Oriental Bicolor
Also called Oriental Bicolour, Oriental Bi-Colour
From Developed from the Oriental breeding programmes in the United Kingdom and United States (Oriental work began in the UK in the 1950s), later also in continental Europe; foundation stock from the Siamese, originally from Thailand.123
At a glance the quick version
GCCF gives 8-14 lb (about 3.6-6.4 kg) for shorthaired Orientals in general, not split by sex.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, fine, glossy coat (longhaired bicolours also exist within the Oriental Longhair)
An Oriental in every respect, long, slim, firm and muscular with a wedge-shaped head, big ears and almond eyes, but with white patches added by the white spotting gene. A classic bicolour shows white on the belly, legs and paws and an upside-down V on the face.132
Personality what they are like
Like all Orientals, the bicolour is bright, chatty and full of energy, keeping a kitten-like love of play into adulthood. It wants to be involved in everything its family does and seeks plenty of attention.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal for the short coat: a weekly groom is plenty, and most Orientals enjoy the attention.21
Home where they are happiest
Thrives in an engaging home with interaction and things to do.1
Company who they like around
Usually not suited to living as a lone cat; does best with company, human or feline.1
The story where it all began
Oriental breeding began in Britain in the 1950s, when Siamese were crossed with other cats to produce Siamese-type cats in solid colours, and American breeders greatly widened the palette in the 1960s and 70s. Adding the white spotting gene created the bicolour Orientals, which the CFA recognised in 1985.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The GCCF divides Oriental bicolours into three levels of white: van, harlequin and bicolour.1
- 2
Odd-eyed cats, with one blue and one green eye, are allowed in Oriental bicolours.1
- 3
A true bicolour Oriental shows an inverted V of white on its face.3
- 4
The wider Oriental breed has more than 600 possible combinations of colour, pattern and coat.2
Recognised by the official bits
- CFA
- Bicolour Orientals recognised 1985 (shown within the Oriental breed)3
- GCCF
- Recognised as the Oriental Bicolour pattern group (van, harlequin and bicolour)1
- FIFe, TICA, WCF, ACF, ACFA/CAA, CCA-AFC
- Bicolour Orientals accepted in the standard3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Oriental Bicolor. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Longhair
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Oriental - GCCF gccfcats.orgused for origin, bicolour patterns, eye colours, body, temperament, weight, lifespan
- Oriental - CFA cfa.orgused for history, body, grooming, colour combinations
- Oriental Shorthair - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for CFA 1985 bicolour recognition, other registries, face marking
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.