Ojos Azules Cat Breed: Breed Origins, Temperament, Adoption

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Updated on: 12/20/2021

Blue eyes are a stunning and unique feature in certain cat breeds, including Ojos Azules cats. Very few people are familiar with the Ojos Azules cat breed. These medium-sized domestic cats are a very rare breed, and not many breeders work with them. They are known for their beautiful deep blue eyes, hence their name.

Ojos Azules is Spanish for “blue eyes.” This breed has striking blue eyes as its defining physical trait. They are also known for their friendly and social personalities. Ojos Azules get along well with any two-legged or four-legged family member and like to be included in family activities. These blue-eyed cats like to be entertained and will always keep you on your toes.

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While it will take a lot of research, patience, and time to find a reliable breeder who breeds these cats, an Ojos Azules would love to be part of your family. Just understand that their complex genetic makeup makes them hard to come by. Read on to learn more about them.

Characteristics

Weight	9 to 12 pounds
Height	8 to 10 inches
Coat Colors and Patterns	any color, or a combination, except solid white; many will have white patches on their face, feet, and the tip of the tail
Lifespan	10 to 12 years
Suitable for	seniors, individuals who spend a lot of time at home, families with children and other pets

Breed History

The Ojos Azules breed is fairly new, they only date back to 1984. The story goes that a Tortoiseshell female cat with blue eyes named Cornflower gave birth to a litter of kittens. Cornflower was from a feral cat colony in the U.S. state of New Mexico. ^[2]

Her kittens all had the same gorgeous blue eyes that she did, proving it to be the dominant trait. People were fascinated by this physical feature and wanted to reproduce them. However, this did not come without some shocking discoveries.

It is important to note that some dangerous genetic mutations can occur when breeding these cats. When a gene is heterozygous, it means that it possesses two different alleles. Breeders have discovered that the only way to avoid dangerous genetic mutations is to ensure that the gene that causes the blue eyes in the kittens is heterozygous.

To make sure this occurs, the Ojos Azules cat cannot be bred with non-blue-eyed cats. This means that not all of the kittens will have the blue eyes gene, but they will be healthy. The reason why Ojos Azules are so rare is because of this. Each litter bred produces fewer and fewer kittens with the blue eye gene. The International Cat Association first recognized the Ojos Azules breed in 1991.

Interesting Facts

Since the Ojos Azules cat breed is so rare, very little is known about them. However, their personality traits that have been documented so far are all positive. These kitties are often described as affectionate, friendly, playful, and smart.

Ojos Azules cats enjoy the company of other people and like to be included in family activities. It is said that they are friendly with children, so long as they are handled with care. They are also described as “lap cats,” so they will always want to be nearby to cuddle up on the couch with you.

Since Ojos Azules have such a friendly and social nature, they do not like to be left alone for long periods. If you are somebody who works from home or spends a lot of time at home, this may be the perfect cat for you. An Ojos Azules would most likely love having another cat in the household too, so they can have a playmate. They also tend to be vocal when they try to get your attention to let you know that they want to play or be cuddled.

Due to their rarity, the breed standard for Ojos Azules is still being determined. What is known so far though, is that they are medium-sized, have somewhat triangular-shaped heads, an arched neck, rounded forehead, a tail proportionate to the rest of their body, and large, round, beautiful blue eyes. ^[1]

An interesting fact that breeders discovered is that the gene does not seem to be linked to certain coat color. Ojos Azules can come in any color and with any pattern, except for solid white.

Another positive feature is that these cats are considered easy to groom. They shed an average amount, so a quick brushing once every few days to remove loose hair would likely be sufficient. Their coats can be long or short and they have a texture that is described as soft and shiny. Choose a brush or comb with soft bristles that can massage their skin while you brush them. A good quality pair of nail clippers will be useful too so you can trim their nails.

Since Ojos Azules form deep bonds with their owners, they may learn to view being groomed as a bonding activity and will be very cooperative.

Temperament and Personality

These cats have very sweet, playful, and social personalities. They enjoy activities and tend to be vocal when they feel they aren’t receiving enough attention. Here is an estimate of how they rank on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. ^[2]

Potential for playfulness	5 out of 5
Activity level	4 out of 5
Friendliness to other pets	4 out of 5
Friendliness to children	4 out of 5
Grooming requirements and shedding	2 out of 5
Need for attention	4 out of 5
Affection toward its owners	5 out of 5
Intelligence	3 out of 5
Independence	3 out of 5

Activity Level

Ojos Azules cats are active and playful, and they enjoy being entertained and will quickly become bored if their activity levels drop too low. Your Ojos Azules cat will appreciate just about any type of toy, so long as there is a variety.

Try giving them catnip toys or interactive ones. They will especially love something dangling on a string that they can chase while you wave it around. An Ojos Azules cat may also love a cat tree so they can jump and climb.

Having another cat in the household will give them the chance to wrestle and play together. Don’t try to force them to do this, but if your Ojos Azules shows interest, purchase a cat harness and leash for them and take them for walks around the neighborhood.

READ MORE: Signs Your Cat Loves You

Adoption and Breeding

You may see a blue-eyed cat available for adoption at your local animal shelter, but that does not necessarily mean it is an Ojos Azules breed. These cats are produced through very careful and strategic breeding. It should only be done by an expert.

Since the Ojos Azules cat is so rare, tracking down a breeder can be very difficult. They may have a waiting list of adopters and only breed a few times per year.

Conclusion

The Ojos Azules cat breed is very rare, and it will likely take you a lot of time to find a reputable breeder, but they make excellent companions. These blue-eyed cats adapt to just about any family situation and are great with children and other pets.

Ojos Azules cats are friendly, sweet, and cuddly. They are an ideal pet for individuals or families who spend a lot of time at home since they do not like to be left alone for long.

The International Cat Association is still learning about this breed day by day since they are so new. Remember to do your research before bringing a pet into your life. They require a lot of patience, but the love and happiness that they bring are worth it!

FAQs

Where are Ojos Azules from?

Ojos Azules cats were first discovered in the U.S. state of New Mexico in the 1980s. A female cat from a feral cat colony named Cornflower gave birth to a litter of kittens who all had bright blue eyes. Much is still being learned about this rare cat breed.

What is the Ojos Azules gene?

The Ojos Azules gene produces beautiful deep blue eyes in cats. It is a very rare gene to possess. It has been discovered that if the two parent cats both have the gene, the offspring will most likely not be healthy due to genetic mutations. One cat parent needs to not possess the gene to ensure a healthy litter.

How much does an Ojos Azules cat cost?

It is estimated that an Ojos Azules cat can cost anywhere between $700 and $1,500. The cost of one can vary widely, however, depending on the breeder and availability. You should be prepared to pay a lot more since they are a rare breed.

Are Ojos Azules cats extinct?

Ojos Azules cats are extremely rare, but not extinct. Trying to find a breeder can be very difficult, or sometimes impossible. They have complex genes and need to be bred carefully to ensure the health of the kittens.

Article Sources:

“Ojos Azules Cat.” Pet Guide, petguide.com/breeds/cat/ojos-azules-cat/.
“Ojos Azules Cat.” All About Cats, allaboutcats.com/cat-breeds/ojos-azules.