Vocal Siamese have distinct personalities
The Siamese breed has infatuated westerners since their arrival in England in the late 1800s.
These fancy felines are considered to be a “natural” breed — one that developed without the intervention of man. Siamese cats originated in Thailand (formerly Siam), hence the breed’s name.
The Siamese is described and depicted in “The Cat-Book Poems,” a manuscript written in the city of Ayuda sometime between 1350 and the 1700s. They were generally owned by royalty and monks of Buddhist temples. These felines were considered royalty. I ask you, has anything really changed in the last thousands of years?
The Siamese breed still believes it is royalty, hence the unique Siamese personality. Siamese are vocal and affectionate, and they clearly choose the humans they wish to interact with.
They talk to us and gaze at us as if they are communicating thoughts or ideas. They will keep up the clamor until their human caregivers get the message they are trying to convey. For feline fanciers who prefer their cats be seen and not heard, the Siamese breed is not for you. Besides being vocal, this breed is busy, active and affectionate.
All Siamese cats are pointed. Points refer to the color of the face, ears, tail and paws. The term is generally used in combination with a color. The pointed pattern is a form of partial albinism, or a genetic mutation of an enzyme involved in melanin production. This results in darker coloration in the coolest areas of the feline’s body, including extremities and face, which is cooled by the passage of air through the sinuses.
The original Siamese cats that ended up in Europe were mostly seal pointed (extremely dark brown, almost black). Soon blue points (a cool gray) were popping up and accepted as a mutation of seal. Other point colors include chocolate (light brown) and lilac (pale gray). Outcrosses with other breeds have created other point patterns, such as flame and lynx point (tabby).
Did you know that besides coloration variations there are two distinct types of Siamese? The original Siamese from Siam was long in body and muscular. These Siamese are called “traditional” or “apple-heads.” Their faces are very round and their body type and style do not fit with today’s show standards.
The Siamese of today requires a slim, long tubular body with super-long legs. The face presents itself as a smooth wedge with large ears. There are fanciers for both body and head types.
I believe what Siamese enthusiasts really love is not just the look but the personality. My personal experience with Siamese cats would lend my opinion to the following conclusion: The more streamlined and wedged the Siamese is, the louder and more vocal it is.
Please meet today’s adoptables, who are both Siamese and represent two different body styles and points.
AdoptablesTiffany is a petite, streamlined, lynx-point female who is about 1 to 2 years old. Her color pattern is lilac and tabby, and her personality is as friendly as can be.She was abandoned in a church entryway with her two kittens. The church pastor found her kittens in a basket, and she was standing next to the basket crying for sanctuary and aid. The pastor called Buddy to see if we would take in the entire family. Of course, we did.Tiffany#146;s kittens have found homes. Now it is mom#146;s turn. Tiffany was spayed as soon as her kittens were weaned. She remains a sweet, charming girl despite her ordeal. She also gets along with other felines.Queen Bess is a blue-pointed, long-coated, elegant girl who is spayed. Bess turns 1 year at the end of this month. She is so friendly that she is the first to greet when anyone enters the room. As a bonus, she is front-paw declawed and loves feline company.Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights or online at thebuddyfoundation.org. 36492433Tiffany