These early Balinese were what we now
term the "traditional" or "applehead" type:
robust but distinctly elegant cats with
luxuriant silken coats, refined heads and
shapely, tufted ears (see photos, right, of
Stu and his father, Mary Desmond's
(BaliChaton) magnificent Sidney, a CFA
champion from an earlier time). Our young
Cecily (also from BaliChaton) is a fine
example of a traditional queen.
Beginning in the 1970s, Balinese breeders
who wanted to keep pace with trendsetting
Siamese breeders in developing a more
'modern' type of cat crossed Balinese with
increasingly extreme-type Siamese. As
described in the current CFA breed
standard, modern Balinese are
comparatively small, slender, and
fine-boned, with flat skulls, wedge-shaped
heads, no nose stop, very large ears, and
sparse coats. In fact, the CFA reclassified
Balinese as shorthairs in 1984.
term the "traditional" or "applehead" type:
robust but distinctly elegant cats with
luxuriant silken coats, refined heads and
shapely, tufted ears (see photos, right, of
Stu and his father, Mary Desmond's
(BaliChaton) magnificent Sidney, a CFA
champion from an earlier time). Our young
Cecily (also from BaliChaton) is a fine
example of a traditional queen.
Beginning in the 1970s, Balinese breeders
who wanted to keep pace with trendsetting
Siamese breeders in developing a more
'modern' type of cat crossed Balinese with
increasingly extreme-type Siamese. As
described in the current CFA breed
standard, modern Balinese are
comparatively small, slender, and
fine-boned, with flat skulls, wedge-shaped
heads, no nose stop, very large ears, and
sparse coats. In fact, the CFA reclassified
Balinese as shorthairs in 1984.
Why Breed Traditional Cats?
Because only extreme cats may be seen in the
showring today, many breeders stopped producing
traditional cats, and they have become very rare.
However, the very different modern type is not to
everyone's taste, and a few dedicated fanciers
continued to produce quality traditional cats for the
people who love them.
We are proud to be among those who are working to
ensure that these beautiful cats not only don't
disappear, but regain the popularity they deserve.
Because only extreme cats may be seen in the
showring today, many breeders stopped producing
traditional cats, and they have become very rare.
However, the very different modern type is not to
everyone's taste, and a few dedicated fanciers
continued to produce quality traditional cats for the
people who love them.
We are proud to be among those who are working to
ensure that these beautiful cats not only don't
disappear, but regain the popularity they deserve.
| Questions? Please contact Janet E. Kester, PhD Nippendale Farm Wentzville, MO (636)-327-3745 Nipcat6@aol.com |
| We fully support the Tradtional Cat Association's motto, To Preserve, Protect, Perpetuate, and Promote Traditional Cats© |
| Last Updated 10/20/2004 |
| Copyright 2004, Nippendale Farm |
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Balinese Breed History
Although the origin of Balinese cats is not known with certainty,
many believe that they are long-haired variants of Siamese. Well
before the breed was officially recognized, long-haired kittens
would appear from time to time in Siamese litters, the result of a
recessive genetic mutation.
Although the origin of Balinese cats is not known with certainty,
many believe that they are long-haired variants of Siamese. Well
before the breed was officially recognized, long-haired kittens
would appear from time to time in Siamese litters, the result of a
recessive genetic mutation.
| Ch. BaliChaton Sir Sidney IV |
| Stuart Little |
| BaliChaton Cecily of Nippendale |
| TRADITIONAL |
| Nippendale's Annika Lee |
| Petitspaws Lila |
| CLASSIC |
| MODERN |
According to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) Balinese breed profile, it was not
until the 1950's that Helen Smith of MerryMews Cattery and Marion Dorsey of
Rai-Mar Catterybegan to deliberately breed these exquisite "long-haired Siamese,"
as they were first called.
The name 'Balinese' was coined by Helen Smith, whom they reminded of graceful
Balinese dancers. Sylvia Holland, a great champion of the breed who purchased
Rai-Mar from Mrs. Dorsey in 1965, persuaded the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) to
grant the breed provisional status in 1967, and championship status in 1970.
until the 1950's that Helen Smith of MerryMews Cattery and Marion Dorsey of
Rai-Mar Catterybegan to deliberately breed these exquisite "long-haired Siamese,"
as they were first called.
The name 'Balinese' was coined by Helen Smith, whom they reminded of graceful
Balinese dancers. Sylvia Holland, a great champion of the breed who purchased
Rai-Mar from Mrs. Dorsey in 1965, persuaded the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) to
grant the breed provisional status in 1967, and championship status in 1970.
The profound changes in Balinese
appearance brought about by these efforts resulted
in the disappearance of the beloved traditional type
from the showring, and division of the breed into a
spectrum of types between the traditional and the
'extreme' or 'modern,' with 'classic' type cats like our
lovely Annika (Stu's daughter)and her mother Lila
intermediate between the two.
appearance brought about by these efforts resulted
in the disappearance of the beloved traditional type
from the showring, and division of the breed into a
spectrum of types between the traditional and the
'extreme' or 'modern,' with 'classic' type cats like our
lovely Annika (Stu's daughter)and her mother Lila
intermediate between the two.