Description

The Traditional Siamese (aka Applehead Siamese) is one of the oldest breeds of domestic cats. It preserves the look of the breed much as it existed when originally imported from Siam - a muscular, athletic cat, with round head and brilliant blue eyes and the striking contrast between point and body color that characterizes the breed. They are very calm, affectionate cats, typically healthy and long-lived - 15-20 years is average, and over 20 is not uncommon.

Characteristics and Temperament

The Traditional Siamese is an intelligent, people-oriented cat that enjoys human companionship - whether it be as a lap warmer or chasing a toy. They are inquisitive and friendly, and like nothing better than to sit in the middle of something you are trying to read. They talk to their people in an affectionate, conversational way.

With their calm temperaments, they are well-adapted to life in either a house or an apartment. They are not in perpetual motion - they have a fairly balanced activity level and are just as happy to chase a toy as to curl up in your lap for a snooze.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Traditional Siamese friendly with other people?
Yes. They love people, and most will go right up to strangers and demand to be petted. They have the somewhat perverse nature of most cats, so are sometimes most attracted to people who either don't like cats or are allergic to them.

How are they with children?
They are good family pets, and are very indulgent of small children - they will tolerate liberties (not to be confused with ill-treatment) >from them that they will not take from adults. When they've had enough, they simply make themselves unavailable. Most of them learn to sheathe their claws when playing with people, and it is rare to be scratched.

Are they good with seniors?
With their mellow temperament they are very good with seniors - they are marvelous companions and lap cats.

How are they with other pets?
When introduced at an early age, they will usually become friends with dogs or other animals. An adult cat that is already used to dogs is a wonderful "teacher" for puppies entering the home as a pet. Cat Stevens, big brother, babysits one of the kittens.

How many cats should I have?
Single cats in a household do fine, though they can get lonely if left alone during the day, and will therefore demand more of your attention in the evenings. Two cats, especially if they are close in age, become good friends and are often found sleeping or playing together and grooming each other. But they still crave human attention, too. Photo gallery from Brad living in Deadwood, proud owner of brothers from the October 5, 2002 litter.

Are they intelligent?
They are very intelligent - which does not necessarily mean that they are easy to train. Each cat has a different personality - some, if you tell them "No" once, will desist from the activity forever, while those with the more mischievous natures, though they know it's forbidden, will merely wait until you're not around, and then do it anyway. :-) Many Traditional Siamese are quite adept at teaching humans the game of fetch or other tricks. Some cats will readily learn to walk on a harness and leash. These behaviors are far more successful if introduced at an early age.

Do they scratch furniture?
Not usually - it's very easy to train them to use a scratching post, and most breeders do this. In general, they prefer a nice carpet or sisal-covered scratching post to your favorite sofa.

Are they noisy?
One of the traits a Siamese cat is known for is its voice. They can be extremely loud, and sometimes it sounds like your cat is in absolute torment, when in fact he's just trying to make a point. It's not uncommon for people on the other end of the phone to ask if there is a baby crying.

Traditionals tend to be less vocal than the modern cats - though some have the harsh "you're killing me" voice, others have a rather quiet meow. Some are non-stop talkers, while others don't talk unless they have something important to say. The voice and conversational style is apparent from kittenhood, so you'll know what you're getting into.

Do they have any bad habits?
When there are no people around, they like to be up high, and can often be found on the top of bookcases, refrigerators, or curio cabinets. If you can't find your cat, look up. It's probably best to keep any breakables off of high shelves. Check out Cat Skinner up to the ceiling looking to see if he can go any higher.

What are points?
Points refer to the face, ears, tail, and paws - the term is generally used in combination with color. "Seal Point" means the cat has seal colored (dark brown) points as Cat Stevens pictured just below, while a "Blue Point" has blue (gray) coloring just like Cat Skinner in the photo below Cat Stevens. Both are kittens we've kept as personal pets from different litters.

Will a male or a female make a better pet?
Sex of the cat makes no difference as long as they are neutered/ spayed.

Are they outdoor cats?
No, no, no, no. Almost all breeders will sell kittens with a contract stating that they be indoor-only cats, permitted outdoors only on a leash. Too many outdoor cats end up as traffic fatalities, or are severely injured by other animals. Breeders are very concerned with the welfare of the kittens they produce, and usually take great pains to insure that the kittens are going to good homes. Since most of these kittens have never been outside, they never miss it.

What health problems are they prone to?
Crossed eyes still crop up occasionally within the breed. Though undesirable, this is not a problem for the cat, and does not affect its behavior or longevity. Kinked tails also show up occasionally, but this is merely a cosmetic fault.

Other than that, there are no known defects that are specific to the Traditional Siamese. As in most purebred animals, there are some genetic problems that creep in from time to time; however, breeders work very hard at keeping their lines as healthy as possible. Things to watch for in any cat, purebred or not, include umbilical hernias, heart murmurs, and kidney disease.

How big do they get?
In size, they are about what you think of when you think of an average-sized generic cat. Males weigh from 11-15 pounds, and females 8-12.

Some fun photos……

Two photos of Pearl above, one with her Ragdoll friend and comments from Mary in Beaumont, Texas: "Pearl weighs 9.5#..has gone .5# over Katy. She's not my tiny little Pearl anymore...now she's my big girl. I love her to pieces Mary.. she is a very special kitty! I love the way her fur goes...over the top of her chest kind of like a colic - its like a change in the direction of the hair or something, and looks like a soft seam. You probably know what I'm talking about...her color is a soft blue and beige... very beautiful. When I stroke her she bends her head back, closes or partially closes her eyes and smiles. Its the cutest thing you've ever seen...and I think she knows it. She cuddles next to me all night....kisses me now and then..what more could a girl ask for?" ……

The cat in the attached picture, Jasmine, was purchased in 1998 in Deadwood Dick's Saloon in South Dakota. My friend Kim and I were there and couldn't resist her. My husband, a cat hater by trade, really loves her, too. Jasmine is a wonderful cat, that thinks she's a dog. She plays fetch with her favorite toys, squirtle and eyore. She also likes to steal socks, dirty or clean, and lug them around the house. We've taken her camping in our travel trailer and she loves it. We've been very happy with Jasmine, and we hope she's happy with us. Best Regards, Karen ……

More photos and information to come……