| Despite various other theories about its origin, this | | | | rise to the Oriental varieties which are, in effect, |
| breed really did originate in Siam (now Thailand) | | | | 'non-pointed' Siamese |
| many hundred years ago. Cats with similar pointed | | | | Siamese cat appearance |
| markings feature in the Cat Book Poems, a | | | | This is a short-haired cat of Oriental type with a |
| manuscript saved from Ayuda, the old capital of | | | | long svelte body and an alert, intelligent |
| Siam, which was burned down in 1767. It is the | | | | expression. The head is long and wedge-shaped, |
| best known of a number of manuscripts that | | | | neither rounded nor pointed, with a firm chin in line |
| provide a record of the native cats, dogs and | | | | with the upper jaw. The ears are large, well |
| birds of the region at that time. | | | | pricked and wide at the base. The eye shape is |
| The Siamese pattern was later recorded in Russia | | | | oriental, slanting towards the nose and its deep |
| by the naturalist Simon Pallas, in 1793. However, | | | | blue in colour. The body is medium in size, long |
| the cats he encountered were of much darker | | | | and svelte, with proportionately slim legs. The hind |
| colouring. This could be explained by the fact that | | | | legs are slightly higher that the forelegs, the feet |
| the Siamese points darken in colder climates. It is | | | | small and oval. The tail is long and tapering. The |
| not known whether the Russian cats were | | | | coat is very short and fine in texture, glossy and |
| descended from original Siamese imports, or | | | | close-lying. The mask is completely connected to |
| whether the Siamese gene mutation (now | | | | the ears by tracings. In all colours kittens may not |
| commonly known as the Himalayan gene) had | | | | show full masking, nor the adult colour on legs and |
| occupied naturally in Russia, | | | | tail |
| Siamese cats were already in Britain before 1871, | | | | Siamese cat behavior |
| for in that year they featured at the first National | | | | Siamese are extremely affectionate, devoted and |
| Cat Show in London. There were many stories | | | | loyal. They are highly intelligent, inquisitive, active |
| about their origin and at one time they were | | | | and very vocal. They are also very demanding |
| labeled as 'an unnatural, nightmare kind of cat.' | | | | which make them unsuitable for some elderly |
| Nevertheless, their popularity grew and specimens | | | | people. They "meow" a lot in a loud low pitched |
| were taken to America around 1890. The body | | | | voice. Some say that their voice sounds like the |
| shape of the Siamese has altered considerably | | | | crying of a human baby. They also tend to get |
| over the years as breeders and judges select | | | | along well with other cats but they are usually |
| ever more extreme 'Oriental' type. Breeders have | | | | dominant in their relationships with cats of other |
| developed a wide variety of coast colours and | | | | breeds |
| patterns. The Himalayan gene carried by the | | | | To view the Cutest and the most beautiful |
| Siamese (and other pointed cats) causes dilution | | | | Siamese cat pictures, please visit my blog at:- |
| of any particular colour. Hence there is no black | | | | Cuteycats2u also contains useful cat care and |
| Siamese because the colour is diluted to a very | | | | training advises, fun cat videos, cat pictures and |
| dark brown, called Seal. Siamese have also given | | | | cat stories. Have fun!! |