Characteristics Of The Traditional Siamese Cat

Siamese cats are very well known and well loved cats. They are usually recognized due to their light coat and darker points. Traditional Siamese cats differ greatly from the modern Siamese cats of today. Both breeds stem from the original Siamese cats from Siam, which are legendary.

Appearance Of Traditional Siamese Cats

Traditional Siamese cats are of bigger bodies than the modern version of Siamese cats. The have bigger heads, which earned them the nickname “apple heads” and have a more muscular body than modern Siamese cats. Compared to the modern Siamese cats, the traditional Siamese cats have a more striking color contrast with their seal points and their lighter colored bodies. As with modern Siamese cats, traditional Siamese cats also have beautiful blue eyes.

Some, if not most, traditional Siamese cats have kinks in their tails. This is a genetic trait that has been eradicated from the modern Siamese cat version. Another common traditional Siamese cat characteristic is its tendency to have a cross-eyed appearance. This trait has also been bred out of the modern Siamese cat. Not all traditional Siamese cats have the kink in the tail or the cross-eyed appearance.

Traditional Siamese cats also have more proportionate ears and shorter legs than the modern Siamese cats. Most Siamese cats, whether traditional Siamese cats or modern, are very fond of people and like nothing better than to spend their time with their family of humans. They are susceptible to hearing loss or deafness and are not suitable to be outside for long periods of time.

Brief History Of Siamese Cats

The history of all Siamese cats starts in Thailand, which was then called Siam. Legend has it that these cats were either guardians of a sacred temple or valued pets of the Siamese royalty. The traditional Siamese cats also figure in a local legend that tells how the cats got their kink in the tails. A British Consul General brought the cats to the United Kingdom. The pair that the Consul General brought gave birth and the offspring caused much admiration and envy thus sparking an immense interest in the breed. Several other cats were brought from Siam and these original cats are the common gene pool of most Siamese cats in the United Kingdom now.

Some breeders have selectively bred the Siamese into the modern version that is now present today. This version is more popular then the traditional one but there are also many other cat fanciers that prefer the traditional version.

The Siamese Cat And Its Traditional Elegance

The traditional Siamese cat has been a source of fascination for hundreds of years. The cat breed has long been admired for its elegant beauty, its loving personality, and its acute intelligence. There are some variations on the traditional Siamese cat breed, yet, in the end, it is the traditional Siamese cat that wins out in all the cat show competitions. It is important to appreciate both the diversity within the breed as well as the traditional characteristics of Siamese cats.

Historical Context

Siamese cats were first exported from the country of Siam (now called Thailand) in the mid eighteen hundreds. They first appeared in England when an ambassador from Siam brought them as a gift, and were soon entered in cat shows. By the beginning of the twentieth century, traditional Siamese cats were appearing in American cat shows as well.

Characterizing Tradition

There are specific characteristics that can be attributed to Siamese cats, both in physical appearance and in personality. These qualities are looked favorably upon by judges in cat show competitions and have come to define the traditional Siamese cat.

The ideal Siamese Cat has long, tapering lines and is of a medium size. The body is tubular, long, and graceful; the head is long, tapered, and wedge-shaped. Traditionally, the Siamese cat has no break at the whiskers or the nose and has distinctively large ears. Another stunning characteristic of the Siamese cat is its almond-shaped, piercing blue eyes.

Ideally, the cat’s tail should be long and thin; its coat should be short, fine, and glossy. Though the Siamese cat can come in a variety of colors, there are several that are specific to the traditional breed. Typically, judges in cat shows are looking for a Himalayan pattern in blue, seal, chocolate, and lilac point.

Not Interested

Just as there are some qualities that would identify a Siamese cat as being ideal and traditional, there are other characteristics that would disqualify the cat from such a label. These characteristics include: white feet or toes, long hair, malocclusion, eyes other than blue, mouth breathing, weak hind legs, and a visible kink in the tail.

Don’t Mess With Tradition!

The Siamese cat breed is perhaps the oldest of all breeds. It has continued to awe and amaze those who encounter it, both with its beauty and its intelligence. Despite the differences within the breed, it is important to appreciate and recognize the traditional beauty that has defined this breed for hundreds of years.