Above: Javanese Cat Peanut Photo: © Helmi Flick
Note: I am using terms from the US standpoint. In Europe the term “Javanese” means something different, a solid-colored Oriental Longhair.
Introduction
If the Balinese is a “Modern” Siamese with long fur, the Javanese is a Balinese with “unconventional” (non-traditional) points. Confused? It is also described as an Oriental Longhair with points. There is a good deal of overlap between the Oriental Shorthair and longhair, Siamese and Balinese cats. The CFA refer to the Javanese as a separate breed and point to the Balinese for the breed standard of this cat; confirming that this is in effect a long haired Siamese cat with non-traditional pointing. The CFA now refer to the ‘Balinese-Javanese Breed Profile’. They are almost the same cat but for coat color.
This cat has a much wider variety of points going well beyond the normally accepted. The “conventional points” (4 – color) are Seal, Chocolate, Blue and Lilac. You can see these point colors on the Traditional Siamese page.
Above: Photo of Blush © Helmi Flick
The greater spectrum of point types of the Javanese (colorpoint colors) are lynx points (tabby), tortoiseshell points, cream points and flame points (see Blush, below). The Lynx points are the conventional colors mentioned above modified by the tabby pattern (Agouti and Tabby genes). Click here on the link to see a Lynx point Siamese.
The rather fine difference between the Balinese and Javanese has led to problems of registration. Some associations think that the Balinese and Javanese are the same cat or simply merge the two breeds and call the breed Balinese. TICA does this.
Other more conservative associations such as the CFA, separate the Javanese Cat from the Balinese.
For me, taking a commonsense view, it makes sense to merge the breeds. From a commercial or cat breeding/showing standpoint it may make sense to have the “extra” cat breed. The wider the selection of breeds the wider the market.
You’re welcome, the Cat genetics have been fascinating. So many recessive genes to produce these unusual kittens – still don’t know if there were 2 or 3 father’s, as there was a tabby in the litter & the mom is calico.
Here is Mom
Thanks for sharing Murrey.
We have a Javanese & a Snowdoll kitten – we found them under our deck!
Thanks Melanie for sharing you experience. There are some purebred cats at shelters and it always surprises me. Some people just don’t care. Quite a rare cat.
I got a long-hair flamepoint from the shelter back in March. We went looking for a white cat but when we saw her and all her dancing in her cage trying to get our attention, we had to take her. Now that I’ve been checking out her breed, I can’t believe a cat as rare as she is would have ended up in the shelter and was there for two weeks with no applications until we showed up. They estimate she was six months old at the time. She is a great cat, very vocal and a real sweetheart.