Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Siamese cat is one of the oldest oriental breeds, originating from Siam (modern-day Thailand), where it was revered as a sacred animal that lived in royal palaces and temples. The earliest written references to the breed date back to the 14th century in the Book of Poems About Cats. Siamese cats were introduced to Europe in the late 19th century as a royal gift from the King of Siam to British diplomats. Their exotic appearance — marked by a contrasting colorpoint pattern, sleek body, and striking blue eyes — quickly gained admiration worldwide. Over time, the Siamese became the foundation for many modern breeds. Today, it is recognized globally for its uniqueness, vivid personality, and deep emotional bond with humans.
General Appearance
The Siamese cat conveys elegance, refinement, and strength. The body is long, muscular, and flexible, reflecting the oriental type. The head is wedge-shaped with straight lines; large ears extend the contours of the face, forming a harmonious triangle. The almond-shaped blue eyes are slightly slanted, giving a distinctive and expressive look. Legs are long and slender, paws small and oval, tail long and tapering. The short, close-lying coat is smooth and glossy. The overall impression is one of graceful harmony — every feature contributes to the cat’s refined oriental beauty.
Important Proportions
The defining characteristic of Siamese proportions is the combination of a wedge-shaped head, elongated body, and long limbs. The width of the head at the base of the ears must balance with the muzzle length to form an ideal triangle. The body is long but not fragile — muscles should be lean yet strong. The length of the limbs balances the body’s proportions, with small, oval paws. The tail is long, straight, and continues the line of the spine. Balance is key: the cat must not appear heavy or delicate. Every feature must fit seamlessly into the slender, oriental type, where linear precision defines breed identity.
Behavior and Temperament
The Siamese cat is highly intelligent, expressive, and deeply attached to its owner. It is sociable, energetic, and vocal — often communicating through a distinct, melodious voice. Curious and quick-witted, it easily learns routines and responds to human emotions. Siamese cats dislike loneliness, preferring constant interaction and attention. When properly raised, they are affectionate, playful, and loyal companions. Adaptable and emotionally sensitive, they thrive on connection and respect. Their personality combines liveliness, loyalty, and emotional openness — hallmarks of the breed.
Head
The head of the Siamese cat is long, fine, and wedge-shaped. Straight lines run from the nose tip through the outer ear bases, forming a long, isosceles triangle. The skull is flat, forehead gently sloping, with no bumps or roundness. The profile is straight, the transition from forehead to nose smooth, without a stop or bump. The chin is strong, in line with the nose. Cheekbones are high, emphasizing the elongated shape. The ears complete the wedge, reinforcing the oriental type. The overall impression is one of refined precision — elegant, lean, and free from coarseness.
Facial Part
The face is long and dry, following the wedge’s linear symmetry. The muzzle is narrow but not pinched, forming smooth, straight lines. The nose is long and straight, of medium width, and harmonizes with the face. The nose leather matches the point color. Lips are tight and fine, forming a neat contour. The chin is firm yet not heavy. Whisker pads are subtle, vibrissae long and elastic, enhancing the oriental expression. The face must show alertness and precision, avoiding roundness or softness.
Eyes
Eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and slightly slanted toward the nose. The spacing equals the width of the nose, maintaining facial harmony. The color is an even, vivid blue — from light sapphire to deep royal blue — and should be pure and intense throughout the iris. The deeper the shade, the higher the quality. The gaze is intelligent, vivid, and focused, reflecting the cat’s lively temperament. Yellow, green, or dull eye colors are disqualifying faults.
Ears
Ears are large, wide at the base, and pointed at the tips. They must continue the wedge lines, emphasizing the head’s triangular shape. The setting is high, slightly outward-angled — never vertical — forming an even spread from the face. The inner ear is open, lightly covered with short, fine hair. Incorrect ears — small, rounded, low-set, or too close together — destroy the oriental balance.
Neck
The neck is long, slender, and graceful, blending smoothly into the body to maintain the oriental silhouette. It must be slim yet muscular, not fragile. Males may have a slightly thicker neck, but harmony and elegance must be preserved. The skin is tight and smooth, without folds. A short, thick, or heavy neck disrupts the ideal proportions. The neck should enhance the breed’s noble and refined profile.
Body
The body is long, fine, and flexible, combining lightness with strength. The chest is deep and narrow, ribs slightly arched, back straight and level. The rump is even, forming a smooth line into the tail. The abdomen is tucked and firm, emphasizing athleticism. The bones are light but solid. The overall impression is of a sleek, elongated body powered by strong muscles. Rounded or heavy bodies are faults.
Tail
The tail is long, thin, and tapering, ideally straight with no kinks or bumps. It should continue the body line, balancing the elongated silhouette. The fur is short, glossy, and smooth. Any tail deformity — such as kinks, nodes, or excessive thickness — is a serious fault. The correct tail enhances the oriental profile and completes the elegant outline.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are long, straight, and slender but firm. Elbows point backward, not outward. Bones are fine yet strong, with lean muscles. The pasterns are straight and slightly slanted for stability. Paws are small, oval, neat, and compact. The limbs should express elegance while maintaining steadiness. Short or coarse legs are undesirable.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are longer than the front, slender, muscular, and elastic. Thighs are lean but strong, with defined muscles. Hocks are parallel and firm, never turned in or out. Paws are oval and correspond to the front ones. The hind legs provide springy movement and balance. Incorrect angulation or misalignment is a serious fault.
Gait and Movement
The gait is smooth, flowing, and graceful, with long, elastic strides resembling gliding. The back remains level, the head carried proudly. The front legs reach forward freely while the hind legs push with strength. The tail acts as a natural counterbalance. The movement must be silent, coordinated, and effortless. Short or stiff steps, weak pasterns, or awkward motion are faults. The gait embodies the breed’s refined oriental elegance.
Coat
The coat is short, fine, close-lying, and silky, accentuating the body’s sleek lines. There is little to no undercoat, giving a smooth, glossy finish. The texture must be even, without roughness or variation in length. The coat should reflect good condition, shine, and health, enhancing the elegant oriental outline.
Permissible Colors
The Siamese is a classic colorpoint breed. Accepted colors include seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, cream point, tortie point, and tabby point varieties. The body is light — from ivory to cream — with darker, contrasting points on the face, ears, legs, and tail. Points must be uniform and well-defined, with clear contrast between body and extremities. White spots, weak contrast, or blurred patterns are not allowed.
Size
The Siamese is a medium-sized cat, appearing lighter and more elongated due to its refined bone structure. Males are larger and more muscular, weighing 4–6 kg, with stronger necks and heads. Females are slimmer, weighing 3–4.5 kg, maintaining perfect balance. The height at the withers is 28–35 cm; body length (excluding the tail) reaches 40–45 cm. The long tail accentuates the silhouette. Excessive massiveness, frailty, or disproportionate body-to-limb ratio are faults.
Faults
Faults include any deviation from the oriental standard. Common ones are: a short or round head, lack of wedge shape, coarse cheekbones, stop or nose bump, weak or receding chin, small or round eyes, dull or uneven blue color, small or low-set ears, short or thick body, coarse limbs, round paws, or short, thick tail. Rough, dull, or uneven coat, weak point contrast, asymmetrical markings, or body darkening are also undesirable. Gait faults, timidity, or excessive aggression lower evaluation.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include: absence of wedge-shaped head, round or massive muzzle, non-blue eyes (yellow, green, or odd-eyed), pronounced strabismus, incorrect bite (undershot, overshot, misaligned jaws), missing canines or incisors, kinked or deformed tail, long or woolly coat, absence of contrast in point coloration, white patches, or visible structural deformities. Sick or disabled cats, or those without ICCF documentation, are excluded from shows and breeding. Aggressive or excessively fearful behavior also results in disqualification.
Important Notes
Breeding Siamese cats requires careful preservation of the classic oriental type as defined by ICCF standards. Kittens develop color gradually — contrast between points and body deepens with age, and eye color matures to its full intensity by 10–12 months. Slight body darkening in adults is acceptable if contrast remains visible. Males are typically stronger; females more refined. Judges must consider age, coat condition, and natural sexual dimorphism during evaluation. Only balanced, healthy, and social cats may participate in ICCF breeding. Maintaining temperament stability and physical harmony is essential to preserving the breed’s heritage.
Conclusion
The Siamese cat represents the quintessential oriental type — elegant, expressive, and noble. It is defined by its wedge-shaped head, large ears, almond-blue eyes, elongated body, and vivid colorpoint pattern. Under the ICCF system, these traits are essential to preserving the breed’s cultural and genetic heritage. Only cats with official ICCF documentation confirming pedigree and conformity may participate in shows or breeding. The breeding goal is to maintain health, balanced temperament, and refined oriental type without extremes. Within ICCF, the Siamese stands as a symbol of harmony, grace, and tradition — a living testament to the beauty of refined lineage and selective breeding.
