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With a name that derives from the Ocelot, this beautiful spotted cat looks like the product of a wild and domestic cross, but it isn't. This large, muscular and very attractive feline is the result of selective cross breeding between the Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair breeds. A "designer cat," it was originally bred in the 1960s and was the unexpected result of an experimental cross to produce an Aby-point Siamese. In the last fifty years, this breed has become popular the world over and advanced to championship status in 1987.

The Ocicat is large and muscular with an athletic appearance. The coat is short and tight with a satiny sheen. Coat colors have the widest range of all spotted domestic cat breeds, everything from tawny to lavender. Their agouti spotted pattern is unique and notably different from other spotted breeds or varieties. Like its Oriental forefathers, the head is wedge-shaped, and the eyes are beautiful and almond shaped.

Ocicats have disarming personalities and can charm the pants off anyone in their vicinity. They combine the laid back nature of the American Shorthair with the intelligence of the Abyssinian and Siamese breeds. The love human companionship and like to be apart of everything going on around them. They are lap cats, extremely affectionate and loving. They are known to be playful and very inquisitive. Sweet dispositions make them ideal in any household lucky enough to have one. They are not demanding animals and can be quite extroverted even around strangers. Easily trained, they can fetch and be trained to walk on a leash. They get a long well with children, other cats and dogs.

Ocicats do not need much care in terms of grooming, but be prepared. If you decide to get one of these cats, be prepared to shower them with hugs and kisses. Nothing else will do,

Do YOU own one of these special cats? Please share your experiences.

Learn more about this author, M Dee Dubroff.
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