Different Breeds of Siamese Cats

The word "cat" is the catch-all term for carnivorous mammals that are scientifically classified in the family Felidae. Domesticated cats (Felis catus) are grouped in that family under the genus Felis. Within the species of domesticated cats, there are more than 100 different varieties or breeds of cat. Originally from Thailand (formerly called Siam), the Siamese is one of the earliest breeds recognized. While Siamese is technically a single pedigreed breed in itself, it has been used to create numerous other cat breeds, including the Balinese, Colorpoint Shorthair, Javanese, Oriental, Tonkinese and Snowshoe.

  1. Balinese

    • Coat length and one gene are all that separates the Balinese from the Siamese. During the early 1900s, these long-haired Siamese cats began appearing amid short-haired litters. The intentional breeding of Balinese began in the 1940s. Growing up to 9 pounds, these cats were named after the Indonesian island of Bali, as homage to the island's graceful dancers.

    Colorpoint Shorthair

    • Originating out of North America and Britain during the 1940s, the Colorpoint Shorthair was created by breeding Siamese with other types of short-haired cats to produce a wider spectrum of fur colors. The name "Colorpoint" is only used in North America and refers to the varied colors on specific points or locations on the cat. In Europe, the Colorpoint Shorthair is called the Pointed Pattern Persian or the Himalayan.

    Javanese

    • The Javanese grows up to 9 pounds and was bred by crossing the Balinese with the Colorpoint Shorthair, beginning in the 1970s. The Javanese was named after the island Java, which is in close proximity to the island Bali, after which the Balinese was named.

    Oriental

    • The Oriental comes in a short- and long-haired variety. The Oriental Shorthair originated in Britain during the 1950s by crossing the Siamese with the Abyssinian and other short-haired cat breeds. The Oriental Longhair was created in the United States during the 1970s by breeding the Oriental Shorthair with the Balinese.

    Tonkinese

    • The Tonkinese is a product of interbreeding Siamese and Burmese cats during the 1960s in North America. Growing up to 12 pounds, Tonkinese are not streamlined or stocky as is characteristic of either one of its parent breeds; they are medium-sized and highly proportionate. However, like Siamese and Burmese, Tonkinese coats become darker with age.

    Snowshoe

    • The Snowshoe originated in the United States during the 1960s. After Pennsylvania breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty noticed that some of her Siamese kittens had four white paws, she set out to recreate the genetic mutation by breeding Siamese with bicolor American Shorthairs. Since then, Snowshoes have become a recognized breed worldwide. They grow up to 14 pounds.