The
Mandarin, also called Oriental Longhair or Javanese, is a medium sized cat of
oriental type with a medium long coat. It is native to the United States and is
rare in Europe. Its long body is very elegant and athletic. With a lively
character, the Mandarin is nonetheless very affectionate and very attached to
its owners.
Size: 30 cm
to 35 cm
Weight: 2
kg to 5 kg
Hair :
medium-long
Color : all
Life
expectancy: 16 years
Gestation
period: 60 to 65 days
Description
and characteristics of Mandarin
The Mandarin
is a very elegant and slender cat, characteristics that he takes from the
Siamese and the Oriental from which he descends. Its legs are long and muscular
with a fine bone structure. It has a medium-long coat characterized by shorter
hairs on its shoulders which then lengthen on its flanks, and especially its
tail is in plume. Its hair, particularly silky, is lying on its body.
The
Mandarin's head is triangular in shape, surmounted by large, broad ears at the
base. His skull is rather flat. Its almond-shaped eyes of an intense green are
slightly set at an angle, which gives it an oriental look.
Origin
of Mandarin
The
Mandarin is a cross between Oriental cats and Balinese (long-haired Siamese).
It is very similar to the Balinese. It originates from the United States where
it appeared in the 1980s. The Mandarin breed was officially recognized in the
late 1990s.
Character
and behavior of the Mandarin - Who is it for?
The
Mandarin has a strong character, just like the Siamese. It is very energetic
but is calmer than its short-haired Oriental cousin. Sociable, even if he is
reluctant to approach people outside his family, he is very attached to his
masters and appreciates being cuddled. It is a cat that cannot stand to be
alone. The Mandarin especially loves the presence of children with whom it can
play.
Like the
Oriental, the Mandarin has the particularity of being quite talkative. It has a
melodious and recognizable voice.
How to
take care of your Mandarin: its needs
Even though
the Mandarin has a medium-length coat, it does not require any special care,
especially since it has no undercoat. A brushing once a week is enough to keep
the beauty of its coat.
The
Mandarin is an energetic cat that needs physical exercise. It is therefore
preferable to be able to offer him a garden to climb trees and hunt small
rodents, because the Mandarin is a formidable hunter.
On the
other hand, his owners must be available because the Mandarin likes to be the
center of attention and to be taken care of.
The
Mandarin's diet
The Mandarin's
food does not require anything specific. As with all cats, his diet must be of
good quality and adapted to his age, state of health and physical exercise.
However, special attention must be paid to his food when the Mandarin is young.
In particular, do not modify his diet, as this may cause him intestinal
problems.
The
health of Mandarin
Mandarin is
susceptible to an incurable degenerative disease, amyloidosis, which causes
protein deposition on certain organs such as the kidney, heart, digestive tract,
liver, skin, eye or nervous system. This disease is generally fatal for this
cat. Symptoms are refusal to eat, great fatigue and diarrhea.
The
Mandarin can also suffer from strabismus and progressive atrophy of the retina.
Price of
a Mandarin kitten
The price
of a Mandarin kitten will depend on the sex, the pedigree of the parents, the
conformity to the breed standards, etc.
Price of a
Mandarin male: 900 to 1,100€.
Price of a
Mandarin female: 900 to 1,100€.