Who bred Siamese cats? - briefly
The Siamese cat breed originated in Siam (now Thailand) and was developed by local breeders over centuries before being introduced to the Western world in the late 19th century.
Who bred Siamese cats? - in detail
The origin of Siamese cats can be traced back to ancient Siam, now known as Thailand. It is believed that these distinctive felines were first bred by the monks in Buddhist temples during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). The Siamese cat's unique appearance and temperament made them highly sought after among royalty and nobility, who often gifted them to visiting dignitaries. This practice helped spread the breed beyond Thailand's borders, eventually reaching Europe in the late 19th century.
In 1878, British Consul-General Edward Blencowe Gould brought a pair of Siamese cats from Bangkok to England as gifts for his sister, Mrs. Flora Edwards. These cats, named Pho and Mia, are considered the progenitors of all modern Siamese cats in Europe and North America. Mrs. Edwards began breeding them, and their offspring became highly prized by cat enthusiasts.
The first documented Siamese cat exhibition took place at the Crystal Palace in London in 1871, further popularizing the breed. Breeders in England and later in the United States worked diligently to refine the Siamese cat's characteristics, focusing on their sleek body type, distinctive blue almond-shaped eyes, and short coat with darker markings known as points (ears, tail, paws, and face).
Through careful selective breeding, several variations of the Siamese cat emerged, including the traditional or classic Siamese, the modern or show-style Siamese, and the Oriental Shorthair. Each variation maintains the breed's original attributes but with slight differences in body type and head shape.
In summary, the credit for breeding Siamese cats goes to the monks of ancient Siam who initially developed and cared for these unique felines. The spread of the breed to Europe and North America can be attributed to early diplomatic gifts and the efforts of dedicated cat enthusiasts and breeders.