Page 56 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

54 C A T AL OG OF BREED S

Very large,
pointed ears
continue line Wedge-
of head shaped head
Lean, Almond-shaped
elongated body blue eyes Fine, short,
close-lying
ivory coat with
cinnamon points

Straight
nose

Neat, oval
paws

Points on legs
slightly lighter than Thin tail tapers Long,
on tail and head to a point slender legs

SIAMESE—SELF-POINTED

THIS INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE BREED IS UNIQUE IN LOOKS AND PERSONALITY

Place of origin Thailand (Siam) The history of the Siamese includes more faults in terms of show standards. More
Date of origin 14th century myths and legends than hard facts, and the controversially, modern breeding has taken
Breed registries CFA, FIFe, true tale of this Royal Cat of Siam is now lost the elongated body and narrow head of the
GCCF, TICA
in time. It is certainly thought to be a very Siamese to extremes, producing an ultra-lean
Weight range 6–12lb
(2.5–5.5kg) old breed; a cat with dark points is pictured and angular look. With a super-sized ego and
Grooming in The Cat Book Poems, a manuscript a loud voice that it uses to demand attention,
produced in Siam (now Thailand) that the Siamese is the most extroverted of all
possibly dates back to the 14th century. The cats. This highly intelligent breed is full of fun
Colors and patterns
All solid colors in pointed first Siamese cats definitely known in the and energy and makes a wonderful family
patterns. West appeared at cat shows in London pet, as ready to give affection as to receive it.
during the 1870s, and in that same decade
a cat was sent from Bangkok to the US as DEVELOPING COLOR POINTS
a gift for the first lady.
All Siamese kittens are born
In the breed’s early years of development, pure white. Their point colors
on both sides of the Atlantic, all Siamese cats emerge gradually, and should
were seal points, and it was not until the be recognizable by around
eight weeks. The color
1930s that new colors—blue, chocolate, and
may take a year or
lilac—were introduced, and later others were more to develop
added. The appearance of the Siamese has its full depth.
also changed in other ways over the years.
Traits such as crossed eyes and a kinked tail,
which were once common in the Siamese,
have been bred out and are now seen as