SIAMESE DESCRIPTIONS & STANDARDS, 1889-2006

European Standards:   1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935

United States & CFA Standards:   1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006




Harrison Weir, F.R.H.S.
Our Cats and All About Them, Chapter: “Siamese Cats,” 1889

[Excerpt] The head should be long from ears to eyes, and not over broad, and then rather sharply taper off towards the muzzle, the forehead flat, and receding, the eyes somewhat aslant downwards towards the nose, and the eyes of a pearly, yet bright blue colour, the ears usual size and black with little or no hair on the inside, with black muzzle, and round the eyes black. The form should be slight, graceful and delicately made, body long, tail rather short and thin, and the legs somewhat short, slender, and the feet oval, not so round as the ordinary English cat. The body should be one bright, uniform, even colour, not clouded, either rich fawn, dun or ash. The legs, feet and tail black. The back slightly darker is allowable, if of a rich colour, and the colour softened, not clouded.

P O I N T S  O F  E X C E L L E N C E
ROYAL CAT OF SIAM

HEAD: Small, broad across and between the eyes, tapering upwards and somewhat narrow between the ears: forehead flat and receding, nose long, and somewhat broad, cheeks narrowing towards the mouth, lips full and rounded, ears rather large and wide at base, with very little hair inside.

FUR: Very short, and somewhat wooly, yet soft and silky to the touch, and glossy with much luster on the face, legs and tail.

COLOUR: The ground or body colour to be of an even tint, slightly darker on the back, but not in any way clouded or patched with any darker colour; light rich dun is the preferable colour, but a light fawn, light silver gray, or light orange is allowable; deeper and richer browns, almost chocolate, are admissible if even and not clouded, but the first is the true type, the last a variety of such beauty and excellence; but the dun and light tints take precedence.

MARKINGS: Ears black, the colour not extending beyond them, but ending in a clear and well-defined outline; around the eyes, and all the lower part of the head, black; legs and tail black, the colour not extending into or staining the body, but having a clear line of demarcation.

EYES: Rather of almond shape, slanting towards the nose, full and of a very beautiful blue opalesque colour, luminous and of a reddish tint in the dusk of evening or by artificial light

TAIL: Short by comparison with the English cat, thin throughout, a little thicker towards the base, without any break or kink.

SIZE AND FORM: Rather small, lithe, elegant in outline, and graceful, narrow and somewhat long; legs thin and a little short than otherwise; feet long, not so round as the ordinary cat, neck long and small.

CONDITION: In full health, not too fat, hair smooth, clear, bright, full of lustre, lying close to the body, which should be hard and firm in the muscles.

* Footnote:
Mr. Darwin states in his book on "The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication," that "throughout an immense area, namely, the Malayan Archipelago, Siam, Pequan and Burmah, all the cats have truncated tails about half the proper length, often with a sort of knob at the end." This description tallies somewhat with the appearance of some of the Siamese cats that have been imported, several of which, though they have fairly long and thin tails, and though they are much pointed at the end, often have a break or kink. Many of the Siamese kittens bred here have kinks in their tails.

John Jennings
Domestic or Fancy Cats, Chapter: “Judging on Points,” 1893


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

[Excerpt] The Siamese is a splendid show cat, and is moreover of considerable value, and it will be doubtless one of the first rescued from the "variety" class. I look forward for the Crystal Palace or any other comprehensive exhibition of cats to take the initiative and provide a separate class. Personally I consider the dun body colour the only true representative of this beautiful variety, and to which the heaviest points value is accorded. The eyes are at times a darker blue than is observed in white cats, but it is equally an important adjunct to a true bred Siamese; and attention to their matching is equally important. Of the markings, ears are a characteristic feature, the nearer black the better; they should be stopped off like those of a Himalayan rabbitt, the face, feet, eyes, and tail definitions being somewhat less sharply broken in color; but the denser, and greater equality these markings assume, the higher the range of points value.

Frances Simpson
CATS AND ALL ABOUT THEM, 1902


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

[Excerpt] Perhaps the most difficult cat to breed and rear in this country [England] is the Siamese. Some fanciers declare these cats cannot stand our climate, and others attribute their great delicacy to these terrible pests - worms - to which this breed is very subject. Certain it is that breeders of Siamese have much to contend with and many disappointments to suffer. The Royal Cat of Siam, so called from the original breed being kept in the Palace of the King of Siam, is one of the most fascinating cats to keep as a pet. They have wonderful intelligence, and seem to have great powers of attaching themselves to human beings. In colouring they resemble pug dogs. When born they are nearly white, and gradually turn a pale fawn. Their ears, muzzle, tail and legs should deepen to a dense brown chocolate colour. The markings of the ears should be sharp and distinct. The eyes should be a lovely bright blue, large and round. On the question as to whether the tail of a Siamese should be kinked or not kinked, no two opinions appear to agree, though H. M. the King of Siam is quoted as saying they ought not to be. A rather strange characteristic of this breed is the tendency to darken in coat as they grow in age. For this reason it is well to have the classes at shows divided according to age. Siamese cats may be said to be in their prime at a year old; after this their colouring becomes blurred.

Standards: "ROYAL CAT OF SIAM"

Body colour:	as light and even as possible, cream being the most desirable, but fawn also admissible, with streaks, bars, blotches, or other body markings.... (can’t read, but assume to be “forbidden”)
Points:	i.e., mask, ears, legs and feet, and tail, dark and clearly defined, of the shade known as "seal-brown."
Mask:	complete – i.e., connected by tracings with the ears, neither separated by a pale ring as in kittens, nor blurred and indistinct, the desideratum being to preserve “the marten-face,” an impression greatly aided by a good mask.
Eyes:	Bright and decided blue.
Shape:	Body rather long, legs proportionately slight.
Head:	Rather long and pointed.
General Appearance:	With points emphasized above, a somewhat curious and striking-looking cat - graceful, elegant, of medium size; if weighty not showing bulk, as this would detract from the admired svelte appearance. In type, in every particular, the reverse of the ideal shorthaired domestic cat, and with properly preserved contrasts of colour, a very handsome animal, often also distinguished by a kink in the tail. Body colour 20 Points Shape 10 Points Coat 10 Points Head 10 Points Eyes 20 Points Mask 15 Points Density of Points:   (i.e., mask, feet & legs, tail)   15 Points Total 100 Points

Eleanor Booth Simmons, CATS, 1935


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

[Excerpt] True Siamese are medium in size, with a well-muscled body, not fat, and very lithe and graceful in action. The head is wedge-shaped, long and narrow, the ears broad at the base and small at the apex and very neat and well-defined. The legs are rather thin and not long; the hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs. The feet are somewhat smaller than those of the domestic short-haired cat. The tail is thin and tapering and not very long.
A good many people think that Siamese cats have kinked tails. So learned a commentator as M. Oldfield Howey asserts in his fascinating book, The Cat in the Mysteries of Religion and Magic, that the kinked tail has been a Siamese characteristic for two hundred years. There is a Siamese legend which says that somebody once tied a knot in a cat’s tail to remind it of something (perhaps to leave the throne room backward) and the knot stayed. Another form of the story is that a princess strung her rings on her cat’s tail while she bathed, and tied a knot to keep them from falling off.
But the royal Siamese have no kinks. Any kinky-tailed Siamese in America were brought here by sailors who picked them up in the streets over there.

SIAMESE STANDARDS IN THE UNITED STATES

Siamese Cat Club of England Standard
used in America in 1906 until 1914


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

BODY COLOR	to be as light and even as possible, cream being the most desirable, but fawn also admissible, without streaks, bars, blotches, or other body markings.
POINTS	(namely, mask, ears, legs, feet and tail) to be clearly defined, of the shade known as seal brown.
MASK	complete; Namely, connected by tracings with the ears, neither separated by a pale ring as in kittens, nor blurred and indistinct, the desideratum being to preserve “the marten-face,” an impression greatly aided by a good mask.
EYES	bright, and decided blue.
COAT	glossy and close-lying.
SHAPE	body rather long, legs proportionately slight.
HEAD	rather long and pointed.

CFA SIAMESE STANDARD, 1916


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

HEAD	Rather long and pointed. Deep chocolate brown mask. Pale fawn color on top of head between ears.
EARS	Neat, narrow, small at apex, broad at base, well-defined, deep chocolate brown in color.
EYES	Not so round as domestic cat, slanting somewhat toward the nose. Blue in color, deeper shade preferred.
BODY	Medium in size, graceful, lithe of movement. Clear pale fawn in color.
LEGS	Slender, not too long, and of a deep chocolate brown in color..
FEET	Smaller than those of the domestic cat, deep chocolate brown in color.
TAIL	Tapering, straight preferred, deep chocolate brown in color.
COAT	Soft, sleek, short, glossy, close-lying.
CONDITION	Not too fat, inclined more to muscle.
OBJECTIONS	Pale eye color, odd eyes, grey or yellowish tinge in eyes. Blotchy or mixed coat, tabby or ticked markings or shading. Extra or white toes. White spots on belly or throat. Long hairs appearing in the chocolate brown points.

CFA SIAMESE STANDARD, 1934


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

BODY COLOR: Even pale fawn or cream, slightly darker across the shoulders, shading gradually into a lighter color on the stomach and chest. The coat to be a warm fawn with no grey. In judging body color in older cats, allowance should be made for a darker coat, as Siamese darken with age, but the body should not be so dark as to eliminate contrast with the points. Kittens lighter in color.

POINTS: Mask, ears, legs, feet and tail, dense and clearly defined, all of the same shade of deep seal brown. Mask should be connected by tracings with the ears, except in kittens.

SHAPE: (Body and Tail) The body should be medium in size, dainty, long and svelte. Neck long and slender, legs proportionately slim, hind legs slightly higher than front. Feet small and oval in shape. Tail, long and tapering to a fine point. A slight kink in the end is allowed. Winners to be withheld from bobbed, screwed, badly kinked or pompom tails.

HEAD AND EARS: The head should be long and taper in straighter lines from the ears to a narrow muzzle, with no break at the whiskers. Skull to be flat and the nose to be a continuation of the forehead with no break. In profile, a straight line is seen from the center of the forehead to the tip of the nose. Allowance to be made for jowls in the stud cat. Ears erect, rather large, pricked and wide at base.

EYES: (Color and Shape) Eyes clear and of a vivid deep blue color. Eye aperture almond in shape and slanting toward the nose in true oriental fashion. Preferably not crossed.

COAT: Short, fine in texture and lying close to the body.

CONDITION: Perfect physical condition. Not fat, inclined to muscle.

BLUE POINT: The above standard to apply to the Blue Point Siamese except the coat is to be a silvery blue, slightly darker across the shoulders, changing gradually to an oyster white on the stomach and chest. Points to be of a much darker blue, but of the same tone as the coat. There must be no warm tone of fawn in the coat. Allowance made for older cats. Kittens lighter in color.

UNDESIRABLE: Round headed, fat, thick-set specimens, apparent hood, rough or shaggy coats, odd eye color, grey or yellowish tinge in eyes. Tabby or ticked markings, light hairs appearing in points. White feet or toes. Receding chin.

CFA SIAMESE STANDARD, 1955


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

SEAL POINT		Scale
BODY COLOR		15
	Even pale fawn or cream, shading gradually into a lighter color on the stomach and chest. The coat color should not be gray. In judging body color in older cats, allowance should be made for darker coats as Siamese generally darken with age, but there should be definite contrast between body color and points. Kittens, lighter in color. Point allotment: Proper color, 4 points; Proper shading, 4; Evenness of color, 7.
POINTS		10
	Mask, ears, legs, feet, and tail, dense and clearly defined, all of the same shade of deep seal brown. Mask should be connected by tracings with the ears, except in kittens. Point allotment: Mask, 2; Ears, 2; Legs, 2; Feet, 2; Tail, 2.
BODY TYPE		20
	The body should be medium in size, dainty, long and svelte. Neck, long and slender. Legs, proportionally slim; hind legs slightly higher than the front. Feet, small and oval in shape. Tail, long and tapering with no visible kinks. Point allotment: Body, 7; Neck, 4: Legs and feet, 5: Tail, 4.
HEAD		20
	Head should be long and should taper in straight lines from the ears to a narrow muzzle, with no break at the whisters. The receding chin caused by the failure of the upper and lower teeth to meet in a straight line shall be considered a serious fault. The skull is to be flat, and the nose is to be a continuation of the forehead with no break. In profile, a straight line is to be seen from the center of the forehead to the tip of the nose. Allowance is to be made for jowls in the stud cat. There should be the width of an eye between the eyes. Ears rather large and pricked, wide at the base. Point allotment: Long flat profile, 6; fine muzzle, 4; non-receding chin, 4; width between eyes, 2; Ears, 4.
EYES - COLOR AND SHAPE		20
	Eyes shall be clear and of a vivid deep blue color. Eye aperture almond in shape And slanting towards the nose in true Oriental fashion. Point allotment: Color, 10; (clear, 5; deep blue, 5) Shape, 10 (Oriental, 5; uncrossed, 5)
COAT		10
	Short, fine in texture, glossy and lying close to the body. Point allotment: Short coat, 3; Fine coat, 2; Glossy coat, 2; Close coat, 3.
CONDITION		5
	Good physical condition. Not fat; inclined to muscle.	100
BLUE POINT
	The above standard is to apply to the Blue Point Siamese except that the coat is to be bluish white, changing gradually to an oyster white on stomach and chest. Points to be of a much darker blue, but of the same tone as the coat. There must be no fawn in the coat. Kittens, lighter in color. Eyes, China blue.
CHOCOLATE POINT
	The Seal Point standard applies to the Chocolate Point Siamese with the following exception: Points; milk chocolate color, the ears, mask, legs, feet, and tail to be even in color. The ears should not be darker than the other points. Eyes, clear, bright China blue. Pale or slatey eyes are to be discouraged. Body, ivory color all over. Gray or dingy shading to be a fault. Foot pads, cinnamon color.
FROST POINT (Temporary Standard)
BODY COLOR		15
	Even glacial white without shading.
POINTS		10
	Frost grey of pinkish tone. In the mature cat, the mask, legs, feet, and the outer surface of the ears to be as even in color as possible. The mask to be complete and to be connected by tracings with the ears.
SHAPE - BODY AND TAIL		20
	Same as for the Seal Point, but generally smaller in size. The Frost Point matures between two and three years of age. The cat must not be penalized for size if it is well proportioned and of good conformation.
HEAD AND EAR		20
	Same as for Seal Points. Inner surface of the ears, a delicate peach blossom tone. Nose leather, a faded lilac hue at the tip.
EYES		20
	Shape and slant as for Seal Points. Color, clear China blue. Pale or slatey eye color to be discouraged.
COAT AND CONDITION		15
	Same as for Seal Points.	100
	Note: Color of foot pads in Frost Points, salmon pink.
UNDESIRABLE FOR ALL SIAMESE (with exceptions noted)
	Round-headed, fat, thick-set specimens. Hood (Mask continuing under the throat, producing an upside-down V; No distinct tracings, and face is all solid color.) Rough or shaggy coats. Odd eye color; gray or yellowish tinge in eyes; crossed eyes. Belly and hip spots. Tabby or ticked markings. Light hairs in points. White feet or toes. Receding chin. Gray coat in Seal Points. Fawn coat in Blue Points.

CFA SIAMESE STANDARD, 1967


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

GENERAL	The ideal Siamese is a svelte, dainty cat with long, tapering lines, very lithe but muscular.
HEAD	Long tapering wedge. Medium size in good proportion to body. The total wedge starts at the nose and flares out in straight lines to the tips of the ears forming a triangle, with no break at the whiskers. No less than the width of an eye between the eyes. When the whiskers are smoothed back, the underlying bone structure is apparent. Allowance must be made for jowls in the stud cat.
SKULL	Flat. In profile, a long straight line is seen from the top of the head to the tip of the nose. No bulge over eyes. No dip in nose.
NOSE	Long and straight. A continuation of the forehead with no break.
MUZZLE	Fine, wedge-shaped.
CHIN & JAW	Medium size. Tip of chin lines up with tip of nose in the same vertical plane. Neither receding nor excessively massive.
EARS	Strikingly large, pointed, wide at base, continuing the lines of the wedge.
EYES	Almond shaped. Medium size. Neither protruding nor recessed. Slanted towards the nose in harmony with lines of wedge and ears. Placed well within the frontal plane of face. Never at side of head. Uncrossed.
BODY	Medium size. Dainty, long, and svelte. A distinctive combination of fine bones and firm muscles. Shoulders and hips continue same sleek lines of body. Hips never wider than shoulders. No flaring of lower ribs. Abdomen tight.
NECK	Long and slender.
LEGS	Long and slim. Hind legs higher than front. In good proportion to body.
PAWS	Dainty, small, and oval. Toes: five in front and four behind.
TAIL	Long, thin, tapering to a fine point.
COAT	Short, fine textured, glossy. Lying close to body.
CONDITION	Excellent physical condition. Eyes clear. Muscular, strong and lithe. Neither flabby nor boney. No fat.
PENALIZE	Lack of pigment in nose leather in part or in total.
WITHHOLD WINNERS	Any evidence of illness or poor health. Weak hind legs. Mouth breathing due to nasal obstruction or poor occlusion. Emaciation. Visible kink. Eyes other than blue. White toes and/or feet. Incorrect number of toes.
COLOR	Body: Even, with subtle shading when allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color in older cats as Siamese generally darken with age, but there must be definite contract between body color and points. Points: Mask, ears, legs, feet, tail dense and clearly defined. All of the same shade. Mask covers entire face including whisker pads and is connected to ears by tracings. Mask should not extend over top of head. No ticking or white hairs in points.
SIAMESE COLORS
SEAL POINT	Body even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading gradually into lighter color on the stomach and chest. Points deep seal brown. Nose Leather: Same color as points. Paw Pads: Same color as points. Eye Color: Deep vivid blue
CHOCOLATE POINT	Body ivory with no shading. Points milk chocolate color, warm in tone. Nose Leather: Cinnamon-Pink Paw Pads: Cinnamon-Pink Eye Color: Deep vivid blue
BLUE POINT	Body bluish white, cold in tone, shading gradually to white on stomach and chest.Points deep blue. Nose Leather: Slate colored Paw Pads: Slate colored Eye Color: Deep vivid blue
LILAC POINT	Body glacial white with no shading. Points frosty gray with pinkish tone. Nose Leather: Lavender-Pink Paw Pads: Lavender-Pink Eye Color: Deep vivid blue

CFA SIAMESE STANDARD, 2006


Euro: 1889 | 1893 | 1902 | 1935 • U.S. & CFA: 1906 | 1916 | 1934 | 1955 | 1967 | 2006

GENERAL	The ideal Siamese is a medium sized, svelte, refined cat with long, tapering lines, very lithe but muscular. Males may be proportionately larger.
HEAD	Long tapering wedge. Medium size in good proportion to body. The total wedge starts at the nose and flares out in straight lines to the tips of the ears forming a triangle, with no break at the whiskers. No less than the width of an eye between the eyes. When the whiskers are smoothed back, the underlying bone structure is apparent. Allowance must be made for jowls in the stud cat.
SKULL	Flat. In profile, a long straight line is seen from the top of the head to the tip of the nose. No bulge over eyes. No dip in nose.
EARS	Strikingly large, pointed, wide at base, continuing the lines of the wedge.
EYES	Almond shaped. Medium size. Neither protruding nor recessed. Slanted towards the nose in harmony with lines of wedge and ears. Uncrossed.
NOSE	Long and straight. A continuation of the forehead with no break.
MUZZLE	Fine, wedge-shaped.
CHIN & JAW	Medium size. Tip of chin lines up with tip of nose in the same vertical plane. Neither receding nor excessively massive.
BODY	Medium size. Graceful, long, and svelte. A distinctive combination of fine bones and firm muscles. Shoulders and hips continue same sleek lines of body. Hips never wider than shoulders. No flaring of lower ribs. Abdomen tight.
NECK	Long and slender.
LEGS	Long and slim. Hind legs higher than front. In good proportion to body.
PAWS	Dainty, small, and oval. Toes: five in front and four behind.
TAIL	Long, thin, tapering to a fine point.
COAT	Short, fine textured, glossy. Lying close to body.
CONDITION	Excellent physical condition. Eyes clear. Muscular, strong and lithe. Neither flabby nor boney. Not fat.
COLOR	Body: Even, with subtle shading when allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color in older cats as Siamese generally darken with age, but there must be definite contract between body color and points. Points: Mask, ears, legs, feet, tail dense and clearly defined. All of the same shade. Mask covers entire face including whisker pads and is connected to ears by tracings. Mask should not extend over top of head. No ticking or white hairs in points.
PENALIZE	Improper (i.e., off-color or spotted) nose leather or paw pads. Soft or mushy body. Visible protrusion of the cartilage at the end of the sternum under normal handling.
DISQUALIFY	Any evidence of illness or poor health. Weak hind legs. Mouth breathing due to nasal obstruction or poor occlusion. Emaciation. Visible kink. Eyes other than blue. White toes and/or feet. Incorrect number of toes. Malocclusion resulting in either undershot or overshot chin. Longhair.
SIAMESE COLORS
SEAL POINT	Body even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading gradually into lighter color on the stomach and chest. Points deep seal brown. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Same color as points. Eye Color: Deep vivid blue
CHOCOLATE POINT	Body ivory with no shading. Points milk chocolate color, warm in tone. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Cinnamon-Pink Eye Color: Deep vivid blue
BLUE POINT	Body bluish white, cold in tone, shading gradually to white on stomach and chest.Points deep blue. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Slate colored Eye Color: Deep vivid blue
LILAC POINT	Body glacial white with no shading. Points frosty gray with pinkish tone. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Lavender-Pink Eye Color: Deep vivid blue