Cat Breed Comparison
Colorpoint Shorthair vs Javanese: Key Differences
Colorpoint Shorthair and Javanese are often confused. Compare their size, weight, lifespan, origin, temperament, and health — and learn how to tell them apart at a glance.
Quick Comparison
| Trait | Colorpoint Shorthair | Javanese |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 6–10 lbs (2.7–4.5 kg) | 6–12 lbs (2.7–5.4 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12–20 years | 12–18 years |
| Origin | United States (1940s–60s) | North America (1940s–60s, from Siamese lines) |
Visual Differences
Telling a Colorpoint Shorthair from a Javanese
The Javanese is the long-haired version of the Colorpoint Shorthair, with the same colors and the same wedge head. A Javanese carries a medium-long silky coat with a plumed tail and a light ruff; the Colorpoint Shorthair wears a short, flat-lying coat.
Telling a Javanese from a Colorpoint Shorthair
The Colorpoint Shorthair is the short-haired version of the same cat, with the same non-traditional point colors and the same wedge head. The Javanese wears a medium-long silky coat with a plumed tail; the Colorpoint Shorthair has a short, close-lying coat.
Colorpoint Shorthair Key Markers
- Color-point pattern in non-traditional colors — seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac points are Siamese territory; Colorpoint Shorthairs add red, cream, lynx (tabby), and tortie points in the same four base colors, 16 accepted combinations total
- Vivid blue, almond-shaped eyes — the same sharp, consistent blue as the Siamese, required in all point colors
- Long, tapering wedge head with a straight profile and large, wide-set ears that continue the wedge lines
Javanese Key Markers
- Semi-long, fine, silky single coat with no undercoat — lies flat against the body instead of fluffing out, with a full ruff in cold weather and long feathering on the tail
- Color-point pattern in non-traditional colors — red, cream, lynx, and tortie points on a pale body, the same palette as the Colorpoint Shorthair; the body color deepens with age
- Long wedge head with a straight profile, a fine long nose, and large pointed ears set wide to continue the wedge lines
Temperament & Personality
Colorpoint Shorthair
- Extremely vocal — talks constantly in the loud Siamese voice and answers when spoken to
- Intensely people-oriented — follows owners, greets at the door, and hates being left alone
- Highly intelligent — opens doors, learns tricks, and solves puzzle feeders
- Active and playful — jumps, climbs, and stays kittenish into its teens
- Social with other pets but demands human attention above all
- Sensitive to cold — the short single coat offers little insulation
Javanese
- Highly vocal — inherited the Siamese voice and uses it constantly, in a raspy, insistent meow
- People-oriented to a fault — follows owners from room to room and is miserable when left alone for long stretches
- Intelligent and curious — learns tricks, opens cabinets, and solves puzzle feeders
- Active and playful — sprints, jumps, and climbs; stays kittenish well into its senior years
- Affectionate lap cat once settled — curls up close, kneads, and purrs loudly
- Social with other cats and gentle children — tolerant and outgoing, though it wants attention pointed its way
Health Notes
Colorpoint Shorthair
- Hepatic amyloidosis — a hereditary condition causing amyloid protein deposits in the liver, shared with Siamese lines; unexplained weight loss with a normal appetite is the early sign
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — a genetic retinal degeneration that starts with night blindness and progresses over years; DNA testing available and recommended before breeding
- Asthma and bronchial disease — a higher incidence of airway sensitivity than most cats, inherited from Siamese ancestry; coughing or wheezing warrants a vet visit
- Dental disease — the long narrow muzzle crowds the teeth and raises gingivitis and tooth resorption risk; regular dental care recommended
- Anesthesia sensitivity — svelte breeds with low body fat need a careful anesthetic protocol; pre-anesthetic bloodwork is essential before any surgery
Javanese
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — an inherited retinal degeneration shared with Siamese lines, starting with night blindness and progressing over years; DNA testing available and recommended before breeding
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — the most common heart disease in Siamese-derived breeds; annual echocardiogram screening recommended for breeding cats
- Hepatic amyloidosis — a hereditary liver condition seen in Siamese-derived breeds, where amyloid deposits accumulate in the liver; unexplained weight loss with a normal appetite is the early sign
- Asthma and bronchial disease — a higher incidence of airway sensitivity than most cats, shared with Siamese ancestry; keep dust, smoke, and aerosol triggers low
- Dental disease — the narrow muzzle and crowded teeth raise gingivitis risk; regular dental care and annual cleanings recommended
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a veterinarian for health advice specific to your cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell a Colorpoint Shorthair apart from a Javanese?
How can I tell a Javanese apart from a Colorpoint Shorthair?
Are Colorpoint Shorthair cats hypoallergenic?
Are Javanese cats hypoallergenic?
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Breed Profiles & More Comparisons
Colorpoint Shorthair
A Siamese in colors the Siamese standard does not allow. Same wedge head, same vivid blue eyes, same talkative personality, but the points come in red, cream, lynx, and tortie shades. The CFA recognized the Colorpoint Shorthair as its own breed in 1964 to give the non-traditional point colors a ring of their own.
Javanese
A Balinese in colors the Balinese standard does not allow. The Javanese pairs the long, silky, single-layer coat of the Balinese with the red, cream, lynx, and tortie points of the Colorpoint Shorthair. Despite the name, the breed was developed in North America, and it carries the same vocal, people-focused Siamese personality under all that silk.