Siamese Cat Breeders
1
The
Traditional Siamese
takes
more than one form and this is a dominant factor in the Siamese cat
world. Somewhere
in between the
traditional and the Modern Siamese is, what I would call, the Classic
Siamese, which I
also believe to be the Thai, the cat above, although there is a wide
and continuous spectrum of body types in relation to this cat. Dr. Bird, a breeder, describes these three types
as well1.
The Thai cat 
is a TICA
registered
cat. Some people will disagree with the above statement - that's fine.
But the evidence is set out in the history
of the Siamese cat. The Thai cat is probably not meant
to be a Siamese cat (in a strict sense) but as far as I am concerned it
is. The
appearance is certainly that of a Siamese cat and not a contemporary
Siamese cat. The CFA don't accept the Thai cat. They only accept the Modern
Siamese. Would the CFA consider the Thai as a Siamese cat
with
bad type (meaning of poor appearance by the breed standard)?Apparently Traditional Siamese cat breeders would like the CFA to recognize the traditional cat breed but the CFA say "one breed one standard". This means either the CFA have to change their standard (no chance of that despite being a standard that breeds a less attractive and arguably a less healthy cat) or the Traditional Siamese is renamed. The breeders won't have this understandably. The whole thing is, frankly, a bit confusing to outsiders. Siamese Cat from Michael Broad on Vimeo.
appearance. In Thailand they are called Wichien-maat
(วิเชียรมาศ - meaning "Moon diamond")2.
The Siamese cat is very popular world wide and is third after the
Maine Coon in this site's long running poll.
Siamese Cat Breeders continue to have diverging viewpoints as to what is the true appearance of a Siamese Cat. For the public, however, it seems that there is no such polarization of views. The vast majority consider the Traditional Siamese a Siamese cat and possibly have little knowledge of the Modern Siamese (certainly in Europe including the UK this would seem to be the case). The ongoing and long running poll on this website (which is checked for authenticity, regularly) strongly indicates a preference for the Traditional Siamese cat. I hope Siamese cat breeders are aware of this. Chart
indicating that more
than 75%
of people prefer
the Traditional Siamese cat - please vote below  Click on the following links to read a discussion in the history of this cat and a list some Traditional Siamese Cat Breeders (this takes you to the bottom of the page). But there are quite a few Siamese cat rescue centers (opens a new window), particularly in the States. In terms of availability of pictures of Siamese cats there are few professional photographs of Traditional Siamese cats for the obvious reason that the associations, for decades, have not accepted the Traditional Siamese cat (except recently TICA). That means less Traditional Siamese cat breeders. It is also why I have used mainly Flickr photographers (nearly always amateurs) and some stock photos. Just below is a little slide show of some Traditional Siamese cats. The first one is by Helmi Flick. It could be argued that the phrase, "Traditional Siamese" is inadequate to describe this cat breed. The word "traditional" implies old and boring. But these concepts relate to inanimate objects. In my opinion this cat is the Siamese cat. Please read my supporting arguments. Siamese
Cat
Breeders are today more often
concerned with breeding the Modern Siamese. But before looking at the
Modern it is worthwhile to look at the Traditional Siamese.
Siamese cats are referred
to as "Meezers" by some Siamese cat breeders. As mentioned, between the
Modern and
the Traditional
there is a wide spectrum of apperances. Some Modern Siamese Cat
Breeders apparently say that the
Traditional
Siamese is not really a pure breed as early breeders of the Traditional
crossed the cat with non-Siamese to develop a bigger frame.  Traditional Siamese Cat photo ©copyright Klodjana Dervishi Photography Recently TICA
has
accepted the Traditional Siamese, changing the name to the
"Thai cat" in order, I believe, to
placate the Modern Siamese cat Breeders who wanted to stake claim to
the claim that their cat is the true Siamese cat appearance.
This is obviously great progress for the Traditional Siamese Cat
Fanciers. It's a bit of shame, perhaps that the name had to be changed.
This demonstrates the polarized positions that are sometimes taken in
the cat fancy.
Vote for traditional or modern Siamese cat Vote on whether you prefer the Traditional or Modern Siamese and when you do you see the results so far. Read my thoughts on how the change from Trad. to Mod. happened.If you get up close to a Modern Siamese cat, the appearance is (for me at least) a little artificial and man made looking. I for one cannot see the Modern Siamese as anything other than a man made version of the original (sorry) and a demonstration of breeding gone too far (extreme ultra-typing). This of course is a personal view and there are those who prefer the Modern. The experts would describe the Modern Siamese as elegant and sleek on tall slender legs3. I go over some of the important factors regarding appearance on this page: Blue Pointed Modern Siamese Cat. As to character there is also a page dedicated to this: Siamese Cat Personality. You can click through to some pictures on the various types of pointing generally (i.e. on cat breeds generally) by clicking on this link .
Here is some basic information and a coat color chart.
The
CFA
restrict pointing to 4 colors (see below - but this of course only
applies to the Modern Siamese as they do not recognize the traditional
cat). TICA
does and their breed standard does not restrict pointing color). Lynx
pointing on a Siamese cat
is
interesting.
And by clicking on the link you can see the most beautiful Flame
point Siamese (plus a brief
discussion on how this cat
obtained his color). TICA have a clear breed standard for the Thai,
that refers to the cats of Thailand, the original Siamese cats, well
balanced and not extreme in any way.
Siamese
cat breeders
consider the Modern Siamese the height of modern successful cat
breeding. I
disagree. I think that the Modern or contemporary Siamese cat is an
indication of the wrong direction in which cat breeding has gone
in relation to this cat. Update 29th December 2009: Mary Alexander has contacted me. Here are some photographs of some kittens from her cattery Blue-Gem Siamese .
Mary
breeds Thai
cats.This cattery is registered with the CFA, TICA and CFF and is in Massachusetts, USA. I can't add or improve Mary's comments about her kittens and the Thai cat generally so here they are: I think it's important for people to see what a beautiful modified wedge Siamese should look like. These kittens...are sired by my Bacchus, who's grandfather was a resent import from Thailand. Bacchus grandsire was brought into this country by Dr. Cris Bird. She and a few others, like me, are working to preserve these genetic linage's, and promote a healthy well balanced Siamese cat. The kittens photo's are taken at 5 weeks old. All seal points, Thai. Or what some people also call a Classic style Siamese.The photographs (these are large thumbnails):
Photo above: copyright by Blue-Gem.
Photo above:
copyright by Blue-Gem Mary is one of the Siamese cat breeders who agrees that the Thai could also be called the Classic Siamese. ).
The Siamese is one of the most most popular cat breeds
but
is this cat a
breed with the most genetically linked diseases (see genetic
diseases purebred cats)?
See lots more: Siamese
Cat Health ProblemsThe
appearance
of the Siamese cat is a type of Himalayan albinism.
Although the body is not pure white but shaded and the eyes are blue
rather than pink.
The classic seal point Siamese cat (dark brown points) is a non-agouti black cat with the presence of the Siamese allele (one copy of a pair of genes at a certain locus on the chromosome). The symbol for the Siamese allele is cˢ. This gentoype (genetic makeup) for the Siamese cat coloration is aa B- cˢcˢ D- .The first letters (lower case "a") indicate a air of non-agouti black alleles, the capital B- means the presence of the allele that creates black pigment, while the dash after the letter indicates the gene is either dominant or recessive. The last letter, the capital "D" indicates the presence of a gene creating dense coloration and once again this is a dominant or recessive allele. The
reason for
the
dark brown points (and not black) is the presence of the albinism gene
(cˢ),
which
degrades the black coloration
 The
Traditional
("Applehead")
Siamese is defined
by its history and also by comparing its history with that of the
"Modern" Siamese. (a thought - don't you think the term "applehead" is
slightly derogatory?). The Modern and the Traditional have similar
characters, it's the appearance that is markedly different.
Other terms for the Modern are "show-style", "extreme" or “wedgie" or "wedgehead”.  Traditional Siamese Cat ©Stockxpert The Traditional Siamese has a robust and for me a "normal" shape and weight, while the Modern has a long, small head, large ears and a light frame with long, thin legs. The body shape, of the Modern, is called "oriental". This is a cat fancy term that has little bearing on the shape of cats in the orient (Asia). The look of the Modern Siamese resembles the appearance of original Egyptian cats as depicted by the ancient Egyptians (Shynx like). The appearance of these two groups of Siamese cats has polarized opinion. Of course, there is no right and wrong. The only important consideration is the health of the cat. Siamese cat breeders are of course concerned with the health of their cats. What
follows is
a brief look at the history of this cat breed. You can
see and read a lot more by clicking on Siamese
Cat History (this is intended to
be a definitive appraisal).
The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica (see note on copyright) provides useful reading on what it describes as the Siamese cat. In 1911 there was only one official type (the traditional type).  Traditional
Siamese
photo ©Barb Henry
It
remained
that way until the 1950s-1960s.
The Encyclopedia describes the cat as "by
far the most remarkable of
all the Old World domesticated breeds....the
royal Siamese cat, which almost certainly has an origin quite distinct
from that of the ordinary European breeds; this being rendered evident
not only by the peculiar type of colouring, but likewise by the cry,
which is quite unmistakable."
The "Old World" in this
context
refers to the Malay Peninsula (Burma, Thailand and Malaysia). Siam is
now Thailand (changed 1939).
The
Encyclopedia goes on to talk of the kinked tail.
It states that it
is not clear if the kink "belongs
of right to the breed"
or is as a result of cross breeding with the ordinary kink tailed black
tabby of the country. If the kink is inherent the breed is related to
kink-tailed Malay cats. If the Malay cats are descended from jungle
cats then so is the Siamese.
Early imported Siamese cats had the kinked tail, which is now a
"defect" and virtually bred out in show cats. It's at the end of the
tail and can sometimes be felt but not seen.
As mentioned the "Modern" has a long and pointed face, the body being elongated with slender limbs. Interestingly this description would be seem to be accurate if describing the royal Siamese of all those years ago. Perhaps Siamese cat breeders have realized this and sought to replicate what they may consider to be a more original look. This thought is re-enforced when the author in the Encyclopedia says this about the Siamese of 1911 "In constitution these cats are extremely delicate". This runs counter to the reports of a robust cat that is not delicate. However, it is my view that the obervation of "delicate" is a relative one. I talk about this in the appraisal of Siamese cat history and it is a key point.  Siamese
Cat
Breeders - Thai cat - Traditional Siamese
Classic Siamese cat - photograph ©copyright Helmi Flick As
is the case
currently, reference is made in the
1911 Encyclopedia
to kittens being born "absolutely
white".
The points developing gradually from a week onwards. "The
blue eyes and the white coat of the kitten indicate that the Siamese
breed is a semi-albino, which when adult tends towards melanism".
Melanism is an increased amount of black or nearly black pigmentation
in skin, feathers, hair etc. of an organism. It is the "pointing" gene
creates the distinct color pattern.
Here's
some
more on the
history - this was written before the above and is an outline:
1884
the
departing British
Consul-General (CG) in the Malay peninsula was given a Siamese cat by
the Siamese king.
1885 The sister of the CG exhibits the offspring of her brother's gift at Crystal Palace show. The cats were round-headed, solid and muscular. 1902 England founded its first Siamese cat fancier's club.  1909 The Siamese Cat Society of America was founded. Standard drafted. 1950 Body type remained unchanged from imported Siamese. 1960-1980s 1990-present A trend back to the Traditional look, driven by Siamese cat breeders who favor the Traditional appearance and who have been shut out of competition as the Traditional no longer conforms to the new breed standard. Associations - Traditional and Classic Cat International (TCCI) - and shows for the Traditional are set up. Appearance changes. Why? I would have thought due to commercial reasons. A desire by Siamese cat breeders to develop a more interesting cat (obvious goal) fetching higher prices. In turn judges at shows awarding prizes to the more interesting appearance and the cycle continues until the breed standard is re-written to "cement" the "Modern" look as the only acceptable look and thereby assigning the Traditional Siamese to the history books. Until now.... So,
where
does that leave us? Two distinct appearances of the same
breed at each end of a wide spectrum. Is it time therefore that the CFA
re-wrote the rules to allow both to be shown at the same time and
place? Should there in fact be only one breed of Siamese Cat as was the
case many years ago?
In February 2007, TICA (The International Cat Association) recognized
the Traditional Siamese for the first time in 50 years. This is clearly
a step in the right direction.
Applehead Siamese Siamese Cat Rescue Siamese Cat Health Problems Cat Names for Siamese Siamese Cat Behavior Types of Siamese cats Balinese cat history Siamese cat history Siamese Cat Song Peggy Lee's famous song for the Walt Disney film "The Lady and the Tramp". Siamese Cats and Film Stars In the heyday of cinema film stars wanted glamorous cats and the Siamese fitted the bill.  Thai cat photo ©copyright Helmi Flick Cat Breeds Associated with the Siamese Cat Balinese - a long haired Siamese catOriental Shorthair - a Modern Siamese with a wider range of coat colors and types Tonkinese - a cross between a Traditional Siamese or Classic Siamese cat and the Burmese cat Snowshoe - a cross between the Siamese and American Shorthair bicolor Ocicat - a combination of Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair Javanese - a Balinese with an extended range of coat colors and types Thai cats
- controversially I say that this is the equivalent of the classic
Siamese. The classic Siamese I say is close to being the same as the
Traditional Siamese and for that reason the photographs of the Thai
cat grace this page. Thai cat photo ©copyright Helmi Flick We would like to hear from you:
Traditional Siamese Cat Breeders These Siamese cat breeders have been selected in the same way as on other pages of this site. I have searched on Google and those breeders that are listed on the first 3 pages are in turn listed here in Google's order. Note: when I did a similar search for Modern Siamese Cat Breeders there were none listed on the first 3 pages. What does this mean?
= new window.WeAreSiamese Cattery
Breeder of quality
registered Applehead, Traditional, and Classic Siamese kittens in OK,
USA. Traditional Siamese Located in San Diego, USA. Breeding Traditional Siamese for approx. 30 years. Miller's Shoobox Traditional Siamese & Balinese Cattery Located in San Diego, USA. Breeding since 1989 (is this the same cattery as the above or is it affiliated?) Evinea Cattery Breed "Old Style" Siamese. Small thoughtful cattery located in Florida, USA. Nice website. WeAreSiamese Cattery Located in Glencoe, Oklahoma, USA. Breeding Trad.S Siamese since 2001. Royal Siamese Cattery Located in West Sunbury, Pennsylvania, USA. Breeding Traditional Siamese since 1995. Jarmila Siamese Located in Milton Keynes, England. This is South East England about 60 miles north of London. Breeding for the past 15 years. Kittentanz Located in Jasper (Nr. Atlanta), Georgia, USA. They breed other cat breeds as well as the Trad. Siamese. Shadows Traditional Siamese Small hobby cattery (as are a large number of catteries). Can't see location, but it is the USA. Poor Website - sorry. Disagree then post it on the forum. Purfect Points Cattery Located in Ohio, USA. Breed Balinese and Snowshoe as well. GlassSlipper Cattery Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. Pleasant site carefully produced. To-Pher Cattery Located Suisun City, California, USA. Update 14-8-09: Siamese Cat Breeders in Alabama [ LINK ] - an attempt at findind either modern or traditional Siamese cat breeders in this state. As it happens I spilled over in to Florida! References other than those below: 1. http://home.earthlink.net/~sarsenstone/threetypes.html 2. Wikipedia authors - no exact reference available. 3. Legacy of the Cat by Gloria Stephens Siamese Cat Breeders -- Sources:
The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica is not subject to copyright - Siamese cat breeders  |
