Description: Korat
The Korat is a mesmerizing cat breed, originally from Thailand, known for its distinctive silvery-blue coat and luminous green eyes. These felines are medium-sized and have a muscular yet supple build, which adds to their grace and poise. Korats are not merely admired for their striking appearance but also cherished for their loving and affectionate nature. They tend to form strong bonds with their families, often becoming particularly attached to one person. Renowned for their excellent social skills, Korats are friendly towards children and other pets, making them an ideal family pet. They are also known for their intelligent and playful demeanor, thriving in an environment that stimulates both their physical and mental faculties.
Properties
The Korat cat, known as "Si-Sawat" in its native Thailand, is a breed that is not only revered for its distinctive beauty but also for its significant cultural importance. With a history that dates back centuries, Korats are often considered to bring good fortune and prosperity, making them a cherished breed in their homeland and among cat enthusiasts worldwide.
The Korat's most striking feature is its luminous blue coat that is both captivating and unique. Unlike many other breeds, the Korat boasts a single coat color: a silvery-blue that appears to shimmer under different lighting conditions. This coat is fine and close-lying, accentuating a well-muscled, semi-cobby body that is surprisingly heavy when picked up, often described as 'heart-shaped' when viewed from above due to their broad chest and slim waist. Their overall appearance exudes strength and agility, with a medium build that supports a lively and active nature.
In addition to their enchanting appearance, Korats have a certain mysticism about them, attributed to their deep green eyes that are large, luminous, and round, giving them an alert and expressive look. From kittenhood to adulthood, the color of their eyes transitions from a bright peridot green to a more profound, vibrant hue, which adds to their enchanting persona. These eyes are set in a heart-shaped face, topped with large, rounded ears that contribute to their overall alert demeanor.
The breed’s personality is as engaging as its appearance. Korats are known for their high intelligence and affectionate nature. They form deep bonds with their owners and often prefer the company of their human families over other pets. This makes them excellent companions, though their loyalty can manifest as possessiveness and jealousy at times. Korats are also noted for their excellent memory and can be very vocal, using their range of vocalizations to communicate their needs and emotions.
Korats are not just pets; they are a part of the family, participating fully in the home's activities. They tend to prefer calm environments and can be sensitive to loud noises and chaotic situations. This sensitivity, coupled with their need for affection, makes them more suited to environments where they can be doted on and included as central members of the family. The breed is generally healthy, but they can be prone to specific genetic conditions, which is something prospective owners should be aware of. Nevertheless, with proper care, attention, and love, Korats can be lifelong companions, enchanting their families with their beauty, charm, and unyielding loyalty.
Appearance
The Korat is a distinctive cat breed, prized not only for its unique appearance but also for its engaging personality. Originally hailing from Thailand, this breed is known for its sleek, shimmering blue-gray coat that resembles storm clouds and is matched with captivating green eyes. An auspicious and traditional symbol of good fortune in its homeland, the Korat has a medium-sized, semi-cobby body, which is muscular and supple.
The head of a Korat is heart-shaped, which is most noticeable when viewed from the front. Its large, luminous eyes are one of its most entrancing features, starting life as a bright blue and changing to a vibrant green as the cat matures, although the full eye color may not develop until they are two to four years old. The eyes are set in such a way that they appear both alert and observant, reflecting the cat's naturally inquisitive nature.
Their coat is short but dense, providing a fine gloss that is both soft and silky to the touch. Unique to Korats, their fur has a silver tip which gives them a halo effect and enhances the blue sheen, an aspect particularly admired at cat shows and by breed enthusiasts. Their hair is rooted with a darker color that gives way to the lighter, silver-tipped ends.
Korats are slow to mature compared to other breeds, often not reaching full physical or emotional development until they are around five years old. This prolonged development can influence the bonding between cat and owner, as the attachment deepens over time, usually resulting in a particularly strong and devoted relationship.
Another distinctive feature of the Korat is its extraordinary sense of hearing, sight, and scent, making it a particularly astute and perceptive companion. This breed does not have any tabby, tortoiseshell, or point-marked variations, which confirms the purity of the breed that breeders strive to maintain. This careful breeding ensures that each Korat retains the physical characteristics that have made this breed so cherished over the centuries.
As a final note, the graceful Korat moves with an elegant and athletic agility, often described as prancing when happy or excited. This, along with their gentle, loving, and highly social behavior, makes them not just captivating to observe, but a pleasure to live with.
History
The Korat cat, with its shimmering blue-grey coat and striking green eyes, is one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world. Breeding almost exclusively in Thailand for centuries, the Korat's rich history is steeped in folklore, tradition, and cultural significance.
The history of the Korat can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period of Siamese history (1350-1767), where they were regarded not only as a beautiful and admired animal but also as one of good fortune. The Korat first appears in the 'Tamra Maew' or 'The Cat-Book Poems,' thought to have been written sometime during the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam. This ancient manuscript contains depictions and descriptions of Thailand's native cat breeds, with the Korat featuring prominently as a symbol of prosperity and good luck.
Traditionally, Korats were given as gifts, often in pairs, to bring prosperity and success. They were rarely sold but instead were bestowed upon people of high regard or those deemed worthy of good fortune. Korats would become more widely known outside Thailand only in the mid-20th century. The first known Korats in the United States were imported in 1959 by a breeder named Jean Johnson, following her return from Thailand. This pair, named Nara and Darra, along with a concerted breeding program, laid the foundation for the breed in the west.
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) recognized the Korat as a distinct breed in 1966, followed by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1967 and the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1969. Recognition by major cat registries helped to promote the Korat and establish breeding guidelines, which emphasized maintaining their natural characteristics, robust health, and unique personality traits.
Despite their spread across the globe, Korats are still considered relatively rare, compared to other breeds, preserving much of their mystical allure and traditional charm. Today, they are cherished both as companions and show animals, admired for their loyalty, playful nature, and notably quiet voices. Ongoing efforts by breed enthusiasts ensure that the Korat's lineage remains true to its ancient origins, a testament to their enduring legacy as Thailand's 'good luck' cat.