Ocicat

Ocicat

All the Ocicat photographs on this page are © Helmi Flick

Photographs with a blue/mauve border are links to superb large format images

The Ocicat is another rare breed of cat. The breed, I think, is in the same bracket of exotic (or jungle) cats as the Savannah, Serengeti, Chausie and Toyger in that they satisfy the modern day interest in domestic cats that look like wild cats and have the disposition of a well socialized domestic cat. The interest in "jungle cats" can extend to wanting to live with them. However, there is no wild blood in this cat and it was not the intention of the founding cat breeder to produce a "jungle cat" (see below).

There is an underlying purpose in the development of this breed; the hope that it can slow the importation of small/medium sized wild

cats to the West. This importation seems to take place primarily in the USA.

Also it would be nice to think that in adopting a cat such as the Ocicat there is a constant reminder of the plight of endangered wildlife generally and wild cats specifically.

The name of the breed comes from the wild Ocelot which is similar in appearance.

The CFA says that the cat is an "agouti spotted cat" of "moderate type". To use simple non-breeder language "moderate type" means an appearance that we expect of a cat (i.e. not extreme in appearance like the Ultra Persian or Modern Siamese). As for the word "agouti", this as you may know refers to the agouti gene. The dominant agouti gene controls the production of melanin (black pigmentation). The combination of this gene and the gene that results in a tabby spotted pattern gives us this coat appearance (see origin as well) .

Origin

The creation of this breed was an unforeseen result (a pleasant accident) of an experimental breeding program. Here is a potted history in table form. Due to the accidental nature of the creation of this breed it was called "Accicat" at one time.

Year	Event
1964	Virginia Daley a well known cat breeder tries to produce an Abyssinian Cat with Siamese "points" (dark extremeties). This failed. All kittens were Abysinnian. However, when the 1st generation offspring were bred with Siamese the result was the Ocicat. The breed began. This is 1964 and some 10 years before the creation of the Bengal. This is the beginning of the realisation of the interest in exotic cats as pets. Lets remember too that is the 1960s the world was very different with less restrictive regulations (due now to a much more developed breeding program) and more to explore.
1966	The breed is recognised for CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) registration.
1966-87	Breed developed and accepted in 1987 for Championship status. This means full status allowing a cat of the breed to compete for championship titles at shows run by the registry concerned.
? to present	Silver Tabby American Shorthair cats introduced into the breeding program to produce the silver color and a preferred bone structure. This breed is then an outcrossing of three breeds: Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair.
1988	Ocicat imported into the UK.

Incorporating three sets of genes from 3 recognisable breeds tends to result in a more robust and healthy cat. The breed is the only example of selective breeding to produce the wild cat look (as opposed to wild cat/domestic cat hybrid).

Character

You can read and study the other "exotic" cats to understand the character and abilities of this cat. The exotics tend to be athletic, intelligent (and therefore more trainable), confident and active. Although this is not a wild/domestic hybrid, which are the most assertive breed of cats.

This cat is capable of opening doors. Helmi Flick lived with an F1 Chausie who would learn how to open a door by watching and copying. You've gotta be careful sometimes with breeds of this type

This breed of cats are muscular and solid with a short haired coat. They have a body shape closer to the solid American Shorthair than the delicate Oriental. They are heavier than they look (as is the Tonkinese) because of the boning and muscular body. The breed is described as sociable with humans and other pets so it may not be wise to adopt if you're out a lot. Their sociability is clearly dependant to a degree on how they are handled when young.

All domestic cats, in my experience, like company, providied they have been adequately socialised. They particularly like the company of a loving and caring human companion, who the cat sees as a cat anyway.

These thumbnails link to large format images

Other issues

You can get longhaired Ocicat's due to the recessive gene in the Abyssinian. Ocicats come in many colors; there are 96 color/pattern combinations.

Some Breeders

These are listed in the first three pages of a Google search. I don't know how good they are but they have nice websites particuarly Ameeka Cats.

UK

Ameeka Cats
Lincolnshire
ProvoCATive
Yorkshire
Yesso Cats
Norfolk
UK Ocicat Club

Canada

Covysham Cattery
Ontario
Lotsospots Cattery
Ontario

Sources:

CFA
Wikipedia
http://www.ocicats.org
In depth article on the history of this breed
Messybeast

Return from Ocicat to Different Cat Breeds