Cat Breed Comparison
Havana Brown vs Oriental Shorthair: Key Differences
Havana Brown and Oriental Shorthair 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 | Havana Brown | Oriental Shorthair |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 6–10 lbs (2.7–4.5 kg) | 6–10 lbs (2.7–4.5 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Origin | United Kingdom (1950s) | United Kingdom / United States (1950s–1970s) |
Visual Differences
Telling a Havana Brown from a Oriental Shorthair
Orientals have a long wedge head, big pointed ears, and come in 300-plus colors. Havana Browns have a rounded muzzle, a defined stop, and are restricted to chocolate brown with green eyes.
Havana Brown Key Markers
- Solid rich warm brown coat, the same shade through the hair shaft, with no white, no tabby, and no shading. The brown even covers the whiskers, nose leather, and paw pads.
- Distinctive muzzle: narrow and rounded with a pronounced whisker break, and a chin that makes the profile look almost square. Nose tip and chin line up nearly perpendicular.
- Vivid green eyes, oval and wide-set. Any deep level of green qualifies, and deeper color scores higher in the show ring.
Oriental Shorthair Key Markers
- Long, tapering wedge-shaped head forming a triangle from the nose tip to the ear tips — the CFA standard calls for a wedge starting at the nose and flaring out in straight lines to the ear tips; the skull is flat, the nose is long and straight with no stop, and the chin is medium in size with the tip of the chin in vertical line with the nose tip
- Large, wide-set, almond-shaped eyes slanted toward the nose — set at an angle that follows the wedge lines; eye color is solid green in most colors (blue in whites, odd-eyed in bi-colors); the vivid green against a warm chestnut or ebony coat is one of the breed’s most striking features
- Very large, pointed ears wide at the base — set continuing the wedge lines so the face forms an equilateral triangle from nose tip to ear tips; the ears are one of the defining features of the breed, giving the head its extreme angular silhouette
Temperament & Personality
Havana Brown
- Intelligent and inquisitive, but watches and waits rather than forcing its way into things
- Uses its paws to communicate, reaching out to touch people and investigate new objects
- Moderately active and playful; some bond to one person, others greet everyone
- Gets along with other cats and dogs, often curling up to sleep in a pile
- Quiet and affectionate; breeders often recommend getting two for company
Oriental Shorthair
- Extremely vocal and communicative — carries on conversations with owners in a loud, demanding voice identical to the Siamese; will "tell you about their day" and voice displeasure at closed doors or empty food bowls
- Intensely people-oriented — follows owners from room to room, sleeps on or next to their person, greets at the door, and hates being left alone; the breed is not suited to owners who are away from home for long hours
- Highly intelligent and curious — opens cabinets, turns on faucets, learns tricks, and solves puzzle feeders; needs significant mental stimulation or boredom leads to destructive behavior
- Extremely active and athletic — jumps to the highest perches, plays fetch, and stays kittenish well into senior years; needs cat trees, interactive toys, and daily play sessions
- Social with visitors and other pets — the wedge-head breeds are famously outgoing; Orientals greet strangers, get along with cat-friendly dogs, and enjoy multi-cat households
- Sensitive to cold — the short, fine single coat offers minimal insulation; Orientals seek warm spots, heated beds, sweaters, and under-the-covers sleeping
Health Notes
Havana Brown
- No breed-specific genetic conditions are documented. Veterinary sources describe the Havana Brown as overall healthy, with nothing unique to the breed.
- Obesity and diabetes. Excess weight is the main health threat, raising the risk of diabetes, lower urinary tract disease, and arthritis; portion control matters.
- Calcium oxalate stones. Some sources note a tendency toward calcium oxalate urinary stones; a high-moisture diet and fresh water help prevent them.
- Dental disease. Regular brushing and annual cleanings are advised, as with any cat.
- Small gene pool. The breed is rare; CFA approved a regulated outcrossing program in 2019 using Oriental Shorthairs, point Siamese, and black or blue domestic shorthairs, so buyers should seek breeders who DNA-test their cats.
Oriental Shorthair
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — a retinal degenerative disease linked to the same rdAc mutation found in Siamese lines; affected kittens show night blindness as early as 8-12 weeks, progressing to complete vision loss over 2-4 years; DNA testing available and recommended before breeding
- Feline asthma and bronchial disease — the breed shows a higher incidence of chronic lower airway disease than most cats, likely inherited from Siamese ancestry; symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and labored breathing; triggers include dust, pollen, smoke, and aerosol sprays; diagnosis requires chest X-rays and bronchial washings; treatment involves corticosteroids and bronchodilators
- Amyloidosis — a condition where amyloid protein deposits accumulate in the liver, leading to progressive liver dysfunction; inherited from Siamese ancestry; common early sign is unexplained weight loss despite normal appetite; diagnosed through bloodwork (elevated liver enzymes) and liver biopsy; some cases respond to medication, but the condition is often progressive
- Dental disease — the long narrow muzzle structure contributes to tooth crowding, early gingivitis, and tooth resorption; the breed needs regular dental care and annual professional cleanings starting from young adulthood (as early as 2-3 years old)
- Sensitivity to anesthesia — all svelte-type breeds with low body fat percentage have a narrower anesthesia safety margin; pre-anesthetic bloodwork and a thorough veterinary assessment are essential before any surgical procedure
- Crossed eyes (convergent strabismus) — a harmless genetic trait inherited from Siamese ancestry where the eyes turn inward slightly; does not affect vision or quality of life but owners should be aware it can occur
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 Havana Brown apart from a Oriental Shorthair?
Orientals have a long wedge head, big pointed ears, and come in 300-plus colors. Havana Browns have a rounded muzzle, a defined stop, and are restricted to chocolate brown with green eyes.
Are Havana Brown cats hypoallergenic?
No — Havana Browns are not hypoallergenic. Their short, undercoat-free coat sheds less than many breeds, but they still produce the Fel d 1 protein that triggers allergies.
Are Oriental Shorthairs hypoallergenic?
No — Oriental Shorthairs are not a hypoallergenic breed. Their short coat sheds like any other cat’s, and they produce normal allergen levels.
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Breed Profiles & More Comparisons
Havana Brown
A medium-size cat in a solid rich brown coat, with green eyes, brown whiskers, and a muzzle that stands apart from the rest of the face. Bred in England from Siamese and black domestic crosses, the Havana Brown is intelligent, affectionate, and rarer than its looks suggest.
Oriental Shorthair
A Siamese freed from the color-point restriction — same wedge-shaped head, large ears, athletic body, and vocal personality, available in over 300 color and pattern combinations. Developed by crossing Siamese with other short-haired cats to introduce new colors while preserving the Siamese body type. Curious, demanding, never boring.