🐱 Cat · size Medium
Foreign white
cat species
Photo · Wikipedia FR (CC BY-SA)
Weight
5–30 kg
Size
Medium
Lifespan
12–18 ans
Energy
Moyen
Coat
Uniformément blanche.
Maintenance
Faible
Training
Moyen
The Foreign White, sometimes translated as white foreign, is a color variety of the Siamese or Oriental Shorthair. It is considered a cat breed by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and the Australian Cat Federation (ACF). The Foreign White is characterized by its slender body, triangular face, uniformly white coat and deep blue eyes. During the 1960s, the introduction of new colors to the Siamese standard resulted in the birth of entirely solid-colored subjects.
Read more (178 mots)Show less▾
The Foreign White was born from a breeding program aimed at creating an entirely white Siamese and is recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1977. Initially, each "solid Siamese" color became a breed, however federations soon realized that it was not viable to continue with such a model and merged all solid breeds into one: the Oriental Shorthair. The GCCF decided, however, that the Foreign White formed a breed in its own right. It is, in 2012, the only federation with The Australian Cat Federation (ACF) to recognize its existence. The white coat of the Foreign White is induced by the W gene, the "dominant white." This gene promotes the appearance of deafness in white cats with blue eyes. This breeding constraint leads Foreign White breeders to systematically cross their subjects with Siamese and to avoid breeding with red colors and the tabby pattern.
Profile
At a glance
Energy
Modéré
Trainability
Modéré
Maintenance
Faible
Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.
⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds
L'essentiel
- 1Medium size (5–30 kg) — balance between presence and practicality.
- 2Life expectancy: 12 to 18 years on average, depending on hygiene and diet.
- 3Moderate energy — 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day sufficient.
- 4Minimal maintenance — light shedding, occasional brushing.
Chapter 1
Getting to know the Foreign white
Our selection
Dry food suited to the Foreign white
Origins & history
A story told
At the beginning of Siamese breeding, the breed accepts all patterns. In the 1920s, Siamese breeding clubs in Great Britain decided to focus only on colourpoint and other color varieties began to disappear. After World War II, breeding programs aimed at introducing chocolate color resulted in the reappearance of the solid pattern. Initially, each new solid color became a new breed: the Chestnut brown foreign, of solid chocolate color, is the first breed recognized by the GCCF in 1958, followed by the Lavender, of solid lilac color, then the Foreign White which is the third recognized breed.
Character
Daily temperament
Character traits are not described in the standards and constitute temperaments generally observed in the breed. The temperament of the Foreign White would not differ from that of the Siamese. According to the Workgroup Foreign White, this breed is intelligent and very talkative; very playful, the Foreign White is also a cat that becomes attached to its master. The GCCF describes the breed as sociable, intelligent and confident. It would notably like human contact and would willingly participate in games.
Physical
Breed standard
The Foreign White should give the impression of an alert and intelligent cat. The face is triangular in shape. The ears are large, wide at the base and very far apart, forming a continuation of the triangle of the face. The profile is long and straight, the chin is strong, a lower jaw not aligned with the upper jaw is a disqualifying fault in show. The almond-shaped eyes are slanted to remain in harmony with the shape of the face, the shape is similar to that of the Oriental. The eyes are deep blue, brilliant and without bulging or strabismus, which is a disqualifying fault in competition. The body is slender, with a graceful appearance. A Foreign White weighs between 4.5 and 5.5 kilograms. The tail is fine even at the base; it should not form rings. The legs are tall and thin with small oval feet. The fur is short, lustrous and close to the body. The white is uniform without any trace of color. The nose and pads are pink. The ACF accepts the semi-long-haired variety, which should have silky and fine hair, without any trace of undercoat. The presence of colored spots on the head is tolerated in kittens. Breeders with other breeds are prohibited by the GCCF.
Chapter 2
Daily life
What if you adopted your future companion?
The Foreign white of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of foreign white (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.
Editorial recommendation — no affiliate links.
Âge
What human age for a foreign white ?
The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 12–18 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.
Equivalent human age
28years
Adulte
Most stable period. Monthly weigh-in, annual vet visit, dental care — this determines quality of life in later years.
Method: AAFP/AAHA table: 15 human years in year one, +9 in year two, then +4 per year.
These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.
Health
Health watch
The life expectancy is twelve to sixteen years. The GCCF reports that the breed can be affected by amyloidosis.
Alert
To avoid for cat
Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.
- cocoa pasteModerate
- onion piecesModerate
- low-fat cocoa powderModerate
- chilliModerate
Calculator · daily ration
How much to give a foreign white ?
Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for cat. Adjust according to package recommendations.
Result
158 g
per day · 599 kcal
79 g / repas (2 par jour)
Calculation for food of 380 kcal/100g.
Maintenance
Daily care
The Foreign White is sensitive to sunburn and should be kept indoors to protect it from prolonged UV exposure. A case of skin cancer due to sunburn on the ears is recorded by the Oriental Cat Breeder and this association recommends the use of high SPF sunscreen if the cat must go outside. Weekly brushing with a damp glove keeps its fur soft and silky.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Foreign white
Does the Foreign White adapt well to apartment living?+
How long does a Foreign White live?+
Does the Foreign White shed much?+
Does the Foreign White tolerate solitude?+
If you like this cat
Breeds with similar profiles
Burmese
Medium feline breed, balance between independence and affection.
Cat Breed
type of a companion breed
Ocicat
Feline breed medium, balance between independence and affection.
Exotic shorthair
cat breed
Bombay
Medium feline breed, balance between independence and affection.
Tonkinois
Medium-sized feline breed, balance between independence and affection.
For more information
Sources & official links
Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.
The right score for your Foreign white.
SokoScan calculates a personalized PawScore based on breed, age, weight and your pet's sensitivities. Free, instant.