Colorpoint Shorthair

Colorpoint Shorthairs are the Siamese's first cousins and are characterized by their 16 different "pointed" colors that go beyond the four Siamese colors. They are seldom calm, love to be entertain and to be entertained.

Physical properties

Colorpoint looks so much like the Siamese that you can call them twins. It has an elegant, medium-sized body with long, tapered lines and tense muscles. It also has almond-shaped eyes, narrow legs and a tapered tail. Unlike the Siamese, however, it can be found in a variety of colors, including red, cream, turtle shells and a mixture of these.

Personality and temperament

Life is never boring with a Colorpoint short hair. Like his cousin, the Siamese, he is an born extrovert: easy to find friends, persistent chat and fill his owners with love. Colorpoint is also remarkably sensitive to mood. If someone is moved to tears while watching a tragic movie, this cat will try to give them comfort.

Health

While the breed is generally healthy, it is prone to certain health conditions such as bulging of the cranial sternum and endocardial fibroelastosis.

History and background

Colorpoint is often confused with the more popular Siamese. In fact, some believe that Colorpoint Shorthair is nothing more than a Siamese hybrid.

Its origins began in the 1940s when cat breeders tried to create a cat that could show the characteristics of the Siamese but came in a variety of colors other than the traditional four.

To achieve their goals, breeders used basic crosses between the Siamese, the Abyssinians, and the red native shorthair (the American shorthair was also used). After years of struggle and countless failures, the breeding program was successful. This breed was crossed again with the Siamese to preserve their body style and personality.

To quell protests from Siamese breeders, cat breeders finally agreed to give this cat a new name, Colorpoint Shorthair. This breed now has very few non-Siamese genes as many generations have passed, although technically it is still a hybrid.

The Cat Breeders' Association awarded breed championship status in 1964. Today, all major associations have followed suit, although most use the Siamese standard to identify Colorpoint Shorthair.

Characteristics

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