A Balinese  is a Siamese with a longer coat.  They can be found in all the same colours as the Siamese (with the present exception of the newer colours, cinnamon and fawn).  The have the same blue eye colour, the same intelligence and temperament as the Siamese, the only difference being the coat.  The Siamese has a short sleek coat, the Balinese has a fine and silky coat, with hair length between half an inch and two inches on the body and a plume-like tail, that can have hair as long as five inches.  Some Balinese owners claim that their cats are quieter than their short haired cousins, whilst others insist that their Balis are just as noisy as Siamese.  All Balinese owners agree that their cats are amongst the most graceful and majestic of all the pedigree breeds.

Shorthaired Balinese, known as Variants, may also be seen (but not at shows) as breeders have constantly bred back to top quality Siamese to improve the type and eye colour of Balinese.  Kittens resulting from mating a Balinese to a Siamese have a short plush coat and are known as Variants.  They are invaluable in a Balinese breeding program as they carry the recessive long hair gene which they pass on when mated back to a long haired Balinese or another Variant (see table for full details).  

The Balinese started life in the USA in the mid 1950’s.  They were developed from Siamese, when the odd long haired kitten appeared in litters of pure bred Siamese.  These kittens had the Siamese type, but with longer, silkier coats and when mated bred true.  There seems to be a possibility that the long haired gene was introduced by outcrossing to Persians to acquire the newer colours.

 The pioneer breeders were Mrs Marian Dorsey (Rai-Mar) of California and Mrs Helen Smith (Merry Mews), also Mrs Sylvia Holland (Holland’s Farm), an Englishwoman living in California.  Mrs Smith was most closely associated with the development of the breed and was responsible for the name “Balinese”.  She thought that they were very alike “exotic Balinese Dancers”.

 By the late 1950’s the breed had a name and had been placed on the Foreign Long Hair division of the Cat Fanciers Federation.  In the 1961 they were given championship status by the CFF and over the years have grown in popularity to such an extent that they hold full championship status in all the American associations.  Since late in 1979 the Cat Fanciers’ Association (the largest of the US associations has recognised red, cream, tabby and tortie pointed Balinese as “Javanese”

BALINESE IN THE UK

 The first Balinese to be imported to Britain arrived early in 1973 and were a Blue Point, US Ch Verdes Blue Warrior of Davina and his Seal Point variant daughter, Davinas Chocolate Gem, who went to live with Sandra Birch (Sandoval).  Sandra spent several years promoting the breed until Gem was spayed in 1977.  Margaret Manolson bought a Blue Point male, Sandoval Paris Review, from Sandra to establish her famous “Cheldene” line, by outcrossing to Siamese queens and mating the resulting variants back to Paris.  In 1978 Margaret imported more from America, Gaynell’s Bobby Boy of Ti-Mau, US GR Ch Ti-Mau’s Brite Sunshine (Chocolate Point female) and Del-Ri’s Prima (Lilac Point).  Margaret also acquired “Camilla”, who was apparently a Balinese, but whose origins are unclear.

 Balinese obtained GCCF recognition and eventually Championship status in 1986.  By the end of the first show season, three cats had achieved Champion status and in the 1989/90 show season the first Balinese became a “Grand Champion”

The look of the breed has changed quite dramatically since the early days, due to outcrossing  with their Siamese cousins to achieve a true “long-haired Siamese” and many more Balinese have achieved Grand status and won best in show awards.

 The Balinese cats seen today are the result of much time and effort by a dedicated band of hard working breeders.  Balinese make excellent companions, loving friends and great playmates.  They are generally very good matured, mixing well with other cats and are usually quite content to live indoors.  Two specialist clubs exist for the breed, both affiliated to the GCCF.  

cream point variant

The Balinese & Siamese Cat Club

Hon Secretary: Mrs Sylvia Smith

Holly Tree Cottage

Horsley Cross

Manningtree

Essex

Tel: 01206 395899

The Balinese Cat Society 

Hon Secretary: Mrs Julie James 

Laburnham Cottage

Bream Eves 

Lydney

Glos

GL15 6LZ

All this information was taken from www.palantir.co.uk where you will find more information about the breed.

BACK