreux monastery in medieval France just after the Crusades had ended. Apparently, crusaders had returned with many delights from abroad, including a few blue cats they had found in Africa. The monks of the Chartreux monastery – famous for making liquor, wine and weapons, apparently – applied the same dedication and work ethic to the continuation of their new feline mascot.

Because monasteries needed to be quiet places in order for the monks to pray (in between developing heavy artillery, of course!), it is said that extra effort was put into breeding only the cats with the quietest voices, so that they did not disturb the monks’ divine communion.

However, while this is thought to explain the way the cat evolved in Europe, the breed wasn’t promoted or classified until the 1920s, when two French women discovered them in the grounds of hospital – also, coincidentally, run by a Church organisation. Charmed as the monks had been all those centuries earlier, the French women decided to make a conscious effort to establish the breed – and thus the modern Chartreux came about.

Temperament
The Chartreux keeps its kitten-like qualities well into adulthood and loves nothing more than playing the fool. They love to be stimulated and will watch TV with you, interact when you’re talking on the phone (they think you’re talking to them!) and can even be trained to fetch like a dog. An intelligent and loyal breed, the facial features of the Chartreux make it appear to have a smiley face, which perfectly suits the personality of the breed.

Appearance
With a stocky body and slender legs, you would be forgiven for assuming the Chartreux was a clumsy or awkward cat, but this isn’t so. They are agile creatures, and their playful nature fuels their physical activities, with a love of exploring and chasing propelling them all about the place. Its blue-grey fur is very dense and water resistant, and as a result your Chartreux probably won’t be a fan of the old grooming brush.

When such an interesting history combines with a charming personality, the cat is sure to be a winner, and anyone who has ever owned one of these affectionate and entertaining cats will attest to the fact that there’s definitely something special about the Chartreux.

Image sourced by: Different Types of cats, Assets of Life and Blue Cat Farm

As with a number of cat breeds, the Scottish Fold was a chance discovery that has since gone on to become enormously popular around the world. And with very good reason…

History

Perthshire in Scotland was the birthplace of this adorable breed, after a cat named Suzie with an odd fold in her ears delivered a litter bearing two kittens with similar ear folds. Enchanted by the sweet, kitten-like demeanour the look gave Suzie, a neighbouring farmer adopted one of the kittens as his own and decided to try to recreate the folds in future litters.

During the process of attempting to breed these folded-ear kittens, it was discovered that breeding two folds together would create thickness in the tail and limbs. As a result, only a cat with folded ears and a cat with ‘normal’ ears (usually a British or American Shorthair) can be bred together to produce an acceptable, healthy Scottish Fold.

Appearance

Apart from the distinctive folded ears that give the breed its name, the large, round, owl-eyed look of this cat is another distinguishing feature. With these gorgeous big peepers and lopped ears, the Scottish Fold maintains the ‘kitten look’ throughout its life, which makes them a popular choice for pets.

A medium-sized cat, the Scottish Fold can come in a variety of colours and patterns, and its eyes usually match its coat. There are long-haired and short-haired versions of the breed, but the coat should always be thick and resilient. The oddly shaped ears do not impair its hearing at all, and although they need to be cleaned regularly, they do not hamper the health of the Scottish Fold in any way.

Temperament

Along with its loveable appearance, the Scottish Fold’s temperament makes it an excellent choice as a family pet. Hardy and healthy, this breed has few health problems and an easy-going nature. They adapt well to other household pets and are not easily spooked. Another factor that many families appreciated about the Scottish Fold is its soft, seldom-used voice – the Scottish Fold is more likely to snuggle up quietly than roam the house ‘talking’. A very social breed, you may notice some very ‘un-cat-like’ behaviour from your Scottish Fold – such as sleeping on its back or craving the company of other animals!

Grooming

Regularly cleaning the Scottish Fold’s ears is important, as there are more opportunities for dirt and grime to accumulate. In addition, regular brushing will keep their coat looking shiny and healthy, and help get rid of moulting hair and dust that can sometimes become trapped in the breed’s thick fur. Otherwise, the Scottish Fold is a relatively low-maintenance breed, and one that is guaranteed to bring your family years of joy.

Image by: Catfacts

It was while he was on a trip to Africa in 1971 that Paul Casey (animal advocate, writer and seemingly all-round good guy) discovered that one of the last breeding leopards in the region he was visiting had recently been killed by poachers. Paul immediately decided something had to be done.

After discussing ways of raising awareness about the plight of big cats in the wild, Paul realised that people would have a far stronger emotional reaction to the cause if they could see a wild cat reflected in their beloved domestic pet. Paul’s reasoning was that (unless they had a Cruella De Ville/Monty Burns-like fascination with wearing the skins of domestic animals), people would be less inclined to lust after a fur coat that resembled their pet. Paul set about creating a more manageable version of his much-loved leopard by combining the Abyssinian, Manx, American Shorthair, traditional Siamese, Angora and British Shorthair breeds.

After establishing a stable line, Paul added an Egyptian Spotted Cat and a Malayan domestic cat for the ‘wild’ physical attributes they could bring to the mix.  Once Paul was happy with the result, he called on a group of breeders to help with his cause and established the California Spangled Cat Association (CSCA International) to further promote the breed. When the cats were first advertised to the public in the 1980s, there was a fair bit of controversy surrounding their deliberately engineered development, yet the publicity received ensured that Paul was inundated with orders for this new breed.

Appearance
With its lean, muscular body, spotty coat and hunter’s gate, the California Spangled really does resemble a mini-leopard – one that can’t maul you and eat you for dinner, which is a plus in any pet-choice. The coat of the California Spangled comes in a wide variety of shades and colours due to the mixed bag of breeds used in its creation, although the spots are always well defined and remain the most striking physical attribute of the breed.
Temperament

Don’t let the ‘wild’ physicality fool you… the California Spangled makes an affectionate and devoted pet. Contrary to rumour, there were never any big cat genes included in its creation so there is no need to worry about having a relentless predator or lightning-fast beast out of Africa on your hands. Having said this, the California Spangled does love to play and hunt, and will especially love active games with its human.

It is somewhat ironic that while the breed was established to focus attention on the dwindling of leopards in the wild, the California Spangled is today quite a rare breed itself.

Images sourced from: Dkimages.com and pictures-of-cats.org

History
Before modern Siamese cats developed the signature triangular head and very leggy body, the breed was much more muscular and square-jawed, (much like the modern day Tonkinese, in fact). According to catsinfo.com:

“The Tonkinese was first imported to England in the early 1800s as “Chocolate Siamese” and in the United States, Tonkinese and Burmese can trace their beginnings back to Wong Mau, a small walnut coloured cat imported to California by Dr. Joseph Thompson in 1930.”

Why We Love ‘em…
One of the more outgoing and gregarious of cat breeds, the Tonkinese are often described as having a great sense of humour, often almost ‘doglike’ in their eagerness to please. A Tonkinese is happiest snuggled up in the crook of your arm or demonstrating its substantial intelligence by performing any number of tricks.

That’s right, tricks. Tonkinese can be taught to fetch, jump into your lap on command and even beg for treats. Often described as ‘little monkeys’, the Tonkinese have a special knack for manipulating things with their paws which, coupled with their particular love of all things shiny, can lead to cheeky little thefts around the house…

Appearance

Tonkinese cats come in a wide variety of coat colours, but the perhaps most interesting is the typical relationship between coat colour/pattern and eye colour. The colour and pattern of a Tonkinese coat often dictate eye colour, and the different variations in colours and patterns coupled with the stunningly bright eyes of this breed make for a pretty kitty indeed!

Colours officially recognised within the breed are platinum (where the face is a frosty grey), champagne (where the face is a medium brown), blue (where the face is a greyish tone with a slate-blue shimmer) and natural (where the face is a dark brown).

The Tonkinese coat pattern can be solid, mink or point, with mink being the most desirable for showing. With eyes ranging from green and gold to startling blue and aquamarine, it is easy to see why this breed is adored by pet owners and breeders alike.

Images sourced from: wallpaper.najoomi.com, thecatsblog.com, and seannaber

Each kitten’s hair appears to be standing on end, and at first, assuming the kittens must be scared out of their wits at the intrusion the famer decides to leave them to their mother’s care for a while until they are more comfortable.

When he returns a while later, the farmer discovers that each kitten’s hair is still in the same, upright position, and realises that it isn’t fright that’s got the babies’ hair on end, but a distinctive type of coat that won’t seem to lie flat!

After calling his next door neighbour to come and see for herself, the farmer brings the neighbour, Joan O’Shea, into the barn. O’Shea, who, according to the Cat Fancier’s Association website was ‘the local ‘‘cat-lady’’’, decided that this unusual coat was worth trying to replicate, and thus the American Wirehair breed began.

A spontaneous mutation (like the one that started this breed) is quite uncommon, and the breed itself has remained a rare breed since its first litter, described as the rarest breed of the 41 breeds in the Cat Fancier’s Association.

Appearance
A medium to larger-sized cat, the American Wirehairs are hardy, resilient creatures with well-muscled bodies and a strong resistance to disease. Of course their most distinguishing feature is their ‘wire’ hair, which in fact derives its name from the fact that each individual hair in the coat is crimped, curled or bent in a different direction, making the coat stand stiffly on end as if made of wire. The coat is course and springy, and comes in a range of different colours.

Temperament
Pet-owners have long delighted in the loving, loyal and affectionate nature of American Wirehairs. Craving human attention, the Wirehair is a very sociable cat and will spend much of its time looking for cuddles. There is no inherited genetic defect found in Wirehairs, and they are an incredibly rewarding as a household pet.

Grooming
In regards to grooming, many people are surprised to discover that their wiry coat does need brushing, and that due to the oiliness of their fur a bath is occasionally necessary. The easy-going nature of the Wirehair makes this an easier task than it may appear though! Another thing to watch out for is waxy build-up in the ears.

Images sourced from Animal Pictures Archive and Arjuna Zbycho

At least that’s said to be the case if you go into the woods in South Australia or Victoria, where over the past century there have been hundreds of reported sightings of ‘panther-like’ big cats and taking of livestock.

While there are reports of big cat sightings across Australia, the phenomenon seems to be most concentrated in the southern areas of the country, and while the various governments remain non-committal or even sceptical, there is a growing movement of people who believe without a doubt in the existence of an Australian big cat species.

While there is yet to be a specimen captured, reports of sightings usually point to the same physical traits, backed up by the occasional photograph: a large creature, slightly bigger than a large Alsatian or Rottweiler, that is black or mottled in colour and extremely sleek, muscled and fast.

Simon Townsend and John Turner are two men who have made it their mission to obtain irrefutable evidence of the existence of these large cats, specifically in their native Victoria. They established a website (www.bigcatsvic.com.au) and use up most of their spare time collecting reports of sightings and documenting attacks on livestock. Perhaps most compelling are their photos of mauled carcasses with bite-marks compared to puma dentitions.

Theories abound

There are several theories as to how big cats may have come to live on Australian shores: the ‘marsupial lion’ that never really became extinct; zoo or circus escapees left behind; even that the lions that served as military mascots of the US army were  never taken back to the States after they were stationed here during the WWII.

These theories, along with a lot of sightings, pictures and interviews are included in a book being released next week called Australian Big Cats: An Unnatural History of Panthers. Written by Michael Williams and Rebecca Lang, the book is available at www.australianbigcats.com.au.

Recently, Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan reaffirmed his party’s 2006 promise to further investigate reports of big cats in Victoria: ‘I am a sceptic, as are many others, but there is a body of commentary and evidence around to say there is a prospect these things exist and I think we should resolve it one way or another,’ Mr Ryan said.

For now, the mystery remains, but perhaps one day soon we’ll have a definitive answer as to whether or not Australia’s moggies have an older, more sinister relative lurking in the bush…

Images from allbestwallpapers.com and Wikipedia