Archive-name: cats-faq/breeds/bali-javi
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                             BALINESE/JAVANESE FAQ
                                       
   
   
   
    Author: Barbara French, Tarantara Cattery, Rochester, NY, USA
    bcfnmp@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
    
   
   
   
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  
   
   
   
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Physical Description

   
   
   Depending on the cat association, the terms "Balinese" and "Javanese"
   mean different things. In Europe, "Javanese" refers to a
   solid-coloured Oriental Longhair. However, for this FAQ, we will use
   these terms as used by American cat associations.
   
   Basically, Balinese and Javanese are longhaired cats in the Oriental
   family, similar in both type and personality to a Siamese. A
   show-quality Balinese or Javanese will have a long, lithe body,
   tubular when the cat is stretched between your hands. Balinese and
   Javanese should be muscular, and will be deceptively heavy when
   lifted. Legs are long, fine-boned, and slender, with small paws.
   
   The head is wedge-shaped, with large, alert ears which follow and
   complement the shape of the wedge. The eyes are distinctly Oriental,
   slanted slightly to fit in with the overall head shape, and sapphire
   blue, the deeper the colour the better. The nose is straight, with no
   break or rise between the eyes.
   
   Balinese and Javanese both have longer hair than a Siamese, but don't
   have dramatically long fur like a Persian or Maine Coon. The body hair
   should be silky and close-lying, not "fluffy". The fur on the tail is
   longer -- about two or three inches -- and when brushed out forms a
   full, graceful plume. Most people seeing a Balinese or Javanese for
   the first time may mistake it for a Siamese, until they see the
   gorgeous, full tail.
   
   Colour is the difference between the Balinese and the Javanese breeds.
   Like Siamese, Balinese and Javanese are "pointed" cats, which means
   that the face, legs, and tail are a darker colour than the body
   colour. The darker colours are referred to as the points.
   
   Some cat associations, such as TICA, make no distinction between
   Balinese and Javanese, and in these associations both Balinese and
   Javanese are categorized as Balinese.
   
   In those associations that do make a distinction, such as CFA,
   Balinese are accepted in the four "traditional" Siamese solid colours
   of seal (black), blue, chocolate, and lilac. Javanese are accepted in
   the "nontraditional" colours of lynx (tabby) points (seal lynx, blue
   lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx), tortoiseshell points, flame (red)
   points, and cream points.
   
   An easy chart for reference*:
   
   Siamese: short coat; seal, blue, chocolate, lilac
   Colourpoint Shorthair: short coat; lynx, tortie, flame, cream
   Balinese: long coat; seal, blue, chocolate, lilac
   Javanese: long coat; lynx, tortie, flame, cream
   
   
   *In associations that make distinctions between breed based on colour
   
   The body colour is lighter than the point colour, although it will be
   considerably lighter in a younger cat. The body colour tends to darken
   with age. Point restriction (restriction of the darker colours to the
   face, legs, and tail) is desirable. On lynx-point Javanese, some
   "shadow striping" (light striping on the body) is permitted but not
   desired. A clear coat with excellent point restriction is best.
   
   
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Characteristics and Temperament

   
   
   Balinese and Javanese are active, busy cats, like their related breed,
   the Siamese. Balinese and Javanese love people, and are constantly
   following "their" people around the house and getting underfoot. They
   can be quite demanding when they want attention, but they are also
   true cuddlers and lap cats. They require a lot of interaction and
   active play.
   
   Balinese and Javanese also love high places; if you don't provide
   somewhere high for them to perch, they will find a spot of their own.
   Many love to ride on the shoulders of their favourite humans.
   
   Both Balinese and Javanese need toys, but fancy ones aren't necessary.
   Many love something simple, such as a ping-pong ball slit enough to
   drop in a few grains of rice for noise, or a peacock feather. A bored
   Balinese or Javanese may find something else to make into a toy, such
   as pens, papers, boxes of envelopes, or other things you may wish not
   to become toys!
   
   Balinese and Javanese are insatiably curious and quite fearless. There
   is little they will not investigate: a noise, an open cupboard, water
   dripping from a faucet, a toilet flushing, the inside of a shopping
   bag, a running vacuum cleaner, a blow dryer. Because of this
   curiosity, their lithe build, and a penchant for getting toys under
   things, they are also accomplished contortionists who can scoot under
   low couches, beds, and cabinets with astonishing ease. Beware of this
   ability in strange houses and hotel rooms; you may find your Balinese
   or Javanese taking a tour of the air conditioning ducts! The only hole
   too small for a Balinese or Javanese is one the cat cannot squeeze the
   head through.
   
   Like their cousins, the Siamese, Balinese and Javanese are "talkative"
   cats, with loud voices they seem to use at any opportunity. Many just
   seem to "chat" for no apparent reason. The quality (and quantity) of
   the voice varies from cat to cat. Some can be very quiet -- others
   rival Joan Rivers for talkativeness.
   
   
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Is This Breed for Me?

   
   
   Balinese and Javanese need human contact. If you don't have a lot of
   time for a cat, a Balinese or Javanese may not be the right breed for
   you. They do fine in a household where everyone is away all day, but
   be prepared to spend some time every day playing and interacting with
   the cat. Sometimes, that just means letting the cat sleep in your lap
   while you watch TV, or it can mean up to an hour of all-out play. They
   are marvelous jumpers, and toys that exploit this ability are fun for
   the cat and amusing to watch.
   
   If you're looking for an active, fun, devoted companion with elegant
   good looks, a Balinese or Javanese is a wonderful choice. The longer
   hair softens the Siamese type and adds refinement.
   
   Like many active cats, Balinese and Javanese get underfoot a lot. It
   may not be the best choice for someone with mobility problems. They
   are good with children and keep up admirably with even the most active
   kids. They do best in households with at least another cat for company
   if their people are away all day.
   
   
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Care and Training

   
   
   The main concern when showing a Balinese or Javanese is keeping the
   weight ideal. These are lithe cats with fast metabolisms, but some
   cats may not be able to free-feed without getting fat. Some Balinese
   and Javanese cats can free-feed without trouble, but others,
   particularly alters, may eat more heavily. Exercise and play can help
   burn off extra fat and calories. An excellent, show-ready Balinese or
   Javanese should not be skinny, but maintain lithe and elegant lines. A
   Balinese or Javanese run to fat may appear "slab-sided", or flat on
   the sides.
   
   Balinese and Javanese need little daily grooming if they are pets, as
   their silky coats do not mat. They enjoy being combed and fussed over,
   but their coat will not suffer unduly because of it. A Balinese or
   Javanese being shown may need more care than that, including regular
   baths to keep the coat, particularly the tail, in top condition.
   
   Balinese and Javanese are intelligent cats, which means that they can
   be trained, but also that you may find them training you!
   
   
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Breeders

   
   
   Balinese and Javanese can be difficult to find, as they are rare
   breeds. Most "pockets" of Balinese and Javanese breeders tend to be
   found on the two coasts. Some breeders may ship cats of appropriate
   age.
   
   Breeders of all breeds of cats may be found through the Fanciers
   Breeder Referral List at (address).
   
   Go to the Balinese breeders' page
   
   Go to the Javanese breeders' page
   
   
   
   Copyright 1995 Barbara C. French, bcfnmp@ritvax.isc.rit.edu. Text may
   not be copied or used without permission of the author, but feel free
   to link to this document.
