Asian cat
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2009) |
| Asian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | Malayan cat |
| Origin | Developed in the United Kingdom |
| Breed standards | |
| GCCF | standard |
| Other | LCWW standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
The Asian, also known as the Malayan (although this not used by any formal registering body), is a cat breed similar to the Burmese but in a range of different coat colours and patterns.[1] Long-haired Asians of all varieties are called Tiffanies. Asians are grouped in section 5 at cat shows.
Origin
The breed was developed in Britain, starting with a litter of kittens resulting from a mismating of a chinchilla Persian stud, Jamari Sanquist, and a lilac Burmese queen, Bambino Lilac Faberge, bred in 1981 by Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg. [2]
History
After the first litter of kittens were born in 1981, breeders believed the kittens showed potential to become their own breed. Early breeders decided the phenotype of the kittens was to be exactly the same as the Burmese, but in more colours and varieties. All varieties gained championship status with the GCCF in 2003, with the Tiffanie being the last variety to gain it.[3]
Description
Appearance
It has a broad, rounded chest and slender legs with a tail of medium length. The pleasantly rounded head has no flattened areas, and there is a visible stop in its profile. This gives the Asian a full-looking face. The round and wide-set eyes come in anywhere from green to yellow. [4] Females are not quite as big as the males.[5] They can weigh anywhere from 6–13 pounds.[6]
Coat and colours
The short-haired coat of the Asian is fine, satiny and glossy, and can be multiple colors and patterns.[5] Asian Shorthairs are classified in four different varieties: the Asian Self (including the Bombay, which is a black Asian Self), the Asian Tabby, the Asian Smoke and the Burmilla (which is a shaded Asian).
Temperament
Asians are very affectionate and good with children. They share similar traits with the Burmese. They love to play, explore and even enjoy traveling by way of a cat carrier. They are quite a talkative and rather loud cat with an apparent strong will.[6] They enjoy interacting with people, even with strangers.[citation needed]
Reproduction
The females usually go into their first heat at around six to eight months old. Although registered as a separate breed, Asians can produce Burmese phenotype kittens which are known as Asian Variants, these are almost identical to Burmese. Variants cannot be shown in Breed classes but can grace the Pedigree Household Pet Section at GCCF shows. There are over 600 variations on colours and patterns within the breed, some of which are very rare.
Health
Ancestral breeds of the Asian have been known to carry Polycystic Kidney Disease and Progressive retinal atrophy, however, only Burmese Hypokalaemia has been identified in the Asian.[7]
Many Asian breeders and their cats were involved in the research into the disease,[8] and as of 2018 all cats for breeding must either be tested for the gene or be cleared by heritage.
See also
References
- ^ Siegal, Mordecai (1983). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Cats. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0671491709.
- ^ "Our History". asian cat association. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "the breed". asian group cat society. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "Asian - Governing council of the cat fancy". governing council of the cat fancy. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Asian". Purina. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ a b "Malayan - Information, Characteristics, Facts, Names". CatBreedsList.com. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ "the asian". gccf. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "aca Hk". asian cat association. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
External links
