The Finnish Orange is a rare breed combining the coloring and facial features of an Abyssinian with the temperament of a Russian Blue.

The breed's origins are unclear. One possibly apocryphal story claims that the breed was discovered by an American couple traveling in Helsinki in 1964. There they saw many small orange cats in the alleys outside Tango clubs. They smuggled two kittens home in a woman's handbag and began a breeding program in Parma, Ohio.

Finns are small cats (6-8 lbs), with snakelike bodies and tiny heads. Their most distinctive traits are their silky orange fur and high-pitched voices.

In temperament, they resemble most closely their distant cousins, the Russian Blues. Like the Blues, they are extremely timid with strangers yet very playful with their people. They are active cats who like to play fetch, but they also make good lap cats.

Currently, the breed is not recognized by any of the major cat fancy associations, but can be shown in the household pet category. Proponents hope to gain official recognition sometime in the near future

Unfortunately, as the only known remaining specimen is a neutered male, the future of the breed looks grim. In response, members the Finnish Orange Rescue Society of Cuyahoga County are planning a mission to Finland in early 2003 in hopes of finding some original stock to revive the breeding program in America.

Breed Standard

General: the good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert.

Head: small and pointy

Muzzle: wedge-shaped with a pinched and pained expression around the mouth. (A)

Ears: rather large and wide at the base. Tips more pointed than rounded. The skin of the ears is thin and translucent. They flare out from the side of the head, continuing the V-shaped line of the muzzle. (B)

Eyes: large, oval. Expression should be one of perpetual terror. (C)

Nose: long and narrow. (D)

Chin: slightly receding.

Body: fine-boned, long, and tubular; lithe and graceful in outline and carriage.

Legs: short and fine boned. The proportion of the short legs to the long body should be such that when the cat sits, it spine folds into a right angle. (E)

Paws: small, slightly rounded. Toes: five in front and four behind.

Tail: medium length and tapering. Should be very expressive.

Coat: short, dense, fine, and plush. It has a distinct soft and silky feel. It replenishes itself on a daily basis so that the more one brushes, the more that is shed.

Color: vibrant orange with strong tabby markings and Abyssinian-like ticking. A definite contrast should be noted between ground color and tipping. Nose leather: pink. Paw pads: pink. Eye color: greenish gold.

Related breeds: Russian Blue, Abyssinian, Danish Orange

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