Asian Shorthair Cat Breed

Registration: GCCF, TICA, CFA, FIFe
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Hypoallergenic: No
Size: Medium
Coat: Short
Colours: Various, Chocolate, Blue, Cream, Red, Lilac, Fawn, Black
Temperament: Laidback, Playful, Intelligent, Affectionate, Independent, Easy-going, Sociable

History

Despite the name, the Asian group of felines did not originate in Asia. They first appeared in the early 1980s in the United Kingdom, as the result of an accidental mating between a Lilac Burmese female and a Chinchilla Persian male. This resulted in four beautiful kittens in 1981, which caused much excitement because nothing like them had ever been produced before. They were strong but elegant in bone structure and muscular, with short, black-tipped silver coats, black ‘eyeliner’ rings, and delicate tabby markings.

The breeder, Miranda Von Kirchberg, began a breeding program but was advised by other breeders to keep further litters as similar to the Burmese as possible. However, over time, the range of colours and patterns intensified, prompting breeders and registration organisations to class them as their own breed group. Thus, the Asian cat group was born! By 2003, all five Asian varieties had gained championship status through the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).

The solid black Bombay breed has a slightly different history, but it was also developed in the UK. They appeared as the result of mis-matings between European Burmese and domestic short-haired cats. The kittens produced had sleek, black, panther-like coats, which is a hallmark of the breed today.

A short time later, the American Bombay was developed by crossbreeding Sable American Burmese with black American short-haired cats.

Appearance

Asian cats are sleek and elegant but muscular at the same time. They are very similar in appearance to their Burmese cousins, with a broad, round chest, slender legs, and wide set eyes that can be any colour from green to yellow.

These cats have fairly rounded heads with no prominent flattened areas. The ears are fairly large in comparison to the rest of the face; broad at the bottom with slightly rounded tips. This trait, coupled with their large eyes, gives them an intelligent and alert expression. Their paws are neat and well-rounded.

Asian Self varieties, including the Bombay, are solid in colour. The Bombay is always jet black however other Asian self types can come in a variety of colours including:

Chocolate
Blue
Cream
Red
Lilac
Fawn
Black

Burmillas (also known as Asian Shaded) are generally silver or cream but can also be golden and tipped. Asian Tabbies can have a ticked, mackerel, spotted, or classic pattern with wide banding. As their name suggests, Asian Smoke cats have a silvery-white undercoat with a contrasting topcoat. All these coats are generally fine and silky, so they don’t require too much effort on the grooming front.

Personality

All varieties of the Asian cat group are lively, sociable, friendly, playful, and inquisitive. They can be fairly talkative, especially when they want something. So, they are not best suited to families who enjoy the quiet life. They are always ready with a reply when spoken to!

These are active felines that love to be in the presence of their human companions. Unlike many other cat breeds, they also accept strangers with an open heart. Asian cats love to be a part of everyday life, following you from room to room ‘supervising’ and attempting to help out, whether you are doing the dishes, putting the clothes wash out, or attending an online meeting with your boss!

Because of their innate curiosity and high intelligence, you might find that your Asian cat quickly works out how to get into every cupboard in the house! So, it’s important to keep their brilliant minds active with a variety of toys, feeder puzzles, training sessions, and cuddle time. These are confident cats that generally get along very well with children and other pets. However, they do best with families who are home for most of the day because they are prone to suffering from separation anxiety and boredom which can lead to destructive behaviours.

Trainability

Asian cats know their own minds but, because they are so human-orientated, they are fairly easy to train. They particularly take well to regular clicker training sessions. Start simple and once your cat has the hang of things, you can move on to more challenging tasks. Just make sure to only use positive reinforcement methods because these cats can quickly become withdrawn or frustrated if negative methods are used.

Asian cats are true ‘people cats’ with very loving, charming, spirited personalities.

Coat & Care

All short-haired Asian varieties have fine, satiny coats that don’t require much grooming. A good brush once a week should be sufficient enough to keep it in good condition. You can also brush them over with chamois leather once or twice a month.

The best way to avoid periodontal disease is to brush their teeth every day with a vet-approved toothpaste and an appropriate finger brush. However, this isn’t always possible. So, aim for at least 2-3 times a week to keep the teeth healthy. Introduce all hygiene tasks like grooming and teeth brushing from a young age to ensure your cat sees them as enjoyable experiences rather than negative ones. Luckily, Asian cats are so human-orientated that they generally revel in any attention they receive from their owners!

Check your cats' nails once a month and trim them when necessary. Long nails can become uncomfortable or even painful for your feline companion. A good scratching post will also help with this because it allows your cat to trim its nails down naturally.

Their ears need to be checked once a week because cats are prone to developing ear infections which can be difficult to treat if left for too long. Clean them regularly with a clean cloth dampened with an appropriate ear cleaner specifically designed for cats. Only wipe the outer portions of the ears, never push anything into the ear canal because this can cause injury. Symptoms to watch out for include:

Redness
Swelling
Unusual discharge
A foul odour
Excessive wax
Behavioural changes like head tilting or shaking

Health

Asian cats are generally healthy and long-lived, especially if they are provided with a high-quality nutritious diet, plenty of affection, regular mental and physical stimulation, and proper care. With this, these cats can live up to 18 years of age. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to developing certain medical conditions that you need to be aware of if you plan on purchasing one of these beautiful cats.

When adding a cat to your family, it’s always best to research licensed, reputable breeders in your area. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you have and will also perform DNA tests on your kitten and its parents to check for any underlying health issues.

Some of the health conditions seen in Asian cat varieties include:

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) - This inherited condition is unfortunately fairly common in Asian type cats. It causes cysts to develop in the kidneys, ultimately leading to kidney failure. Symptoms to watch out for include lethargy, weight loss, excessive thirst, and vomiting.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – This heart disease causes the heart walls to thicken, leading to reduced blood flow. Symptoms of this disease aren’t always easy to spot but can include a lack of energy and breathing difficulties.

Progressive Retinol Atrophy (PRA) - A group of degenerative eye diseases that affect the photoreceptors in the eyes. It usually starts with night blindness but eventually leads to complete blindness. There are two main forms of PRA; the inherited form which is present from birth, called retinal dysplasia, or a late onset form which is often diagnosed in adulthood.

Flat-Chested Syndrome – A rare condition that causes kittens to be born with a flat, compressed rib cage that may result in breathing difficulties. The deformity can be life-threatening, which is why it’s so important to purchase animals from a licensed breeder. However, mild cases can improve with age.

Hypokalemic Polymyopathy – This condition only develops if a kitten inherits the necessary recessive gene from both parents. It causes reduced potassium retention which leads to severe muscle weakness.

Children & Other Pets

Asian cats are highly social, so you need to make sure you have the time to devote to their intense companionship needs. They do very well with children, but some individuals may prefer living with older children because of their gentle, sensitive natures.

Many experts recommend getting a feline or canine companion for your Asian cat. However, it’s always best to introduce them from a young age to ensure they get along. Bear in mind that these cats can be wilful and sometimes develop a bit of a jealous streak. So, it's important to keep an eye on all pets in your household to make sure the ‘pecking order’ is well established with no issues.

On the whole, Asian cats can make wonderful family pets for people young and old alike. This includes children and other pets as long as they have been introduced slowly and with care.