The Balinese is a svelte cat with long, tapering lines and a lithe yet strong appearance. Its elegant refinement is enhanced by the soft, silky coat that softens the extreme lines of its parent breed, the Siamese. Despite their regal bearing and aristocratic appearance, the Balinese is a clown with a big heart—and happily for their owners, a softer voice than the Siamese. They were naturally developed from the occasional longhaired kittens born in Siamese litters. Their name has nothing to do with their place of origin—rather, their graceful plumes reminded early breeders of dancers from Bali. They were accepted in four colours in 1970; in 1979, the remaining colours were accepted under the name Javanese and it was only in 2008 that the CFA breed councils voted to merge the two breeds in order to bring them in line with other organizations. Today the Balinese is a regular on the show bench, graceful and elegant and captivating judges worldwide.
Type & judging remarks
The body is long and tubular throughout. Body colour is even, with subtle shading allowed, but there must be a definite contrast between points and body.