Felis catus
Javanese
Featured photojavanese.jpgThe Javanese is a long-haired pointed breed corresponding to the Colorpoint Shorthair — point colours beyond the four traditional Siamese, on a Balinese body. The breed name was assigned in CFA classification to distinguish long-haired extended-colour pointed cats from the Siamese and Balinese. CFA granted championship status in 1986 and merged the Javanese into the Balinese in 2008. TICA recognizes the Javanese under the Balinese name with extended colours. Standard: long-haired Siamese-type with red, cream, tortoiseshell, and lynx point variants.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- United States
- Origin period
- Long-haired Colorpoint Shorthair developed from 1950s natural Siamese long-haired offspring; CFA championship 1986
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- Red Point, Cream Point, Tortoiseshell Point variants (Seal-Tortie, Blue-Cream, Chocolate-Tortie, Lilac-Cream), Lynx Point variants of all base point colours (Seal Lynx, Blue Lynx, Chocolate Lynx, Lilac Lynx, Red Lynx, Cream Lynx, Tortie Lynx)
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 9-15 years
- Recognition
- CFA 1986 · TICA 1979
Origin
The Javanese name was applied by CFA to long-haired pointed cats carrying point colours beyond the four traditional Siamese colours. These extended colours — red, cream, tortoiseshell, and lynx (tabby) point variants — appeared in Siamese and Balinese breeding programmes from the 1950s onward as breeders introduced colour-bearing genes through controlled outcrosses. The CFA Balinese standard (recognized 1961) was restricted to the four traditional point colours, leaving extended-colour long-haired pointed cats without a championship classification. CFA created the Javanese in 1986 to formalize this category.
Recognition
CFA granted the Javanese championship status in 1986. In 2008 CFA merged the Javanese back into the Balinese as additional colour divisions, formally dissolving the separate breed name within CFA. TICA had recognized long-haired pointed cats with extended colours at its 1979 founding under the Balinese name without the Javanese subdivision. GCCF and FIFe do not use the Javanese name; they recognize all extended-colour long-haired pointed cats under their respective Balinese or Colourpoint Longhair standards.
Standard
The CFA Javanese standard (1986-2008) was identical to the Balinese standard except for the colour range. The body is long, tubular, and well-muscled with a very long neck and long thin legs. The head is a long tapering wedge with large flaring ears continuing the line of the wedge; the eyes are deep vivid blue and almond-shaped. The coat is medium-long, fine, and silky. The Javanese division extended the Balinese to include red, cream, tortoiseshell, and all lynx-point variants of the four traditional point colours.
Sources & further reading (3)
- registry-breed-profile — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- tica-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
Is the Javanese still a separate breed?
In CFA, the Javanese was merged into the Balinese in 2008 and is no longer a separate breed. CFA now recognizes all extended-colour long-haired pointed cats as Balinese colour divisions. TICA had never used the Javanese name and recognizes all such cats under the Balinese standard. The Javanese name remains in historical CFA records and in some non-CFA international registries.
When was the Javanese recognized?
CFA granted the Javanese championship status in 1986. CFA merged the Javanese back into the Balinese in 2008. TICA had recognized long-haired pointed cats with extended colours at its 1979 founding under the Balinese name without the Javanese subdivision.
Is the Javanese related to Java or Indonesia?
No. The Javanese has no connection to Java or Indonesia. The CFA name was an arbitrary classification chosen to parallel the Balinese (which itself has no connection to Bali). Both names were chosen by American breeders for their evocative quality, not for any geographic origin.
