There are many different breeds of cats, some are very old breeds and some have only been discovered within the last fifty years. More recent predigree breeds have been engineered by breeders. There are seven basic groups of cats. These all conform to the same sandard of points for type, shape, size, and length of fur. They all have short noses, little ears, and an abundance of fur. They are available in many different colors and patterns. In general, they are quiet, placid creatures that will ont demand too much attention. The only draw back is that they require a lot more grooming attention, atleast 15 minutes a day. If you do not have this time to spare, do not consider a persian type cat, no matter how beautiful the look. The only factor these all have in common is the length of their hair. They range in many colors, patterns, and tempermants. Within this group are Birmans, Turkish, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cats, to name but a few. There can be no generalization to their characters because they are all different. Like the persian breeds, they all look about the same only different personalities. They tend to grow very large, so if you want a small cat, seek out another breed. These are grouped together for convenience. Some varieties, such as the Exotic Shorthair, are actually judged in the longhair section in the UK and there are some longhairs that come into this shorthair catagory for judging. It is similar to the Non-Persian longhaired types, in that varieties are all different in apperance and temperment. Included in this group are Abyssinians, Cornish and Devon Rex, American Wirehair and Curl, and newer varieties such as the Asian cats, including Burmillas, and the spotted Bangals and Ocicats. These cats are of siamese shape and size and conform to the Siamese standard of points. The difference is that they don't display the ristricted coat pattern, genetically known as the Himalayan factor. They come in a wide varieiy of cot colors and patterns, but are mostly of Siamese temperment. Burmese are a very popular breed due to the fact that most of them love human contact. They are very loving cats and prefer not to be left alone. They have wonderful dispositions. Siamese are very popular and relatively easily obtained. They are elegant, sleek and have the most distinctive coat patterns. Like the Burmese the don't simply need attention, they demand it and prefer not to be on their own.   Longhaired cats have existed in Europe since the 16th century, but it is known that they have existed in other places long before then. The original longhairs were found in Turkey in the region of Ankara and became known as 'Angoras', but do not confuse them with the Angoras we know today (see 'Oriental Shorthairs'). Other longhaired cats were found in Persia, modern-day Iran, and their coat were more profuse, so they became more popular. These early Persians, as they are known today, looked much different than the ones on the show bench today. Their faces were longer and their coats weren't as thick and luxuriant. There are only two longhaired cats recorded, one was a brown tabby and the other was black, this was about the 19th century. By the turn of the century, more than twelve different colors were recognized, what must be the most beautiful of all longhairs, the Chinchilla. Today there are more than sixty different varieties to choose from. Generally they have quiet dispositions, but there are always cats that break the rule. The only attention they need is for grooming. They normally won't pine for you if you leave them alone, so this is a plus for those who live in apartments or with non-cat lovers, even though it is better to have two cats than one. Persians all conform to the same standard points, only the colors and patterns of their fur changes. Persians are probably the most glamerous of all the pedigree varieties. With long, luxurious coats, brush-like tails, and a distictive ruff around the neck, they are quite beautiful, but need lots of grooming to keep their coat in pristine condition. This takes time and any would-be persian owner must be prepared to spend 15 minutes per day grooming their persian. The standard require a small, elegant, but stocky cat showing large expansive eyes, a tiny nose and small wide-set ears.The eye colors almost always match or compliment the persians coat color. It may seem weird to include a shorthaired varietiy in this catagory, but the Exotic is truly a Persian. The Exotic has all the colours and patterns, displays the same temperments, and has all the points of a Persian, but is shorthaired.   These are often thought of as the sacred temple cats of Burma, and the originate from this country. They are very enchanting breed and the distinctive coat pattern, with white paws, has given way to a beautiful legend. It is said that a cat, sensing that the high priest was dying, walked over to him and gently put it's paw on the priest's frail body to offer companionship during his last hours; as the preist died, the cat's paws were turned the purest white and that is how they have stayed to this day. Because of the cat's devotion to the priest, it is further told that each time a Birman cat dies, the soul of a priest accompanies it to heaven. While these stories are beautiful and charming, the white pawed sweethearts were probably crossed between a siamese and a Bi-colored longhair. This probably took place in France in the 1920's. The Birman is a clever breed, but not as demanding or noisy as the Siamese or Burmese. Their semi-long coats do need extra grooming, but not as often as the Persian Longhair requires. They are good with children and other animals, so therefore make a wonderful pet. The Birman should be a medium-sized cat with a long, silky coat; although it shoudl never be as long or dense as the Persian's. Over the years, Birmans have been bred in many different colors, and can now be seen in 20 different varieties. Th original Seal is most popular, but there are many others; ranging from creams to tortie. Whatever the color, the coat should be evenly marked with point confined to the face, ears, tail, and legs, but with white paws. In all Birmans, the eyes should be sapphire blue. As the name suggests, this was originally an American breed although in recent years, they have been imported into the UK where they now have become increasingly popular. The name comes in part from the first state of Maine, where they were first seen, with 'Coon' being derived from the brush-like tail that is reminiscent of a racoon, and so typical of this breed. An alternative, and more romantic, notion is that Marie Antoinette sent her bloved cats to America to escape the Frech Revolution and these were the ancestors of the modern breed. The Maine Coon was recognized in some American cat fancies as early as 1967, but it was not until the 1980's they became popular in the UK, where they are now accepted. Although Maine Coons can grow to be large cats, they have very sweet natures. They are playful and friendly, and make great pets. The Maine Coon is a large, sturdy, extremely handsome semi-longhaired cat. The head should be long, but not as long as the Simese, with a definite squared-off muzzle. The legs are long and the coat is heavy and tends to be more prolific around the neck, (giving the ruff effect), the belly, legs, and tail. The Maine Coon does not need grooming as much as a Persian Longhair, but does have dense, thick hair for New England's cold winters. Most Maine Coons are tabby-and-white, but there are many different colors. This breed is a little similar to our Maine Coon, but developed in the cold climate of northern Scandinavia. The thick coat provides the cat with warmth during the cold winters. In norse mythology, tales and legends make refrence to a 'fairy cat', and this may very well could be the Norwegian Forest cat for it's plume-like tail has a etheral look. This breed of domestic cat is one of the best climber, able to limb to places most cats can not reach. The breed is popular in the USA, but has only recently been imported to the UK. The Norwegian Forest Cat is a lively and independant cat. It is a good hunter and, with it's thick, waterproof coat, enjoys being allowed freedom in a garden. It does like human company and prefers not to be left alone for any great length of time. The head should be triangular in shape, with wide, high set ears. Those nose should be straight and the eyes, an almond shape. The thick, waterproof coat should be long, with long guard hairs covering the dense undercoat.  The charm of the Ragdoll is that is flops in your arms, this comes with a story of a Persian queen mismated, and then was in a road accident while being pregnant and when her litter was born, they flopped in your hands. This is impossible, considering a road accident can not genetically change the DNA of an animal and that animal pass it off to it's offspring. The breed was discovered around the 1960's. The Ragdoll is very laid-back and undemanding, it is said that the pain thresh hold of these cats is very low, but that is not something that should be tested. there are 3 basic patterns to the Ragdoll; bi-color, colorpoint, and mitted. The colored areas are generally restricted to the face, ears, legs, and tail. The fur is longer on the chest and abdonmen, back of the head, and on the tail, which should be thick and full.   This breed was foud by the shores of Lake Van, in a remote area of Turkey. The most astonishing fact is that they love water, and going for a swim is great for them. Their markings include a 'thumb print' on their forehead which Turkish people refer to as the mark of Allah. Over there these cats are respected. Turkish Vans are very loving and affectionate cats and as long as they are given attention and allowed to play an odd game they are content. They love to swim and if you do not have a pool, getting excercise in the bath is just as great. The classic form of Turkish Van is a chalk-white semi-longhaired cat with auburn markings resricted to the head, ears, and tail, with amber eyes. Over the years, more colors have been noted. They are now accepted with auburn and cream colors with amber, blue, or odd-colored eyes. The head is a short wedge, with a longish nose, and the ears are long and pointed.  Photo courtesy of Fenton Farm Corp. Thought to have gone to Britian when the Romans invaded, these cats go back much further. They are depicted in many paintings and engravings setting further back to the turn of the century. These cats are thought of as 'gentle giants' due to the fact that they are one of the largest domestic cats. They are quiet and affectionate and much like persian, do not demand their owners attention. British and American Shorthairs should be large, sturdy, strong and muscular. The paws should be neat and rounded and the females are much smaller than the males. Males should show definite jowels. The ears should be small and set wide apart. The appearance of the cat should overall be 'chunky'. The Manx is unlike most British shorthairs and not just because it has no tail. The type requiements are less extreme with the Manx. Also, the Manx's nose is a bit longer. The Manx is accepted in all colors and combination of colors. The Manx's coat is also a bit more prone to matting than the British or American Shorthair. They tend to need more grooming. Manx's are generally placed in four forms: Rumpy, Stumpy, Tailed, and Cymric. Rumpies have no tail, only a little indention where the tail should be. Stumpies have a small 'stump' for a tail. All Manx's should have back legs that are considerably longer than the front. This makes the cats run with an unusual rabbit-like gait. The Cymric is a longhaired variety of Manx and is rare, esspecially in the UK. All Manx's are wonderful pets. (I had many once upon a time and I can vouche for them.) There are ten different solids and seven totie colors on these cats. They are also avalible in tabby due to research. They are basically Siamese cats in different clothes. They are very nosy and love to involoved in everything you do. All colors are standard, but must be the same body build of a siamese.They're eye colors always complement their coat colors. Abyssinians are a special type of tabby cat; they are distinguished from all other tabbies by their beautiful ticked, resilient coats. All tabbies, in fact, have this ticked or agouti background in their coats (whereby each individual hair shaft is banded with different colors); however, superimposed on this ticked background is a particular dark pattern such as mackerel, spotted, or blotched. Through more than 85 years of selective breeding, these dark patterns have been nearly eliminated from the Abyssinian breed, and this is what makes them so unique. Although other tabbies are bred in different colors, Abyssinians are bred and recognized for championship by CFA only in the ruddy and red varieties.(In CFA, the color blue was recognized in 1984 and fawn in 1989). Some breeders prefer to believe that Abyssinians are the most ancient of breeds and that they were both companions and gods of the Egyptians. The history of the Abyssinian breed could begin whereever a ticked tabby walked, because similar cats existed in all countries. The notion that ticked cats were imported here, there, and everywhere is a rather provincial idea. There is little or no doubt that Abyssinian cats developed in England, for there is no record of any Abyssinian cat imported there. Although the Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds, there continues to be speculation and controversy concerning its history. In appearance, Abyssinians resemble the paintings and sculptures of ancient Egyptian cats which portray an elegant feline with a muscular body, beautiful arched neck, large ears and almond shaped eyes. Abys today still retain the jungle look of felis lybica, the African wildcat ancestor of all domestic cats. The overall impression of the ideal Abyssinian would be a colorful cat with a distinctly ticked coat, medium in size and regal in appearance. The Abyssinian is lithe, hard and muscular, showing eager activity and a lively interest in all surroundings. Well balanced temperamentally and physically with all elements of the cat in proportion. A modified, slightly rounded wedge without flat planes; the brow, cheek, and profile lines all showing a gentle contour. A slight rise from the bridge of the nose to the forehead, which should be of good size, with width between the ears and flowing into the arched neck without a break. The nose not sharply pointed or square. The chin should be neither receding nor protruding. Allowance should be made for jowls in adult males. The ears alert, large, and moderately pointed; broad, and cupped at base and set as though listening. Hair on ears very short and close lying, preferably tipped with black or dark brown on a ruddy Abyssinian, chocolate-brown on a red Abyssinian, slate blue on the blue Abyssinian, or light cocoa brown on a fawn Abyssinian. Eyes almond shaped, large, brilliant, and expressive. Neither round nor oriental. Eyes accentuated by fine dark line, encircled by light colored area. Body medium long, lithe and graceful, but showing well developed muscular strength without coarseness. Abyssinian conformation strikes a medium between the extremes of the cobby and the svelte lengthy type. Proportion and general balance more to be desired than mere size. Legs & feet proportionately slim, fine boned. The Abyssinian stands well off the ground giving the impression of being on tip toe. Paws small, oval, and compact. Toes: five in front and four behind. Tail thick at base, fairly long and tapering. Coat soft, silky, fine in texture, but dense and resilient to the touch with a lustrous sheen. Medium in length but long enough to accommodate two or three dark bands of ticking. The American Shorthair was developed from native American working cats. It is a gentle, even-tempered cat with a short coat. It was the first pedigreed breed recognized in the United States. Americans are true working cats: stocky, muscular, and powerful in build. Americans can overeat, so owners must be careful to give them plenty of opportunity for exercise and play. Although this breed is accepted in a wide variety of colors and patterns, the silver classic tabby is perhaps the best known. Asian" describes a group of cats developed primarily in England. These cats are of "Foreign" Burmese type but differ as they are vari-colored, patterned and may also have different coat lengths. There are both shorthairs and semi- longhairs in this group. The variety is endless; tabbies are bred in all recognized patterns. Burmillas, Bombays and Tiffanies fall into this group of cats, and have been included here. The Egyptian Mau is a fascinating cat, not only because of its past history, but because of its delightful personality and striking appearance. The Mau (mau is the Egyptian word for cat) has been clearly identified in the artwork of the ancient Egyptians, leaving no question in the minds of many experts that the Egyptian Mau is indeed the cat domesticated from a spotted subspecies of the African Wild Cat by this unique culture. To gaze upon this beautiful and engaging creature is an opportunity to view a living relic. The role of the Mau in the religion, mythology, and everyday life of the Egyptian conveys the degree of affection and respect in which these cats were held. They were worshipped as deities, cherished as pets, protected by laws, and mummified and mourned upon their death. Their history in North America began with their importation in 1956 by the exiled Russian princess, Nathalie Troubetskoy. Recognition by The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) for championship competition came in 1977. In the past, all Egyptian Maus in the U.S. and Canada traced their ancestry to two of the original imports from the Fatima Cattery. Recent importations have enriched and broadened the available gene pool for breeders. A cat with a raised paw beckons from the doorway. The cat is ceramic and the traditional Japanese symbol of good luck. They are modeled after the famous and favored bobtailed cats of Japan. From written records it seems certain that the domestic cat first arrived in Japan from China or Korea at least one thousand years ago. The Japanese Bobtail breed has certainly existed in Japan for many centuries; it is featured in many ancient prints and paintings. In 1968 the late Elizabeth Freret imported the first three Japanese Bobtails to the United States from Japan. In 1971 they were given provisional status in The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and were accepted for championship competition in 1976. “The eyes of the Korat are like those of no other cat; expressive and oversized for the face with a depth and intense gaze that takes your breath away…as sparkling as the ‘dewdrops on a lotus leaf.’ ” Like all newborn kittens at first the eyes are blue, changing to amber with a green tinge around the pupil during adolescence. Then, when the cat reaches approximately two to four years of age, the eyes are luminous green. Korats have extraordinary powers of hearing, sight and scent. They are gentle pets, moving softly and cautiously, disliking sudden, loud or harsh noises. Those destined to be shown must be trained from birth to accept noise and handling, possibly by keeping a radio on in the nursery, and by lifting and posing the kitten as judges do. Korats form an exceptionally strong bond of affection with their owners and respond warmly to cuddling, setting as close as possible. They mix well with other cats but tend to want to have the upper hand and will not let the others keep them from their rightful place at their owner’s side. They have been cherished for centuries in their native Thailand and they naturally expect this tradition to be maintained wherever they go. Korats are active in their play, but are very gentle with children. Their hair does not float off when they are being stroked and petted, so many people with an allergy to cat hair find their proximity tolerable. The roots of the hair are a light bluish color, darkening before the ends become silver-tipped. This silvering over the whole body should make a halo, or aura, effect and the close lying fur shines like a polished silver dollar. “Oh, look spots! Is it tame? What kind of cat is this? It must be something special.’’ Indeed they are! This magnificent spotted cat never fails to steal the show, not to mention the hearts of those fortunate enough to own them. The Ocicat is an agouti spotted cat of moderate type. Originating from interbreeding of Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair, it is the only spotted domestic breed selectively bred to emulate the cats of the wild. The ideal Ocicat is a large, active animal with an athletic appearance. It is very solid and well-muscled and has a short, tight coat with a satin sheen that shows off muscles and spots to their best advantage. In 1964 the original Ocicat was the unexpected result of an experimental breeding which attempted to produce an Aby-point Siamese. Virginia Daly, noted CFA breeder living in Michigan, knew the possibility of getting the sought after Aby-point and was willing to invest the time she knew it would take to breed the two generations that were necessary. But the ivory kitten with golden spots was a surprise! Mrs. Daly’s daughter named the breed the Ocicat, because of its resemblance to the ocelot. Tonga, the first Ocicat was neutered and sold as a pet. When the Detroit newspaper publicized the lovely spotted cat and when noted geneticist, Dr. Clyde Keeler, expressed his desire to see a domestic cat which would mimic some of the vanishing wild species, the breeding was repeated to produce more Ocicats. Other breeders followed Mrs. Daly’s recipe to develop other Ocicat lines with a broad genetic base. The Ocicat was recognized for CFA registration in 1966, but it took another twenty years to develop the breed and gain the support for provisional status. The Ocicat was advanced to championship status May 1987. Since then, several have achieved Grand Championship status and many, many more have gained championships. They can now be seen at many shows, and a few Ocicats have been exported to other countries where their popularity is increasing. In order to truly appreciate the unique appearance of the Devon Rex, you must first set aside your preconceptions of what a cat should look like. In 1960 in Devonshire, England, a spontaneous mutation caused British barn cats to conjure up their own version of the ultimate feline pixie. Low-set, oversize ears jut out and away from the side of an elfin cheeky face with a turned up nose. Large impish eyes suggest a madcap personality and a nimble mind. A deceptively muscular body is covered by a short coat of downy fur that curls and ripples. Devons sport a variety of coats that range from a full-rolling loose uneven wave through lessening degrees of density that support a tighter rippling effect all the way to a thin suede-like cover. Kitten coats usually thin out (molt) at about eight weeks of age. Although some kittens escape this molt phase, many juveniles sport a suede look until the adult coat begins to come in. Further molts are sometimes witnessed at about six months and ten months of age, although these tend to be less dramatic and of shorter duration. Selective breeding is required to produce the beautiful show Devon with its unique pixie face, bat-like ears, and a coat with just the right amount of density, length and texture to display a rippling wave when stroked with the hand. Many North American breeders have practiced a careful outcross program to the native American Shorthair in order to provide an expanded and strong gene pool. Today, over thirty-five years after their mutant origin, Devon Rex remain remarkably faithful to their original conformation, head type, coat and disposition. “Are those cats from outer space?!” No, Cornish Rex cats are not from outer space and, in spite of their resemblance to ancient Egyptian statues, they are not from Egypt either. As their name implies, these cats originated in Cornwall, England, where they first appeared in a litter of barn cats born about 1950. In appearance, Cornish Rex cats are a study in curves starting most noticeably with their coat which ideally falls in washboard waves. The coat is very short, lies close to the body and is incredibly soft to the touch, prompting comparisons to cut velvet, karakul lamb, rabbit fur or silk. In fact, it feels like a Cornish Rex coat and nothing else is the same. There is even variation among individuals within the breed. In addition to the coat, this breed has a distinct head and body type. Large ears are set high on a comparatively small, egg-shaped head with high cheekbones, hollow cheeks, and a high-bridged Roman nose and strong chin. The body has been compared to a Whippet dog’s because of its arched back, barrel chest, small waist and very long, fine legs. In spite of their dainty appearance, these small to medium sized cats are extremely hard-bodied and muscular, using their well developed hips and long legs for fast starts and stops, quick turns and high jumps. Little is known about the origin of the Russian Blue, however, stories and legends abound. Many believe the Russian Blue is a natural breed originating from the Archangel Isles in northern Russia. Legend has these beautiful animals trapped for their plush double coats which are sometimes compared to the coat of a beaver or seal. Originally known as the Archangel Cat or Foreign Blue, it is believed that they were brought by sailors from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860’s. Rumor also has the Russian Blue as a descendant of the Royal Cat of the Russian Czars and as a favored pet of Queen Victoria. First shown in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat, the original Russian Blue competed in a class for all blue cats. It was not until 1912 that the Russian Blue was given a class of its own. From its early origins until after World War II, English and Scandinavian breeders worked to develop the foundation bloodlines for the contemporary Russian Blue. Although Russians were imported to the United States as early as 1900, there is little recorded work with the breed in America until after World War II. American breeders combined the English bloodlines with their plush, silvery coats and Scandinavian bloodlines with their emerald green eyes and flat profiles to produce the Russian Blue we know today. In the 1960s the Russian Blue began to gain popularity and has become a favorite both at cat shows and at home. In 1961 a shepherd by the name of William Ross spotted the first known Scottish Fold cat at a farm near Coupar Angus in the Tayside Region of Scotland, Northwest of Dundee. Ross asked the owners if he could have one of the kittens, and proceeded to develop the breed from the original, Susie, a white barn cat. The unique thing about this cat was that her ears folded forward and downward on her head. The resulting look gave the impression of a “pixie”, “owl”, or “teddy bear” that has captured the hearts of many American cat fanciers and judges. The Scottish Fold was granted championship status by The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in 1978. Scottish Folds come in two types: folded ear and straight (normal) ear. The folded ear is produced by an incomplete dominant gene and is the result of a spontaneous mutation. In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence. This cat and a few other naturally hairless cats have been found worldwide. These have magically been produced by Mother Nature and are the foundation for this unusual breed. Cat breeders in Europe and North America have bred the Sphynx to normal coated cats and then back to hairless for more than thirty years. The purpose of these selective breedings was to create a genetically sound cat with a large gene pool and hybrid vigor. This is a very robust breed with few health or genetic problems. The Sphynx is not actually totally hairless, there is fine down on the body which feels like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been likened to a suede hot water bottle, a horse’s warm muzzle or a heated chamois. They are registerable in every color that a cat comes in and the color is seen in the pigment of the skin and the few hairs that they do have. One of the questions most asked is “Don’t they get cold?” Well, of course, if it is too cold for you it will be too cold for a hairless cat too. However, these cats are smart enough to find a warm human, dog or cat to curl up with or they will get under your bed covers. This is a substantial cat, medium sized but strong. An adult female will weigh 6-8 pounds, a male is about 8-10 pounds. Sphynx have sturdy boning and good muscle development and should have a bit of a belly as if they just finished dinner. They have an open-eyed, intelligent face and a friendly expression. Sphynx cats love to be looked at. They perform silly antics for your entertainment and are sometimes downright clumsy…on purpose it seems. They make great show cats because of this “look at me” attitude and they are easy for judges to handle. These cats do not do well as an only pet. They prefer human attention but enjoy the company of dogs and other cats. They have an abundance of energy and mischief and are always with you, on you or showing off for you. “Love Mooch” is the perfect term for these amazing cats. The Tonkinese blends the best features of its ancestors into one beautiful, medium-sized cat that is remarkably dense and muscular. Whether appearing in the coat pattern of its Burmese predecessor, with sparkling gold-green eyes, the pointed pattern of its Siamese ancestor, with glittering blue eyes, or the “mink” coat pattern seen in the show ring, with its unique aqua eyes, the Tonkinese is an intelligent, gregarious cat with a sense of humor. These cats are firmly convinced that humans were put on earth to love them; these are the cats that know they belong. They purred their way through seven years and four presentations to the board of directors of The Cat Fanciers’ Association in their pursuit of championship status, achieving their goal in 1984. Although new to modern competition, this is the same breed depicted in "The Cat-Book Poems of Siam" during the Ayudha Period (1358-1767), and imported to England in the early 1800s as “Chocolate Siamese.” In the United States, Tonkinese and Burmese can trace their beginnings back to Wong Mau, a small walnut colored cat imported to California by Dr. Joseph Thompson in 1930. The colorful personality of the Tonkinese make them ideal companions. They will take possession of your lap and shoulder, and they will supervise your activities. They are warm and loving, highly intelligent, with an incredible memory and senses that are akin to radar. They are strong willed, and their humans are wise to use persistent persuasion in training them. They are naturals at inventing and playing games, using favorite toys to play fetch, and delighting in games of tag with each other. Of course hide ‘n seek is a favorite game, which they play with humans as well as other Tonks. They become your “door greeter” and will happily entertain your guests. They have been described by enthusiastic owners as part puppy (following their owner around the house), part monkey (their “acrobatics” are legend!), and can sound like an elephant running through your house when they choose. In short: they quickly take over and run your house and your life! Their affectionate ways are impossible to ignore, and they quickly endure themselves to family and visitors. In the early 1930’s, Dr. Joseph Thompson of San Francisco acquired an attractive walnut-brown female from Burma which he named Wong Mau. Through selective breeding to Siamese, it was established that the Burmese is a distinct breed. Lighter colored kittens were occasionally produced and eventually the American breeders requested recognition from CFA for these “dilute” colors; first, as another breed named Malayan, then later as a dilute division of Burmese. The four colors recognized by CFA are: sable, champagne, blue and platinum. Burmese carry surprising weight for their size and have often been described as “bricks wrapped in silk.” Their coats are very short, satin-like in texture, and generally require little grooming other than daily petting. There is a range in Burmese head and body type; the more compact cats with the rounder heads are seen in the show ring. Burmese have large, expressive eyes that are great pools of innocence and seductive appeal, irresistible in effect. These eyes are their most persuasive weapon in an arsenal of endearing traits that mask an awesome power to hypnotize their owners into life-time love affairs through which they effortlessly rule their families. Siamese have fascinated folks around the world since they were first officially exported from Thailand, or as it was known then Siam, in the late eighteen hundreds. Their sleek lines, striking color contrast, finely chiseled aristocratic heads, deep blue almond eyes, and short silky coats make them living art. Combine this beauty with accute intelligence, inquisitive personality and a loving nature and you have the essence of the Siamese cat. The first Siamese to appear in England were a gift from Siam to an ambassador who brought them home. They began appearing in English cat shows almost immediately, and in American shows by the early twentieth century. Seal points, still the best known variety, were the first to arrive. With their seal brown, almost black extremities and their pale fawn bodies, they were sensational. While chocolate points, with creamy white bodies and milk chocolate legs, tail, mask and ears did appear from time to time, it was the blue point that gained official recognition in 1934. The blue point has a bluish-white body with slate blue points. The chocolate point was recognized next. In 1955 the lilac point followed and completed the breed. The lilac point has pinkish gray points with a white body which makes it most ethereal and delicate in color.  BACK ||| HOME ||| NEXT |
