Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Breed Description

Active: Colorpoint Shorthair cats are moderate to highly active. They love to play, show off their physical strength and interact with their companions. But, they also love to cuddle up to the ones they love and enjoy a good snuggle. They will nudge their way onto your lap while you sit or under your arm while you sleep.

Size: The Colorpoint Shorthair is a medium size cat, weighing between 5 to 10 pounds.

Characteristics: The body of the Colorpoint Shorthair is identical to that of the Siamese cat breed. The only difference is the wider variety of colors. They are a svelte, muscular cat that are both strong and lithe. Their heads are a long tapering wedge shape with striking, almond-shaped blue eyes.

Temperament: It will be hard not to fall in love with a Colorpoint Shorthair cat. They are outgoing, affectionate cats that make wonderful companions. They will demand your attention and force their way into your laps. They love to talk and will chat your ear right off. If you want a constant companion that is fiercely loyal and loving, the Colorpoint Shorthair is for you. Not only are they wonderful companions but they are highly intelligent and quite agile. They love to play games, amaze you with their tricks and talents and entertain any and all.

Care: The Colorpoint Shorthair cat is very easy to care for. They simply need to be brushed or combed every few weeks and occasionally rubbed with a chamois to keep their coat looking lovely. Regular nail trimming and ear cleaning as needed will also help your cat look show quality. Lastly, be sure to regularly brush your Colorpoint Shorthair's teeth to prevent periodontal disease and keep their breath smelling fresh.

Coat: Colorpoint Shorthair cats have a short, fine and glossy coat. The coat is the same as that of a Siamese cat, but comes in a large variety of colors such as solid point colors in red point and cream point; lynx point colors in seal lynx point, chocolate lynx point, blue lynx point, lilac lynx point, red lynx point, cream lynx point, seal-tortie lynx point, chocolate-tortie lynx point, blue-cream lynx point and lilac-cream lynx point; and parti-color point colors in seal-tortie point, chocolate-tortie point, blue-cream point and lilac-cream point. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic cat then the Colorpoint Shorthair cat is a great candidate. They produce less of the Fel D1 protein which is the true cause for your allergic reaction. There is no cat that is 100% allergy free so increasing the frequency of grooming and bathing your furry friend will also help.

Origin: The Colorpoint Shorthair is a manmade breed that came about in the 1940s as a result of the desire to produce a Siamese-style pointed cat but in different colors than the traditional four (seal point, chocolate point, blue point and lilac point). The Colorpoint Shorthair does indeed share a striking resemblance to the Siamese breed and some believe that it is simply a Siamese hybrid. To create the desired look, Siamese cats were bred with domestic shorthair cats, Abyssinians and American Shorthairs. It took time, effort and honing to achieve the look of the Colorpoint Shorthair. As they bred the cats, new and interesting color classes were added to the list of acceptable colors. As the desired looks and colors were achieved, cats were bred back to the original Siamese lines to perfect the body and overall conformation of the cat. Because the new colors were quite controversial among Siamese breeders, who feared the new colors were dilute the Siamese breed standard, a new breed was created. And thus, the Colorpoint Shorthair was created. The breed was first accepted by the CFA for registration in 1964 and was granted championship status in 1974. Today, many associations accept the additional colors for Siamese cats but some associations (CCA, CFA and UFO) still recognize the Colorpoint Shorthair as a separate breed.