The origin of the Siamese cat can be traced back to Southeast Asia, with the breed possibly descending from the sacred cats of the temples of Siam, which is now Thailand. These cats were mentioned in manuscripts dating back to 1350 found in Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam. It is believed that the cats were revered by the kings of Siam and were kept within the palace, reserved for the royal family. There are also legends suggesting that when English and French visitors arrived, the king gave Siamese cats as gifts, passing them off as sacred and hiding his favorite cat, Khao Manee.
The breed was first introduced outside of Asia in 1884 when the British Consul-General in Bangkok, Edward Blencowe Gould, brought a pair of Siamese cats to England for his sister, Mrs. Veley, who later co-founded the Siamese Cat Club in 1901. These cats were exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1885, leading to their introduction in Britain. The first breed standard was established in 1892 by the GCCF, and two years earlier, Siamese cats were exported to the United States.
Over time, the Siamese cat breed gained popularity, and their physical characteristics evolved. In the 1950s, their body, legs, and tail became more refined, and their ears enlarged. By the 1980s, the traditional Siamese, known for their original physique, became less popular as breed standards adapted to the modern Siamese. However, some breeders advocate for the conservation of the original Siamese characteristics.
In the late 1980s, the creation of the Thai breed allowed breeders to showcase Siamese cats that closely resembled the original physique, leading to the nickname "old" or "traditional" Siamese being applied to the Thai breed. Today, Siamese cat standards are recognized by nearly all feline organizations worldwide.
