Balinese History
The Balinese originated as a spontaneous longhaired mutation occurring in litters of Siamese kittens. This was originally considered an undesirable trait, but who could continue to resist that beautiful soft, silky coat? Breeders eventually bred two of the longhaired cats together and created a distinct breed, the Balinese. Some believe that Siamese were out-crossed with Angoras to produce the long coat and lock in some of the Angora’s loving personality. The Balinese breed is named after the elegant and graceful Balinese dancers.
Balinese Characteristics
The traditional Balinese, much like the traditional Siamese, was a heavy cat with a round head, while today’s Balinese is a long, svelte kitty, with a long face and large ears. The CFA breed standard for the Balinese calls for:
- Long, tapering lines – graceful, long, and svelte
- Strong, muscular body with fine bones
- Long, tapering wedge head
- Strikingly large almond shaped eyes
- Long, straight nose
- Hind legs higher than the front
- Long, tapering tail with plume
- Medium length, fine, silky coat that lies close to the body
- Typical color points, with subtle shading allowed on the body
The Balinese is recognized in four colors: seal point, blue point, chocolate point, and lilac point. Some registries also recognize tortoiseshell and dilute torties.
Balinese Temperament
The Balinese is a companion cat, playful and charming, while dignified and noble. Your Balinese will adore you and want to help you with every chore. They are terribly playful, which makes them a great family cat. They are very loving and even a bit empathetic, as they bond closely with their loved ones. Balinese get along well with everyone, including children, strangers, and other pets.
Balinese are vocal, like their Siamese ancestors, but their voices aren’t quite as loud. They will certainly talk to you, but are less persistent than the Siamese and don’t have to talk about everything. They are considered a quiet, laid-back cat in general. They love attention and are very smart cats. The Balinese is actually considered one of the smartest of all feline breeds. This is another breed that will play fetch and can be trained to do tricks. If they are not entertained, they can be mischievous.
Balinese Health and Care
Because of the Balinese’s muscular body, they need plenty of exercise. The only recognized health concern for the Balinese is occasional crossed eyes or a “twitching” called nystagmus, but these things aren’t detrimental to their health. The Balinese coat is easy to care for, simply requiring a little brushing. They should, however, be indoor pets only. Ear cleaning should be a part of their regular grooming.
Where to Find Balinese Cats
The Balinese is more rare than some other breeds, but you can find reputable Balinese breeders, as well as cats that need adoption or rescue. If you are thinking of adding a Balinese to your family, please consider giving a Balinese from Petfinder.com a home!
You might also enjoy: Siamese Cats, Tonkinese Cats
Resources: Cat Fancier’s Association
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