The Traditional Siamese Cat  (Thai Cat)

The Traditional Siamese, or Old-Style Siamese, is a pedigreed Siamese cat that resembles Siamese common in photos, books, and in motion pictures from the 1880s through the 1960s. Pyewacket, the memorable Siamese featured in the 1950s film Bell, Book, and Candle, was a Traditional Siamese. Nowadays Traditional Siamese are somewhat rare compared to modern Siamese, but in recent years breeders have begun working together to prevent the extinction of this old-style Siamese.

Background

Once upon a time all Siamese cats were just plain Siamese and were not divided into types. They were all basically Oriental in build and "pointed" in pattern, and they looked different from the stocky Persians and domestic European cats of that era. Nevertheless, photos from the early 20th century show that the early Siamese varied. Some Siamese cats were more robust and meatier than others. Some tended to somewhat greater slenderness and finer bones. Some cats tended to be fairly elongated of head and body, but others were scarcely elongated at all. There were very few Siamese in the West in those days; regardless of type those few became the ancestors of today's pedigreed Siamese.

After World War II, the numbers of Siamese increased dramatically and breeders began favoring ever greater slenderness, elongation, and fineness of bone in their Siamese cats. Well known Siamese fancier Hettie Gray Baker wrote in 1951, "I still do not see the importance or the value of changing the looks of a Siamese cat or the persistence breeders show in doing this." But many breeders believed they were improving the breed by making it more homogeneous and typier. They persisted, and selective breeding of Siamese culminated in the development of an ultra-Oriental, ultra-slender, ultra-elongated modern Siamese cat that is now the show cat in FIFE, CFA, and other major cat associations. A few breeders continued to breed Siamese cats that retained a moderate appearance similar to that of many early historic Siamese. Eventually, the latter cats became known as Traditional Siamese.

Numerous historic 19th century and early 20th century Siamese were of the Traditional Siamese type, as seen in photos of Tiam O'Shian IV, Champion Prestwick Perak, Champion Sonia, Champion Wankee, Champion Bonzo, and many more. Because they are bred to retain the appearance of these bygone Siamese cats, the Traditional Siamese today is also known as the Old-Style Siamese. In Germany, Traditional Siamese are known as Thai Cats. Other names for the Traditional Siamese include applehead, Primary Siamese, and Classic Siamese. Strictly speaking, the nickname applehead refers to only the largest and roundest-looking Traditional Siamese.

Breed Recognition and Registration

In most associations, Traditional Siamese are not recognized as a breed in their own right. Instead, Siamese of the old-style and modern types are all just registered as "Siamese." Young kittens of both types look much alike – and occasionally unknowledgable or disreputable breeders will sell kittens as "Traditional Siamese" when they are not. Therefore kitten buyers who want an Old-Style Siamese should examine both of the adult parents to see what the kitten will look like when mature.

In a few associations, such as the Traditional Cat Association (TCA), Traditional Siamese are recognized as a separate breed and their registration papers will state that they are "Traditional Siamese" or "Classic Siamese." (TCA registers appleheads as Traditional Siamese and the somewhat less hefty traditionals as Classic Siamese.) In Germany, the Thai Cats are recognized as a provisional breed in their own right.

It is also possible to find authentic Traditional Siamese that are registered as Colorpoint Shorthairs (e.g., in CFA). If so registered, this means that they are essentially Siamese but have an ancestor that was some pointed color other than seal, chocolate, blue, or lilac point. Kittens or cats registered as Oriental Shorthairs cannot possibly be genuine Traditional Siamese.

Pedigree

All reputable Traditional Siamese breeders should sell kittens with both registration forms and a pedigree. There is no excuse for not doing this. Breeders interested in preventing the breed from becoming extinct will register all breeding cats to promote responsible breeding practices, avoid unnecessary inbreeding, and ensure the future viability of the breed. Breeders who do not register their cats are not breeding with the welfare of the breed in mind, and it is questionable whether they are breeding genuine Traditional Siamese. The pedigree should consist of a family tree that shows the kitten's ancestors for several generations, complete with their names and registration numbers. Traditional Siamese may be registered with any of a variety of cat associations. Some of those associations allow breeders to use previously unregistered cats in their breeding programs and register them as "foundation stock" or on an "ancestry list." The purpose of this sort of open registration is to allow breeders to bring new blood into an endangered breed. For example, some breeders have imported unregistered cats from Thailand. If foundation stock are in the pedigree, then the foundation cats themselves and all other cats in the pedigree should have registration numbers. The breeder should also be able to tell you where the foundation cats came from and should be able to tell you why she selected them for her breeding program. She should be able to show you the foundation cats themselves or at least photos of those cats – or she should be able to refer you to another breeder who can do this.

Colors

The Traditional Siamese occurs in the same four colors as the modern Siamese: seal point, chocolate point, blue point, and lilac point. In most associations, newer additional colors and patterns are recognized as Siamese, such as red point, cinnamon point, tortie point, and lynx point. In some associations, cats of the newer colors are registered as Colorpoint Shorthairs, rather than as Siamese.

Body Type

Because there are several different organized groups of breeders working with these cats around the world, there are several breed standards that have been proposed and they differ somewhat from each other. The following is a composite based on review of multiple standards. The nickname "applehead" is in common use but misleading when applied to the Traditional Siamese. These cats are definitely not built like shorthaired Himalayans. They do not have truly cobby bodies or  truly round skulls. Traditional Siamese are never extreme: neither extremely cobby nor extremely svelte. They are moderate-looking cats that can fall anywhere within a range of moderate Oriental body types, but all are much less extreme than the modern Siamese and have much more substantial bodies. The Traditional Siamese has a modified wedge head that is considerably broader and shorter than that of the modern Siamese. In the more robust so-called appleheads, the head looks almost round because of the broadness of the wedge and the substantial meatiness of the cheeks and jaws. Nevertheless, the underlying wedge shape of the skull is quite apparent in young kittens before they "fill out" as adults. Many Traditional Siamese have a visible modified wedge shape to the head that is pleasingly rounded and not at all extreme. In fact, the heads of these cats are roughly similar to those of other moderate Oriental breeds, such as the Tonkinese, Abyssinian, Korat, and Japanese Bobtail. Traditional Siamese tend to have mildly elongated bodies and tails, though in the chunkiest Traditional Siamese that may not be immediately obvious. Bone structure is medium to robust, never fine-boned. Ears may be medium to slightly large in size. Eyes should be shaped like the wide side of an almond and only mildly slanted.

Personality

Both Traditional Siamese and modern Siamese are descended from exactly the same original Siamese ancestors and have exactly the same interactive personality and keen intelligence for which Siamese have always been famous. These are cats that develop close relationships with their people. Some just want to sit in your lap as you read or work at the computer. Others will insist on balancing on your shoulder to see what you see, poking an inquiring paw into everything you touch, leaping from refrigerators to your chest expecting you to catch them. They will learn your habits and will sometimes know you better than you know yourself. What Traditional Siamese cannot tolerate is being ignored for days at a time. They are lively, vocal, interactive cats and will only be happy with people who treat them like the little people they are, with friendship and respect.

Author:

Dr. Cristy Bird

Email: sarsenstone@earthlink.net

Web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~sarsenstone

For more information:

Prestwick-Beresford Historic Siamese Association (PREHISIA) (North America)
Traditional Cat Association (TCA) (North America)
Traditional Siamese FAQ (North America)
The Natural Siamese Cat (United Kingdom)