Imperious, importuning, impertinent, arrogant, aloof, loud, vulgar, subtle, beguiling – a Siamese is all of these and more. With its svelte, “Foreign” build, its gorgeous pointed coat pattern and sapphire-blue eyes, this is a cat that demands attention on every level.
History
In Bangkok, the National Library possesses a collection of manuscripts, the Cat Book Poems, dating from possibly the fourteenth century, in which a Siamese-type called the “vichien mas” is depicted, and it is thought that similar cats lived in what is now Thailand for hundreds of years. Siamese were first imported into Britain in the 1880s, and the breed made its appearance in the US not long afterwards.
Temperaments
The Siamese is the most extrovert of all domestic cats, with a loud “voice” that is impossible to ignore. It is highly intelligent, and usually becomes devoted to its owner – to such an extent, sometimes, that it may not tolerate “rivals”.
Varieties
There are four classic varieties: the Seal-point, Blue-point, Chocolate-point, and Lilac-point. Newer varieties, developed by mating Siamese with their breeds, are called Colourpoint Shorthairs by the main governing body in the US, but in Britain they are not shown separately.
History
In Bangkok, the National Library possesses a collection of manuscripts, the Cat Book Poems, dating from possibly the fourteenth century, in which a Siamese-type called the “vichien mas” is depicted, and it is thought that similar cats lived in what is now Thailand for hundreds of years. Siamese were first imported into Britain in the 1880s, and the breed made its appearance in the US not long afterwards.
Temperaments
The Siamese is the most extrovert of all domestic cats, with a loud “voice” that is impossible to ignore. It is highly intelligent, and usually becomes devoted to its owner – to such an extent, sometimes, that it may not tolerate “rivals”.
Varieties
There are four classic varieties: the Seal-point, Blue-point, Chocolate-point, and Lilac-point. Newer varieties, developed by mating Siamese with their breeds, are called Colourpoint Shorthairs by the main governing body in the US, but in Britain they are not shown separately.
| Varieties | Coat | Markings |
| Seal-point | Warm cream | Seal-brown |
| Blue-point | Bluish-white | Slate-blue |
| Chocolate-point | Ivory | Milk-chocolate brown |
| Lilac-point | Magnolia | Pinkish-grey |
| Red-point | Clear white shading to apricot | Reddish-gold |
| Cream-point | White shading to pale cream | Warm cream |
| Tabby-point | White | White Tabby |
| Seal Tortie-point | Pale seal-brown | Seal-brown patched in cream |
| Blue Tortie-point | Pale blue | Blue patched in cream |
| Chocolate Tortie-point | Pale chocolate-brown | Chocolate-brown patched in cream |
| Lilac Tortie-point | Pale pinkish-grey | Pinkish-grey patched in cream |
Lilac-point Siamese
The first Siamese to be imported into England are believed to have been a gift to the British Consul from the court of Siam. Today, the breed looks slightly different from those nineteenth-century examples, having a less round face and a paler coat. The Lilac was the last of the four classic varieties to be recognized.
Picture: Lilac-point SiameseBody
Medium in size, long lithe, and svelte, with an athletic appearance.
Coat
The fur should be short, fine-textured and glossy. The color should be magnolia with frosty-grey shading on the “points” – the mask, ears, legs and tail.
- Fur should be close-lying.
Tail
Long, thin, and tapering. Tail should be free of kinks.
Legs
Long and slim, in proportion to the body. Hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs.
Feet
The paws are dainty, small, and oval with lavender-pink paw pads.
HeadWedge-shaped, long and narrow, with a long nose and lavender-pink nose pad.
Eyes
Medium in size, almond-shaped, slanted, and sapphire-blue in color. Crossed eyes, which were once commonly seen in Siamese are regarded as fault.
Ears
Large and pointed.
Facial Characteristics
Lilac-point Siamese.
Picture: Seal-point SiameseSeal-point Siamese
The first variety to be recognized, the Seal-point is genetically a black cat where the pigment has been watered down and restricted to the extremities of the body.
Picture: Seal-point KittenSeal-point Kitten
Siamese kittens are born all-white, without points.
Picture: Chocolate Tabby-point SiameseChocolate Tabby-point Siamese
A variety with an ivory-coloured body and points broken up by milk-chocolate bars separated by a lighter background color.
