Siamese

Is there anyone who loves cats that has not heard of the Siamese? Blue eyes peering from an exotic, wedge shaped head and the most captivating of color patterns distinguishes this extraordinary feline. Add to this description a most affectionate nature and one readily appreciates this breed's enormous popularity.	Having been nurtured and protected within temple walls for centuries, a fact documented in art and literature, the Siamese became known to the rest of the world through the royal family of Siam. What better gift to present to a visiting dignitary than these beautiful native treasures? This is exactly the way this breed became known outside the borders of what we now call Thailand.
Siamese began appearing in English cat shows in the late 19th century, and in America in the early years of the 20th century. Seal point, the best known variety, was the color of these early examples. With their seal brown, almost black, points and pale fawn bodies, these beauties were striking. While chocolate points, with creamy white bodies and milk chocolate points, did appear from time to time, it was the blue point that was the next color of Siamese to gain recognition (1934). The blue point is characterized by a bluish white body with slate blue points. The chocolate point was recognized next, and, in 1955, the lilac point completed the breed. The lilac point has pinkish gray points with a white body which makes it most ethereal and delicate in color.	The long Siamese head is delineated by an absolutely straight profile, smooth wedge, large ears that complete that wedge, and deep blue, almond shaped eyes set on a slant.
	This ancient breed, perhaps the oldest of all our pedigreed cats, is able to communicate like no other. The Siamese voice is legendary, and they do like to talk. They are the quintessential "people" cat, for they love to be in your lap, on your bed, at your table... in your heart!

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 cats 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 now is known as the Modern Siamese.

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 colors 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 honor 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.

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 records on 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 prizes just as in the shows that recognize only the modern version of the same breeds.

Today, a growing number of organizations recognize 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 recognized the true origin of the Siamese cat. The public in general is also beginning to recognize 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 recognized the traditional cat and openly encourages its development, while criticizing the American practice of breeding to extremes.

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair is America's own breed, whose ancestors are the cats that came to North America with the early pioneers from Europe. There are records that indicate several cats arrived on the "Mayflower." These first cats were brought along to hunt rats that ate the ship's food supplies and spread diseases to humans. For centuries, these working cats flourished along with their pioneer owners and eventually established themselves as the native North American shorthaired cat. Over the years, these cats were further appreciated for their beauty and loving natures. One brown tabby American Shorthair, in 1896, commanded the price of $2500 at the Second Annual Cat Show at Madison Square Garden. Imagine what that sum of money would be in today's dollars! With the introduction of foreign breeds to the United States during the early part of the 20th century, the naturally pure bloodlines of these "native" shorthairs began to be diluted. Longhairs and Siamese were being allowed to run free, resulting in kittens with a variety of coat lengths, body types, colors and temperaments. Those who admired the qualities of the native shorthaired cats and wished to preserve them acquired the finest examples of the American Shorthair and began to selectively breed them. These pioneer breeders worked to perfect the patterns and colors, while retaining the strong conformation, beautiful face and sweet disposition of the breed. Throughout the last century, the American Shorthair has made steady progress in the show ring. There have been dozens of national winning Americans including two CFA Cats of the Year and one CFA Kitten of the Year. Each of the past few years there have been well over one hundred American Shorthair grand champions, grand premiers, distinguished merit cats, regional and national winners. On the show bench, the well-muscled body, sweet expression and colorful coat are impossible to ignore. "Best Cat in Show" is often an American Shorthair. You will find American Shorthairs to be low maintenance cats. These beautiful cats are not only lovely to look at, but are healthy, easy going and affectionate. On average, American Shorthairs live fifteen to twenty years with only annual veterinary checkups. They achieve full growth at approximately three to four years old. Males are significantly larger than females with the mature males weighing eleven to fifteen pounds and the mature females weighing eight to twelve pounds. Known as a cat of many colors, the American Shorthair comes in over eighty different colors and patterns ranging from the striking brown patched tabby to the glistening blue-eyed white, the beautiful shaded cameo to the flashy calico van, and many colors in between. The most common American Shorthair color is the silver tabby with dense black markings set on a sterling silver background. You may have seen this handsome cat featured in television and magazine advertising or in the latest feature at your local cinema. Always consistently in the top ten most popular breeds of cat, the American Shorthair is truly a star in the feline world. Pricing on American Shorthairs usually depends on each individual kitten's bloodlines, type and applicable markings. Many breeders allow pickup of new kittens between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. At the age of sixteen weeks, kittens have had basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability to adjust to a new environment. Four months also conforms to the minimum age for showing and transport by air. If a breeder offers you an older kitten or adult cat, don't hesitate; they can be a welcome addition to a home where proper behavior and good manners are needed upon arrival! Keeping your cat indoors and neutering or spaying are essential elements for maintaining a healthy companion, and most importantly will extend the life expectancy of your cat.