CHILDREN’S WORLD - PETS - SIAMESE CAT

SIAMESE CAT First record and drawings of the Siamese cat date from about 1350 and serve as proof that it is one of the oldest cat breeds. The cat got its name after the country from which it originates - at that time Siam, i.e. today’s Thailand. The cat was respected in the temples of Buddhist priests as well as at the court of the King of Siam. Nature scientist Palles at the beginning of the 19th century, returning from his journeys from central Asia brought a cat with dark legs, tail and nose, while the rest of its body was covered with white hair. He gave it as a present to king’s family. First bred pair of cats, Piu and Miu was given as a gift to English consul Sir Owengould by the Siamese king. Also the French got as a gift from the Siamese king a pair of cats while the third donated cat pair was transported to USA in 1890. More serious breeding of Siamese cats started in 1920, when they have become very popular. Siamese cat from that time is pretty different from today’s standard of its evaluation. At that time the Siamese cats were sturdier, had squint, narrow eyes and a gene for kinky tail. Today’s standard implies a slim, long and sinewy cat of a very long and slim tail. The legs of a Siamese cat are in harmony with the body: very long and slim, while the paws are small and oval. The tail is long, slim and spindle and ears are pointed, big, wide at the base, and positioned so that they continue the line of the wedge. The hair fully clings to the body; it is silky, shiny and very short. When we talk about its colour, especially distinctive are areas of darker hair: the “mask“ on the face and the “marks“ on ears, legs and tail. The hair of the body is unvaried and lighter in colour and must be in full contrast to the colour of marks. Today “marks“ of different colours are recognised: black, blue, choco, cream, red, violet, cinnamon etc. However, apart from dark areas on legs, tail, nose and ears most fascinating on these cats are eyes. They are not too big, they are almond shaped, slightly slanted toward nose and intensively blue. It is a deep, pure and clear blue colour that gives to this interesting cat yet another trait of extreme interest and secrecy. Amelija Leopoldović