Ocicat
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| Ocicat | |
|---|---|
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| Origin | |
| United States | |
| Common nicknames | |
| Ocicat[1][2] | |
| Breed standard | |
| FIFe | : standard |
| CFA | : standard |
| TICA | : standard |
| AACE | : standard |
| ACFA | : standard |
The Ocicat is an all-domestic breed of cat which resembles a 'wild' cat but has no wild blood. The breed is unusual in that it is spotted like a wild cat but has the temperament of a domestic animal. It is named for its resemblance to the ocelot.
Despite its appearance, there is no 'wild' DNA in the Ocicat's gene pool. The species is actually a mixture of Siamese and Abyssinian, and later American Shorthairs (silver tabbies) were added to the mix and gave the breed their silver color, bone structure and distinct markings.
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[edit] Breed history
The first breeder of Ocicats was Virginia Daly, of Berkley, Michigan, who attempted to breed an Abyssinian-pointed Siamese in 1964. The first generation of kittens appeared Abyssinian, but the surprising result in the second generation was a spotted kitten, Tonga, nicknamed an 'ocicat' by the breeder's daughter. Tonga was neutered and sold as a pet, but further breedings of his parents produced more spotted kittens, and became the basis of a separate Ocicat breeding program.[1] Other breeders joined in and used the same recipe, siamese to aby, and offspring to siamese. The Ocicat was initially accepted for registration in The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. (see link below), and was moved into Championship for showing in 1987.[2] Other registries followed. Today the ocicat is found all around the world, popular for its temperament but wild appearance.
[edit] Breed temperament
Ocicats are a very outgoing breed. They are often considered to have the spirit of a dog-in a cat's body. Most can easily be trained to fetch, walk on a leash and harness, come when called, speak, sit, lie down on command and a large array of other dog-related tricks.[1] Most are especially good at feline agility because they are very toy-driven. Some even take readily to the water. Ocicats are also very friendly. They will typically march straight up to strangers and announce that they'd like to be petted. This makes them great family pets, and most can also get along well with animals of other species, although they are likely to assert their dominance over all involved. Ocicats make excellent pets for people who want to spend a lot of time with their cat, but they do require more attention than cats who aren't so people-oriented. Given the chance, an Ocicat will climb onto your neck and shoulders, and be transported around your home and garden. They have very powerful talons, so beware of delicate fabrics.
[edit] Breed standards
There are twelve colors approved for the ocicat breed. Tawny, chocolate and cinnamon, their dilutes, blue, lavender and fawn, and all of them with silver: black silver (ebony silver), chocolate silver, cinnamon silver, blue silver, lavender silver and fawn silver.[3]
[edit] Gallery
 Chocolate Spotted Ocicat |
 Ebony Silver Spotted Ocicat |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c McKee, Bill (2001). The Guide to Owning an Ocicat. Neptune City, New Jersey: TFH Publications. ISBN 0-7938-2195-9. OCLC 47037281.[page number needed]
- ^ a b Thompson, Stephanie (1999). The Ocicat. Buenva Vista, CO: Stephanie Thompson. pp. 14–15.[unreliable source?]
- ^ "Ocicat Colors". Cat Fanciers' Association. 12 October 2008. http://www.ocicatinfo.com/Ocicolors2.htm. Retrieved on 1 March 2009.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ocicat |
- Cat Fanciers' Association Breed Profile: Ocicat
- Jim DeBruhl, Sonja Moscoffian, and Shana Otis-Kuhnert, The Ocicat; CFA Yearbook, 1996
- CFA Ocicat Breed Council
- Ocicat Pedigree Database, "Ocicat Pedigree Database"
- Pawpeds Ocicat Database
