Breed Standard
Head: Medium size. Long and triangular with a straight profile. Slightly convex skull; flat. Flat forehead. Fine muzzle. No nose or whisker break. Long, straight nose. Medium size chin.
Eyes: Of medium size, almond shape, and slanting slightly toward the nose. Color: Deep blue.
Neck: Long, slender, elegant.
Body: Long, svelte, oriental body type. Fine bones and firm muscles.
Paw: Long and slim. Length in proportion to body. Small, oval paws with tufts between the toes.
Tail: Very long and thin, tapering to the tip.
Coat: Semilong, silky, fine hair. Longer on the body, belly, and tail (plume). Slight undercoat. All Siamese colors are recognized. Color points must be uniform. Clear contrast between point color and body color. Kittens are born solid white. The coat does not take on its adult coloring until one year of age.
The C.F.A. recognizes only four varieties:
1. Seal Point: Deep seal brown points
2. Blue Point: Deep blue points
3. Chocolate Point: Milk chocolate points
4. Lilac Point: Frosty gray points
Cats of other colors are classified as Javanese in the United States. In France, no distinction is made between the Balinese and the Javanese.
History
A luxuriously silky, svelte little imp with deep blue eyes. In the 1940s, American breeders developed an interested in Siamese kittens born with semilong hair. They did not know if the longer hair was the result of outcrosses with Persians or spontaneous mutation. Until that time, semilonghaired kittens had been considered undesirable. After World War II, Marion Dorsey of California began raising "Longhair Siamese", also called Balinese to reflect their Asian heritage and gracefulness. These Longhair Siamese were shown for the first time in 1955. The C.F.A. and T.I.C.A. recognized the breed in 1970, the F.I.Fe in 1972, and France in 1983. This breed is still uncommon in Europe.
Behavior
This extroverted, active, lively cat is curious and playful, though more subdued and even-tempered than its Siamese cousin. The Balinese voice is also softer. This cat loves company, despises solitude, and requires considerable love and affection. A Balinese will enjoy the company of another active cat or a cat-friendly dog. Devoted to his owner, the Balinese is sensitive, affectionate, and endearing. Maintaining the coat is easy. Weekly brushing and combing is sufficient. The Balinese does not shed much.
Health
Considered to be among the smartest of all cat breeds. Balinese experience easy loss of body heat, heart diseaseand upper respiratory infections.
