Siamese - for my sins

P3LH said:
Looked into Burmese yesterday evening - shocked that some breeders have made them into snub nosed and bug eyed looking animals now. Thought they may be the middle ground….hmmph.
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How about a Tonkinese ? All the best of both breeds character wise, and maybe with less health issues. All the fabulous colour options of both breedss too

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I think there's a a breeders club too and almost certainly a facebook group
Just a thought. x
 
Shady said:
How about a Tonkinese ? All the best of both breeds character wise, and maybe with less health issues. All the fabulous colour options of both breedss too

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I think there's a a breeders club too and almost certainly a facebook group
Just a thought. x
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See in my naivety that is what I see when I think of Siamese, however it is perfectly possible that I am confused about it all. It would not be the first time that's happened! 😂
 
I'm Dun said:
See in my naivety that is what I see when I think of Siamese, however it is perfectly possible that I am confused about it all. It would not be the first time that's happened! 😂
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:DVery easy to be confused as my Rosie is modern, whereas Tonks are a mix of old style Siamese and Burmese, so you get the heavier build and the rounder head. You can have the Si colour too, or a solid etc. Wonderful coats in fact,so many choices depending on the breeders preference, and amazing eyes in either.

Then you've the Burmilla too, which is a Burmese / Chinchilla persian mix. Stunning cats with gorgeous personalities
I could go on .....the Si Rex.....Peterbald🤣
 
Thank you! So I dont actually want a siamese and do in fact want a tonkinese in the cream siamese colours. But not yet as my youngest dog is just the most prey driven creature I've ever met and while he is ok with cats, I'd never be able to trust him left alone with one, and I've got no way of keeping animals separate here. But he is probably my last dog so now I know for the future.
 
Shady said:
How about a Tonkinese ? All the best of both breeds character wise, and maybe with less health issues. All the fabulous colour options of both breedss too

Home | tonkinese-cat-club

www.tonkinesecatclub.co.uk www.tonkinesecatclub.co.uk
I think there's a a breeders club too and almost certainly a facebook group
Just a thought. x
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Would love one, and was my first though about 12 months ago - but found the breeders I spoke with were reluctant to just sell 1.

And whilst I wouldn’t necessarily have an issue with that, I think my OH curses me to the Gods both old and new about the animals as it is :)
 
P3LH said:
Would love one, and was my first though about 12 months ago - but found the breeders I spoke with were reluctant to just sell 1.

And whilst I wouldn’t necessarily have an issue with that, I think my OH curses me to the Gods both old and new about the animals as it is :)
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Mine is the same! I have promised no more grems until my oldest one goes. She is 17 this year
I can understand a breeder prefering 2 to go together if no other animals are in the house and you work all day , but to outright not want to sell 1 if you can offer a lovely home and do have other cats and dogs etc is just silly and unreasonable. I would try again if you really want one. Things change all the time and breeders come and go . x
 
May I jump in and make an alternative suggestion?
Devon (or Cornish) Rex.
Mine is a real people person, he can sometimes be a bit too full on, he’s a Velcro cat. He seems to have a never ending capacity for mischief, he is very much a house cat as he has no sense of self preservation, but tbh unless it’s about 30 degrees and sunny outside he doesn’t want to go out anyway (they have a catio). Again, there are some limitations with the gene pool and you do need to pick your breeder carefully but there are still good breeders out there.
Plus mine is ‘Siamese’ colour if it counts 😂


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chaps89 said:
May I jump in and make an alternative suggestion?
Devon (or Cornish) Rex.
Mine is a real people person, he can sometimes be a bit too full on, he’s a Velcro cat. He seems to have a never ending capacity for mischief, he is very much a house cat as he has no sense of self preservation, but tbh unless it’s about 30 degrees and sunny outside he doesn’t want to go out anyway (they have a catio). Again, there are some limitations with the gene pool and you do need to pick your breeder carefully but there are still good breeders out there.
Plus mine is ‘Siamese’ colour if it counts 😂


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Frank is looking amazing Chaps 😻 😻 xxxx
 
chaps89 said:
Thankyou. He’s actually a bit of a medical marvel and been poorly (not in good advertisement for this thread, but not breed related issues!) but he seems to be coming out the other side 🤞 x
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Oh nooo to him being poorly Chaps. Anything I can help with just give me a shout. xxx. Very glad to hear he is on the mend 😻
I've just got one of mine sorted ( mostly) after nearly 2 years of digestive issues . If I had known how dishonest the breeder was I would have run a mile, but there you go, too late now, and I totally worship this particular gremkitty
 
I have 2 Chocolate point siblings now, they are of the more modern pointy variety. I used to have a rescue seal point who was the more traditional rounder type, unfortunately she passed a few years ago at 17.

I absolutely adore my current 2, though they're both menaces as they're too intelligent for their own good, have had to install child locks on all food cupboards as otherwise they get in and will steal anything vaguely edible. So far have all been healthy but are only rising 4 so should expect so. They are both Very Loud and chatty, and typical Meeser personalities, must be touching human, must follow human, must scream at human for food and attention.
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I viewed a local property and she had the two most beautiful little Burmese cats who had had a litter, it made me want one - I believe she was a hobby breeder for the last 30 or so years. The first thing her cat did when I walked in was jump up on the table, sit on her back legs and put her arms out toward me wanting to be picked up, and then wouldn't let go for my whole view round.

I liked the one on the far right, because he looks suspicious

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Ragdolls are not without consideration. If we could find a moderate Burmese too.

Siamese still in the front running, old style. Do seem to find it off putting that breeders seem to not allow you to visit or handle until they are essentially ready to go. Not encountered this before, so perhaps it’s the norm - but makes me wary that kittens are going to not be the best socialised.

The search continues.
 
Burmese are my absolute favourite, too many are tending towards flat faced which is an absolute tragedy, but there are still some good ones out there!

The lilac was a really nice example.
The chocolate is a darling but not the best example what being a bit small, dumpy, white splash and bordering on too flat in face (she was neutered pronto!)
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ihatework said:
Burmese are my absolute favourite, too many are tending towards flat faced which is an absolute tragedy, but there are still some good ones out there!

The lilac was a really nice example.
The chocolate is a darling but not the best example what being a bit small, dumpy, white splash and bordering on too flat in face (she was neutered pronto!)
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Beautiful cats. I really quite like the ‘brown’ Burmese, not sure why I find them so captivating!
 
P3LH said:
Ragdolls are not without consideration. If we could find a moderate Burmese too.

Siamese still in the front running, old style. Do seem to find it off putting that breeders seem to not allow you to visit or handle until they are essentially ready to go. Not encountered this before, so perhaps it’s the norm - but makes me wary that kittens are going to not be the best socialised.

The search continues.
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I know my type are moderns so my experience probably won't be helpful in the scheme of things for you, but we were allowed to visit them a few times, at 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8. Then picked them up at 12 weeks, so there should be some breeders out there that will let people visit.
 
P3LH said:
Ragdolls are not without consideration. If we could find a moderate Burmese too.

Siamese still in the front running, old style. Do seem to find it off putting that breeders seem to not allow you to visit or handle until they are essentially ready to go. Not encountered this before, so perhaps it’s the norm - but makes me wary that kittens are going to not be the best socialised.

The search continues.
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Some really beautiful cats above. 😻 Love that you can really see the different ear shapes in the modern Siamese now.

I can actually understand limiting kitten handling/ visits as a breeders house is really vunerable to virus's being brought in by people viewing kittens
Visits should wait until after the first vaccine. You would also be amazed at how many time wasters there are . Much better to view a litter who are almost ready to go as the personality is more set at 10/12 weeks as opposed to 6/8 weeks. Anything can happen inbetween you reserving a really young kitten to when you actually pick it up. They also change a lot physically, and I certainly know of many people who change their kitten at the last moment when they go to collect. I've done it myself....or come away with a bonded pair instead of 1.
 
Shady said:
Some really beautiful cats above. 😻 Love that you can really see the different ear shapes in the modern Siamese now.

I can actually understand limiting kitten handling/ visits as a breeders house is really vunerable to virus's being brought in by people viewing kittens
Visits should wait until after the first vaccine. You would also be amazed at how many time wasters there are . Much better to view a litter who are almost ready to go as the personality is more set at 10/12 weeks as opposed to 6/8 weeks. Anything can happen inbetween you reserving a really young kitten to when you actually pick it up. They also change a lot physically, and I certainly know of many people who change their kitten at the last moment when they go to collect. I've done it myself....or come away with a bonded pair instead of 1.
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As I say, it very well could be the norm - but I do find it off putting when it certainly sounds like the kittens haven’t had much handling at all, which certainly has seemed the case down some avenues I’ve explored, and googling names seems to throw up people who’ve ended up with what sound to be fairly unsocialised kittens from seemingly very good breeders.

I was reminded recently that I feel this way/say this every time I’ve pursued buying a pedigree cat, as always seem to feel a bit miffed by the way things are done comparatively to dogs. Whilst there’s good and bad in all walks, it certainly seems that kittens in pens and focus being on looks rather than temp/personality seems more common. I’ve been surprised by the surprise of breeders when I’ve stated I’d be looking for X personality/temp, and it needs to fit with X lifestyle, as opposed to wanting specific sex/colour. And in the case of Siamese, nobody wants to discuss whether there are any specific behavioural or health issues within their lines. Even the best I encountered just brushed off as ‘mine are old style’, which whilst I appreciate are probably more robust in many ways - doesn’t really answer the question.

We shall see what happens. It may be an intervention that it isn’t meant to be, regardless of breed.
 
P3LH said:
As I say, it very well could be the norm - but I do find it off putting when it certainly sounds like the kittens haven’t had much handling at all, which certainly has seemed the case down some avenues I’ve explored, and googling names seems to throw up people who’ve ended up with what sound to be fairly unsocialised kittens from seemingly very good breeders.

I was reminded recently that I feel this way/say this every time I’ve pursued buying a pedigree cat, as always seem to feel a bit miffed by the way things are done comparatively to dogs. Whilst there’s good and bad in all walks, it certainly seems that kittens in pens and focus being on looks rather than temp/personality seems more common. I’ve been surprised by the surprise of breeders when I’ve stated I’d be looking for X personality/temp, and it needs to fit with X lifestyle, as opposed to wanting specific sex/colour. And in the case of Siamese, nobody wants to discuss whether there are any specific behavioural or health issues within their lines. Even the best I encountered just brushed off as ‘mine are old style’, which whilst I appreciate are probably more robust in many ways - doesn’t really answer the question.

We shall see what happens. It may be an intervention that it isn’t meant to be, regardless of breed.
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I do hear what you are saying P3LH. There is no excuse for am unsocialised kitten . The breeder should be handling them regularly and getting them used to all the things that happen in a normal house, but letting too many people enter and handle when kittens are really young is never a good idea. I saw a beautiful kitten dropped once and damaged when a buyers careless child picked it up. Also virus's being carried in on people's clothes and shoes. There has to be a sensible balance.
I am surprised you are seeing kittens in pens as that is concidered very old school now except for time out to feed or rest. I remember when most were outside in runs and would spit at you!!!.Now they seem to run wild around the house, and I even see boys indoors with stud pants on. All very new to me and both better and worse than years ago

You will never get a breeder to admit to any health issues in their lines, god forbid !, and unless you have a lot of contacts or breed/show yourself there is no way of really knowing who is good and who is bad:(. I steer away from those who are constantly showing, and concentrate on the ones who prefer pet homes as opposed to breeders who want their kittens to win trophies, and have active studs and multiple queens. A breeder should always want to discuss personality, but you have to find an angle to ask the right questions about health. I have even carefully looked in the mums mouth in the past, and have certainly had it in writing that stomachs are good. At some point though you just have to take a chance if you really want a Siamese in your life. X
 
Just leaving this here incase it's of interest OP
I admired a couple of really nice traditional style Siamese kittens a bit back on the FB group I go on sometimes, so I just checked who the breeder was and had a nosey on her site etc. Nice healthy looking cats and I suspect a breeder worth contacting if you haven't already. Rowden Abbey Siamese in Herefordshire . Her name is Jo. These are not old style appleheads , but not ultra modern either. They do have a very upright ear mind. I think a lot of breeders use Instagram now too.
 
I had confirmation last night that the vacancy has been filled. Turns out there were 3 applicants, once breeder was confident on colour (who knew some were so similar in the early days). The breeder has now appointed the most suitable candidate for the role, he fits all of my recruitment criteria so far.

He is an old style seal point Siamese, not ready to join us yet. Whilst he currently dwarves his siblings in size, he is the most placid of the chaps, and happiest curled up on your lap or perched on your shoulder for a chat, whilst the others do great monkeys on speed impersonations. The breeder fitted the bill too, not a big name or anything, as did their cats. Born and bred in a big wicker basket in the kitchen, with kids and dogs, no huge numbers of cats, no pens. It was all very Doreen Tovey. No known health issues, digestive issues, pica issues or behaviour issues in the adults- and very much live as ‘normal cats’. They were what I remembered in their personalities too.

Funny how these things turn out. I’d give up when I posted on the 23rd, after I read some things online about the breeder I’d banked on/thought was suitable that made me rethink. Then this breeder and this gent came along later that day through an associate of an associate of an associate.
 
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P3LH said:
I had confirmation last night that the vacancy has been filled. Turns out there were 3 applicants, once breeder was confident on colour (who knew some were so similar in the early days). The breeder has now appointed the most suitable candidate for the role, he fits all of my recruitment criteria so far.

He is an old style seal point Siamese, not ready to join us yet. Whilst he currently dwarves his siblings in size, he is the most placid of the chaps, and happiest curled up on your lap or perched on your shoulder for a chat, whilst the others do great monkeys on speed impersonations. The breeder fitted the bill too, not a big name or anything, as did their cats. Born and bred in a big wicker basket in the kitchen, with kids and dogs, no huge numbers of cats, no pens. It was all very Doreen Tovey. No known health issues, digestive issues, pica issues or behaviour issues in the adults- and very much live as ‘normal cats’. They were what I remembered in their personalities too.

Funny how these things turn out. I’d give up when I posted on the 23rd, after I read some things online about the breeder I’d banked on/thought was suitable that made me rethink. Then this breeder and this gent came along later that day through an associate of an associate of an associate.
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That all sounds absolutely perfect !! my sort of breeder for sure too. I am so happy for you ,and can't wait to see photos 😻
 
Visited today and happy with my choice. The litter are all lovely, very confident and well handled. The other boys were happier charging about and rough playing, my hands look like I’ve arm wrestled Edward scissorhands.

He curled up in my lap as if we were old friends, for the whole hour we were there, just watching the chaos and occasionally looking up at me and noisily disapproving. One of the girls, a chocolate, was very special too, but it’s definitely meant to be him. And I am only allowed the one.

Mum, a very old style seal point, seemed to decide I was suitable, and took up what of my lap her son did not. Dad is a humongous blue point classic boy, who is happy to be admired and to acquire a fan club but, as I was informed before, he chooses his company very selectively and doesn’t mingle with mere commoners visiting to see his children. He was entertainingly vocal that attention should be on him and not his mousey brown son.

Even non-cat loving OH was quite smitten.
 
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