What is a SIAMESE (Modern ,Traditional, Wedge-head, Apple Head) ?

What is a COLORPOINT SHORTHAIR ?

How are they related to the ORIENTAL Cat ??

While the story of the Siamese and Oriental Shorthair cats in North America is still relatively new, the history of the cats now known as “Siamese” and “Orientals” began in the streets of old Siam many decades ago.

There is evidence that there were two types of early Siamese cats in Siam. Most present day Siamese breeders regard the apple head as a British phenomenon resulting from outcrosses in their early breeding programs while a cat with a leaner body type was most likely seen on the streets of Siam.

The first pair of Siamese breeding cats exported to Great Britain as a gift from the Palaces of Siam were Seal Points (due to that pattern‘s popularity with Royalty), but old manuscripts and drawings depict native cats of angular body type in a variety of patterns and colors living on the streets of Siam at that time.

Since the pointed pattern is recessive (meaning it's “carried” on a full colored cat and only expressed when two such genes come together in the mating of a pair) it can't be argued the first ever Pointed cat must have originated from a breeding of at least one full colored parent!

Today, pedigreed Oriental and Siamese cats are registered differently depending on which registry one is working with. Some North American and European registries simply recognize an Oriental breed group and designate based on pattern: Siamese is pointed, Oriental is full color (Siamese in designer genes). Those Associations consider all possible and new colors and pattern combinations within their group and matings are allowed between the Siamese and Oriental cats. Siamese with long hair are called Balinese, and Orientals in long hair are called Oriental Longhair in North America.

Other associations only recognize the Siamese cat in four main colors and one pattern - Solid point in Seal, Chocolate, Blue and Lilac. CFA and CCA Siamese in other colors are called COLORPOINT SHORTHAIR and pointed cats from Oriental genetics are POINTED ORIENTAL.

To make matters more complicated, a newer breed, the “Traditional Siamese” is being promoted as an old type of Siamese although it is not registered as a Siamese in most registries nor can it compete against pedigreed Siamese cats in the show rings of those clubs. The Traditional breeders are attempting to re-create the look of the pointed cats produced by early breeding programs in Britain and N. America – a look which was the result of outcross matings to other breeds. Apple Head is a term often used to describe the cats resulting from Siamese outcrosses in Britain to the rounder and larger British Shorthair cat which yielded                                                              Colorpoint British Shorthair cats.

Claims by Traditional breeders that there are three types of Siamese - Traditional, Apple Head or Modern/Wedge head - are misleading. Breeders of cats registered as Siamese are breeding against a recognized standard of excellence which describes an angular, long and svelt cat of medium size. The goal of the Siamese breed group is to preserve and promote the Siamese look. Good examples of our breed are called “Show Quality”, not Modern or Wedge Head!! Lesser examples of our breed are termed “Pet”, and do not resemble either the Traditional or Apple Head as described by the Traditional breed group.

All this is unnecessarily confusing to a pet owner who just wants a healthy, happy pointed or non-pointed cat with Oriental/Siamese features. Politics and policies should not impact on your decision when it comes to adopting a new feline family member. If a registered Color Point Shorthair, a Siamese and a Pointed Oriental cat were sitting side by side, you would not perceive a difference !

Choose your breed based on reputation of the breeder, cat’s personality, preferred pattern or color and availability. A good breeder will be able to provide any pertinent ancestry for your chosen kitten including photos and a pedigree showing colors and patterns of relatives if you're interested.