Colorpoint Shorthair.

Colorpoint Shorthair. Colorpoint Shorthair, breed of shorthaired cat with unique colorpoints (characteristic large spots of darker fur on the face, ears, legs, and tail, contrasting with a lighter body coloring). The colorpoint shorthair is distinguished from the similarly colored Siamese cat by the unusual colors of its points, including tortoiseshell, red, cream, and tabby multicoloring. The colorpoint shorthair is an angular, slender-legged cat, with back legs longer than the front. The body is long and flexible, and the head is long and wedge-shaped. Medium-sized, blue eyes are almond-shaped and slant toward the nose. Large, pointed ears are set wide apart at the base. The long, thin tail tapers to a fine point. The colorpoint shorthair's coat is fine and glossy, and lies close to the body. This cat was developed during breeding trials in the late 1940s when Siamese, red shorthair, and Abyssinian cats were crossed in an attempt to produce a Siamese with colorpoints other than that breed's traditional seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac points. The Cat Fanciers' Association and Canadian Cat Association recognize the colorpoint shorthair as a separate breed. Other registries consider it a variety of Siamese. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.