TICA standard Scientific name Felis catus Higher classification Cat | GCCF standard Rank Breed | |
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Other names Khao Plort ("all white") Similar | ||
The Khao Manee cat (Thai: ขาวมณี, rtgs: Khao Mani, meaning "White Gem"), also known as the Diamond Eye cat, holds the title of the most expensive cat breed. It is a rare breed of cat originating in Thailand, which has an ancient ancestry tracing back hundreds of years. They are mentioned in the Tamra Maew, or Cat Book Poems. Khao Manee cats are pure white with a short, smooth, close-lying coat. They can have blue eyes, gold eyes or odd eyes with one of each colour. The odd eyed Khao Manee is the rarest variety. They are muscular, athletic cats of moderate foreign type and are reputed to be active, communicative and intelligent.
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Although the breed is well known in its native land it has only recently been adopted by Western cat breeders, gaining "registration only" status from TICA in May 2009. On 3 September 2011, the breed was promoted to "Preliminary New Breed", effective from 1 May 2012, and on 30 August 2013 the breed was promoted to "Advanced New Breed", effective immediately.
On January 24, 2015 the Khaomanee breed was advanced to Championship level in TICA, effective May 1st, 2015. (http://www.tica.org/pdf/meetings/winter_2015.pdf, Motion 73)
On 8 September 2010, at the meeting of the GCCF Executive Committee, the Khao Manee was granted breed name in GCCF, and was approved for exhibition only. The Khao Manee Cat Club was granted GCCF pre-affiliation at the Council meeting on 26 October 2011.
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History
The Khao Manee is an ancient cat breed comparable to the Siamese, Korat and other Thailand cat breeds. The Khao Manee is mentioned in the Tamra Maew, or Cat Book Poems, that as well mention the Siamese cat breed and other coat colored cats endemic to the country Thailand or Siam as it was previously known. Khao Manee cats are pure white with a short, smooth, close-lying coat.
The Khao Manee is not to be confused with the Siamese, or any Siamese relative including the Foreign White Siamese, which was bred purely from Siamese with one white British short-hair cat breed Ancestor. Though both white cats have a common background, the Siamese cat and Khao Manee have different genetic structures, bloodlines and breeding policies, thus Khao Manee are considered a completely different breed in the west, as well as in its native home of Thailand.
Breeding
The Khao Manee breed was historically maintained and selectively bred by the royalty of Siam, similar to other uniquely colored cats like the Siamese. In Thailand, breeders are actively working to promote and preserve the Khao Manee, focusing on maintaining its lineage and breed standard. The inaugural introduction of a Khao Manee cat to the United States took place in 1999, when Colleen Freymouth imported a cat named Sripia, marking the breed's entry into the country. Breeders in the west are working to promote and establish foundation lines for the Khao Manee, as well as acquire registration acceptance through several cat associations.