Balinese 101

To put it simply, a Balinese cat is similar to a Siamese cat, but the Balinese are less talkative and have long, silky coats. Balinese are traditionally round and full, with long hair all over. Since the breed's origination, some Balinese have bred strains that are more Siamese looking, with triangular skulls, lanky limbs, and blue eyes. What makes these cats strictly Balinese and not Javanese is that they come in seal point, blue point, chocolate point and lilac point. Any other color is a Javanese cat.

The Balinese breed first originated, like most other cats, as a spontaneous mutation in a Siamese litter, creating a cat that was generally Siamese in appearance, but had longer hair on its body and much longer hair on its tail. Still, the breed retains many Siamese qualities, such as intelligence and loquacity. When they first appeared in the 1920s, people called them long-haired Siamese cats. However, in the 1950s, two breeders took it upon themselves to make them an official breed, and coined the name Balinese to reflect the graceful movements of Balinese dancers.

Balinese cats, with their single coats, do not require regular grooming. However, they do require regular attention, loving, and stimulation. Jennifer Lultschik, a Balinese breeder, shares what it's like to own one:

"Balinese cats are the best of all worlds. They combine the affectionate, devoted, dog-like temperament of the Siamese with the beauty of a long-haired cat in one graceful package. They have a sweet, playful nature and bond closely to people. Their voices, while similar to those of the Siamese in conversational variety, are somewhat sweeter and quieter in tone. Their coats are a silky sweep of elegance ending in an ostrich-plume tail. Yet, having no 'double' undercoat, they almost never mat!

"My Balinese sire trots around the house behind me like a puppy and carries his fabric mouse from room to room. My Balinese queens investigate everything new, from grocery bags to Christmas decorations. But their favorite place is in my lap, helping me read the newspaper or helping me create a document on the computer."

If you are interested in adopting a Balinese, it is best to do plenty of research (as always). Talk to owners, and go to a reputable adoption organization, such as Jennifer's site, or Purebred Cat Breed Rescue.

Tags: balinese, balinese cat, BalineseCat, cat, cat breed, Cat Breed 101, cat breeds, CatBreed, CatBreed101, CatBreeds, Cats 101, Cats101, Choosing a Cat Breed, ChoosingACatBreed, javanese, javanese cat, JavaneseCat, Pet Adoption, PetAdoption, siamese, siamese cat, SiameseCat