Renowned for their distinctive appearance, strong personalities and talkative natures, Siamese cats are one of the most famous breeds of all.
They’re also a particular favorite with the Catizens team! With this in mind, we’ve written a detailed guide about this elegant breed.
As well as providing a little background, we’ll be looking at the different breed variations as well as typical traits inherent in all Siamese cats.
Should you be considering adoption, or just want to know more about these elegant felines, then read on!
So what are the different breeds of Siamese cats?
Traditional Siamese Cats
Traditional Siamese cats are the original representation of this wonderful breed.
They closely reflect Siamese cats’ authentic characteristics as they were once found in their homeland, Thailand.
There are two primary variations: Applehead and Classic.
Applehead Siamese
The Applehead Siamese, also known as the traditional Siamese, is characterized by its round, apple-shaped head, muscular body and medium to large size.
They have large, expressive blue almond-shaped eyes, which contrast beautifully with their sleek coats.
Classic Siamese
The Classic Siamese, aka the ‘Old-Style Siamese’, has a slightly more elongated body and head.
They possess a graceful, medium-sized body with a moderately wedge-shaped head.
Their large, pointed ears are set wide apart and they have those recognisable and stunning blue almond-shaped eyes.
Modern Siamese Cats
The modern Siamese cat (Wedgehead Siamese or Show Siamese) is a more recent development of the breed.
These variations have been selectively bred to accentuate certain features.
These result in a more accentuated, elegant appearance compared to traditional breeds.
There are a number of modern variations.
Wedgehead Siamese (Show Siamese)
The Wedgehead Siamese, often called a Show Siamese, is known for its sleek, slender body and dramatic wedge-shaped head.
It has tubular body structure, long legs and a long, tapering tail.
The wedge-shaped head is characterized by a straight profile, with a fine, chiselled bone structure.
The large, triangular ears sit high on the head, which further accentuates the wedge shape.
Their blue almond-shaped eyes are set at a slight angle, lending the cat a distinct and striking appearance.
The coat is short, glossy and close-fitting, emphasizing the elegant physique, while showing off the well-defined color points.
Thai Siamese (also known as Wichienmaat)
The Thai Siamese, or Wichienmaat, more closely resembles traditional variations.
They possess a moderately wedge-shaped head with a more rounded forehead, lending them a slightly softer facial expression compared to the Wedgehead.
Their body is sturdy and muscular, with a slightly rounded chest.
The Thai Siamese has a medium-length tail, which is thicker at the base and tapers to a point.
The eyes are a captivating blue, while the distinctive oval shape is slightly slanted towards the outer edges of the ears.
The coat is short, silky and lies close to the body.
Siamese Cat Colorpoint Variations
Siamese cats come in a variety of colorpoint variations.
‘Colorpoint’ refers to the distinct color pattern in which the ears, face, paws, and tail (the points) are darker than the rest of the cat’s body.
This unique coloring is a result of temperature-sensitive genes that produce darker pigmentation in cooler areas of the cat’s body.
Here are some of the most common Siamese cat colorpoint variations
Seal Point
Seal Point Siamese cats have a cream-colored body with dark brown, almost black, color points on their ears, face, paws and tail.
The contrast between the body and point color is distinct and striking. As they age, the body color may darken, but the points will always remain darker.
Chocolate Point
Chocolate Point Siamese cats have an ivory-colored body with warm, chocolate-shaded points. Their paw pads and nose leather are also chocolate-colored.
The contrast between the body and point colors is generally less dramatic than in Seal Points, giving the Chocolate Point Siamese a softer overall appearance.
Blue Point
Blue Point Siamese cats have a bluish-white body with slate blue points. The blue color is derived from the dilution of the seal color gene.
The Blue Point has a cool and elegant appearance, with the body and point colors presenting a more subtle contrast than other breed variants.
Lilac Point
Lilac Point Siamese cats have a glacial white body with frosty grey points that exhibit a slight pinkish tone. Their nose leather and paw pads are lavender-pink.
This unique color is a result of the dilution of both the seal and chocolate genes.
Lilac Points are considered to possess one of the most delicate and refined color variations, featuring a soft and subtle contrast between the body and point colors.
Red Point (Flame Point)
Red Point Siamese cats, also known as Flame Point Siamese, have a creamy white body with vibrant, deep orange-red points, while the paw pads and nose are pink.
The warm and vivid appearance of the Red Point Siamese truly sets it apart from other color variations.
Cream Point
The Cream Point Siamese has a pale cream-colored body with slightly darker cream points on the ears, face, paws, and tail.
The contrast between the body and point colors is generally more subtle compared to other colorpoints.
Lynx Point (Tabby Point)
Lynx Point Siamese cats, also known as Tabby Point Siamese, have a base color similar to many other Siamese color variations.
But their points feature distinct tabby markings due to the introduction of the tabby gene.
As well as Lynx, there’s an assortment of color combinations including Blue, Chocolate, Choco and Lilac.
These colour variations offer a unique blend of Siamese elegance along with the classic tabby pattern.
Tortie Point
Tortie Point Siamese cats showcase a mix of colors, usually a blend of red or cream with seal, blue, chocolate or lilac.
This unique appearance is a result of the combination of the colorpoint gene and the
Their paw pads and nose leather can be a mix of shades that correspond to their point colors.
The Tortie Point Siamese is prized for its beautiful, intricate and individualistic color patterns.
General Personality Traits of Siamese Cats
Irrespective of breed variation, there are numerous personality traits common to all Siamese cats.
As well as being highly-intelligent, Siamese cats are known for being vocal – their calls are elaborate, expressive and very distinctive.
They’re also very, very keen to be around humans. Once they’ve formed a bond (usually with one carer), they show the kind of loyalty usually found in dogs.
So strong is this bond that when they’re left alone for extended periods, separation anxiety often sets in.
To prevent this, it’s often recommended to adopt two Siamese cats.
The Siamese breed is also highly-intelligent, outgoing and affection.
Keep in mind though that each Siamese cat is an individual and that their personality will be influenced by their genetics, upbringing, and environment.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Siamese breed comprises a diverse array of variations, each with its own unique appearance and charm.
What’s more, the wide range of colorpoint variations further accentuates the beauty and allure of these elegant felines.
This is why they’re our favorite breed here at Catizens!
FAQs about Siamese Cat Breeds
Q – How can I tell if a Siamese cat is purebred?
Can a cat look Siamese but not be Siamese?
Q – What is the difference between old style Siamese and modern?
A – Traditional Siamese cats, such as the Applehead and Classic Siamese, have rounder or moderately wedge-shaped heads and a more muscular body.
In contrast, Modern Siamese cats, like the Wedgehead and Thai Siamese, have a more slender body and a dramatic wedge-shaped head with larger ears and more angular features.
Q – What breed of Siamese cat do I have?
A – Head shape, body structure and coat color are the main indicators of breed.
For instance, traditional Siamese tend to have sturdier bodies and rounder heads.
However, modern breeds have slender bodies and more angular features such as wedge-shaped heads.
Q – Are Siamese cats hypoallergenic?
A – Siamese cats are indeed hypoallergenic, producing fewer allergens in comparison to other breeds.
Their short coat and minimal shedding may help rto educe allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals
Q – How long do Siamese cats typically live?
A – On average, Siamese cats live from 12 to 20 years. How old they live will depend on the level of care provided, their diet and the environment in which they live.
Q – Are Siamese cats good with children and other pets?
A – Siamese cats are very sociable and friendly, making them ideal feline companions for families with children and other pets.
Bear in mind that a tolerance for children and animals will vary between breeds.
Thus, it’s important to supervise initial interactions, especially with regards children.
Q – What is the rarest Siamese cat?
A – The rarest Siamese cat is likely the Lilac Point Siamese. This color variation is unique and delicate, displaying a glacial white body with frosty grey points that exhibit a slight pinkish tone.
