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| Breed Profile
: Rare, wonderful, exotic, and beautiful are all words used to describe this breed of cat. The Ocicat clearly answers the wish many cat fanciers have for a well muscled, imposing, and intelligent cat that resembles the spotted cats of the wild, while displaying the gentle temperament of a domestic cat
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I. Description & Show Standard
The most general breakdown of the Ocicat Show Standard
is the Head, Body, Coat and Color, and Pattern. Each of
these four areas of confirmation is allotted 25 points
for a total standard score of 100. Point's and
description:
- A. HEAD
-
- Skull: 5 points
- Muzzle: 10 points
- Ears: 5 points
- Eyes: 5 points
Large alert ears at a 45 degree angle, slightly
slanted almond shaped eyes and a modified wedge head
completes the picture, of a cat that looks as if it
would be more at home in a Tarzan movie than in your
living room. Eye color is typically golden, green or
copper.
- B. BODY
-
- Torso: 15 points
- Legs & Feet: 5 points
- Tail: 5 points
The Ocicat is a well-spotted cat of medium to large
size, displaying the look of an athletic animal. They
are well muscled and solid, graceful and lithe, yet with
a fullness of body and chest. People are usually
surprised when they first hold an Ocicat, as Ocicats are
very heavy for their size. An Ocicats weight is
primarily composed of muscle and great bone. Female
Ocicats weigh between 6 to 9 pounds. Male Ocicats weigh
between 9 & 14 pounds and larger.
- C. COAT & COLOR
-
- Coat Texture: 5 points
- Color: 5 points
- Contrast: 10 points
- Eye Color: 5 points
The short, spotted coat lays flat against their
bodies and shining like satin over rippling muscles. An
Ocicat radiates power and grace.
- D. PATTERN
-
While the Ocicat is not the only spotted breed, it is
distinctively different in its spotting pattern. The
Ocicat has thumbprint-shaped spots in a bullseye pattern
on the torso (from the classic tabby pattern). In
contrast, the Egyptian Mau's spots are randomly
scattered. Each hair has several bands of color and
where these bands fall together a thumbprint-shaped spot
is formed.
II. Behavior
A. Temperament
The Ocicat looks wild and displays the characteristics
of the wild cats in the jungle, but the temperament of
the Ocicat is that of a true "pussy cat." It
is a lot like a dog in that it is absolutely devoted to
its people. The Ocicat is not a demanding, clinging vine
type. An Ocicat owner often feels like they have a
shadow following behind them. These cats do not meet
strangers, just new laps upon which to sit. Laps are not
a requirement - many Ocicats will gladly perch on your
shoulders and "allow" you to carry them around
the house. They check out the possibilities for that new
playmate too. Their playful inclination coupled with an
unmatched curiosity often result in humorous and comical
antics. We find that Ocicats are extremely playful, but
when playtime is over, they curl up on their people's
lap for an extended purring session.
B. Training
Ocicats are quite bright and easily trained. Many will
fetch, walk on a leash, respond to whistled commands and
readily adapt to household rules. Because of their
adaptability, they are a joy to show in the show ring.
If accustomed early to traveling and being handled by
strangers, they look forward to road trips and conduct
themselves in the show ring with glee.
C. Adaptability/Sociability
Their adaptability also makes them ideal companion
animals, whether you are a stay-at-home or frequent
traveler in search of a travel companion. They are
extremely people-oriented, living well with children and
people of all ages and types. They do not display an
aloof temperament and actually act more like a dog than
a cat. Their sociable nature may make them less suited
than some other breeds to being left alone for long
periods on a regular basis, but it does make them a good
choice for a household already blessed with other cats
and dogs. In general, they get along well in groups and
with individuals of other breeds as long as their
personalities and energies do not conflict.
D. Intelligence
The intelligence of the Ocicat is also intriguing. There
are times when Ocis are fully capable of opening doors
or cage latches, many others who in a
"dog-like" manner will fetch, and the
interesting case of an Ocicat who would sit and wave
"bye-bye".
The Ocicat is also a consummate hunter, lion-like in
repose but when a possible prey is presented they are
like lightning with their attention. It is a full body,
intense attention and they will leap higher that you can
imagine to catch whatever has their interest. A few
moments later, they sit or recline and you would not
know they have moved.
III. Genetics & History
A. Origin
The origins of the Ocicat can be traced back to 1964,
when Virginia Daly of Berkeley, MI crossed a Seal Point
Siamese and a Ruddy Abyssinian, in hopes of developing
an Aby-pointed Siamese. The first generations of cats
were phenotypically Abyssinian. A cross between one of
these females and a Siamese produced not only the
Aby-pointed Siamese, but also a spotted cat, Tonga,
dubbed an "Ocicat" by Virginia's daughter, due
to its resemblance to its wild cousin, the Ocelot. Tonga
was neutered and sold as a pet. Subsequent breedings of
the sire, dam, and other Abyssinians and Siamese formed
the foundation of the Ocicat breeding program. American
Shorthairs were eventually added to introduce the silver
color, placement of spots, and enhance size and boning.
B. Breed Recognition
The Ocicat was promoted to provisional status in the Cat
Fanciers Association in 1986. At that time, the registry
was closed to Siamese and American Shorthair outcrosses,
although the use of Abyssinians is allowed until 2005.
The Ocicat reached championship competition status in
both CFA and TICA for the 1987 show season. The breed is
recognized in all other registries as well.
C. Health/Longevity
1. Health
To the best of our knowledge, there are no genetic
problems specifically associated with the Ocicat. The
decision to allow the use of Abyssininan outcrosses
until 2005 will allow the creation of new Ocicat
bloodlines, with the intent on keeping the gene pool
diverse enough to prevent genetic defects from arising.
Of course, responsible breeding is the key to producing
healthy, robust cats. We strongly recommend that
prospective buyers check out breeders and pedigrees
before purchasing an Ocicat, or any purebred animal.
2. Longevity
Ocicats have known to live as long as 18 years of age.
IV. Ocicat Clubs
There are currently two Ocicat clubs. They are: Ocicats
International and Ocicats of North America. For more
information regarding these clubs send your request to
the address at the beginning of this article.
V. Color Classes
Ocicats currently have twelve colors recognized for show
competition. The colors are broken down into the
following Color Classes for competition:
- A. Tawny Class
- Tawny: Black or brown spotting on a ruddy or
bronze agouti ground. The nose leather is brick red
rimmed with black and the paw pads are black or seal
brown.
- B. Chocolate Class
- Chocolate: Chocolate spotting on a warm ivory
agouti ground. The nose leather is pink rimmed with
chocolate and the paw pads are chocolate pink.
The color chocolate is one of the popular colors
of the Ocicat and probably the most misunderstood.
This color has a very wide range. On one end of the
scale chocolate is referred to by breeders and
exhibitors as "HOT." On the other end it
is referred to as "COOL" or
"COLD." There are many shades of chocolate
such as: milk, bittersweet, and dark.
Hot Chocolate refers to warm russet tones in the
background color of the coat with chocolate
spotting. The russet tones are also called rufous
because of the rust color. The rust color is
considered warm or hot by breeders and exhibitors.
Cool Chocolate refers to the background color,
which is more oatmeal ivory color with chocolate
spotting. With the lack of rust in the background,
the background is a more cool color.
- C. Cinnamon Class:
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon spotting on a warm ivory agouti
ground. The nose leather is pink rimmed with
cinnamon and the paw pads are pink or rose.
- D. Dilute Class
-
- Blue: Blue spotting on a pale blue or buff
agouti ground. The nose leather is blue rimmed
with dark blue and the paw pads are blue.
- Fawn: Fawn spotting on a pale ivory agouti
ground. The nose leather is pink rimmed in fawn
and the paw pads are pink.
- Lavender: Lavender spotting on a pale buff or
ivory agouti ground. The nose leather is pink
rimmed with dark lavender and the paw pads are
lavender-pink.
- E. Silver Class
-
- Silver: Black spotting on a pale silver/white
agouti ground. The nose leather is brick red
rimmed with black and the paw pads are black.
- Chocolate Silver: Chocolate spotting on a
white agouti ground. The nose leather is pink
rimmed with chocolate and the paw pads are
chocolate pink.
- Cinnamon Silver: Cinnamon spotting on a white
agouti ground. The nose leather is pink rimmed
with cinnamon and the paw pads are pink or rose.
- Blue Silver: Blue spotting on a white agouti
ground. The nose leather is blue rimmed with
dark blue and the paw pads are blue.
- Fawn Silver: Fawn spotting on a white agouti
ground. The nose leather is pink rimmed in fawn
and the paw pads are pink.
- Lavender Silver: Lavender spotting on a white
agouti ground. The nose leather is pink rimmed
with dark lavender and the paw pads are lavender
pink.
- F. A.O.V. (Any Other Variety) Class
- Solids/Smokes (Very faint spotting),
Classic/Mackerel Tabbies (American Shorthair
markings).
VI. Competition & Standard
- A. Quality Levels
- As in all registered breeds of Cats, the Ocicat is
available in different levels: Pet, Breeder, and
Show.
- Pet
A Pet quality Ocicat may be one of solid color,
classic or mackerel tabby markings, blue eyed
type, smoke with a ghost pattern, or a spotted
with serious flaws in pattern or conformation.
- Breeder
A Breeder quality ocicat is one that displays
excellent conformation or other qualities, but
would be disqualified from the show ring by
virtue of non-standard pattern (i.e. classic
tabbies or solids), or markings (i.e. barring on
the torso)
- Show
A Show quality Ocicat closely resembles the
written standard in type and pattern.
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