| There are many types of Siamese and choosing is a | | | | For years they've been shunned, but that has |
| major decision since the one you choose will be with | | | | changed. |
| you for years to come - and they are different. Here | | | | Long-haired Siamese: the Balinese and Javanese. From |
| are some of the differences to help you navigate | | | | the start of Siamese breeding, long-haired Siamese |
| the Siamese cat maze. | | | | occasionally turned up in the litters. The breeders |
| Do you know that Siamese cats come in different | | | | kept this quiet and sold them as house cats rather |
| body shapes? | | | | than Siamese - they were seen as odd and bad for |
| They do, and you have a choice of body shape. If | | | | the breed (as though their precious Siamese had |
| you are a a bit on the older side (just a bit, mind | | | | mated with a plain old stray). Eventually long-hairs |
| you) then you'll remember the more chunky Siamese. | | | | started to be appreciated and now these |
| If you liked this cuddly cat, make sure you approach | | | | great-natured, beautiful cats with easy-to-comb |
| a Traditional, Classic, Thai or Applehead Siamese | | | | coats are much sought after. |
| breeder for your dream kitten. If you've fallen for | | | | What about colors? Aren't they confusing? |
| the Modern style with the extra large ears, small | | | | Of course they are, even for the expert. In the |
| head, elongated body and thin tail, you'll be looking | | | | USA, Siamese come in Seal (very dark brown - |
| for a Modern Style cat breeder. This is a rather | | | | almost black), Chocolate (brown), Blue (grey) and |
| simplistic explanation and you can spend days reading | | | | Lilac (pale grey) points. All the other colors are simply |
| up on the differences - but at least this is a good | | | | called Color point short-hairs - this is where you'll find |
| start. | | | | all the complex color mixes as well as the red/ginger |
| Are you confused by words like color points, | | | | points, tabby markings and Lynx markings. In the UK, |
| pedigree and conformity - so much so you don't | | | | all the colors are simply described as Siamese. |
| even know what questions to ask the breeder? | | | | You can also shop for cats that look and act like |
| Here is a handy little list to help you out. | | | | Siamese but are a single color all over - white, black, |
| - Points, for example, as in seal point or chocolate | | | | brown and blue. If you like the idea of these you will |
| point. A point describes the Siamese's darker | | | | be looking for Foreign Solids, Oriental Short-hairs, |
| extremities, or 'points' - ears, tail, legs and snout. | | | | Smoke Orientals, Shaded Orientals - and that's just a |
| Breeders call the snout the mask) | | | | start but it gets real confusing. As you've just seen, |
| - Flame point? This describes the color of the point in | | | | not only are there plenty of different colors and |
| this case ginger or red. Chocolate point? You guessed | | | | shapes, but they even have different names |
| it. Brown. | | | | depending on the country. Confusing? You bet. |
| - When it comes to types of Siamese do they only | | | | A few words of warning: pedigree prices for |
| vary in the color they come in? No actually, you can | | | | barnyard mixes |
| get these color points but in a long haired Siamese! | | | | Generally speaking, a cheap Siamese is probably not a |
| They are given a different name the Balinese and | | | | pedigree one. If it's a purebred, the breeder will |
| Javanese but they are still Siamese! | | | | charge full price. After all, there are waiting lists for |
| - Another word you will come across is pedigree, | | | | these cats so why sell at a discount? Also to breed |
| which applies to breeding: a pedigree cat's ancestors | | | | cats professionally and ethically takes care, |
| and matings will have been recorded throughout the | | | | knowledge and money. The breeders' kitten prices |
| generations, and you'll have proof of that from the | | | | reflect these costs. |
| cat's pedigree papers, which you'll receive from the | | | | So what else do we need to look out for apart from |
| breeder when you purchase your kitten. | | | | the cost of the kitten, that indicate poor breeding |
| - Cat shows: these are competitions where cats | | | | practices? |
| compete for prizes, rather like a pageant or beauty | | | | - large numbers of breeding queens (females) with |
| contest. They are great places to get to know | | | | kittens on show during your visit to the breeder. You |
| breeders and their cats before you shop for that | | | | cannot care for loads of kittens all at once and the |
| special kitten. | | | | risk of infection is increased. |
| - Good conformity: this refers to whether the cat or | | | | - Kittens sneezing, kittens with discharges from the |
| kitten looks how it should according to the cat club | | | | nose or eyes or smelling unpleasant |
| that the breeder belongs to. | | | | - mother cats and kittens in cages rather than in the |
| Having sorted out some of the words lets learn | | | | home. Caged kittens will not be socialized or tamed. |
| about the way they should look. | | | | - hard-sell, where the breeder wants to sell but |
| Do you have your heart set on a Blue point Siamese | | | | doesn't care about vetting the buyer |
| kitten? | | | | - kittens that have not been vet checked or |
| You'll only have the breeder's word that this is what | | | | vaccinated |
| you're actually getting. | | | | - kittens under 12 weeks old - they're not ready to |
| Make sure you know what your favorite color | | | | leave their mothers yet and a reputable breeder |
| actually looks like before you shop. Photos from | | | | knows this. |
| breeders' websites will help you, especially photos of | | | | - trying to sell the kitten as a pedigree but not |
| kittens so you'll be able to compare. Kittens don't | | | | providing the pedigree papers, if it is a pedigree then |
| develop their final colors for many months so don't | | | | both the kitten and the parents will have papers. |
| expect to see miniature adults! Another way to | | | | There are many types of Siamese to choose from |
| make sure you get the color you want is to check | | | | and these initial explanations will at least get you |
| the pedigree papers of both your kitten and the | | | | started: the more you know, the more confident |
| parents. No pedigree papers? Run! | | | | you'll feel about the buying process. And - isn't |
| Want to know more about the long-haired Siamese? | | | | planning half the fun? |