Colorpoint Shorthairs have long, slender, firm bodies with wedge-shaped heads and large, almond-shaped, blue eyes. Their ears are exceptionally large and pointed, and their glossy, short coat lies close against the body. These cats closely resemble their Siamese relatives. Their bodies are white in color and a total of 16 different point color variations are recognized. These include red, cream, blue/cream, lilac/cream, seal or chocolate tortie, 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.
When they're not in play mode, these cats are happy to curl up in a lap for petting, even if their human pillow is reading, watching television, or is otherwise occupied.
These are vocal, extroverted cats. They thrive on attention and cry for it if they aren't getting it when they want it. Colorpoint Shorthairs belong in a home with one or more attentive humans who will interact with and entertain them. This breed generally coexists peacefully with other pets and children. Older children with the interest and attention span for extended play make the best companions.
Coloration is the only visible or structural difference between Colorpoint Shorthairs and Siamese. Someone wearing a blindfold should not be able to tell the difference between conforming specimens of the two breeds. Sometimes, Siamese colorations appear in Colorpoint Shorthair litters. Personalities are basically identical between the two breeds, too.
Colorpoint Shorthairs are affectionate, devoted, and loyal, and they expect the same in return. They feel entitled to attention whenever they want it. Often, they're content to lie around nearby or in a lap, but at other times they demand active play or responses to their feline chatter.
These cats insist on attention with loud and continuing vocalization and by inserting themselves front-and-center, even deliberately interrupting human activities. They commonly follow people around while seeking attention in a dog-like manner. Colorpoint Shorthairs readily accept the presence of children and other animals, provided the intruders don't interfere with or take their desired attention.
Despite seemingly selfish tendencies, Colorpoint Shorthairs are attuned to human emotions, particularly sadness. They are quick to offer comfort when they detect a human family member is upset.
Colorpoint Shorthairs are generally healthy and live an average of 15 years. A healthy diet and maintenance of an appropriate body weight are essential to continued well-being and longevity. Because this breed should feature toned muscles and is highly active, breeders recommend a diet especially high in protein.
This breed is more likely than some other breeds to suffer from protrusion of the cranial sternum, a slight structural deformity. It is also prone to a congenital inherited form of heart disease called endocardial fibroelastosis. This condition, marked by thickening of the endocardium layer of the heart, often proves fatal to kittens.
Colorpoint Shorthairs are also more likely to develop sinusitis than many other breeds. This is an inflammation of the sinuses triggered by a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Additionally, excessive tearing of the eyes, or epiphora, commonly affects Colorpoint Shorthairs.
The Colorpoint Shorthair's intelligence and love of interactive play makes the breed well suited to training. You can teach these cats fetch, but only if you're prepared to play it frequently. While they easily amuse themselves with a puzzle toy, prey simulator, or wad of paper, expect them to request participation in their games eventually.
Toys provide some distraction for Colorpoint Shorthairs when their humans need them to entertain themselves. New or less familiar toys work well, so rotate items to maintain novelty or find household items safe for play. Because of their compulsion to investigate the unfamiliar, often moving a cat tree or scratching post to a new location or temporarily rearranging a few pieces of furniture occupies a cat of this breed for a while.
Human downtime provides good opportunity to satisfy a Colorpoint Shorthair's need for affection. When they're not in play mode, these cats are happy to curl up in a lap for petting, even if their human pillow is reading, watching television, or is otherwise occupied. This may limit interference with activities in the period following relaxation, but it's not a substitute for interactive play.
Colorpoint Shorthairs have a short, low-maintenance coat. Brushing with a rubber brush once or twice per week will collect loose hairs. After brushing, a chamois cloth will smooth the coat. Occasionally wetting the coat will trigger these cats to thoroughly groom themselves clean and dry. Shampoo is only necessary if the coat becomes dirtied by something difficult to remove or potentially hazardous.
This breed's large ears must be checked often for wax accumulation or debris and for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, itchiness, and discharge. A gentle otic cleanser is generally sufficient to clean dirty ears and prevent infections. Colorpoint Shorthairs need their nails trimmed two to four times monthly. Only the curved tips should be snipped off. Regularly brushing this breed's teeth will prevent dental problems and bad breath.
Starting grooming early in life will help ensure these cats accept handling and brushing. Cats generally become more accepting of grooming processes over time and with increased exposure. Colorpoint Shorthairs who refuse grooming should see a professional.
Colorpoint Shorthairs are a man-made breed. In the 1940s, American and British Siamese breeders decided their cats would benefit from new colors and patterns, especially red, cream, and lynx (tabby). The Colorpoint Shorthair began with the crossing of a Siamese with a red lynx American Shorthair.
The breed was further developed with other American and Domestic Shorthairs and Abyssinians. A period of generally unsuccessful development followed, with efforts to achieve desired colorations sacrificing the Siamese body type. Further complications arose in pursuit of the red coloration, which is sex-linked.
Eventually, coloration was established and the developing breed was crossed back to Siamese to regain their body type. Because the final product was in most respects identical to Siamese, there was immediate controversy as to whether it represented a new breed. Regardless, many Siamese breeders and fans were upset by the new colors, so the hybrids were named Colorpoint Shorthairs.
The red and cream Colorpoint Shorthairs were accepted by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1964. Lynx and tortie points gained recognition in 1969. By 1974, the breed gained official acceptance as it stands today.
