Why Siamese? Why not Siamese is my question to you!! Well, pull up a chair and bring a cup of coffee. I'm excited to share with you the characteristics and personality of this awesome breed!!

Unfortunately, there have not been any substantial books written on this breed in the last 20 years and even those great books have old, outdated information in them. There have been some coffee-table type books with fantastic photographs and while the information in them is good, it is limited. Driven by my love and fascination of the Siamese, and the realization that there isn't an all-inclusive, updated book on the market, I decided two years ago to write my own book. I haven't done any actual "writing" but I have been researching and have accumulated quite a "Siamese library". I now have a wonderful amount of information that I will share with you on this and a few other pages in this site. Let's face reality, I know with my busy life and reckless schedule, it may well be that the text you find on this site is all the "book" I will ever write, so I will make it as detailed and accurate as I possibly can for you!!

Let's begin with a bit of history!

Siamese and foreign breeds have been in existence since around 1767 however it is a well-established fact that the history of this incredible breed has been lost, or never recorded in its original country of Siam (now called Thailand). Though various authorities over the years have theorized that these foreign breeds arose as a result of a mating between the original Egyptian cats and wild cats, we do not really know nor do we have any kind of proof of what steps were taken genetically to produce the Siamese cats we know today.

We do know that Siamese were considered sacred and owned only by royalty and the very wealthy. It is a fact that the king of Siam owned Siamese cats and they were passed down through the royal family. When one looks at the Siamese cat today, one can certainly appreciate this obviously royal heritage.

In her book Siamese Cat Book, Mrs. Nelson had this to say about the ownership of Siamese by any one other than the very wealthy or royalty, "It was considered a piece of good fortune by the commoners of Siam, to own a pair of Siamese cats, but the ownership by any but royalty was finally forbidden. According to rumor, the poorer people who came into possession of a pair of the cats sat back and waited for good luck to come their way, eventually falling into poverty and distress. Hence ownership was limited to those who could afford such "fortune".

There are many legends of the Siamese cats being used in the Buddhist temples of Siam, (I have written a whole page on these fun tales under the link of SIMESE LEGENDS!) But no one knows if there is any truth to this. A reason why they may have been regarded as sacred could be that Siamese are born into this world completely white and anything white in Siam was considered to be sacred.

A Mr. Owen Gould, British Counsul-General, exported Siamese from Siam to England in the 1880s. When paying his farewell to the king of Siam he was given a pair of Siamese cats as a parting gift! From this pair has descended almost all of our Siamese that we know today. (Here at the Chit-Chat cattery, we actually have a cat -Mirage- that has her specific lines traced back to England!) We first saw them in America in 1903 at a cat fancy show, being recorded in Cats Magazine as entering this country in 1890.

In Thailand (which of course used to be Siam) the school children sing a song about the cats of their country. A bit is lost in the rhythm and rhyme of the song through the translation, but I have copied it down to share with you:

Now let's talk about the physical description of the Siamese. I am including here an excerpt from the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) Standard. You will see the standards differ a bit amongst the various cat associations, but essentially they are the same. This will describe the show quality Siamese and specifically what is required of these cats to qualify as a show cat, then I will give you my personal description of this breed.

GENERAL: the ideal Siamese is a medium sized, svelte, refined cat with long tapering lines, very lithe but muscular. Males may be proportionately larger.

HEAD: long tapering wedge. Medium in size in good proportion to body. The total wedge starts at the nose and flares out in straight lines to the tips of the ears forming a triangle, with no break at the whiskers. No less than the width of an eye between the eyes. When the whiskers are smoothed back, the underlying bone structure is apparent. Allowance must be made for jowls in the stud cat.

SKULL: flat. In profile, a long straight line is seen from the top of the head to the tip of the nose. No bulge over eyes. No dip in nose.

EARS: strikingly large, pointed, wide at base; continuing the lines of the wedge.

EYES: almond shaped. Medium size. Neither protruding nor recessed. Slanted towards the nose in harmony with lines of wedge and ears. Uncrossed.

NOSE: long and straight. A continuation of the forehead with no break.

MUZZLE: fine, wedge-shaped.

CHIN and JAW: medium size. Tip of chin lines up with tip of nose in the same vertical plane. Neither receding nor excessively massive.

BODY: medium size. Graceful, long, and svelte. A distinctive combination of fine bones and firm muscles. Shoulders and hips continue same sleek lines of tubular body. Hips never wider than shoulders. Abdomen tight.

NECK: long and slender.

LEGS: long and slim. Hind legs higher than front. In good proportion to body.

PAWS: dainty, small, and oval. Toes: five in front and four behind.

TAIL: long, thin, tapering to a fine point.

COAT: short, fine textured, glossy. Lying close to body.

CONDITION: excellent physical condition. Eyes clear. Muscular, strong, and lithe. Neither flabby nor boney. Not fat.

COLOR: Body: even, with subtle shading when allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color in older cats as Siamese generally darken with age, but there must be definite contrast between body color and points. Points: mask, ears, legs, feet, tail dense and clearly defined. All of the same shade. Mask covers entire face including whisker pads and is connected to ears by tracings. Mask should not extend over the top of the head. No ticking or white hairs in points.

I really like how one breeder described the Siamese, "The Siamese cat combines the grace of the panther, the fleetness of the deer, the softness of a downy chick, the strength of the lion and the affection of a dog in one colorful bundle."

I personally am so hopelessly "hooked" on this breed. It is a passion for me. In this breeder's opinion no other breed compares!!! I admit that just stopping to watch my cats, or looking through a book on Siamese, or browsing web sites, or while at cat shows I feel weak in the knees. I feel overwhelming awe just looking at them and I see them every day!! My breath catches in my throat and all I can do is say, "Wow" as I exhale. I love how when I'm curled up anywhere, whether it is to watch TV, or read a book, at any given time I have 3 or more cats on me, sharing my warmth. This is especially fun when we have kittens that are reaching 5 weeks of age or so, when they are learning that humans also are good to love and cuddle. At that time, I can have whole litters, nursing with their mamas on my lap, or individually snuggled in any nook or cranny my blanket or body may have created for them!! I love what my Grandmother once said; "I may be watching the best movie on TV, but soon forget to watch as I become so caught up in watching my Siamese cats!"

Now I will attempt to describe the specifics of these incredible creatures for you!

Every moment paused in a walk across the floor is a pose- picture worthy- every time. Siamese "stroll" with their long legs, svelte body, dainty oval paws, gracefully curving wrists, long body and remarkable tail, always on the "runway". It has been said that they "suggest movement when at rest, repose when moving".

Siamese are petite with small long bones, yet they are heavy when you pick them up, solid, muscular and strong. Siamese look like they are "put together" with seams; ridges formed by the meeting of fur from two different directions. There are seams running behind the ears and a precious stitched together "T" on the chest where the fur stands out and seems to be the finest, softest brush ever created. The "T" then running down the belly and parting to run behind each hind leg. They have a close fitting gossamer, short, svelte coat -rare in cats, really only found in the breeds that Siamese have been instrumental in creating.

In case you are now wondering, here's a list, though it may not be complete, of the breeds that used Siamese in their founding: Oriental Shorthair, Snowshoe, Seychellois, Himalayans, Havana Browns, Ocicats, Si-Rex, Burmese, Balinese, Manxamese and Tonkinese.

Siamese possess clear, vivid deep blue eyes, sometimes becoming lighter or less intense with the lighter colored points or when the cat is not feeling well. Their eyes are expressive and hauntingly exotic in their slanted foreign oriental gaze. I love when my girls turn their loving doe-like eyes toward me. Sigh!! What beauty is captured in that gaze!

Siamese as a breed make for good family pets, but will often find a favorite human companion -not excluding the other members of the family, but many times picking a favorite. Siamese tend to especially like men more than any other breed. Though I am secure in the huge amounts of love my cats give me, there is no doubt my husband is the Siamese magnet!!

This is a breed with very few health problems, living long healthy lives, and very often-surpassing 20 years of age.

Siamese are highly intelligent. One never really hears of Siamese "forgetting" to use their litter and these types of things. Their intelligence is baffling, even eerie at times. Siamese have been known to get their owner's attention in very creative ways. If their human friend has not taken the hint that "this little Siamese is hungry", they have been known to dig through the garbage to bring an empty cat food can or an empty discarded cat food bag and present it to their owners -a very big hint that I AM HUNGRY, AND I'M TALKING NOW!! They have learned to turn on lights, they open doors, knowing which way to turn knobs, using both paws. These are all actions that your Siamese may learn on its own, but they are also highly trainable!! (A cat trainable?!? Certainly!)

Have you heard of training your cat to use and flush the toilet? We are talking porcelain, human facilities here, not a "kitty toilet" or litter pan. Well, there are books on the subject if toilet training your cat sounds interesting to you, but the point I'm getting to is; Siamese specifically have been proven to learn this method easily. They learn to fetch with no trouble and they are experts at getting you to play too! My Autumn is passionate about playing fetch! The cutest thing she does in this regard is when I am reading and am holding my book vertically (not laying down on a flat surface) she will delicately rest her toy (we call it her baby) on the very top of the pages, sometimes it tumbles down the spine into my lap, but usually if I haven't moved to disturb her trick, it will stay up there!!! It's the cutest thing to see! If I leave it up there she will bat it with her paw just enough to send it tumbling onto my chest in a greater effort to get me to play with her. Siamese can be taught to take a lead much like a dog, they can sit up and beg and can even be trained to come to a whistle!! Their intelligence alone makes this breed an awesome and fun pet to have!

Siamese are highly expressive. They have this "eye-contact" thing going on. Some people don't like this, think it is spooky, but I personally love it!! Someone once said they feel the admiring gaze of their Siamese is a loving stare, urging you to understand the secrets of their heart. The gaze is intense, alert and full of love. When they talk to you, you feel like they mean to tell you something of great importance. They really communicate. It feels like they care, and they honestly do! Siamese can sense your mood. If you are terribly upset and crying, they will crawl on your chest, trying to get as close to you as possible, talking to you, literally wiping your tears away with their tongues. When voices are raised, they will be right there, in the middle, yelling for you to "stop NOW please"!!

Siamese are good with children, especially if they are brought up around children as ours have been here at the Chit-Chat Cattery. We have seen our cats (and we know for a fact this is typical of the breed) become so very fond of our littlest family members that they will allow themselves to be seriously mistreated before retreating. They have a special understanding that these are children and are not intending to be un-kind. If an adult were to attempt the same level of mistreatment, claws and teeth would be promptly met with!! There is a saying that a cat with a child has velvet paws and we have certainly found this to be true. A couple years ago, at my son's 4th birthday party, a group of children attempted to flush Autumn in the toilet. Though she protested loudly, not one child was scratched!

No living animal can compare with the cat as far as a pet for the home is concerned. They are adaptable in apartment or house. Siamese get their exercise in many creative ways not requiring wide-open spaces, but if you give them that space, they will rule every corner with pleasure!

Siamese love to climb up on your shoulders. They love heights and will ride around up there for long periods of time, enjoying their "aerial" tour. The ultimate luxury is a good, tall, sturdy cat tree. If you provide them with somewhere high to perch, somewhere of their own they will use this beloved area over somewhere less safe, like the top of the refrigerator or the top of the cupboards -or, like we have known our cats to do- perch on the slim top of a door!!

They are excellent travelers, not nervous or over-excited. They love car rides and don't mind if they are left in a crate for a period of time. We like to bring the crate for security, but we leave it open and our cats can come and go as they please. More times than not, you will find them curled up in their crate, happily sleeping the trip away.

Many a dog owner has taken a Siamese into his "prejudiced" heart. They feel they are more like a dog than other breeds. Siamese as a breed are so loyal that they often come running when called, especially if you've associated their name with love from the beginning. They have been known to meet the children at the bus stop, and come running to the door when their families return home. They are devoted, carrying a large capacity for love. It has been said, "no cat gives devotion like the Siamese, love him and you will be rewarded forever." You are never bored with a Siamese. He will enrich you life in numerous ways!

Siamese get along exceptionally well with dogs if raised with them. They will be life-long friends and if the dog should pass to his maker before the Siamese, the Siamese will mourn and grieve the loss of his friend for a long time. If you bring a dog into the house after the Siamese has set up rule, you may have quite a period of adjustment. The Siamese will not be forced into friendship. It must be on his own terms, but it will happen, usually with the Siamese never having relinquished his rule.

This is a good time to talk about the dominance of the Siamese. It is almost always the case that a Siamese will "take over" the household. Luckily most Siamese enter as a kitten, which means any older cats will give them space and a lot of leeway. This is their downfall! The Siamese will become top-cat in almost every situation. However, it seems that they easily assume this role, as there doesn't ever seem to be much said about it from the rest of the animals in the household! I suppose it happens slowly enough as the kitten is maturing. I don't mean to say that Siamese cannot accept the other pets in the household, on the contrary -they will become loyal friends, but make no mistake, they most often assume Lordship.

Siamese love warmth and comfort, moving 5 or 6 times across your living room floor chasing a patch of sunlight.

They are very companionable. They will follow you around the house, moving from room to room as you do. When you are working or resting in a particular room, that is where your Siamese will curl up to sleep, yet when you move or begin to work in another room you will undoubtedly find them curled up asleep in there. (Usually sooner rather than later and usually you never saw them actually get up and move!) When you sit, they will sit, when you go to sleep, they will go to sleep. Though cats are nocturnal by nature, your Siamese will adjust to your sleep-schedule (except for their "cat naps", of course!)

Now I must say, Siamese may not be for every one! There are several charming things about this breed, but there are some characteristics that some may not care for. Most find them "enduring", but not all!!

The Siamese cat typically has a very loud voice; they are very vocal, with a high range of sounds, using all vowels as well as r, w, m, n and g. Although they have a heavy voice, they will also "chirp" and go from a sweet, soft plaintive mew to a roar. You would be amazed that such a loud sound can come from such a small animal! The words most pronounced are a rough "Maiow" or "Meowrrr" not your expected "Meow". Most keep up a constant jabbering and they love to "talk" to you and to each other. Speak to them and they will answer. They are highly communicative. They can't speak your literal language but they certainly can communicate.

Do not get a Siamese cat if you want docile and quite, "Don't choose one unless you have patience and are willing to put up with climbing up curtains and attacking furniture. You must have a sense of humor" You must have a bunch of love in your heart and enjoy a mischievous, clever cat. He can be a "problem child". You must be willing to let this cat be who he is or a Siamese cat is not for you!

Siamese are very active and will be this way long into their lives. Where many cats left un-stimulated just sleep their day away, Siamese need extra exercise and will creatively think up ways to amuse themselves that may not amuse you!

Siamese do not like to be left alone. Here at the Chit-Chat Cattery, we rejoice when two kittens are taken together, they will be less lonely and they will amuse themselves as opposed to a single cat that would be set on "finding" things to do! We feel it is especially important to have more than one cat in the situation where you may be leaving your Siamese every day as all the members in the household go to work or school. This kind of an environment is not very good for the morale of your Siamese cat as they are such social animals but a feline companion certainly helps.

Siamese must not be left alone for extended periods of time. While a large supply of water, food and an extra litter pan may take care of their physical needs, they need your love! I've said before, most cats like to be loved, but a Siamese must be loved. They are a very independent breed, but when it comes to emotional needs, they are dependent upon human companionship. They have been known to become depressed, stop eating and literally die when abandoned!

If any of these previous issues could apply to you, please consider another breed. You need a cat to fit your needs and you have an obligation, a responsibility to meet the needs of any feline friend you take into your home.

Well, this is just about all I have to share with you in my own description. The bottom line is this: if you choose to adopt a Siamese baby knowing the traits customary to the breed, if you know what to expect, you will love, love, love, LOVE your new friend. In cats as in people, they are free spirits and each has individual personalities. Not all Siamese will carry each personality trait common to the breed, you may get a docile baby, you may find one with a quite voice but overall, these characteristics are seen over and over again and you will find them in 9 out of 10 of the Siamese you encounter!!

Good luck in your decision! May you have many happy years together!