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