Javanese

Seal lynx point Javanese Photo: Tetsu YamazakiWeight: 7-9 lbs.OverviewThe Javanese is part of the Siamese family. Like Siamese, Javanese are busy, talkative, curious cats that demand lots of attention. They enjoy playing and are partial to high spaces. Once they have settled down, these affectionate cats are happy to curl up on your lap. AppearanceThe Javanese has a sleek, tubular body; long, thin legs; a wedge-shaped head; blue, almond-shaped eyes; large, pointed ears; and a tapering, plumed tail. The medium-length coat is close-lying and silky and does not mat easily. Essentially a longhaired form of the Colorpoint, the Javanese may have points that are solid red or cream, lynx-patterned in red or cream (as well as in the traditional Siamese colors), or tortie-patterned. OriginsBreeders long recognized that when Siamese were crossed with domestic shorthairs to produce Colorpoints, the recessive gene for long hair sometimes found its way into the gene pool. These longhaired Colorpoints were effectively recycled as Javanese-longhaired Siamese in nontraditional colors. Other breeders began with Balinese--the longhaired Siamese in traditional Siamese point colors--and crossed them with Colorpoints to produce kittens that were longhaired, pointed, and splashed with color. Special AlertsJavanese need lots of playtime and companionship, either human or animal. The Javanese has the same breed-related health problems as the Siamese: crossed eyes due to an inherited neurological defect; nystagmus (a slight but very rapid jerking back-and-forth of the eyes); congenital heart defects.