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The Furry Critter Network

Javanese Breed Description

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Breed Organization

TICA Executive Office

The Cat Fanciers' Association

Native Country
United States Of America

Other Names
Mandarin, Red Classic Tabby, British Angora, Foreign Longhair, Oriental Longhair

Coat Length
Longhair and Shorthair

Life Expectancy
Approximately 10+ Years

General Description

Javanese cats are referred to by show cat fanciers as colorpoint cats: showing odd or "rare" colors; such as red or white, or patternation; tabby and tortie.

The Javanese breed has a long, silky coat in a variety of colors (unlike the actual native domestic cats of Java which have short hair). It is a single coat, in contrast to the double coat (with guard hairs) found in most long-haired breeds; as a result, it lies close to the skin, and produces a longer, sleeker look than is typical for long-haired cats. Like the Colorpoint Shorthair, the Javanese has point coloration (with a pale body and darker face and extremities), but is permitted to have coat colors and patterns not found in the Balinese or Siamese. These may range from dark brown to near white, and may be ruddy to bluish, tabby, lynx point, cream point, tortoiseshell (tortie), tortie point, and others, including unusual combinations ("blue-cream point", "cinnamon-tortie lynx point", etc.). In total, CFA defines 24 Javanese-division color combinations in addition to the four Balinese basics. Standard Javanese always have blue eyes.


Breed Standard

Head: Medium-sized, can be inscribed in a triangle. In profile, the skull is slightly convex. Slender muzzle. Long, straight nose continuing the line of the forehead without break. Medium-sized chin.
Eyes: Medium-sized, almond-shaped, set slightly at a slant toward the nose. Color: luminous green. Colorpoints and white-coated cats have dark blue eyes.
Neck: Long and slender.
Body: Long, svelte, graceful but muscular.
Paw: Long, slender, in proportion to the body. Small, oval paws.
Tail: Very long and slender, even at the base, tapering to the tip.
Coat: Thin, silky hair moderately long on the body, slightly longer on the ruff, shoulders, and tail (plume). No wooly undercoat. Even color without tabby markings or shading in non-agouti varieties. Varieties are those of the Oriental type. The eyes are green, except in the white-coated Javanese, which has dark blue eyes.Colorpoint with dark blue eyes, in the varieties recognized for the Siamese.
Fault: White markings. Eyes more yellow than green. Tabby markings in non-agouti varieties.

History

Like the Oriental Shorthair or the Balinese, but with semilong hair Despite its name, this cat did not originate in Java. During breeding programs that led to the creation of the Balinese (semilonghaired Siamese), American breeders obtained a semilonghaired Oriental called the Javanese because of its type. Feline associations are divided on the issue of whether the Javanese is truly a new breed or simply a variety of Balinese. The F.I.Fe., for example, considers it a semilonghaired Oriental type with a solid coat and green eyes. The C.F.A. considers the Javanese simply as a Balinese with coloring other than the four recognized basic colors (seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac point). The Javanese is therefore a colorpoint with dark blue eyes like the Siamese. The Javanese is still quite rare in Europe.

Behavior

The Javanese has the character and temperament of an Oriental type cat. Javanese cats are extraverted and talk a lot in a melodious voice. They are possessive, following their owner like a small dog, and they know how to get all the petting they want. They are easy to groom, especially since they love being brushed. They are notably fond of play, jumping and human contact and allegedly depressed if regularly not entertained by humans or other pets. They are reportedly good mouse hunters.

Health

Common genetic defects are shared with the "Balinese Cat" and the "Siamese Cat". These include: deafness, joint issues, early-onset arthritis, hip displacement and cross-eye.


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