The old-fashioned Siamese — a rounder head, sturdier body and gentler wedge than the modern show cat, with the same razor-sharp mind and famous voice.
- Origin
- Thailand (Siam)
- Category
- shorthair
- Lifespan
- 12–20 yrs
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.5–6 kg
- Coat
- Short, close-lying single coat
- Colours
- Seal, chocolate, blue and lilac point
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Siamese is one of the oldest recognised breeds, depicted in the Thai manuscript the Tamra Maew centuries ago and first exhibited in the West in the 1880s. The 'traditional' or 'applehead' type preserves the stockier, rounder cat of that era, before decades of selective breeding stretched the modern show Siamese into its extreme wedge-shaped silhouette. Breeders who preferred the original look kept the traditional line going, and it is now registered by several clubs under names such as Thai and Old-Style Siamese.
🧼 Care & grooming
Grooming is minimal — a weekly stroke with a rubber brush keeps the short coat glossy. The real work is mental and social: these cats bond intensely with their people, hate being left alone for long stretches, and thrive with puzzle feeders, clicker training and a companion animal. Their striking blue eyes and pointed pattern deepen with age and cooler temperatures.
🩺 Health notes
Generally hardy and long-lived, with the traditional type avoiding some of the dental and respiratory concerns linked to more extreme head shapes. Watch for amyloidosis, dental disease and the breed's tendency toward separation-related stress. Keep vaccinations and annual check-ups current.