BALINESE CATS: NAMED AFTER BALINESE DANCERS

According to Dr. Bruce Fogle, DVM (Catalog), Balinese cats have tubular bodies that enable them to become escape artists, "seemiingly able to pick locks."  He defines the breed as "intensely social," and writes that they are also very inquisitive in nature.  Balinese cats are energy burners, much like the Siamese, and like to be in the center of activity, and close to their people.  These are cats that crave both mental and physical stimulation, and cannot be easily ignored.

APPEARANCE

The Balinese is a typically pointed cat that does not have extremely long hair, and has a very graceful plume type tail.  Its head is long and wedge-shaped, with elegant lines, and its ears are large, wide at the base, and pricked.  Its points are clearly contrasted with a pale body.   From the front, the Balinese face is wide between the ears, narrowing in straight lines into a fine muzzle.  From the side, the nose should appear straight, and the chin strong.  The eyes are widely spaced, and oriental in shape and set, and the Seal Tortie Point in this breed has a fully developed mask.  The coat is medium in length, fine, and silky, lying flat.  The paws are small and oval, with pads that match the points.  The Balinese has a body that is medium sized, lithe, and graceful.

BREED HISTORY

As far back as 1928, a longhaired Siamese was registered with the CFA in Britain, and such simi-long-haired Siamese kittens were not an uncommon occurrence.  When such a kitten was produced, the breeder usually labeled him or her as "pet quality," rather than "show" quality, until after world war II.  In 1955, Marion Dorsey, in California, both produced and exhibited so called "longhair Siamese, and they were recognized in 1961.  When traditional breeders of Siamese protested at the name "long-haired Siamese," the name was changed to Balinese, by a breeder who felt the cats resembled Balinese dancers. 

PROS AND CONS

The Balinese are not quiet or passive cats.  If you prefer a very social cat who wants to be the center of your attention, this may be the pet for you, but if you prefer a quiet lap-cat type, you might want to look elsewhere.