The Chinese Li Hua cat – pronounced as “Lee Wah”
– is a new breed from China. They were accepted at
the February 2010 CFA Board meeting as an officially
recognized breed, and are currently being shown in the
miscellaneous class. The Chinese Li Hua is a natural
breed of cat, not the result of hybridization.
The Chinese Li Hua is one of the earliest known breeds
of domestic cat, and are native to China. They have lived
in a wide area of China for centuries, and are mentioned
in old books and old pieces of literature.
The breed comes in just a single color, brown mackerel
tabby, and should show spectacular color and clarity of
pattern. The hairs on the body are ticked, with each hair
having a black root, the middle section a lighter color,
and the tip of the hair brown.
The eyes are large and almond-shaped, with the outer
corner slightly higher than the inner corner. Eyes can be
green, yellow, or brown, but the green color is preferred.
They are a sturdy and well-proportioned breed, and are
relatively slow to mature, taking as long as three years.
Females are generally smaller than males – females
weighing no less than 8 ½ pounds, with males generally
weighing over 11 pounds.
Their disposition is gentle and easy to handle, and
they will live quite peacefully with other cats and other
breeds. They are very loyal to their owners, and are
smart as well. Zhao Shangzai (1908-1942), a famous
character in Chinese history, once trained his Li Hua to
fetch the papers.
Pricing on Chinese Li Hua usually depends on type,
applicable markings and bloodlines. Usually breeders
make kittens available between twelve and sixteen
weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had
their basic inoculations and developed the physical and
social stability needed for a new environment, showing,
or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare
treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing
acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural
behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing
or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for
maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
For more information, please send
inquiries to CFA at cfa@cfa.org.