Official ICCF Breed Description
Historical Background
The Ocicat breed originated in the United States in the 1960s as a result of an experimental cross between Siamese and Abyssinian cats, later enriched with American Shorthair bloodlines. The goal of the breeding program was to create a cat with the exotic appearance of a wild ocelot, yet with the affectionate and domestic temperament of a companion animal. The first kittens with a spotted coat appeared in 1964 and immediately attracted great interest among breeders. The breed quickly gained recognition for its wild look reminiscent of jungle predators, while containing no wild blood. By the 1980s, the Ocicat was officially recognized as an independent breed and subsequently spread beyond the United States, becoming popular among admirers of exotic and rare cats.
General Appearance
The Ocicat is an elegant and well-proportioned cat of medium to large size, giving the impression of a wild feline yet entirely domestic in character. The body is muscular, strong, and slightly elongated, maintaining perfect balance. The head is gently wedge-shaped with soft contours and a well-developed chin. The ears are of medium size, often adorned with small tufts. The eyes are large, almond-shaped, and expressive, in shades of gold, amber, green, or copper, but never blue. The breed’s hallmark is its spotted coat pattern, reminiscent of a wild ocelot — distinct, well-defined spots distributed over the entire body, including the tail and belly. The overall appearance combines strength, elegance, and exotic beauty.
Important Proportions
All proportions of the Ocicat are aimed at creating a unified, balanced, and harmonious type. The body length slightly exceeds the height at the shoulders, emphasizing the elongated and graceful silhouette. The limbs are medium in length, strong and slender, in harmony with the torso; paws are round and compact. The tail is long, tapering toward the tip, adorned with ring-like markings ending in a dark tip. The head is proportionate to the body, with smooth lines and expressive eyes that enhance the wild resemblance. Balance is key — the cat must not appear either too heavy or too light. The proportions convey a blend of strength and refinement, resulting in a complete and graceful appearance.
Behavior and Temperament
The Ocicat is an active, intelligent, and friendly breed known for its strong attachment to humans. These cats are sociable, love attention, and get along well with other animals. They are playful and energetic at all ages, displaying curiosity and quick learning abilities. Ocicats can be trained to perform simple tricks, retrieve toys, and respond to commands. Despite their exotic appearance, they are affectionate, stable, and devoted. They are family-oriented, good with children and other pets, and are characterized by confidence, lack of aggression, and a strong desire to participate in their owner’s daily life.
Head
The head of the Ocicat is slightly wedge-shaped, proportional to the body, with smooth yet well-defined lines. The skull is gently rounded, and the forehead transitions smoothly into the nose without sharp angles. The cheekbones are high and prominent, emphasizing the breed’s wild resemblance. The muzzle is of moderate length and slightly square, with a firm chin forming a correct bite. The nose is of medium length and straight, with a gentle rise toward the eyes, contributing to the cat’s wild expression. The head must remain balanced, neither too narrow nor too coarse, combining harmony and expressiveness.
Facial Part
The facial structure of the Ocicat is expressive and slightly wild in appearance. The cheeks are moderately full, blending smoothly into the square muzzle. The chin is strong, even, neither protruding nor receding, forming a correct profile. Whiskers are long, symmetrically positioned, and accentuate the bold look of the face. The nose is broad at the base with a gentle curve near the top. The facial part should not appear too narrow or overly rounded. Clear lines combined with the spotted pattern enhance the impression of a wild predator, while the expression remains friendly and alert.
Eyes
The eyes of the Ocicat are large, almond-shaped, and slightly slanted, enhancing the wild appearance. They are set wide apart and harmonize perfectly with the shape of the head. Eye color may range from gold, amber, and green to copper, with blue strictly prohibited. The expression is intelligent, alert, and lively, reflecting the breed’s curiosity and wit. The eyes are outlined by a contrasting dark rim, which intensifies their expressiveness and gives the characteristic “wild mask.” The harmony of shape, color, and intensity of the eyes plays a vital role in defining the breed type and contributes greatly to its exotic charm.
Ears
The ears of the Ocicat are medium to large, set wide apart with a slight forward tilt. The base is broad, and the tips are gently rounded, sometimes adorned with small tufts — a desirable decorative trait. The ears should be proportionate to the head, emphasizing its wedge shape and enhancing the wild impression. The inner ear is well furnished with protective hair. Placement must complement the eyes and overall facial balance. Ears that are too small, too large, or incorrectly set are considered faults, as they disrupt the harmony of the breed type.
Neck
The neck of the Ocicat is of medium length, strong, and muscular, yet graceful. It joins the head and body smoothly, highlighting the wedge-shaped head and elongated body. Its thickness is proportional to the cat’s size — neither too heavy nor too thin. In males, the neck is more powerful, adding masculinity; in females, it is more delicate, emphasizing elegance. The neck maintains smooth lines in motion and appears firm and noble in stance. It must contribute to the overall harmony of the silhouette, balancing strength and refinement.
Body
The Ocicat’s body is medium to large, strong, and muscular with a slight elongation. The chest is broad and deep, the back straight and firm, and the abdomen moderately tucked up, reinforcing the athletic appearance. The hips are well developed but not coarse, blending smoothly into the croup. The body should convey strength and endurance without heaviness. Proper proportions maintain balance between power and grace, creating the impression of a “wild hunter” with a domestic temperament. Excessive slenderness or bulkiness is undesirable. The body must demonstrate both harmony and flexibility in motion and repose.
Tail
The tail of the Ocicat is long, flexible, and proportionate to the body, tapering to a rounded tip. It is of medium thickness at the base and gradually thins toward the end. The tail is decorated with distinctive rings that intensify toward a dark tip, reinforcing the wild allure. In motion, the tail moves smoothly, aiding balance and coordination. Kinks, breaks, or overly short tails are faults, as are tails that are too thick or excessively long, which disrupt proportional harmony. The tail is an important element of the breed’s exterior, completing its elegant and athletic outline.
Forelimbs
The forelegs of the Ocicat are of medium length, straight, and slender, with well-developed muscles and solid bone structure. The shoulder blades are firmly attached, providing stability and ease of movement. The elbows point directly backward, without turning in or out. The limbs are strong but not coarse, emphasizing the balance between power and elegance. The paws are compact and round, with neat pads and firm toes. The correct stance ensures stability and flexibility in movement. The forelimbs add balance and athleticism to the cat’s overall appearance.
Hindlimbs
The hind legs of the Ocicat are slightly longer than the forelegs, contributing to the athletic and elongated silhouette. The thighs are muscular and strong but not heavy, with smooth lines. The lower legs are slender and proportionate, providing elasticity and lightness of movement. The hock joints are low, directed straight backward, and stable, without inward or outward deviation. The paws are compact and rounded, with firm pads and neat toes. The combination of strength and grace in the hindquarters is vital for the breed, providing jumping power and fluid movement.
Gait and Movement
The Ocicat’s gait is elegant, light, and confident. Movements are free, elastic, and smooth, with good amplitude and steady rhythm. The limbs move parallel, maintaining a straight and balanced outline. When running, the cat displays agility and speed, combined with fluid motion and stability. The tail acts as a natural balancer. Movements should never appear stiff, hesitant, or awkward. The gait must emphasize the athleticism, grace, and natural power of the breed, blending the poise of a domestic cat with the presence of a wild predator.
Coat
The Ocicat’s coat is short, dense, and sleek, lying close to the body. It is glossy and silky to the touch, with a distinct sheen that highlights the spotted pattern. The undercoat is minimal, giving the coat a smooth and light appearance. The texture should accentuate the cat’s muscular build and body lines. Long or overly soft coats are undesirable. All standard spotted colors are permitted, provided the pattern is clear and well-defined. The coat plays a major role in the breed’s wild look, emphasizing the contrast of spots and making the Ocicat especially striking.
Acceptable Colors
The Ocicat comes in a variety of spotted colors, including chocolate, brown, cinnamon, silver, blue, and others. Each coat should display distinct, evenly distributed spots across the body, legs, belly, and tail. The spots may be round or oval and must stand out clearly against the background color. A dark tail tip and well-defined rings are mandatory. The presence of the typical “wild” spotted pattern is essential. Solid colors or tabby markings without spots are disqualifying and contrary to ICCF standards.
Size
The Ocicat is a medium-to-large breed. Females usually weigh between 3.5 and 5 kg, maintaining elegance and refinement, while males are larger and stronger, weighing 4.5 to 7 kg. Height at the withers and body length are proportional, forming a harmonious silhouette that is elongated but not exaggerated. The breed is muscular and athletic, and its size should reflect the perfect balance between strength and grace. Cats that are too small or excessively massive are considered deviations. All proportions must comply with ICCF standards, forming a complete and typical breed type.
Faults
Faults include deviations that disturb the breed’s balance and harmony. These may include an overly coarse or overly slender body, weak musculature, narrow chest, or insufficiently tucked abdomen. A head with harsh lines, a muzzle that is too long or too short, or a weak chin detracts from type. Incorrect eye shape, small size, dull color, or lack of contrast in eyeliner are considered faults. Ears that are too small, too large, or poorly set spoil the balance. Weak pattern contrast, blurred spots, or absence of tail rings are also faults. Excessively soft or long coats lower the evaluation. Behaviorally, shyness, fearfulness, or apathy are undesirable. All such deviations reduce the breed value and are noted by ICCF experts during shows and breeding evaluations.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations that make exhibition or breeding impossible. Among them are the absence of a spotted pattern, solid color coats, or tabby patterns without distinct spots. Blue eyes are disqualifying, as they contradict the breed standard. Severe tail defects such as kinks, knots, or congenital shortening are not allowed. Incorrect bite, missing teeth, or jaw deformities lead to disqualification. Any hereditary disease affecting health or reproductive viability excludes the animal from breeding. Skeletal defects, bowed limbs, or gait abnormalities are disqualifying, as are aggressive or excessively fearful temperaments. Such cats are not permitted in ICCF breeding programs.
Important Notes
The Ocicat is a rare and valuable breed requiring careful preservation of genetic purity. Breeding is permitted only under ICCF supervision and with official documentation confirming origin and health. Special attention is given to maintaining the distinctive spotted pattern and balanced conformation. Crossbreeding with non-approved breeds is prohibited to prevent the loss of unique traits. Health monitoring is essential, especially for bite alignment, bone strength, and coat quality. Only healthy cats free of hereditary defects may participate in breeding. Owners should ensure proper nutrition and grooming to preserve coat gloss and contrast. With proper care and compliance with ICCF guidelines, the breed retains its uniqueness and continues to achieve high recognition at ICCF exhibitions.
Conclusion
The Ocicat is a striking and rare breed that combines the wild elegance of the ocelot with the affectionate nature of a domestic cat. These cats project strength and independence while remaining social and friendly. The ICCF system defines strict standards for both appearance and temperament, emphasizing the preservation of the spotted pattern and proper proportions. Participation in ICCF exhibitions and breeding is permitted only for cats with official documentation confirming origin, health, and conformity to the standard. Without such documents, animals are not eligible for breeding. The breed demands responsible management focused on maintaining its unique traits and population health. The Ocicat remains one of the most impressive and expressive breeds, uniting beauty, power, and intelligence.
