CFA Asian Standard

Breed Standard:  Asian Shorthair and Asian Semi-Longhair

POINT SCORE

HEAD, EARS and MUZZLE (20)

     Head (10)

     Muzzle (5)

EYES and EYE COLOR (20)

     Shape, size and placement (10)

     Eye Color (10)

BODY, LEGS, FEET and TAIL (30)

     Structure, Size and Muscle Tone (20)

     Legs and Feet (5)

     Tail (5)

COAT and COAT COLOR (30)

     Coat (10)

     Coat Color (20)

GENERAL: The Asian is an elegant, unique cat breed of far eastern origin, moderate type with gently rounded contours. The Asian Shorthair’s reason for being is the coat color and in the Asian LH it is the coat color as well as the coat length.  They are alert, active and intelligent with a very friendly disposition. Any oriental elongation or excessive cobbiness is incorrect and should be regarded as a fault. Reds, Creams and Apricots may show "freckles" on the nose, paw pads, lips, eye rims and ears.  Slight freckling in a mature cat should not be penalized.

HEAD: Top slightly rounded. Good breadth between the ears. Wide cheekbones, tapering to a short blunt wedge.

EARS: Medium in size. Set well apart. Slight forward tilt. Broad at the base. Slightly rounded tips. The outer line continues the shape of the upper face, except as that may not be possible in mature, full-cheeked males. Ear tufts and streamers are preferable in the Asian Semi-longhair.  Allowance should be made for correctly shaped but over-large ears in kittens where the head size and shape is still developing.

MUZZLE: Visible nose break. Jaw wide at the base. Strong lower jaw. Strong chin and the bite level and even. Nose Leather should be appropriate to the coat color. In agouti (Tabby and Shaded) cats, may be pink rimmed with the equivalent solid or tortie color.

EYES: Large. Alert. Set well apart. Top line slightly curved, with an oriental slant toward the nose. Lower line rounded. Eye Rims Appropriate to the coat color.

EYE COLOR: The eyes may be any color from yellow through to green, depending on the variety.  In the Silver Tipped and Shadeds green is preferred, in the Solid rich yellow to gold is preferred.

BODY: Medium to Medium-large length and size.  Firm Muscle Tone Preferred.  Chest strong and rounded in profile.  Back straight from the shoulder to the rump.

LEGS and FEET: Legs are slender and in proportion to the body, of medium length with the hind legs slightly longer. Feet medium and oval.

TAIL: Medium to long length. Not thick at the base. Tapering slightly to a rounded tip. The length should be sufficient for the tip to reach the shoulder when the tail is brought gently around the side of the body.

COAT: (Shorthairs) Short, fine close-lying. Very glossy. Satin-like in texture. Almost without undercoat.

COAT: (Longhairs) Should have a fine and silky coat medium long, except over the shoulders and without a woolly undercoat.

COAT COLOR:  Coat color may be Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red, Cream, Black Tortie, Blue Tortie, Chocolate Tortie, Lilac Tortie, Caramel. Apricot, or Caramel Tortie. The Burmese color restriction of any of these colors is acceptable in all except the Solid and Tortie varieties and the Silver gene is accepted throughout the range.

All the following descriptions are for fully mature cats.  In Burmese restriction colored kittens, the coat color will be slower to develop. The Burmese color restriction gene reduces the melanin in the hair shaft, particularly near the skin, thus color in these cats cannot be sound to the roots of the hair. In Burmese restriction colors, the cat may have a denser concentration of pigment on the mask and ears. The full expression color non-agouti Asian Tortie will show a greater degree of color than Tortie Asians of other patterns. In Silvers the inhibitor gene may cause the color to lack warmth.  This should not be penalized. In Asian Longhairs, the longer body hair may appear to cause paling of the color.

PENALIZE: Pronounced muzzle pinch (top view). Oriental eye shape. Round eyes. Flat brow. Excessive cobbiness. Extreme or Aggressive temperament.

DISQUALIFY: White markings anywhere, other than those referred to in the color description. Small or close set eyes. Visible tail kink. Lack of weight or condition.

AOV:  Any Asian SH in the 10 European Burmese colors, not to be shown.

ASIAN PATTERNS:

SHORTHAIR or SEMI-LONGHAIR:

ASIAN SOLID (including TORTIE)

ASIAN SMOKE

ASIAN CHINCHILLA (TIPPED) or SHADED

ASIAN TABBY (Spotted, Classic, Mackerel or Ticked)

COLORS:

BASE COLORS

Black (Full Expression Color): Jet black.  Paw pads: Black or dark brown.  Nose leather and eye-rims: Black.

Brown (Burmese Color Restriction): Rich, warm seal brown. Very dark color bordering on black is incorrect.  Paw pads, nose leather and eye-rims: Brown.

Blue (Full Expression Color): Medium to dark blue, showing silvery sheen to rounded areas of body.  Nose leather and eye-rims: Blue.  Paw pads: Blue or lavender.

Blue (Burmese Color Restriction): Soft silvery blue grey, which may be very slightly darker on the face, back and tail, showing silvery sheen to rounded areas of head and body.  Nose leather and eye-rims: Dark grey.  Paw pads: Pinkish grey.

Chocolate (Full Expression Color): Rich warm chestnut brown, no dark or cold tones.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Brown or pinkish brown.

Chocolate (Burmese Color Restriction): Warm milk chocolate, which may be slightly darker on the face, back and tail, evenness of color overall is very desirable. Nose leather and eye-rims: Warm chocolate brown.  Paw pads: Brick pink shading to chocolate.

Lilac (Full Expression Color): Frosty grey with a distinct pinkish tone giving an overall appearance of lilac. Color too blue or too fawn is undesirable.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Pinkish lilac.

Lilac (Burmese Color Restriction): Pale delicate dove grey, with a slight pinkish cast giving a rather  muted effect.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Lavender pink.

Red (Full Expression Color): Rich intense red, as even as possible.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Pink.

Red (Burmese Color Restriction): Light tangerine.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Pink.

Cream (Full Expression Color): Medium cool toned cream, as even as possible.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Pink.

Cream (Burmese Color Restriction): Delicate cream, as even as possible, showing a distinct bloom on ears and back resulting in a powdered effect. Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Pink.

Caramel (Full Expression Color): Cool toned bluish fawn.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on the head, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The depth and tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Bluish fawn.

Caramel (Burmese Color Restriction): Cool toned pale fawn graduating to rich honey coloring on the chest and abdomen with lilac overtones.  Color may be slightly darker on face, back and tail.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on the head, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The depth and tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads:  Pinkish fawn.

Apricot (Full Expression Color): Cool dusty cast over  warm intense pinkish cream.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Pink.

Apricot (Burmese Color Restriction): Cool dusty cast over warm intense pinkish cream shading to pale tones on the body.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on head, up the hocks and around the paw pads.  Nose leather, eye-rims and paw pads: Pink.

Black Tortie (Full Expression Color): Jet black with shades of red.

Brown Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Rich warm seal brown with shades of red.

Blue Tortie (Full Expression Color): Medium to dark blue with shades of cream.

Blue Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Soft silvery grey with shades of cream.

Chocolate Tortie (Full Expression Color): Rich warm chestnut brown with shades of red.

Chocolate Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Warm milk chocolate with shades of red.

Lilac Tortie (Full Expression Color): Frosty grey with a distinct pinkish cast giving an overall appearance of lilac, with shades of cream.

Lilac Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Pale delicate dove grey with a slight pinkish cast, giving rather a muted effect, with shades of cream. 

Caramel Tortie (Full Expression Color): Cool toned bluish fawn with shades of apricot. With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on head, up the hocks and around the paw pads.  The depth and tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

Caramel Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Cool toned pale fawn graduating to rich honey coloring on the chest and abdomen with lilac overtones, with shades of apricot. With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on the head, up the hocks and around the paw pads.  The depth and tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

SOLID COLOR CLASS

For all Asian solid colors it is very difficult to attain a consistent color through the length of the hair shaft and some paling to the roots can be allowed for as long as it is a slightly paler shade of the coat color.

Black: Even Black. Nose leather: solid black.  Paw pads: solid black or very dark brown.

Black Tortie: Jet black with shades of red. Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Appropriate to coat color and / or pink.

Brown:  Rich, warm, seal brown. Nose leather: rich brown.  Paw pads: brown.

Brown Tortie:  Seal brown with shades of red.  Nose leather and Paw pads: Seal brown, pink or both.

Blue: Medium to dark blue to the roots. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Solid blue.

Blue Tortie: Medium to dark blue with shades of cream. Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Appropriate to coat color and / or pink.

Chocolate: Rich warm chestnut brown to the roots. No dark or cold tones.  Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Brown or pinkish brown.

Chocolate Tortie: Rich warm chestnut brown with shades of red. Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Appropriate to coat color and / or pink.

Lilac: Frosty grey with a distinct pinkish tone to the roots, giving an overall appearance of lilac.  Color too blue or too fawn is undesirable.  Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Pinkish lilac.

Lilac Tortie: Frosty grey with a distinct pinkish cast giving an overall appearance of lilac, with shades of cream. Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Appropriate to coat color and / or pink.

Red:  Rich intense red, as even as possible.  Slight tabby markings and some shading to paler roots may be evident and should not penalise an otherwise good cat. Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Pink.

Cream: Medium cool toned cream, as even as possible.  Slight tabby markings and some shading to paler roots may be evident and should not penalise an otherwise good cat.  Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Pink.

Caramel: Cool toned bluish fawn.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen. The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Bluish fawn.

Caramel Tortie:  Cool toned bluish fawn with shades of apricot.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The tone and depth of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based. Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Appropriate to coat color and / or pink.

Apricot: Cool dusty cast over warm intense pinkish cream.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen. Slight tabby markings and some shading to paler roots may be evident and should not penalise an otherwise good cat.  Nose Leather and Paw Pads:  Pink.

SMOKE COLOR CLASS

May be any color accepted in the Asian’s Base Color. The Asian Smoke is a non-agouti cat and the undercoat of silver-white or near-white should be no less than one-third and no more than one-half of the total hair length in adults. When in repose the cat should have overall appearance of a Solid or Burmese colored cat, the silver undercoat showing through when the cat moves giving the “smoke” effect.  Some faint ghost tabby markings may be evident on the body, especially in kittens, but distinct tabby markings in adults are undesirable.  There may be silvery speckling on the face, silvery frown marks on the forehead and silvery rings round the eyes.

CHINCHILLA (TIPPED) OR SHADED COLOR CLASS

The coat to be Chinchilla (Tipped) or Shaded in any color accepted in the Asian Base Colors. The undercoat may be Silver or Non-Silver (Standard).  In Silvers the shading color may be reduced in intensity and the undercoat should be as in the equivalent Asian Silver Tabby. The silver base-color can take some time to develop in kittens and allowance should be made for a minimum amount of silver in kittens and adolescent cats.  In Non-Silvers the Tipped or Shading color should be as the Asian Base Colors described above and the undercoat should be as in the equivalent Asian Standard Tabby.

In Silver Chinchilla (Tipped) or Shaded, tarnishing i.e. discoloration of the silver ground color is undesirable.

Pattern - The Chinchilla (Tipped) or Shaded Silvers may show wide variation in degree of Tipping or Shading, from light to heavy.  All variations in the density of Tipping or Shading are equally acceptable the important consideration being that the Tipping or Shading is evenly distributed.  Chinchilla (Tipped) or Shaded Silvers will have a mantle of color Tipping or Shading down from the sides, face and tail, from dark on the spine to lighter patterning on the chest, stomach and under the tail.  A heavily Shaded Silver may show very little undercoat on the spine line. Where the Tipped is lightly colored giving a tipped effect, the pigment will only show at the extremities of the hairs and be evenly distributed. Tipping so slight as to be barely discernible is undesirable.

The Chinchilla (Tipped) and Shaded Silver is an agouti cat and the tabby pattern, which may be Spotted, Classic, Mackerel or Ticked, may show clearly on the surface of the coat in kittens but should become less distinct as the lighter base color extends up the hair shaft with maturity. The more heavily Shaded adults may still show some superficial tabby pattern, especially on the back and sides. This pattern may be more noticeable in Standard varieties than in Silver varieties. Cats with classic pattern may appear darker because the pattern area is greater.

The legs, head and tail may show tabby markings of varying clarity depending upon the degree of Tipping or Shading and basic underlying tabby patterning. The denser concentration of color should extend from the feet up the back of the legs to the hock joint. Light spotting on the belly is permissible.

TABBY COLOR CLASS

The tabby pattern, which may be Spotted, Classic, Mackerel or Ticked, is formed by markings of the solid pattern color on a background of agouti hairs. The pattern color in Standard Tabbies should be that of the equivalent colored Asian Solids and Torties or their Burmese Color Restriction counterparts. In Silver Tabbies the pattern color may lack warmth and this should not be penalized. The pattern color in Spotted, Classic and Mackerel Tabbies should match on head, body, legs and tail. There should be no speckling of agouti hairs in the markings and a pattern, which consists of dark agouti on a light agouti background is incorrect and must be penalized. In Ticked Tabbies the pattern color on head, legs and tail should match the ticking color on the body.

In Standard Tabbies the markings should be dense, as near as possible to the roots and in Silver Tabbies they should extend well down the hair. The marking should show good contrast with the ground color, but in dilute colors and Burmese restriction colors, the contrast between the markings and the ground color is less than that required in non-dilute or full expression colors. In Tortie Tabbies the distribution of Tortie markings is immaterial.

1.      The Burmese Color Restriction Gene has the effect of reducing the melanin in the hair shaft particularly close to the skin, thus color cannot be sound to the roots nor can the undercoat be as rich as in the equivalent full expression cat. However, in all Asian Tabbies of Burmese Color Restriction the markings should be as near to the roots as possible and show good contrast with the ground color.  The ears and mask of Burmese color restriction cats may be slightly darker.

2.      In Silver Tabbies tarnishing i.e. discoloration of the silver ground color is undesirable.

3.      In full expression color Asian Tabbies the markings should show good contrast with the ground color.

Head Markings - On the forehead there should be an "M". In Ticked Tabby kittens there may be a skull-cap, which may clear to an "M" in adults. There should be an unbroken line running from the outer corner of each eye and penciling on the cheeks. The edges of the ears should be the same color as the markings with a central patch of ground color resembling a thumb-print. The Tabby has a tendency to white in the immediate area of the lips and lower jaw. It is a serious fault if this extends to the throat in Standard Tabbies.

Leg Markings - The legs of the Ticked Tabby may or may not be barred. However, the legs of the Mackerel and Spotted should be barred and/or spotted. The legs of the Classic Tabby should be barred. In all patterns the darker pattern color should extend from the feet up the back of the leg to the hock joint.

Tail Markings - The markings on the tail of all Asian Tabbies may range from complete (all patterns) or broken rings (Ticked, Mackerel and Spotted pattern) to a continuation of the darker color on the spine line (Ticked pattern). The tail should have a solid tip of the darker color except in Red, Cream, Apricot and Tortie Tabbies where a light tip is permitted.

Spotted Tabby Pattern: The coat should have all markings clearly defined. The spots may vary in size but should be round and evenly distributed. The spots should not run together in any part of the coat. Lines should extend from the top of the head down the back of the neck, breaking into spots on the shoulder and along the spine. The legs should be barred and/or spotted. The denser concentration of color should extend from the feet up the back of the leg to the hock joint. On the neck and upper chest there will be necklaces, which may be broken, the more the better.  The belly should be spotted.  The tail should be marked with complete or broken rings.

Classic Tabby Pattern:  The coat should have all markings clearly defined. The ground color and markings should be equally balanced overall. There should be a vertical line or lines running over the back of the head and extending to the shoulder markings, which should be shaped like a butterfly seen from above.  Both the upper and lower "wings" should be clearly defined in outline, with dots inside the outline. On the back there should be an unbroken line running down the spine from the butterfly to the tail, with a stripe on either side of this line running parallel to it. The stripes should be separated from it by stripes of ground color. On each flank there should be a large oyster or blotch surrounded by one or more unbroken rings. Both sides of the cat should have symmetrical identical markings. On the neck and upper chest there should be unbroken necklaces, the more the better. The belly may be spotted, blotched or barred.  The tail should be banded.

Mackerel Tabby Pattern: The coat should have all markings clearly defined. There should be a narrow unbroken line running from the back of the head to the base of the tail, on either side of which should be a broken spine line from which narrow vertical lines run down the body. These lines should be as narrow and as numerous as possible and should be unbroken.  On the neck and upper chest there should be necklaces, which may be broken, the more the better.  The belly should be spotted or barred.  The tail rings should be as narrow and numerous as possible, complete or broken.

Ticked Tabby Pattern: The coat should be evenly ticked with two or three bands of the pattern color extending well down each hair shaft. The darker color should be more apparent down the spine line, shading to the paler ground color on the belly and inside the legs. Any necklaces may be broken or unbroken. The belly may be spotted. The legs may be barred. The tail may be ringed with complete or broken rings or may have a continuation of the darker color of the spine line.

Nose Leather: As in the equivalent Solid, Tortie or Burmese Restriction color, or pink rimmed with the Solid, Tortie or Burmese Restriction color.

Eye Rims and Paw Pads: As in the equivalent Solid, Tortie or Burmese Restriction color.

NON-SILVER or STANDARD COLORS

Black (Full Expression Color): Jet black markings on a warm toned coppery brown ground. The markings should be well colored to the roots.

Brown (Burmese Color Restriction): Rich warm seal brown markings on a creamy beige ground.

Blue (Full Expression Color): Medium to dark blue markings on a cool toned beige ground.

Blue (Burmese Color Restriction): Soft silvery blue grey markings on a cool toned, pale beige ground.

Chocolate (Full Expression Color): Rich warm toned chestnut brown markings on a warm toned bronze ground.

Chocolate  (Burmese Color Restriction): Warm milk chocolate markings on a pale brown ground, pattern color may show darker tone on face, back and tail.

Lilac (Full Expression Color): Frosty grey markings with a distinct pinkish cast, on a cool toned beige ground.

Lilac (Burmese Color Restriction): Pale delicate dove grey markings with slight pinkish cast on a cool toned beige ground.

Red (Full expression color): Rich medium to dark red markings on a ground of bright paler red.

Red (Burmese Color Restriction): Light tangerine markings on a ground of paler red.

Cream (Full Expression Color): Medium cool toned cream markings on a ground of paler cream.

Cream (Burmese Color Restriction): Delicate cream markings on a ground of paler cream, showing a distinct bloom on head, ears and back resulting in a powdered effect.

Caramel (Full Expression Color): Cool toned bluish fawn markings on a ground of cool toned beige.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads.  The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

Caramel (Burmese Color Restriction): toned pale fawn markings with lilac overtones  on a ground of pale beige.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads.  The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

Apricot (Full Expression Color): Warm intense pinkish cream markings with a cool dusty cast on a ground of cool toned paler cream.   With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads.

Apricot (Burmese Color Restriction): Pale warm pinkish cream markings with a cool dusty cast on a ground of cool toned paler cream.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads.

Black Tortie (Full Expression Color): Markings of jet black with shades of red, on a warm toned coppery brown with pale red ground.

Brown Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of rich warm seal brown with shades of red, on a pale coppery brown with pale red ground. 

Blue Tortie (Full Expression Color): Markings of medium to dark blue with shades of cream, on a cool toned beige with pale cream ground.

Blue Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of soft, silvery grey with shades of cream, on a cool toned pale beige with pale cream ground.

Chocolate Tortie (Full Expression Color): Markings of rich warm chestnut brown with shades of red, on a warm toned bronze with pale red ground.

Chocolate Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of warm milk chocolate with shades of red, on a pale brown with pale red ground.

Lilac Tortie (Full Expression Color): Markings of frosty grey with a distinct pinkish cast with shades of cream, on a cool toned beige with pale cream ground.

Lilac Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings pale delicate dove grey with a slight pinkish cast with shades of cream, on a cool toned beige with pale cream ground.

Caramel Tortie (Full Expression Color): Markings cool toned metallic bluish fawn with shades of apricot, on a cool toned beige with pale apricot ground. With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

Caramel Tortie (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of cool toned metallic pale fawn graduating to honey with lilac overtones with shades of apricot, on a pale beige with pale apricot ground.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

SILVER TABBY COLORS

In Black Silvers the contrast between the coat color and the crisp silver is marked. However, in the other colors the silver may be slightly muted.

Black Silver (Full Expression Color): Black markings on a silvery ground.

Brown Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Rich warm seal brown markings on a paler silvery brown ground.

Chocolate Silver (Full Expression Color): Rich warm chestnut brown markings on a paler silvery chocolate ground.

Chocolate Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Milk chocolate markings on a paler silvery milk chocolate ground.

Blue Silver (Full Expression Color): Medium to dark blue markings on a paler silvery blue ground.

Blue Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Soft silvery blue markings on a paler silvery blue ground.

Lilac Silver (Full Expression Color): Frosty pinkish grey markings on a paler silvery lilac ground.

Lilac Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Pale dove grey markings on a paler silvery lilac ground.

Red Silver (Full Expression Color): Rich medium to dark red markings on a silvery near white ground.

Red Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Light tangerine markings on a silvery near white ground.

Cream Silver (Full Expression Color): Medium cool toned cream markings on a silvery near white ground. 

Cream Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Cream markings on a silvery near white ground.

Caramel Silver (Full Expression Color): Cool toned bluish fawn markings on a paler silvery beige ground.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

Caramel Silver (Burmese Color Restriction):  Cool toned pale fawn markings with lilac overtones, on a paler silvery beige ground.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

Apricot Silver (Full Expression Color): Warm intense pinkish cream markings with a cool dusty cast, on a silvery near white ground. With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads.

Apricot Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Pale warm pinkish cream markings on a silvery near white ground. With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads.

Black Tortie Silver (Full Expression): Markings of jet black with shades of red, on a silver with pale red-silver ground.

Brown Tortie Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of rich warm seal brown with shades of red, on a paler brown-silver with pale red-silver ground.

Blue Tortie Silver (Full Expression Color): Markings of medium to dark blue with shades of cream, on a paler blue-silver with pale cream-silver ground.

Blue Tortie Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of soft silvery grey with shades of cream, on a paler blue-silver with pale cream-silver ground.

Chocolate Tortie Silver (Full Expression): Markings of rich warm chestnut brown with shades of red, on a paler chocolate-silver with pale red-silver ground.

Chocolate Tortie Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of warm milk chocolate with shades of red, on a paler chocolate-silver with pale red-silver ground.

Lilac Tortie Silver (Full Expression): Markings of frosty grey with a distinct pinkish cast with shades of cream, on a paler lilac-silver with pale cream-silver ground.

Lilac Tortie Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of pale delicate dove grey with a slight pinkish cast, with shades of cream, on a paler lilac-silver with pale cream-silver ground.

Caramel Tortie Silver (Full Expression): Markings of cool toned bluish fawn with shades of apricot, on a paler beige-silver with pale apricot-silver ground.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads. The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

Caramel Tortie Silver (Burmese Color Restriction): Markings of cool toned pale fawn shading to honey with lilac overtones, with shades of apricot, on a paler beige-silver with pale apricot-silver ground.  With maturity a soft metallic sheen may be seen, especially on forehead, up the hocks and around the paw pads.  The tone of caramel color may vary depending upon whether it is blue or lilac based.

ASIAN LONGHAIR

Coat Pattern and Colors: The coat may be Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red, Caramel, Apricot, Black Tortie, Cream, Blue Tortie, Chocolate Tortie, Lilac Tortie, Caramel Tortie or the Burmese color restriction of any of these colors or their silver varieties, in any of the recognized Asian patterns.

The Tabby patterns will be less distinct on the semi-longhair coat.

Coat Length and Texture: Medium long except over the shoulders where a shorter length is permitted, fine and silky in texture, without a woolly undercoat.  The coat should appear dense, but lie flat along the spine and display a glossy shine; the coat should lengthen down the body to form fringes or “frills” along the lower edges of the body and under-parts. The tail should be plume-like.  The furnishings from inside the ears should form streamers and tufts at the tips of the ears are preferable.  A ruff is desirable in the mature cat and, all other things being equal, preference should be given to the cat with a ruff and full breeches.  Asian Longhairs do not normally achieve full coat until mature (2 years plus) and allowance should be made for shorter coats and lack of ruff in kittens and adolescent cats.  Allowance should also be made for toe-tufts making paws seem larger than they really are.

The coat lies flat along the body, but forms a ruff around the neck and tends to form fringes or frills along the lower body thereby disguising the underlying bone structure.  By smoothing back the coat it is possible to study the lines of the body, which should be of slender, elegant and of medium to medium-large Foreign type exactly as per General Type for all Asian cats.

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