Orlovia
The term Colourpoint does not refer to a breed, but the term Colourpoint includes cats of several breeds, which are characterized by a mask-like drawing around the blue eyes. Colourpoint cats take the hearts of cat lovers by storm because of their special appearance and will surely inspire you too.
History and Origin of the “Colourpoint”
Colourpoint cats originated in the USA from a cross between Persian cats and Siamese cats. In Great Britain, on the other hand, the Colourpoint cats have their origin in the crossing between British Shorthair and Siamese cats. In addition to Colourpoint Persian cats and British Shorthair Colourpoint, Colourpoint breeds are also common today in breeds related to Persians and BKH. The Maine Coon Colourpoint and the Ragdoll Colourpoint are also very popular and are recognized by the breeding associations.
Essence and Character
All Colourpoint variants are characterized by their calm nature. The velvet paws with the masked face maintain a loving relationship with “their” people and enjoy their attention. Despite their affectionate nature, Colourpoint cats are not pushy. Thanks to their adaptability, the uncomplicated, cuddly tigers with their characteristic appearance are the perfect family cats, which also get along well with children and, with appropriate socialization, also get along well with dogs.
The Appearance of the “Colourpoint”
The medium to large-sized cats come on short stocky legs, with large rounded paws and a stocky and muscular body. However, the popularity of Colourpoint Persian and the other variants such as the Colourpoint Ragdoll is based on the expressive face. The round head is dominated by wide-open blue eyes above a small snub nose with a stop in the centre of the eyes. The rather small ears, on the other hand, are set low. But the mask drawing, which additionally emphasizes the eyes, is particularly characteristic.
Attitude and Care
Colourpoint cats are generally uncomplicated to keep. If you choose this particular type of Persian cat, you won’t have any problems getting used to it because, like the Persian cat itself, the Colourpoint is extremely adaptable. However, you should definitely make sure you have someone of your own species so that you don’t get bored. Colourpoint variants in particular tend to eat frustration and this can be avoided by having one or more playmates. Otherwise, the extremely pretty house cats get along very well with children and other pets and are rarely disturbed. The beauties are not averse to strangers, but occasionally need a little time to warm up to visitors. Otherwise, the wonderful cats do not have any special requirements and are known to be extremely easy to care for.
Outdoor Cat or Indoor Cat?
Colourpoints are calm pedigree cats, like their relatives without the cute fur markings. Accordingly, nothing speaks against keeping an apartment. However, you should set up a place for your potential new roommate on the windowsill so that he can observe what is happening outside. Even better is a secure patio, balcony or, if possible, a garden. Even if the intelligent animals are very related to “their” people, they still enjoy a fresh breeze to blow their nose or to watch butterflies and the like. Of course, if you live in an apartment, you should provide a variety of climbing and playing opportunities, because this also counteracts any boredom that may arise.
How Much Work Does the “Colourpoint” Need?
Daily activity units increase the well-being of the cuddly cats because even if they can turn up the heat when playing together, they tend to be lazy. Accordingly, a Colourpoint should be encouraged to move daily with joint play units. In addition to small hunting and catching games, intelligence games are also available for Colourpoint cats. Since the animals are very attentive, you can also work with clicker training and thus put together varied training units. Learning even small tricks is easy for the animals as long as the training on your part is accompanied by loving patience.
Grooming and Feeding
Persian Colourpoint cats require daily grooming. Colourpoint kittens should already be brushed and combed. If you get your cats used to the daily ritual from a young age, you won’t have any problems. Grooming is a must because, as is common with Persian cats, their fur tangles easily and loose hair that is not removed can cause tangles. Regular baths make it easier to remove dead hair, but you have to dry the little beauty well afterwards. You should also pay special attention to the rear of the cat, as faeces can occasionally cling to the long fur. Along with grooming, you should also clean the eyes and nostrils daily and check the cleanliness of the ears.
If you are flirting with a Colourpoint cat and you find the effort involved in caring for a Persian Colourpoint too great, then the British Shorthair Colourpoint is a good alternative. Due to the short fur, thorough brushing and combing once a week is sufficient.
When it comes to nutrition, as with other cat breeds, you should rely on high-quality food. A high proportion of meat is a must here. Since the animals tend to be overweight, you should make sure that the cat does not eat out of frustration and take countermeasures if there are signs. Of course, it is just as important to always provide the cats with fresh water. If a colourpoint turns out to be rather lazy, you can use a cat fountain to arouse their interest and improve their drinking habits.
Acquisition of a “Colourpoint”
As with all pedigree cats, when purchasing a Colourpoint you should make sure that it came from a reputable breeder. Good breeders make sure that both the health of the parents and the kittens are documented. A reputable breeder will also give you the opportunity to get to know the parents. This is no less important than the pedigree of the kitten.
Under no circumstances should you accept offers from hobby breeders who tempt you with a low price, which is often not only at the expense of the pedigree, but also at the expense of the health of the cats. For a Colourpoint kitten, you have to calculate between 800 € and 2,400 € depending on the lineage. In addition, before you buy one, you should think carefully about whether you can take care of the new family member for the rest of your cat’s life. If you don’t really value a kitten, you can occasionally adopt adult colourpoint cats from animal shelters, which can definitely be a good alternative.