Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Original Longhair breed was developed to preserve the natural type of the classic domestic cat, combining a noble appearance with natural harmony. Breeding began in Europe in the late 20th century, where breeders sought to create a cat with soft long hair, a strong physique, and a balanced temperament without excessive ornamental traits. The foundation of the breed included naturally occurring cats with robust health and stable genetics. The breed gained recognition for its natural beauty, endurance, and calm temperament, becoming a symbol of elegance and purity within the ICCF system.
General Appearance
The Original Longhair is a medium-to-large cat with a harmonious body structure and natural grace. The body is proportionate, muscular, and soft in outline. The head is medium-sized, slightly wedge-shaped with smooth contours; the muzzle is expressive and balanced. Eyes are large, wide-set, and convey a kind expression. Ears are medium in size, rounded at the tips, often with tufts. The coat is long, dense, and silky, forming a lush ruff and a full, plume-like tail. Overall, the breed combines natural elegance, strength, and softness, reflecting harmony and refinement of origin.
Important Proportions
Proportions of the Original Longhair should be balanced and natural, avoiding extremes of heaviness or elongation. The head is proportional to the body, with a smooth transition to a medium-length neck. The body is elongated yet compact, with a deep chest and straight back. Legs are of medium length, strong, with rounded paws. The tail is long, well-furred, and tapers evenly toward the tip, continuing the line of the body. Every part of the cat should appear visually balanced, expressing proportionality, natural beauty, and graceful breed harmony.
Behavior and Temperament
The Original Longhair is calm, affectionate, and friendly. It is an intelligent, loyal, and people-oriented breed that easily bonds with humans and other pets. It shows gentle affection without being demanding, preferring quiet companionship and mutual trust. These cats are intelligent, adaptable, and enjoy peaceful home environments. The breed combines curiosity and moderate activity with an even, gentle disposition, uniting independence with deep attachment to its owner.
Head
The head is medium in size, proportional to the body, with smooth, soft lines. The contours are slightly wedge-shaped without sharp transitions. The forehead is moderately broad and slightly rounded, with a smooth stop. The muzzle is medium in length, with well-developed whisker pads and a firm but not heavy chin. The profile is straight, with no abrupt changes. Cheeks are full and softly shaped, especially in mature males. The overall head shape reflects balance, grace, and calm intelligence.
Facial Part
The facial features are balanced and gentle, with soft lines and a kind, expressive look. The muzzle is of medium length, neat, with well-developed whisker pads. The nose is straight, of medium width, with a slight dip at the bridge, without bump or indentation. Cheeks are rounded, blending smoothly into the chin. The chin is firm yet soft, aligning with the nose. Nose leather and lip pigmentation correspond to the coat color. The face should display harmony, symmetry, and natural expression — soft, serene, and noble.
Eyes
The eyes are large, oval, wide-set, and slightly slanted toward the nose, giving a soft and attentive expression. The color is deep, clear, and in harmony with the coat — ranging from amber and gold to green or blue in point varieties. The gaze is expressive and intelligent, reflecting the cat’s calm temperament. Eyes must be symmetrical, without strabismus or bulging. The overall impression is one of balance, clarity, and dignity.
Ears
The ears are medium-sized, broad at the base, and rounded at the tips. They are moderately high-set and slightly tilted forward, giving an alert yet gentle expression. The inner ear is well-furnished, with visible tufts at the tips, particularly in adult cats. The ear placement complements the head shape, maintaining proportionality and smooth lines. Ears that are too large, pointed, or low-set are considered faults, as they disrupt the breed’s balanced look.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, proportional to the body — strong, muscular, yet graceful. It connects the head and body with a smooth, natural transition. Males have a thicker, more powerful neck; females are more slender and refined. The fur on the neck is dense, forming a beautiful ruff, especially in mature cats. The neck should emphasize the breed’s natural balance and noble character.
Body
The body is medium to large, well-proportioned, with a strong skeleton and developed musculature. The back is straight, the chest broad and deep, and the abdomen slightly tucked up. The silhouette is smooth, rounded, and balanced. Shoulders and hips are equal in width, creating stability and symmetry. The body is covered with long, thick fur that enhances its elegance and strength. The impression should be one of solid build, harmony, and natural grace.
Tail
The tail is long, proportionate to the body, flexible, and well-furnished. It is of medium thickness at the base, tapering to a rounded tip. The fur is dense and silky, forming a full, flowing plume that complements the cat’s graceful movement. The tail must be flexible, without kinks or stiffness. In repose, it rests naturally; in motion, it curves gently. A short, thick, or rigid tail is considered a fault.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are straight, medium in length, with a firm but elegant bone structure. The shoulders blend smoothly into the body, providing stability and proper posture. Musculature is moderate, allowing fluid and graceful motion. Paws are round and compact, with strong pads and tufts between the toes. Legs should be parallel and well-aligned, demonstrating balance and elegance.
Hind Limbs
Hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, giving the body a gentle rise toward the rump and contributing to the breed’s poised stance. Thighs are muscular, joints flexible, and movement soft. Paws are rounded and compact with fur tufts. Legs are parallel, ensuring balance and smooth motion. The gait should be steady and graceful, free from stiffness or weakness.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the Original Longhair is smooth, light, and well-coordinated. Movements are fluid and silent, with a level back and balanced posture. The tail moves in harmony with the body. The stride is flexible, elastic, and balanced, reflecting the breed’s calm confidence and noble character.
Coat
The coat is long, thick, soft, and silky, with a natural sheen. The undercoat is well-developed but not excessive, providing volume and protection without heaviness. The fur is especially long around the neck, chest, abdomen, tail, and hind legs, forming ruffs and breeches. The texture is smooth, non-matting, and falls neatly along the body. The coat must appear well-groomed, dense, and elastic. Sparse, coarse, or dull coats are undesirable.
Permitted Colors
All natural and recognized feline colors are permitted. Solid colors (black, white, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac), all tabby patterns (classic, mackerel, spotted), smoke, silver, golden, bicolor, harlequin, van, and colorpoint varieties are accepted. Eye color must harmonize with the coat — from amber and gold to green or blue. Uneven pigmentation, unstandardized markings, or mismatched eye color are considered faults.
Size
The Original Longhair is a medium-to-large cat with a strong frame and developed musculature. Adult males weigh 5–7 kg, females 3.5–5 kg. The body is proportionate, elongated but not long, with a balanced silhouette. The chest is deep, limbs strong, and the tail full and proportional. Despite its dense coat, the breed maintains elegance and natural balance between strength and refinement.
Faults
Faults include weak or overly heavy bone structure, short or overly elongated body, narrow chest, or insufficient musculature. Other undesirable traits: oversized or low-set ears, narrow or elongated muzzle, short or kinked tail, thin or dull coat lacking sheen, or a weak, matted undercoat. Behavioral issues like excessive timidity or aggression also reduce the evaluation. Minor deviations are permissible if they do not disrupt overall harmony.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include tail or spinal deformities, immobile or shortened tail, strabismus, incorrect bite, deformities of the skull or limbs, dwarfism, overly short legs, elongated muzzle, or coarse head type. Cats with alopecia, patchy fur, lack of undercoat, disallowed color patterns, or behavioral abnormalities (aggression, fear) are disqualified from breeding and shows.
Important Notes
Only healthy Original Longhairs, free from hereditary defects, may be used in breeding. Special attention must be paid to maintaining natural type, strong bone structure, balanced proportions, and stable temperament. Coat quality—its density, silkiness, and natural shine—is paramount. Breeding must aim to preserve the breed’s natural grace, health, and stable exterior. Cats with deformities or hereditary disorders are excluded from breeding programs.
Conclusion
The Original Longhair embodies natural harmony, elegance, and intelligence. This breed combines a noble appearance, dense silky fur, and a calm, affectionate temperament. Loyal and adaptable, these cats thrive in any environment, maintaining strong health and serene character. Within the ICCF system, the Original Longhair is valued for its natural beauty, purity, and balance—an ideal union of external refinement and inner dignity.
