Mary Allen
In 1970 the new breed was recognized by the US umbrella organization CFA and in 1984 also in Europe. Find out everything about the origin, character, nature, attitude, and care of the Balinese cat breed in the profile.
The Appearance Of The Balinese
Apart from their long coat, the Balinese have the same standard as Siamese cats. After all, they are actually long-haired Siamese cats. Balinese are medium-sized cats with slim but muscular build. The physique conveys oriental grace and suppleness. The tail is long, thin, and powerful. He has feathery hair. The long legs and oval paws are elegant and dainty, but strong because they like to jump and climb Balinese. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs. The head is wedge-shaped, with pointed ears and blue, expressive eyes.
The fur is silky and shiny. It is dense, without an undercoat, and lies close to the body. It is short on the neck and head, falling down on the abdomen and sides. Cinnamon and fawn with strongly colored points are permitted as colors. The body color is even and contrasts lightly with the points. The points are ideally without ghosting. Further variants of Cinnamon and Fawn are being developed.
The Temperament Of The Balinese
Balinese are energetic and active. She is playful, but at the same time cuddly. Like Siamese, they are very talkative and will loudly communicate with their humans. They are very dominant and, if necessary, demand attention confidently in a loud voice. This cat is precocious and forms a close bond with her human. Sometimes the Balinese can also be idiosyncratic.
Keeping And Caring For The Balinese
The active and active Balinese needs a lot of space. Nevertheless, it is not necessarily suitable for free-range keeping, as it does not tolerate cold very well. She is usually happiest in a large apartment with lots of climbing opportunities. A second cat in the house is not always a reason for joy for the dominant Balinese. She doesn’t want to share her human attention and gets jealous easily. Because it has no undercoat, the Balinese coat is easy to care for, despite its length. However, the cuddly cat really enjoys regular brushing and it makes the fur shine.
Disease Susceptibility Of The Balinese
The Balinese is a very robust cats and very resistant to diseases. Due to their close relationship with the Siamese, however, there is a certain risk of developing hereditary diseases and hereditary defects that are typical for Siamese. Hereditary diseases include HCM and GM1. HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) is a heart disease that causes thickening of the heart muscle and enlargement of the left ventricle. GM1 (Gangliosidosis GM1) belongs to the lysosomal storage diseases. A genetic defect only occurs if both parents are carriers. GM1 becomes noticeable in kittens three to six months old. Symptoms include head tremors and limited mobility in the hind legs. These hereditary diseases are known and can be avoided by responsible breeders. Hereditary defects in the Siamese include squinting, a kinked tail, and chest deformities (frog syndrome).
Origin And History Of The Balinese
One can only speculate as to why Siamese kittens kept coming into the world with longer fur. One theory speaks of “spontaneous mutation”, the other of crossed Persian cats, which became noticeable generations later with their long-haired fur. In the 1950s, breeders in the USA came up with the idea of creating a new breed from the unwanted exception. In 1968 the first breed club was founded. And since the Siamese breeders did not agree with the name “Siam Longhair”, the child was given a new name: Balinese. In 1970 the new breed was recognized by the US umbrella organization CFA and in 1984 also in Europe.
Did You Know?
The designation “Balinese” does not mean that this cat has any connection with the island of Bali. The cat owes its name to its supple gait, which is said to be reminiscent of a Balinese temple dancer. By the way: There are also completely white Balinese that are recognized by the breeding associations. They are referred to as “Foreign White”.