Читать книгу 77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat - Susan Ewing M. - Страница 22

Siamese cats are descended from the sacred temple cats of Siam (now Thailand). The first one in the United States arrived in 1878 when Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy, received one as a gift from the American Consul in Bangkok.

Siamese are both independent and affectionate, with a habit of being very vocal. They have sleek coats and are instantly recognizable for having light-colored bodies with dark-colored legs, tails, ears, and faces. Siamese come in four recognized colors: seal, with a fawn body and almost black points; chocolate, with a cream body and milk-chocolate-colored points; blue point, with a bluish-white body and slate-blue points; and lilac point, with a white body and pinkish-gray points.

Scottish Fold

Siamese

Siamese weigh between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) and come in show and traditional types. The show Siamese has a muscular, tubular body; long legs; a wedge-shaped head; and large, triangular ears. The traditional, or apple-headed, Siamese has a chunkier body and a rounded head.

With a life expectancy of eleven to fifteen years, the show type may be more prone to respiratory and dental problems. Other health concerns include bladder stones, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, heart problems, and certain types of cancer. While some Siamese may have a kinked tail or crossed eyes, modern breeding practices have greatly eliminated these traits.