Group Classification: Shorthair
Country of Origin: U.S. and U.K.
Date of Origin: 1950s
Weight (M): 8-12 lbs.
Weight (F): 5-7 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 12+ years

History
The Colorpoint Shorthair is the result of breeding between Siamese and other shorthair breeds (particularly the American Shorthair) as a result of breeders' quests to enrich the color varieties and patterns in the Siamese.

In Britain and Austral/Asia, the name Balinese encompasses all colors and patterns resulting from this breeding; longhairs are called Javanese and shorthairs are called Colorpoint Shorthairs.

General Description
Overall, these cats feature elegance and refined boning. The head is a triangle with flat planes and a straight profile that contributes to the cat's sometimes haughty look. Almond-shaped eyes are set at an angle, following the lines of the wedge. The body should look like a piece of fine porcelain: extremely fragile but exhibiting great tensile strength. Long, fine legs and an endless whippy tail accent the long tube-shaped foreign body.

Color
Accepted colors are red, cream, seal tortie, chocolate tortie, blue/cream, lilac/cream, red lynx, cream lynx, seal lynx, chocolate lynx, blue lynx, lilac lynx, seal tortie lynx, chocolate tortie lynx, blue/cream lynx and lilac/cream lynx. The body color should be free of shading or marking and is a variation of white.

Coat
Shorthaired

Notable Features
Fine-boned elegance.

Health and Care
Regular brushing is all these low-maintenance cats require. The Colorpoint and its cousins are never at a loss for something to do since anything in their home (and everything in their home!) becomes an instant toy. Every corner of a room requires regular investigation. Most are known for their quirky temperament. These cats love people and want constant involvement in whatever is going on at any given moment. They are sensitive cats and require lots of attention.

Resources
The Exotic Shorthair Cat Society of the United Kingdom at http://exoticshorthaircatsociety.co.uk/