Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Oriental cat emerged as a result of purposeful breeding that began in the mid-20th century in Great Britain. Breeders sought to expand the color palette of Siamese cats while preserving the oriental type and achieving greater refinement of body and elegance of line. To accomplish this, Russian Blue, Abyssinian, and other breeds were introduced into the breeding program. By the 1950s–1960s, Orientals began to gain popularity—first in Europe, then in the United States—valued for their graceful silhouette, large ears, and vivid temperament. Over time, the breed received international recognition and today is considered one of the most elegant and refined cat breeds in the world, noted for its devotion, expressiveness, and remarkable diversity of colors.
General Appearance
The Oriental cat gives an impression of harmony, grace, and refinement, embodying the essence of Eastern beauty. The body is long, slender, and flexible, with fine bones and well-developed, lean muscles. The head forms a long wedge tapering smoothly from the broad base of the ears to the delicate nose. The ears are large, widely set, and continue the wedge line, emphasizing the breed’s oriental type. The eyes are almond-shaped, expressive, slightly slanted, and convey intelligence and alertness. Legs are long and slim, with small oval paws, and the tail is long and tapering. The coat is short, glossy, and lies close to the body, accentuating the cat’s elegant contours.
Important Proportions
All proportions of the Oriental cat should express balance and elegance. The body is long and slender; the neck corresponds to the overall silhouette and enhances the oriental type. Leg height is proportional to body length, with the hind legs slightly higher than the front, contributing to grace and agility. The head forms an elongated wedge without sharp transitions; the ears are wide at the base and continue the facial lines. The eyes are almond-shaped, set wide apart, and harmoniously sized relative to the head. The key proportion requirements are elegance, lightness, and overall harmony.
Temperament and Character
The Oriental cat is lively, affectionate, and intelligent. Highly social, it dislikes solitude and prefers to stay near its owner, participating in daily life and following everywhere. The breed is known for high intelligence—Orientals learn commands quickly, enjoy interactive games, and often explore their surroundings with curiosity. They are very vocal and express emotions through a wide range of sounds. Despite their energy, they are loving and loyal, bonding deeply with humans and coexisting well with children and other pets. Their playfulness and affection last throughout life, making them devoted and engaging companions.
Head
The head of the Oriental cat is a long, refined wedge in perfect proportion to the body. The skull is flat, and the forehead smooth, without abrupt transitions. The lines of the head are straight and gently taper from the broad ear base to the delicate muzzle. The chin is neat, of medium strength, aligning with the nose in profile. Cheekbones are subtle, contributing to a refined and aristocratic appearance. The overall impression is one of sophistication and precision of line.
Facial Features
The face is long and narrow, fully emphasizing the oriental type. The nose is straight and long, continuing the forehead line without a break or stop, with a fine, delicate tip. Cheeks are flat and narrow, flowing smoothly into the cheekbones. The chin is moderately strong and refined, maintaining harmony in profile. The facial expression should be dignified and elegant, with smooth and continuous lines that reflect the breed’s delicate refinement.
Eyes
The eyes are almond-shaped, of medium size, and slanted toward the nose, giving the cat its distinctive oriental look. Their shape is elongated and expressive, creating a lively and intelligent expression. The color is vivid—usually bright green, with rich emerald tones preferred. Blue or odd eyes are permitted in white cats. The gaze must always be alert, expressive, and intelligent, harmonizing with the shape of the head and emphasizing the cat’s characteristic elegance.
Ears
The ears are very large, wide at the base, and taper to fine points. They are set low and wide apart, continuing the wedge line of the head and enhancing the oriental silhouette. The inner surface is open and lightly furnished, contributing to the cat’s refined appearance. The size and placement of the ears must be prominent yet harmonious with the head’s proportions. Their shape and set define the breed’s unique, instantly recognizable look.
Neck
The neck is long, slender, and graceful, forming a smooth, flowing connection between the head and body. Despite its delicate appearance, it is strong and muscular enough to maintain poise and balance. The line of the neck emphasizes the breed’s oriental elegance, adding refinement and continuity to the overall form. During movement, it remains flexible and fluid, completing the cat’s elegant silhouette.
Body
The body is long, fine-boned, and flexible, with lean musculature. The chest is narrow yet deep, the back straight and supple, and the abdomen tucked. The body lines are smooth and flowing, creating an impression of both lightness and power. The Oriental cat should appear graceful but not fragile, maintaining a perfect balance of strength and refinement.
Tail
The tail is long, thin, and tapering to a fine point. It should be straight, free of kinks or knots, and continue the body line naturally. The tail plays a vital role in maintaining balance and accentuates the breed’s elegance in motion. Its length and proportion complete the Oriental’s refined silhouette.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are long, slim, and straight, with fine bone and elegant lines. Shoulders blend smoothly into the body, maintaining proportional flow. The paws are small and oval, adding to the cat’s grace. Forelegs provide balance, stability, and freedom of movement while emphasizing slenderness and refinement.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are slightly longer than the front, giving the body a lifted, elegant posture. They are slim yet strong, with well-developed thighs and clean joints. Paws are small and oval, matching the front. Their proportion ensures elastic, graceful movement and a harmonious silhouette.
Gait and Movement
The gait is light, fluid, and graceful. Movement should be smooth and continuous, giving the impression of effortless gliding. When running, the Oriental demonstrates elasticity and flexibility without stiffness or heaviness. All motion must reflect balance, elegance, and feline grace.
Coat
The coat is short, fine, and glossy, lying close to the body with almost no undercoat. It feels silky and smooth, enhancing the body’s flowing lines and oriental refinement. The texture is soft, sleek, and lustrous, requiring minimal grooming. The coat should always appear smooth and well-kept, accentuating the cat’s aristocratic look.
Accepted Colors
One of the Oriental cat’s defining features is its extraordinary range of coat colors. All solid colors are allowed: black, white, blue, chocolate, lilac, fawn, red, and cream. All tabby patterns—mackerel, classic, spotted, and ticked—are accepted, as well as smoke, silver, bicolor, and tricolor variations. This vast palette contributes to the breed’s visual richness and diversity.
Size
The Oriental cat is of medium size, though its elongated body and long legs create an impression of greater stature. Females weigh 3–4 kg and appear light and delicate. Males weigh 4–6 kg but maintain balance and elegance. Height is moderate, but due to proportions, the cat looks tall and slender. Proper balance of dimensions is essential to preserve the oriental type.
Faults
Faults include deviations from the standard that diminish the breed’s harmony. These include a head that is too short, round, or massive, a weak or overly heavy chin, prominent cheekbones, a break or bump on the nose, or small, narrow, or poorly set ears. Round or disproportionate eyes, dull or uneven color, and lack of almond shape are also faults. In the body: shortness, heaviness, or lack of refinement are undesirable. Short or thick legs, large paws, a short or deformed tail, coarse or dense coat, or poor color definition (blurred tabby patterns or uneven solids) are considered faults.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious structural or type deviations: round head, absence of wedge shape, deep profile breaks, excessively weak or protruding chin, strabismus, incorrect eye placement, or loss of almond eye shape. Small or round ears, stocky or cobby body type, tail kinks, or deformities result in disqualification. Abnormal gait, lameness, or skeletal deformities are not permitted. Long, coarse, or thick coats with undercoat are grounds for exclusion. Incorrect eye color or coat color not recognized by the standard also disqualify.
Important Notes
According to ICCF standards, maintaining the oriental type requires careful breeder selection and attention to proportion. The harmony of body, head, and leg proportions is vital. Special emphasis is placed on eyes—their shape, color, and expression are defining features. Ears must retain their characteristic size and position. Excessive roundness or heaviness of body is undesirable. Though many colors are accepted, each must be clear, vivid, and free from dilution or mottling. Behavior is also considered in judging: Orientals must be active, sociable, and expressive. Breeding should aim to preserve refinement and elegance—the foundation of the oriental type.
Conclusion
The Oriental cat is one of the most refined and elegant breeds, instantly recognizable by its oriental type, wedge-shaped head, large ears, almond eyes, and sleek silhouette. Under ICCF standards, participation in shows and breeding is allowed only with official documents confirming pedigree and conformity to standard. Each cat must display balance, harmony, and characteristic expressiveness. With its affectionate, intelligent, and loyal temperament, the Oriental cat is an ideal companion. Breeders must ensure the preservation of the breed’s type and elegance through selective breeding of ICCF-registered cats. The ICCF standard guarantees purity, high breeding value, and international recognition of this exceptional breed.
