In this section I have included information about various types to help you differentiate
between the applehead, old-style and classic, the three main types found within the
traditional group of Siamese cats. We will also be discussing coat color, eye color, nose
leather and paw pads. We will be starting from the largest of the three types going down
to the most sleek. The Balinese is also included in these group of body types, known as
the long-haired Siamese.
TYPES OF BODY SHAPE, COAT COLOR & EYE COLOR
In this section I have included information about various types to help you differentiate between the applehead, old-style and classic, the three main types found within the traditional group of Siamese cats. We will also be discussing coat color, eye color, nose leather and paw pads. We will be starting from the largest of the three types going down to the most sleek. The Balinese is also included in these groups of body types and is known as the long-haired Siamese.
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The profile of the applehead Siamese is a more stocky, big-boned and heavier build of the three Siamese cats. It is also larger in bone structure. The given term, “applehead” is due to its head that resembles the shape of an apple, very round. The applehead’s nose profile has an obvious dip that can be seen when the head is turned on its side. The word “dip” is what breeders are referring to when describing a break in the nose. Its nose is also shorter when viewed side on. Additionally, the applehead typically has shorter and smaller ears.
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TRADITIONAL APPLEHEAD
The profile of the old-style Siamese is a more medium-size Siamese in bone structure. The shape of the head is more of an oval tilted vertically. The old-style Siamese has a slightly elongated face compared to the applehead. It is also slightly more athletic in built than then the applehead Siamese . The coats of all three types of Siamese cats are short and dense, yet soft and “springy” to touch. The old-style Siamese nose profile has as a less pronounced dip than the traditional applehead as seen above.
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TRADITIONAL OLD STYLE
The profile of the classic Siamese is a more elegant athletic muscular shaped body and is just as healthy as the applehead Siamese and the old-style Siamese. Lighter on their feet than the two mentioned above, the classic Siamese yet again has a slightly more elongated shape to its head then the applehead Siamese and old-style Siamese, but is not extreme in any way. It also has a slightly more elongated body, legs and tail. Their ears are larger and higher situated on the head than the two mentioned above. Its nose is longer, making the nozzle appear longer, when viewed side on. It is still part of the three groups of Siamese cats that originated from Siam. The old-style Siamese and classic Siamese possess the original body types that came from Siam. These cats have been known to live well into their teens. The classic Siamese nose profile has as almost no dip that can be seen when the head is turn on its side.
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TRADITIONAL CLASSIC
I do not sell the wedge Siamese cat, but thought that is was necessary to describe it. The wedge Siamese is far more elongated and more extreme in body type than the traditional. The name “wedge” derives from the wedge-shaped head, like a triangle, very sharp and pointed. The wedge Siamese head is delineated by an absolutely straight profile and aligned chin. From the Tip of its nose and through to the corner extending to the two accented large ears that complete the wedge like shaped head. The eyes are a more slanted, almond-like shape and set one eye width between the eyes. The rest of the body is longer, thinner, tubular and svelte looking. The wedge Siamese nose profile has no dip that can be seen when the head is turn on its side. Its nose is also a lot wider than the above three groups of Siamese. Like the wedge Siamese, the Thai (old-style) Siamese is now shown at TICA and CFF Cat Shows.
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WEDGE SIAMESE
Picture of Grand Champion Forever Love Song, belonging to SAHJA Siamese, profiles a V shaped head from tip of nose to ears.
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COLOR POINTS, PAW PADS & NOSE LEATHER
SEAL POINT SIAMESE: All Siamese cats descended from Seal Point, the Dominant and the darkest of all four basic colors. The Seal Point is almost Black, dark brown in color. The younger have lighter bodies than the older cats. Body is pale fawn and shaded on shoulders and back. The points include facial mask, ears, legs, feet and tail. All Siamese kittens are born white. The original Royal Cat of Siam was the Royal Seal and is described as what is now known as the Seal Point Siamese, the first variety of Siamese to gain recognition. Most sorted and prized is the Seal Point, considered a royal color, and is said to be most Siamese. While other colors were slowly introduced they took some time to be accepted. The Blue Point was the next variety after the seal to gain recognition. Chocolate was the third and lastly, Lilac. Therefore, for many decades, these colors were the only recognized varieties of the Siamese type. The Red Point variety is one of the more recent additions followed closely by the Tabby. Although some associations recognize the Red Point, Lynx and Tortie Points as being within the Siamese Class, CFA and other registries list them as a separate breed known as Color Points. Most Fanciers support the theory that only the four basic colors, are truly Siamese. The others are hybrids or man-made. They are not fully Siamese. Flame Points, for example, are larger than other colors, being a cross between the America Shorthair and the Siamese. The Tabby, or Lynx Point, is another hybrid breed resulting from crossing a Siamese with a Tabby Domestic Cat. The Flame Point Siamese bred to a Seal Point results in a Tortoiseshell Siamese.
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Nose leather is jet black color or Seal brown. Paw pads are jet black. Can also appear seal brown in color.
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BLUE POINT SIAMESE: is a diluted color of Seal. Slate Blue and silver in color. Body is a pale shaded gray blue, not beige.
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Nose leather is a grey color. Paw pads are a Slate grayish color.
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CHOCOLATE POINT SIAMESE: is a variation of the Seal point. They are milk or dark chocolate in color and the body is cream/white with some or no shading. Seen in picture below is a Sweet & Bitter (Dark) Chocolate Point.
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Nose leather is a chocolate brown color. Paw pads are peachee/cinnamon pink with a brownish tint.
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LILAC POINT SIAMESE: are dilutes of chocolate points. They are known as Frost points in some parts of the States. Points are a light frosty grey with a pinkish tone. Their bodies are glacial white and are lightly shaded.
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Nose leather is lavender pink in color. Paw pads are Pinkish in color.
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There is speculation that the four basic colors of the Siamese, Seal, Blue, Chocolate and Lilac have slightly different personalities. Whether such differences may be attributed to the color gene is questionable, however, it is an interesting hypothesis.
Seal: They seem to be more self-confident, the Alpha, and think that they know it all and like to rule the roost if possible. They are far more aristocratic, bold and more Siamese in temperament. They are known for being more possessive of their owners and dislike change in their environment. They are more dignified than the other colors.
Chocolate: They are the clowns and most extroverted of the breed because they like to entertain you. Generally more playful, which makes them ideal for children. They are also extremely affectionate and love to kiss and nibble your ears. They want to have fun and will go along with almost anything.
Blue: They are most loyal to their owners, extremely affectionate and generally are more active. They tend to be less talkative and quiet, if this is possible for the Siamese breed and only speak when there is something important to say. They will purr just because their eyes meet your eyes. They love to jump on your shoulder and be carried around. They care the most about being close to their owners. They will purr all night if allowed to sleep with you. They are rarely aggressive with other cats.
Lilac: Has a more mature, introverted, and thoughtful type of temperament. More likely to get jealous if they think that you’re paying more attention to another cat. Therefore, unlike the other colors, they prefer and tend to bond better with humans than with cats, thus this makes them the King of lap cats. They demand your attention and are very clever at getting it. They have a subtle beauty of their own and believe that they are truly superior in their beauty and intelligence.
**These character generalizations are fun to note, but perhaps, should not be taken seriously, as personalities derive from complex interrelationship between genes and the effect of environment.
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THE PERSONALITY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLORS
Many Siamese fanciers regard the eyes of the Siamese their most valuable feature. In certain light they appear to glow red. They vary in their depth of color and are collectively made up of many shades of blue, but appear as one solid color. The eye color of the Siamese can take up to two years to fully develop its richness of blue. The blue color has often been likened to various shades of blue owing to the gene responsible for the Siamese pigmentation. The shades of blue might range from the palest blue to blues associated with the flower of forget-me-nots or to that of the sapphire gemstone, a deep violet blue. I have made a eye chart that is consist with three main undertones that are found in the Siamese eyes: The yellow to pale yellow. The grayish to white hue. The red to a paler red. The different blues combine to form the dominant blue fact that can be seen.
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From left: Eye chart consisting of a blend of the undertones, yellow,grey and red, from light to dark blue. Lightest to darkest, the three blended undertones are seen in the eye color chart.
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EYE COLOR CHART
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