First printed in Oriental Cat Association Yearbook 2010

"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck ……."

John S Harrison

I have thought long and hard about the content of this article and I know it will cause more than a few raised eyebrows! I started writing this more than 12 months ago, but for various reasons it remained unfinished. I have read, revised, and re-written the article, but I fear that to some people it will be wholly unacceptable. I hope it will cause open discussion and lead to breeders and clubs thinking outside the box - that at least is my hope!

Though the Havana came into being as the Chestnut Brown Foreign in the 1950's, the Oriental, in its various forms, was not developed until the 1960's and 1970's and is therefore a very new creation. In the early days of the OCA there was a generally held view that it would be an 'umbrella' club catering for all colours and patterns, with individual 'colour' and 'pattern' clubs being formed independently to foster the specialist interest of those colours and patterns.

It was envisaged that the numbers of cats and breeders would continue to increase and there would be sufficient numbers of individual varieties to establish and perfect pure breeding. In 1977 The Havana Cat Club for example adopted a breeding policy which I wrote to further this aim - sadly a policy which is now both unrealistic and unachievable. Until recently there were 11 separate clubs catering for the various colours, patterns and hair lengths in the Oriental.

The Oriental is sub-divided into four separate 'Breed Groups' - Oriental Shorthair Self, Oriental Shorthair Non-Self, Oriental Longhair, and Oriental Bicolour. Each of these four Breed Groups has it's own Judge List, and each has, technically at least, it's own Breed Advisory Committee, the first three meet together as the Oriental Joint Breed Advisory Committee, and the last has recently withdrawn from OJBAC and now meets unilaterally.

During the 1970's, '80's and '90's the Oriental section at shows was thriving; at most championship shows the majority of colours and patterns were represented: there was strong competition and the future for the Oriental section looked bright. Arguably, at this time the division of the Oriental into three separate breed groups was justified, when however Bicolours gained Preliminary Recognition in 2006 the case for separate Breed Group status was debateable.

Unfortunately, a wheel seems to have come off the Oriental wagon….. The number of Orientals at shows has plummeted; and the Oriental Section is smaller than most individual variety entries 30 years ago. In 1977 it was not unusual to have up to 20 Foreign Whites at an all-breed show, with comparable numbers of the Havana and Lilac: today most championship shows do not even get 20 entries in the entire Oriental Section.

The number of 'serious' breeders declines annually and there are now very few dedicated breeders remaining. The reasons are undoubtedly many and various, but in many ways they are of little importance, what is important are the consequences and the effects of the decline on the Oriental as a whole.

It saddens me to say that the future of the Oriental does not look good, and, unless we do something, the Oriental will decline even further, not only in numbers, but also in quality and vitality.

Today there is a dearth of stud cats and quality-breeding queens; colour varieties which were once popular are becoming a rarity, and the gene pool is shrinking dramatically - and this is the most significant worry. Today I am the only person still actively involved in the Cat Fancy who was actively involved in the very early days of the Oriental, and on reflection; or more correctly hind-sight; I have to admit that we got it wrong. We were simply "carried away" and separated too many colours, had too many classes, and the ultimate sin, divided the Oriental into too many mutually exclusive compartments. In short rather than establishing a system to support a strong 'Oriental Breed' we have created 3 separate, and ever diverging, breeds within the Oriental.

Within the scope of this article I am excluding the Foreign White because genetically it is a white Siamese (c^sc^s) rather than rather than an Oriental (CC or Cc^s) and the fact that it is not in the Siamese section is a total anomaly. In 1977 I, along with the majority of breeders, wanted the Foreign White to be included in the Siamese Section, a move which was vehemently rejected - and so today we have a 'White Siamese' competing in the Oriental Section and have no opportunity to breed the Oriental White with green eyes.

Diverging into three distinct and different types
It is clear that there are three widely differing types within the Oriental, and it is no coincidence that the three types correspond to different Breed Groups. I am not talking of 'pet' quality for that exists in all varieties, but a very distinct divergence of 'show' type within varieties that should essentially all be of the same type. 'Oriental type' should be the same in all Orientals varieties, including the Havana, regardless of colour, pattern, or coat length: unfortunately, with increasing speed the divergence in type is becoming increasingly pronounced as the gene pool shrinks.

If we start with the Oriental Selfs and Non-Selfs, we see body and head type that has changed little in the past decade, but in the majority of cases is significantly inferior to that of the best cats in the 1980's and 1990's. Generally, the body type lacks sufficient elegance; head type needs a little more refinement to give correct balance; ear set generally falls within the range of correct to high; and coat lengths are generally longer than desired.

In the Longhairs, which are, now seen in increasing numbers at shows we see a much larger animal, in many cases overly large. Generally they are of very good body type but lacking elegance and refinement; heads tend to be rather broad and lacking correct balance, and ear set is within the range of correct to low; coat texture is greatly improved though frequently a little short for perfection.

Bicolours are the latest addition to the Oriental scene in Britain, with bloodlines from Europe, America and Australasia. In the Bicolours the cats we see are generally of good size, and of slim, strong, elegant type; heads are generally of good type and correct balance with ears of correct size and set; in the shorthairs the coat length and texture is generally excellent.

I see nothing in any of the Oriental Breed Standards (which account for 26 pages in the GCCF Standard of Points!) that requires there to be any difference whatsoever in the overall type of different varieties -all standards have the same requirement with insignificant difference.

The following table identifies the differences between the three Standards, and shows the differences to be merely a matter of wordage; the general interpretation has to be that they should be the same type.

There is no doubt; casting aside the individual preferences and idiosyncrasies of Judges; that they should be judged to the same standard, and there is no requirement for any divergence in type. Put simply a Havana, a Chocolate Ticked Tabby, a Chocolate Bicolour, and a Chocolate Longhair should all be of the same type with the only differences being coat pattern, white patches, and coat length respectively.

Registration Policies
Each breed of cat recognised by the GCCF has a Registration Policy. In order for a cat to be registered as a particular breed, its pedigree must conform to the registration policy for that breed - this is quite specific. The Oriental does not have a single unified Registration Policy, but rather separate ones for Oriental Shorthairs (Self & Non Self), Oriental Longhairs, and, Oriental Bicolours. The Registration Policies are in essence sensible, and, if the breed was thriving would not be a cause for undue concern.

It is important that we understand the meaning of the Registration Policies, and consider the consequences. The following extracts relate to the registration of progeny from matings between the three Oriental groups

The restrictions imposed by the Registration Policies are without doubt the direct cause of the increasing divergence in type between the Shorthair, Longhair, and Bicolour. The last two are probably holding ground because of the advantage that they can mate to the other two groups, something which is, to all intents and purposes, prohibited in the Shorthair. Other than Siamese no other breed is permitted in an Oriental pedigree.

Diminishing gene pool
Over the past few years, there has been a significant reduction in the number of breeders of the Oriental, and as a consequence a drastic reduction in the number of Oriental studs, and breeding queens. This of necessity means that the gene pool is growing ever smaller and the relationship between cats is becoming ever closer; if the present trend continues there will be few if any Oriental breeding cats which are not closely related.

Because of the restrictions imposed by the Registration Policies, out-lined above, whereas Oriental Longhairs and Oriental Bicolours can be mated out to the Oriental Shorthair, for an injection of fresh blood, unfortunately the reverse is not possible. As the gene pool shrinks the cats will become increasingly inbred, and as homogeneity increases the divergence of type will become ever more pronounced - the cats within each of the three breed groups will become increasingly similar, but the differences between the breed groups will be heightened. This, in itself, is a serious problem for the Oriental as a breed type.

However of far greater importance is the fact that it is highly likely that the diminishing gene pool will have a detrimental effect on the health, fertility, vitality and stamina of the cats, commonly referred to as 'inbred inertia'. If skeletal and physical defects are present within the gene pool (and we must all accept that they are) they will become increasingly apparent in the progeny, and as the years go by Judges can expect to see more defects in the animals they judge. While this will be apparent in cats seen at shows, please spare a thought for those that don't 'make the grade'. This is not the way we should be going, and is in contradiction with our declared aim of protecting the welfare of cats.

Fertility is likely to deteriorate, and indeed I think it fair to say that this is already happening, in the 1970's and 1980's litters of 6 or more kittens were the norm, today it seems that litters are generally 4 or less. This reduction in litter size is not coincidental with, but rather the result of, a declining gene pool.

Possibly one of the most worrying aspects of a reducing gene pool is the increasing probability of reduced vitality, stamina and disease resistance. In the cat population at large some animals will have a predisposition to certain illnesses, just as some will have an increased resistance. With a diminishing gene pool, cats will become increasingly inbred and are likely to have identical predispositions; the consequence should not need stating. From our own recent history, when we lost nine of our cats, I know only too well that when a closed colony of cats is challenged with a serious viral infection certain cats will survive whilst others will perish, and in our case there was a clear familial link - coincidence? I think not. As we found a reliance on vaccines and drugs is not always enough …..

As a man-made breed moves further away from its origins so the breadth of the gene-pool will shrink, that is a given. The Oriental Shorthair and Longhair were created less than half a century ago from various and diverse breeds including Siamese, Russian Blue, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Chinchilla, British Shorthair, Burmese, Manx, Abyssinian and the good old 'Farmyard Moggie', a very wide gene-pool indeed.

As time passes certain lines will come to the fore and other lines will be discontinued the gene pool will shrink, and the choice of available breeding stock becomes ever smaller. When this happens there is the temptation to use animals which maybe don't quite have the stamina and vitality of previous generations, and so we move ever closer to the slippery slope. The Bicolour is of much more recent creation, and with the ease of importing, currently has a fairly wide international based gene pool.

In any form of livestock, inbreeding or line breeding is the primary tool of the breeder and is in essence the way that breeds are created - you simply cannot create a 'family', let alone a breed, by mating together disparate animals. For well over 40 years I have bred various animals and birds with some degree of success, and have consistently used line breeding to increase the homogeneity of the 'family'.

The prime consideration in the selection of breeding stock has always been health and vitality first, and show qualities second. There is absolutely NO problem inbreeding provided selection is rigorous and not simply on show aspects.

The creation of a 'family' relies on the regular introductions of 'new blood' from outside the family to correct faults & weaknesses, and to improve the qualities of the family. In the past this has always been possible in Oriental cats, but today with a diminishing gene pool there is little if any 'new blood' to be found. There will of course be cats that are very distantly related, but in many cases these animals will be of 'pet' quality and the majority of breeders would not wish to introduce this to their line!

I am in no doubt whatsoever that the Oriental is now at the point where, because the gene pool of the individual groupings is so reduced, the future of the breed is in danger of even further decline. The gene pool is far too small for the breed groupings to be sustained, and has to be widened if the future of the Oriental is to be secured. If you think this is alarmist I suggest that you try writing a list of all the Oriental stud cats available in the UK …. the list is ridiculously short!

There is a Solution
The decreasing number of Orientals seen at shows is reflected in the registration figures for the past 21 years; for the past 5 years the number of Oriental Shorthairs registered by GCCF has been in the region of 1,100 annually. Oriental Longhairs hold steady at an average of 58; and though there are no figures for Oriental Bicolours one would suspect they will be just a little higher than the Longhair.

Frankly with total annual registrations of around 1,200 there is no justification for the segregation into separate 'Breed Groups' and for the benefit of all Orientals I am of the firm belief that the Oriental should be merged back into ONE Breed Group. In reality, this would not create a problem in practical or logistical terms.

Single Breed Group status would provide for a single Oriental Breed Advisory Committee with representatives from all eligible affiliated clubs meeting to discuss and vote on all issues relating to all Oriental Varieties (Self & Non Self Shorthairs, Longhairs, and Bicolours). In reality until recently all affiliated clubs did meet and discuss jointly all issues, with voting being restricted to clubs recognised for specific breed groups. Separate BAC's for numerically weak breeds with so much common ground is counter productive, and can only harm the future development of the Oriental.

Single Breed Group status would also provide for one Judge List for all Oriental Varieties. At present judges are appointed individually to 4 separate breed lists, yet inclusion on one list enables them to judge all varieties in miscellaneous classes. There are 37 judges on the combined lists, of these there are only 9 (excluding those who no longer judge) who are not on all lists - which rather indicates that it would not cause a real issue to combine into one list.

With the judges who are not on all lists the solution is simple, if they are on three of the four current lists grant them Full status, and if they are on only one or two of the lists grant them 'Specialist' or 'Restricted' status for the relevant colour varieties. A single Judge List for Orientals would remove many problems with the current situation where BAC's of 2 clubs reach stalemate over judge nominations, and one club BAC's can put judges through on the decision of 4 or 5 committee members attending a club committee meeting.

Single Breed Group status should also provide for one Registration Policy for all Oriental Varieties and this would have the most significant and lasting impact on the Oriental allowing at one stroke for a widening of the gene pool. Whilst the individual gene pools of the three Oriental groupings (viz Shorthair, Longhair, and Bicolour) are small and shrinking the gene pools of the three 'breed groups' is significantly wider.

The introduction of a single Oriental Registration Policy should allow all Oriental varieties to be bred together; all progeny eligible for registration on the Full or Supplementary Registers; and all progeny eligible for show according to it's phenotype. The interbreeding of Shorthairs, Longhairs and Bicolours can only benefit the Oriental as a breed, it would greatly increase the gene-pool, halt the current divergence in type, and increase the vigour and vitality of the Breed.

In every day terms it would mean, for example, that a Chocolate shorthair kitten from Longhair breeding would be registered as Havana, 29 and not as a Variant,62b and as such could be shown as a Havana, and bred from as a Havana. The registration would continue to be endorsed 'Longhair in pedigree'. It would also mean that a Black self kitten from Bicolour breeding would be registered as either Oriental Black, 37 or Oriental Longhair, 62, dependant on coat length.

To some people this will be totally objectionable … but if it is, you really do have to ask the question 'Why?' The only reason why anyone could object is because it's a change and not what we in GCCF have always done! Any breeder of Shorthairs who doesn't want Longhair or Bicolour cats in the pedigrees of their cats can simply choose not to use studs with such breeding in the background : it's a personal choice.

The Longhair gene
The difference in coat length of the Oriental Longhair and the Oriental Shorthair is the result of a single gene; shorthair is the dominant form (L-) with longhair being recessive (ll). In breeds such as the Persian there will be many polygenes which will 'enhance' the longhair coat; in the Oriental Longhair these modifiers are not present and so the coat is simply a longer version of the shorthair coat. The 'woolly' coat of many early Oriental Longhairs is now a thing of the past.

Whereas the Oriental Longhair will have the genotype ll, the Shorthair can be either homozygous (LL) or heterozygous (Ll) , and, in either case there is unlikely to be any visual or physical difference - both will have identical shorthair coats. In the absence of enhancing polygenes the longhair gene in the heterozygote (Ll) is unlikely to affect the coat length in any way.

The progeny from a mating of a homozygous (LL) Oriental Shorthair and a homozygous (ll) Oriental Longhair will all be heterozygous (Ll) Shorthair - currently registered as Variants (62v), and can only be used in Longhair breeding programs.

Then consider the progeny from a mating of one of these Variants (Ll) to a Shorthair (LL) :

It is clear that a large number of Shorthair kittens will be produced - the fact that they cannot be used in Oriental Shorthair breeding is frankly totally illogical, and a total waste of genetic material.

It is wholly untrue that shorthair cats from Longhair breeding will have longer coats than 'conventionally bred' Shorthairs. Many Oriental Shorthairs shown today do have coats which are rather long - but this is a totally separate issue, and, they have no Longhair in their breeding!!!

IF this is a step too far, then why not consider a 'halfway house' where first generation crosses or 'Variants' are ineligible for show, but the shorthair offspring from Variant / Shorthair matings will be eligible for full registration following proof by test mating to Longhair that they do not carry the Longhair gene.

Over the years, I have handled numerous 'variant' kittens from Longhair breeding and I remain to be convinced that they are readily differentiated from the average Shorthair kitten. The gene is carried exactly as the Siamese gene … and to date I've never met anyone who can tell which kittens carry that either!!! So, is there any logical, or scientific, reason for not registering them as Oriental Shorthairs - other than prejudice?

The Bicolour
The white markings of the Bicolour is caused by a gene for 'piebald white spotting' which is dominant (S) to normal colour (s). Piebald white spotting has variable expression and produces a clearly defined and well documented graded range of white markings. The homozygote (SS) will have far more white that the heterozygote (Ss). Our last litter of kittens was from our Van marked, tortie girl … as expected to an 'impeccable' UK & Imp Gr Ch Red Oriental Shorthair male she produced 5 Bicolour kittens!

The expression of the gene is variable and there is the possibility that some kittens will show very little, or very rarely no, white. The Bicolour Standard of Points is, in my view, unduly demanding requiring a minimum of 1/3 white for show purposes, though many of those winning are only in the ¼ white range. It goes without saying that a high percentage of Bicolour kittens do not attain the required amount of white - even from two Bicolour parents.

If we consider the mating of heterozygous Bicolour (Ss) to an Oriental Shorthair (ss):

and the mating between two 'conventional' Tuxedo Bicolours:

From these matings it is clear that a large number of 'non-white' kittens will be produced; to re-state the point, these kittens will be indistinguishable from kittens bred from two Oriental Shorthairs (or Longhairs as the case may be). These kittens of course cannot be registered as the relevant Shorthair or Longhair at the present time and are in essence discarded. As with the Longhair, there is no justifiable reason why the kittens showing no white should not be registered as the relevant Shorthair or Longhair.

The white 'lockets', 'belly spots', 'bikini line' and 'armpits' frequently seen both Oriental Shorthairs and Longhairs is totally un-related to the Piebald White Spotting of the Bicolour and is believed to be the result of a distinct gene; therefore 'lockets' and 'belly spots' are no more likely to occur from a Bicolour than they are from a solid coloured cat. It is well known that on very rare occasions 'white toes' appear in Oriental and Siamese kittens - again this is totally unrelated to the Piebald White Spotting of the Bicolour and is therefore not a genuine concern.

There is the slim possibility that some kittens that show no white may in fact still be genetically a Bicolour showing no white; however this would be a very rare occurrence, but the possibility does exist. Because of this possibility I do feel that GCCF should endorse registrations 'Bicolour in pedigree' so that if in a subsequent generation a Bicolour occurs the registrations can be amended. This would not be an unusual occurrence, it does happen with Oriental Smokes, Silver Tabbies and Silver Shaded; and indeed with Caramel colouring.

Unfortunately human nature is such that many people will bitterly resent these ideas and the very thought of changes will be met with gasps of horror and cries of derision. Some people will want to 'protect' their club's interests and 'status' - to these people I would say it is more important to protect the 'Oriental'.

I have been an officer of many clubs for Orientals over the past thirty-five years, I have never wavered in my love of, and interest in, the Oriental, and I still have many Orientals ranging in age from 1 to 17 years: For the past 43 years Orientals have been a very important part of my life.

To those who want to 'protect their interests' I would urge them to open their eyes and see the writing on the wall. I would urge all breeders to seriously consider the future of the Oriental, the cats that we all profess to hold dear.

We cannot close our eyes and hope it will go away, the Oriental is in decline, and the gene-pool is no longer wide enough to sustain a viable healthy breed in the long term. We need to review the situation and cast aside rigid club protectionism, take an honest look, discuss openly and act in the best interest of the Oriental. We cannot simply bury our head in the sand.

I fully appreciate that to some people my views will be regarded as 'over dramatic', 'scare-mongering', to others 'heresy', and some will think I am just 'plain stupid'. I know some of my comments will be quoted 'out of context', and I will be undoubtedly be accused of proposing no end of things! My hope is that by raising options, which would formerly have been inconceivable, I can provoke discussion … and maybe together we guarantee the survival of the Oriental.

©John S Harrison
04/02/2010

Top of the page

Articles menu