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Today's Siamese bears little resemblance to the
old "apple head" Siamese. The top show Siamese is now very extreme, long and
pointed in every direction.
Description: This is one of several breeds described as Oriental. The
four breeds have the same type; they are separated only by variations in
colour, pattern and hair length. They are beautiful and they know it. The
Oriental type is characterized by large ears, a wedge-shaped head, a long
neck, a long body and legs, and a long, whippy, pointed tail. To handle
these cats is likened to feeling a silk glove over an iron hand. These cats
are fine boned and delicate in appearance, long and elegant in every extreme
while retaining firm, hard muscles. They should feel as hard as rock, never
emaciated or too thin.
The wedge shaped head, which ends in a fine muzzle, should fit into a long
triangular shape. In profile, a straight line without a dip or rise is seen
from the centre of the forehead to the tip of the nose and from the tip of
the nose to the bottom of the chin. There should not be a whisker pinch;
that is, the line from the side of the chin to the base of the ears should
be straight with no indentation where the muzzle attaches to the skull.
Large, broad-based ears extend and complete the triangular head as a
continuation of the wedge and are angled slightly forward. The medium-sized,
almond-shaped eyes should be approximately one eye's width apart, with a
slant toward the nose and the outer aperture in line with the centre of the
ear base. This combination of eye shape, size, placement and set gives the
eyes a decidedly oriental look. The slender, graceful neck is carried to
display length and adds to the elegance of the cat. The long, tubular body
is medium in size, with fine or slender boning and hard muscles. The legs
are long with the hind legs longer than the forelegs. The feet are oval,
small and dainty. In TICA, the Siamese are recognized in all of the pointed
colours and patterns except the parti-colour point.
History: The Siamese cat is reported to have originated in Siam
(Thailand). Old paintings show a cat with darker colour on the ears, face,
paws and tail.
There were large classes of Siamese shown in the United States in the 1960s.
By the 1980s the breed had dropped off dramatically, though it is making a
comeback in recent years. In the early 1960s there was a cat named Fan Tee
Cee who changed the whole concept of Siamese. His head and body were very
long, his eyes were almond-shaped and his coat was short and glossy. Some
judges and breeders could not stand this change, others longed for it. The
new body shape won out in the end.
Temperament: Oriental cats are vocal; and not only when they are in
season. As loving as these cats are, their calling may not make them popular
with the neighbours. They will often carry on a running conversation with
their owners and their genuine love of people brings an assurance of close
companionship. They are active, and their minds seem to be whirling with
activity. If they do not have a playmate, they will create one out of
anything. Height beckons a flight up or down; they delight in jumping and
have been seen to leap four or five feet in any direction with ease. They
are not outdoor cats. Most will make no effort to escape into the great
unknown. The Siamese requires little grooming. These super-intelligent cats
make wonderful pets if the owner can put up with the constant demand for
companionship. They want to be with you every moment of every day. They will
befriend you for life.
Information Supplied By
Southern Alberta Cat Fanciers - Rene Copeland
Siamese Cats Doormat £22.99
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