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31st Oct 2007
The Siamese cat originated from Thailand, formerly known as Siam. These cats were held in such high esteem in their native country that no one except the King and members of the royal family were permitted to own them. They were originally known as Royal points.
Written records reveal that Siamese cats, in their country of origin, were venerated as guardians of the temples. When a person of high rank died, it was usual to select one of these cats to receive the dead person's soul. The cat was then removed from the royal household and sent to one of the temples to spend the rest of its days living a ceremonial life of great luxury, with monks and priests as its servants. These cats were reputed to eat the finest foods from gold plate and to recline on cushions made of the most opulent materials, which had been provided by the departed one's relatives in an attempt to receive good fortune and blessings. Once they became temple cats, they were supposed to have special powers and could intercede for the soul of the dead person.
Years ago features such as crossed eyes and kinked tail were looked on as characteristics of the breed and many legends exist as to their origin.
It was said that a Princess of the Royal House of Siam used her cat's tail as a ring-stand while she was bathing. The kink in the tail prevented the rings from falling off and being lost. Another legend accounts for both the cross-eyed feature as well as the development of the kink. Once, when all the men of Siam left their homes to defend their kingdom, just two cats - one male Siamese, Tien, and one female Siamese, Chula - remained in order to guard Buddha's golden goblet in the sacred temple. The male cat became pretty restless and, after mating the female Siamese, left her in order to find another priest to look after the temple. The female, apparently, was so overwhelmed by the responsibility of guarding the Buddha's treasure that she never once glanced away from the goblet, wrapping her long tail around its stem to prevent theft in case she should fall asleep. As time passed waiting for Tien to return with a new master, she could no longer forstall the birth of her kittens, who all arrived with the physical characteristics that she herself had acquired during her period as watchguard - a kinked tail and crossed eyes. Just occasionally, even today, kittens are born with these features - so the legends are kept alive.
In 1884, Owen Gould brought to England a pair of Siamese cats from Siam as a gift for his sister Lillian. These two cats, Pho and Mia, father and mother, are 1a and 2a in the British Siamese Cat Register, but they have no "pedigree", their particulars are "unknown, imported from Bangkok". The progeny of Pho and Mia, Duen Ngai and Kalahom and Karomata, were exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1885 and excelled all competitors, but unfortunately died after the show.
Between 1884 and the end of the century, a considerable number of Siamese cats were imported into England and are recorded in the British Siamese Cat Registers. Miss Forestier Walker, one of the founder members of the original Siamese Cat Club in England, owned Tiam O'Shian, an ancestor of Tiam O'Shian IV, who was a prizewinner at the the London Crystal Palace Shows of 1900 and 1901.
Mrs. Robert Locke founded the Beresford Cat Club in 1899 and was its first president. Mrs. Locke owned the first registered Siamese cats in America, Lockhaven Siam and Sally. Calif and Bangkok were bred from Siam and Sally Ward. It was said that Calif and Siam "carried all before them" at the Chicago show in 1902.
Probably the first Siamese cat in America arrived during the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881) as a gift from the American consul in Bangkok to the President's wife, Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes. Mrs. Hayes was notified that a Siamese cat consigned to her had arrived from Hong Kong on January 3, 1879. It was transported to San Francisco on the steam-powered SS Belgic, with charges prepaid by the consul in Bangkok. The cat had been placed in the charge of the ship's purser until San Francisco and thence was sent by express to Washington. After the cat's safe arrival at the White House, she was named Siam, and soon became a much-admired favorite.
Siamese cats have been featured in films, one of the most notable being the Walt Disney film, That Darned Cat starring Hayley Mills, and the cartoon film The Lady and the Tramp.
Siamese cats have also been used extensively in commercial ads over the years, they are pictured below in an old ad for Puss 'N Boots cat food. Siamese cats have also been depicted on many postage stamps around the world.
Fairy Dust as a cattery began in 1998. Some people have asked how I came up with the cattery name "Fairy Dust"...I had tried several names with CFA... the one I really wanted was "Fairy Tale" but that was already taken, so I compromised with "Fairy Dust" Siamese. To me it conjures up images of fairies sprinkling "fairy dust" on my kittens and making them extra-special. I have loved the Siamese breed since I was a little girl, and always knew that I would someday be more involved with them.
Fairy Dust breeds the "wedge" type of Siamese. This type of Siamese is more streamlined and elegant looking than the traditional applehead type. A lot of personality is packed into that slender body. Siamese used to be known for crossed eyes and kinked tails. These are now considered faults and have generally been eliminated from the breed. Click here for breed standard.
The Siamese personality is very outgoing and loving. They are also known to be very demanding for attention. Siamese can be very vocal, perhaps not a breed for you if you don't like noisy pets. They will hold long conversations with you. Siamese are extremely intelligent. Most Siamese are known for fetching their favorite toys. They do not need to be taught this, they will usually teach you! Siamese love to cuddle, and if allowed to sleep in your bedroom they will usually opt to sleep under the covers with you. Siamese are climbers. Mine can ALWAYS find the highest point in the room. Don't get a Siamese if you find the idea of big blue Siamese eyes peering down at you from the top of the refrigerator disconcerting! Siamese will follow you from room to room, they always want to be with their favorite human.
Have you ever heard that "Siamese are mean"? That is a MYTH. These are the most loving cats I have ever owned. Siamese as a breed are very loving and affectionate.
At Fairy Dust, we handle our kittens from birth for proper socialization. Our kittens are raised uncaged and underfoot. Our kittens are well-adjusted and love people! All the breeding cats are also our pets and are treated as such, with full run of the house.
Siamese are one of the most well known breeds of purebred cats. With their characteristic colouring pattern of dark points against a pale coat, and sapphire-coloured, almond-shaped eyes, they are beautifully striking cats.
The Siamese is certainly of Eastern origin. This breed was known to have been kept in the Royal courts of Siam (which is now Thailand) as early as the late sixteenth century. It is possible, however, that the Siamese originated from even further east.
In Siam, the Siamese cats were sacred. They were temple guardians and the cats of the royal household. Bloodlines of the royal Siamese cats were impeccably preserved; the Siamese were very carefully bred. Siamese cats were never sold, and it was considered a great honour to be given one as a gift.
It is said that the first Siamese cats were brought out of Siam in 1884, having been presented to the British Consul General by the King of Siam, as a gift, of course. The following year, a Siamese cat caused a great deal of interest when it was exhibited at the Crystal Palace Cat Show in London. During the next few years the breed gained in popularity.
The Siamese is a real extrovert and loves company. Siamese cats are very affectionate, and if you give a Siamese cat plenty of love and attention, it will become a loyal friend. Siamese are known for their loud voices; they are very vocal cats.
Siamese love to be with people. They will curl up on your lap, sleep with you in your bed, curl up next to you on the couch. They win hearts very easily, for they are wonderful companions.
The ideal Siamese cat is a medium sized, svelte, refined cat with long, tapering lines. The Siamese is very lithe but muscular. Males are proportionately larger than females.
Seal Point:
Body: even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading gradually into a lighter colour on the stomach and chest.
Points: deep seal brown.
Nose leather and paw pads: same colour as the points, deep seal brown.
Eye colour: deep vivid blue.
Chocolate Point:
Body: ivory with no shading.
Points: chocolate milk in colour, warm in tone nose leather.
Paw pads: cinnamon-pink.
Eye colour: deep vivid blue.
Blue Point:
Body: bluish white, cold in tone, shading gradually to white on stomach and chest.
Points: deep blue.
Nose leather and paw pads: slate coloured.
Eye colour: deep vivid blue.
Lilac Point:
Body: glacial white with no shading.
Points: frosty grey with pinkish tone.
Nose leather and paw pads: lavender-pink.
Eye colour: deep vivid blue.
Source courtesy: Cat Fanciers Association (Siamese Breed Profile)
It takes a Siamese secret agent to unravel the PURR-fect crime!
A witty remake of Disney's famous film classic, THAT DARN CAT puts a fresh new spin on a timeless tale that families have enjoyed for years. Sixteen-year-old Patti Randall (Christina Ricci - Casper, The Addams Family) finds life in her sleepy home town dull until her cat D.C. finds an important clue to a myterious kidnapping! With the help of a bungling FBI agent (Doug E. Doug - Cool Runnings), this teenage sleuth and her pet detective lead a hilarious investigation filled with zany mishaps and misunderstandings before finally cracking the case.
Anyone in the market for a Siamese kitten will often have a similar experience. You want a Siamese just like the lovely one you had as a child, or who just passed away at a ripe old age. You go to local breeders, you look in magazines, you attend cat shows, but what you most often find is a cat that looks quite different from the large robust cat you remember. By comparison to the cat you remember, the modern version of the Siamese is emaciated, with large bat-like ears, an elongated head and pencil thin legs. You might ask yourself, "Is this really a Siamese?"
The short answer is 'yes', but this is certainly not the same type as you remember. Chances are what you recall is a large robust cat with a round head, normal looking ears, and lovely blue eyes. What you remember is now called a 'Traditional Siamese, or 'applehead Siamese, while the one that dominates the show ring is known as the Modern Siamese.
If you wonder out loud about what happened, different breeders may give you very different explanations, but the truth is clearly available in any history book.
The first cat of record with Siamese markings appeared on an old engraving discovered by a Mr Pallas on his journey into Southern Russia between 1793 and 1794. Another is in the 'Cat-Book Poems' where drawings of cats of various colours and patterns (including Siamese, tabby, blue, etc) appeared.
In spite of these patterns, there is no clear record of Siamese cats as a breed until the 1800s. It is clearly recorded that, in 1884 the departing British Consul-General Gould was given a Siamese cat by the Siamese king as a farewell gift, and considered it as a great honour since the cat came from those bred in the palace by the royal family. Indeed, many stories exist (including the story explaining the characteristic kink in the tail of the early imported Siamese) indicating an intimate relationship between the royal family members and their cats.
The progeny of this cat given to Consul-General Gould was exhibited by his sister, Mrs Lilian (Gould) Velvey at the 17th Crystal Palace Show in October 1885. These cats were 'Duen Ngai' born March 1885 and 'Kalohom and 'Khromata', born July 1885. Photographs of these cats are pictured in publications of that time and show them to be round-headed, solid and muscular, without exception.
These cats were so extraordinary that they captured immediate attention. A well known quote from that time describes them as an "unnatural nightmare of a cat". However, whatever the initial reaction or impression, the dog-like intelligence and loyalty, mischievous sense of humour and special charm of these cats, made them a favourite of British cat fanciers. And in 1902 England rounded its first Siamese cat fancier' s club.
The first champion, 'Champion Wankee,' was born in Hong Kong in 1895 and was owned and shown by Mrs Robinson in 1898, to much acclaim. Again, a large and robust 'appleheaded' cat, 'Champion Wankee' makes it clear again that the traditional cat looked nothing like the modern version shown today.
The precise time of arrival in the United States is uncertain. However, in April 1909, The Siamese Cat Society of America was founded and the first standard for the Siamese Cat was approved.
During the 1950s and 1960s the breed's popularity reached its peak and Siamese cats appeared in movies or animations such as 'Bell, Book and Candle', 'That Darn Cat', 'Incredible Journey', and 'Lady and the Tramp', making the Siamese' breed ever more famous.
At the same time in Siam, now Thailand, breeding had dwindled to only a few breeders. A statement written by Mrs. Stephen Dobrenchuk to a diplomat in Thailand in the 1950's reports that purebred Siamese cats were bred only by a few wealthy matrons, and the cats were known for their physical toughness and dog-like intelligence.
Mrs. Dobrenchuk purchased three kittens from a Laotian Princess married to a Thai diplomat. These cats were large round-headed robust animals of wonderful intelligence and disposition. She writes that the cats regularly cleared their back yard in Thailand of cobras, the only difficulty being that they often dragged their 'trophies' indoors and sometimes they were not quite dead
Upon returning to the states in the late 1950's, Mrs. Dobrenchuk bought 3 more kittens, this time registered with C.F.A. She describes them as still being the same general body type as those being bred in Thailand.
It is after this, in the early 60's, that the heavy traditional Siamese began to lose favour as various breeders and judges began to favour a longer, thinner body conformation and began to encourage the breed away from the original robust Siamese, down to its small, thin, modern body type so common today.
Reason for this change vary. Some say that the Siamese had become so popular that kitten prices had dropped and many breeders were interested in making them more distinct and felt that a longer more exotic look would make the breed more popular, and more valuable. Others say it was simply a widely held opinion in the fancy that smaller and more refined cats were more beautiful. Also, the development of various vaccinations for many of the diseases that had been the common cause of death among cats (distemper, for example) also allowed for the breeding of less robust individuals who, without these medical advantages, would not have survived to reproduce in earlier days. It was probably a combination of all of the factors; but suffice it to say that the breed standard was rewritten to reflect changing tastes. Indeed, the original breed standard has regularly been rewritten and reinterpreted to support the constant shift of the breed to smaller, thinner and more elongated bodies, even though these cats typically live shorter and less healthy lives than their traditional ancestors.
Dismayed with the trend, many breeders with cats that had More robust, yet less popular conformation, were left with the choice of dropping out of the show ring or selecting their cats for these often more problematic traits that the Judges now preferred. Some breeders simply decided to walk away from the show ring, choosing to retain the larger, more robust Siamese and continuing to quietly breed for the companion-cat market.
By 1986 there were no traditional or 'applehead' Siamese being shown and the modern Siamese was so entrenched that many modern breeders were actually unaware of the breed's history and held the opinion that the Siamese had always looked like the mode version, and that traditional Siamese were cats of inherently inferior quality.
Because the Traditional Siamese breeders could not win in the show ring, many had stopped breeding, switched to a different breed, or had stopped registering or keeping record of the Siamese they had been breeding. It was this situation that prompted the formation of the Traditional Cat Association. Originally named the Traditional Siamese Association and dedicated to bringing back from near extinction the Traditional Siamese, it was later opened up to include other traditional breeds suffering from a similar fate to the Siamese such as the Burmese, Persian, Balinese, Bengal and Himalayan. The T.C.A. also sponsors its own shows where traditional breeds compete for recognise just as in the shows' that recognise only the modern version of the same breeds.
Today, a growing number of organisations recognise the traditional Siamese, and other traditional breeds, as a new appreciation develops for the health and longevity of the original bloodlines. Recent publications such as Your Purebred Kitten by Michelle Lowell (Henry Holt) have similarly recognised the true origin of the Siamese cat. The public in general is also beginning to recognise the need to avoid breeding for an extreme 'look' that, while attractive to some, has a negative impact on the animal's health. Already, most of Europe has again recognised the traditional cat and openly encourages its development, while critizing the American practice of breeding to extremes.
In the future, while there is still a powerful and vocal opposition, it is likely that American breeders will at some point follow suit, and both modern and traditional types will be recognised and shown. Though it may take time the traditional Siamese will once again find its place again in the main show ring because, as many know, it has never lost its place in the hearts of millions who remember the charm and intelligence of the traditional Siamese.
