Colorpoint Shorthair is the name the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), a United States breed association, uses to refer to pointed cats of Siamese ancestry and type in colors other than the four "traditional" Siamese colors (seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac point). This name is also given to cats of Siamese ancestry in the four recognized colors whose eight generation pedigree show ancestors with other colors. In registries of other countries, however, "Colorpoint (or "Colourpoint") is the name given to cats of Persian type and pointed coloring, as in Himalayans.

In all registries except CFA, the Colorpoint Shorthair is not considered a separate breed but is included in the Siamese breed. Because it is only a recognized, separate breed in two North American registries, cat seekers outside North America looking for these cats should look under the Siamese listings instead.

Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Origin

This cat was developed during breeding trials in the late 1940s. The first Colorpoint Shorthairs were bred from Siamese cats and Abyssinian cats, and even today, out-breedings with Siamese cats are common. Early breeders focused on producing cats with red or cream fur at the points (face, ears, legs, and genital regions). There were generations of careful breeding until these cats were recognized as a breed by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1964. To distinguish the new breed from its ancestor the Siamese, the CFA breeders adopted the name Colorpoint Shorthair for registration purposes.

As the Colorpoint Shorthair became more popular the tabby versions of the Siamese were introduced into the Colorpoint Shorthair programs in the four different Siamese colors. In the Cat Fanciers Association these tabby cats were called lynx points, and are exhibited in several different classes and colors.

Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Appearence

Colorpoint Shorthairs are described by many cat critics as "beautiful, wonderful, and gorgeous!" The ideal Colorpoint Shorthair is identical to its cousin the Siamese but with its own distinct colors. They have long, tube-shaped bodies, wedge-shaped heads and big ears, just like Siamese.

The head is long and wedge-shaped medium in size. The total wedge starts at the nose and flares out in straight lines to the tips of the ears forming a triangle. Medium-sized, blue eyes are almond-shaped and slant toward the nose.

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a very unique type of shorthaired cat that has very large ears that are set wide apart at the base. The skull is flat. Long and slender neck and a long and straight nose with a continuation of the forehead with no break. 

Tight abdomen, wide hips but never wider than shoulders. Long and slim legs. Hind legs higher than front, small and oval paws. The tail is long and thin, tapering to a fine point.

Males may be proportionately larger. The Colorpoint Shorthair has an excellent physical condition, neither flabby nor bony.

Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Colors and Coats

Colorpoint Shorthairs are the first cousins of the Siamese. So they look much like Siamese cats except for their coats. The colorpoint shorthair's coat is fine and glossy, and lies close to the body. It comes in red point, cream point, lynx (tabby) point, and tortie point colors.

Points: mask, ears, feet, legs, and tail.  The other colors are chocolate lynx point, lilac lynx point, red lynx point, seal-tortie lynx point, blue-cream lynx point, lilac-cream lynx point. Non-pointed coat colorations are considered part of the Oriental Shorthair breed.

A continuous brushing is recommended so they don't swallow any hair while licking themselves. 

Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Temperament

The Red Point Siamese (a.k.a. Flame Point Siamese) is a highly intelligent, playful, and people-friendly breed. Colorpoints have a fervent desire to be loved. They are extremely affectionate, outgoing and enjoy lounging around and playing with people.

Like the Siamese, the Colorpoint Shorthair is a highly interactive, talkative breed. They are devoted, fun-loving cats who thrive on company. For this reason, it's best to keep them with cats of their own activity level or in busy households where they are not left alone for long periods of time.

Colorpoint Shorthairs are best known as being relatively less trying for people who are allergic to cats, since they do not have as much dander as most other cats. Likewise, they do not require as much grooming as cats of many other breeds.