Colorpoint Shorthair: Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Breed History, Temperament and Personality

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Marissa Prizio attended the University of New Hampshire and earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical Animal Science. Marissa has always enjoyed writing; she was even mixing literature classes into her science major in college. During her writing career, she has edited eBooks, written for a variety of websites, and created audio-visual courses for sustainability.

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Updated on: 06/22/2022

Everything you need to know about this iconic breed of cat.

The colorpoint shorthair cat is a rather recent adaptation to centuries-old cat breeds. This compassionate companion is known for its iconic color variations that maintain a distinct colorpoint pattern on a lanky yet strong frame. While many cat lovers are familiar with the concept of colorpoint fur patterns and shorthair cats, the colorpoint shorthair remains complex and rare.

If you are looking to expand your knowledge of fine felines or you’re looking for a loving cat as your next companion, then it is worth taking some time to get familiar with colorpoint shorthair cats.

Colorpoint Characteristics:

Many of the distinguishing attributes of a colorpoint shorthair cat can be seen in their face. This breed is known for its lanky and elongated appearance. Their head is wedge-shaped, with a sloping muzzle that is longer than many cat breeds. Their ears are also rather large and elongated, sitting high on the head and shaped like lightly rounded triangles. Almond-shaped eyes fall almost equidistant between the eyes and the nose, giving them a very pointed and sometimes judgemental expression. These cats are often known for their vibrant blue eyes. ^[1]

The body is long and lean throughout, but they maintain even muscle tone despite their finely boned frame. Colorpointing can be seen on the ears, face, feet, and tail. The colors can be one of 16 variations including tortoiseshell and lynx point, but they all follow the same colorpoint patterning and fade into a cream-colored body. ^[1]

Weight	6 to 12 pounds
Height	11 to 14 inches
Eye Color	Blue
Colors and patterns	Red, Cream point, Seal, Chocolate, Blue, Lilac, Blue Cream, Lilac Cream, Tortoise Shell, Orange Tabby, lynx point, colorpoint
Coat Length	Short
Lifespan	8 to 12 years
Best Suited For	Individuals who have time to play and don’t mind a chatty cat

Colorpoint Breed History:

At first glance, the colorpoint shorthair cat is commonly mistaken for its cousin, the Siamese cat. This is a valid mistake because colorpoint shorthairs are actually closely related to the Siamese breed. Their Siamese cousins are restricted to four colors; seal point siamese, lilac point, blue point, and chocolate point. ^[3] In the mid-1900s, a few adventurous breeders decided that the Siamese would be stunning with a few more variations, and so they mixed the breed with a red tabby American shorthair. ^[1]These cat breeders were the cornerstone of the colorpoint shorthair cat breed.

While the colorpoint shorthair cats’ body and head type are nearly identical to the Siamese, except for some occasionally more intense muscling, their colors clearly define them. A true colorpoint shorthair will look just like a siamese, but its color points will be far more diverse in color and light patterning. ^[2] This breed was first recognized by the cat fanciers association as a separate breed in the 1960s, while the international cat association recognizes this breed by different names.

Curiosities of Colorpoints:

Colorpoint is a rather unique fur pattern that is only found in a few breeds, and it has an interesting form of expression. Cats that express colorpoint patterning actually have a hereditary gene mutation. This mutation causes temperature-sensitive pigment production, meaning that cats with this gene can only produce condensed areas of pigmentation on the coolest areas of their bodies, which happen to be their extremities. The influence of temperature is also what causes the pigmented areas on a colorpoint shorthair to slowly fade, blending into the cream-colored body. ^[4]

No, cooling your cat down won’t cause them to change their coloration pattern, however, changes in coloration intensities do happen. It isn’t uncommon for a colorpoint shorthair kitten to develop slightly darker or broader colorpoint markings as they mature. ^[2]

Temperament & Personality:

The colorpoint shorthair cat personality is almost as unique as its colors and patterning. These cats are known to be an affectionate breed and very social, even with other cats. While they generally pick favorites, colorpoint shorthairs are friendly to almost everyone they meet. These cats are happy to carry on a conversation or simply cuddle in your lap. At times, you may even find this breed bringing you toys in an effort to convince you to play. ^[7]

Potential for playfulness	5 out 5
Activity level	4 out 5
Friendliness to other pets	4 out 5
Friendliness to children	4 out 5
Grooming requirements and shedding	1 out 5
Need for attention	3 out 5
Affection towards owners	4 out 5
Intelligence	5 out 5
Independence	3 out 5

Activity Levels:

This breed is known for its intelligence. At times their intellect manifests as a desire to play games with their owner, but it can also motivate them to embrace their curiosity. To keep your colorpoint shorthair from getting into too much mischief, you should keep a healthy supply of toys around the house. While these cats are known to play fetch much like a dog, they will also play alone at times, so moderate engagement with these cats is required. ^[1]

Aside from playing, Colorpoint shorthair cats also love to jump and climb. Their light, lanky, and leanly muscled bodies are perfect for taking grand leaps. These cats benefit best from spaces with cat trees and other athletic play spaces. ^[2]Don’t be too surprised if a colorpoint shorthair cat starts using shelving, cabinets, and curtain rods as jungle gyms if they don’t have enough options for entertainment.

READ MORE: Best Cat Toys

Colorpoint Shorthair Kittens:

These kittens can steal your heart in an instant. Their big blue almond-shaped eyes are enchanting from the moment they open, and their masks are rather condensed since the color has yet to spread and blend outward. In a way, these little guys are a bit awkward with their lanky kitten bodies, but they grow into graceful adults rather fast. The active and social feline should express its loving personality starting young.

There are a few different ways to come across one of these kittens, but regardless of how you find your feline friend, there are a few things to look out for. A true colorpoint shorthair will not have color anywhere except its extremities, and these colors can spread or change slightly as they age. A mother colorpoint shorthair often has litters of mixed color kittens, some of which may even display colors that make them look almost identical to a siamese cat. ^[1] ^[2]

As far as health goes, you always want to ensure that kittens are free of any parasites, respiratory diseases, untreated congenital conditions, or other ailments. Since colorpoint shorthairs are directly related to Siamese cats, there is a chance that some kittens can express crossed eyes. While this condition isn’t necessarily harmful, good breeders should be breeding against it. ^[5]

Adopting a Colorpoint Shorthair:

Colorpoint shorthair cats may seem like an elusive designer breed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adopt one. The chatty and sometimes overly active nature of this cat can cause unprepared pet owners to put them up for adoption. With regular visits, you may get lucky and find a colorpoint shorthair or a related mixed breed in your local shelter, and chances are the adoption fees will be far less than purchasing a kitten from a breeder.

If waiting for a colorpoint shorthair cat to appear in your shelter is taking too long, you can always look to adopt from other sources. Some rescues might specialize in colorpoint breeds and have a few shorthairs. There is also the chance that retired colorpoint shorthair show cats need a new home, which is a perfect option for families who don’t want to deal with the chaos of owning a kitten. ^[1]

Shopping For A Colorpoint Shorthair:

If you are looking to purchase a purebred colorpoint shorthair kitten, the road to getting your ideal companion can still take a while. This breed may not be as popular as the siamese, but it still has a devoted fan club that will patiently await the arrival of pedigreed cats. A good breeder won’t over-breed their cats and they won’t remove the babies from the mother too early, so waitlists are common. ^[1]

This is especially true if you want your colorpoint kitten to be a specific color or gender, as breeders can’t guarantee either of those factors for each litter. So if you are looking for something specific, like a lynx point female kitten you may need to be patient. Purchasing a purebred also comes with a lack of guarantees, as the prices can change with demand and the kittens’ show lineage. The estimated cost for a purebred colorpoint shorthair falls between $600 to $800, but that is no guarantee. ^[6]

It is also worth noting that a good breeder will make sure you are a good fit for the kitten and that they will be safe with you, as reputable breeders work to improve the breed, not just to make money. Many reputable breeders will be associated with the cat fanciers association.

Is A Colorpoint Shorthair The Right Breed For You?

If you are looking to fill your house with chatty meows, playful energy, and a cuddly companion then you may have stumbled across your perfect breed. A colorpoint shorthair cat will stand out from the crowd, and even your non-cat enthusiast friends will be able to tell that there is something special about your cat.

The colorpoint shorthair breed is known to get along well with almost everyone, so take some time to see if the people and pets in your household are equally enthused before you decide to bring home a colorpoint shorthair cat, and introduce pets slowly. These fancy felines are absolutely worth the wait on a breeders list or the effort of shelter searching.

FAQ

How much is a Colorpoint Shorthair?

The estimated cost for a purebred colorpoint shorthair cat falls between $600 to $800, but that is no guarantee. ^[6] Prices can change depending on litter size, gender, show quality, and the rarity of a kitten’s color.

Do Colorpoint Shorthair cats shed?

Colorpoint shorthair cats have fur, not hair, so they do shed. Their fur is short and silky, so they tend to shed less than longer-haired cats.

Are Colorpoint Shorthairs hypoallergenic?

Colorpoint shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. While they do shed less than many other breeds, they still have fur, not hair. They also still produce enough dander and fur to trigger some allergies. ^[2]

What does “colorpoint” mean in cats?

Colorpoint refers to a pattern of coloration in cats. Most commonly it appears as darker colors expressed at the extremities (ex: ears, nose, legs, and tail) and fades to a colorless body. This coloration pattern is the result of a mutation that only allows for pigmentation expression at the coldest points of a cat’s body. ^[4] Red and cream points are very popular for this cat breed.

Article Sources:

“Colorpoint Shorthair.” Cat Fancier’s Association, cfa.org/colorpoint-shorthair/.
“Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Breed – Facts and Personality Traits | Hill’s Pet.” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 4 Oct. 2021, hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/colorpoint-shorthair.
”About the Siamese Breed.” CFA Siamese Breed Council siamesebc.org/aboutSiamese.shtml.
”Colorpoint Restriction.” Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/colorpoint-restriction.
”Eye Diseases in Cats: Exophthalmos, Enophthalmos and Strabismus.” PetMD, 25 Mar. 2022, petmd.com/cat/conditions/eyes/c_ct_orbital_diseases.
“Colorpoint Shorthair – Price, Personality, Lifespan.” Catbreedslist, catbreedslist.com/all-cat-breeds/colorpoint-shorthair.html.
“Colorpoint Shorthair.” VCA Hospitals, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-breeds/colorpoint-shorthair.