Siamese ~ Thai ~ Wichien-Maat
Welcome Thai Cat
(By Amy Adolph)
There is little dispute that the cats that were imported from Siam were broader in features than today’s Western Siamese. The International Cat Association (TICA) approved the look of the Old-Style Siamese to be shown as Thai in the Preliminary New Breed category, February 17, 2007. This approval was for a cat that represents the early 20th-century Siamese and can still be found in Thailand catteries (in Thailand this cat is called Wichien-Maat) and was shown beginning in 1993 in Europe. Around the world, registered Siamese and imported Wichien-Maats have played a pivotal role in the development of the Thai cat. Breeders internationally banded together to save the old-style look and promote the authentic cat, whose roots can be traced directly to Thailand and early Siam.
While many proponents will argue that the Thai is a Siamese, the distinction between these two cats lies in the commonality of relatives and the pointed gene. On careful examination, the evidence makes it apparent that the Thai bloodlines are not commonly seen in the Western Siamese lines of today, making the Thai a distinct breed. The Thai bloodlines are a conglomeration of Siamese and/or imported Wichen-Maat, but Thai cats maintain a look distinct from that of their elegant cousins the Western show Siamese.
The preferred Thai cat is 100% imported from Thailand and has a pedigree establishing origination from Siam or bloodlines that are not commonly found in the Siamese pedigrees. The primary features of the Thai are that it is a moderately built cat, has a registered pedigree or imported documentation, has no domestic shorthair ancestors, and does not carry the long-hair gene. The premise of the Thai cat is to help preserve the old look, yet provide a future that focuses on healthy diversified lines that genetically maintain the pointed (CSCS) gene and the authenticity and personality of this Old-Style Siamese.
Note to Thai Breeders: For a Thai breeder to be recognized by PREOSSIA, that breeder must be associated with TICA. The Thai cat should in no way be confused with cats advertised on the Internet by associations that claim to be registries but are not affiliated with reputable organizations of the World Cat Federation (WCF). The Internet has opened the world up to the free market, which often deceives consumers through clever “marketing” to appear legitimate, but in reality their organization generates nothing more than profit at the expense of poor ethics and unassuming breeders. A fundamental knowledge of pedigrees and Siamese history is the key to the development of this breed.
The future of the Thai is grounded in the belief that healthy diversified yet authentic lines are essential for the prosperity and growth of this breed. The TICA Thai Breed Standard will guide the primary look of the cat and should be considered secondary after the health. The breed standard recognizes all pointed colors and will accept those Siamese ancestries that also carry lines of Orientals or Colourpoint Shorthairs, because the genetic factor of breeding the pointed (CSCS) genes validates the authenticity and promotes the healthy exchanges of bloodlines that are seen and practiced in Thailand. The Thai may only outcross with Siamese.
There is little dispute that the cats that were imported from Siam were broader in features than today’s Western Siamese. The International Cat Association (TICA)approved the look of the Old-Style Siamese to be shown as Thai in the Preliminary New Breed category, February 17, 2007. This approval was for a cat that represents the early 20th-century Siamese and can still be found in Thailand catteries (in Thailand this cat is called Wichien-Maat) and was shown beginning in 1993 in Europe. Around the world, registered Siamese and imported Wichien-Maats have played a pivotal role in the development of the Thai cat. Breeders internationally banded together to save the old-style look and promote the authentic cat, whose roots can be traced directly to Thailand and early Siam.
While many proponents will argue that the Thai is a Siamese, the distinction between these two cats lies in the commonality of relatives and the pointed gene. On careful examination, the evidence makes it apparent that the Thai bloodlines are not commonly seen in the Western Siamese lines of today, making the Thai a distinct breed. The Thai bloodlines are a conglomeration of Siamese and/or imported Wichen-Maat, but Thai cats maintain a look distinct from that of their elegant cousins the Western show Siamese.
The preferred Thai cat is 100% imported from Thailand and has a pedigree establishing origination from Siam or bloodlines that are not commonly found in the Siamese pedigrees. The primary features of the Thai are that it is a moderately built cat, has a registered pedigree or imported documentation, has no domestic shorthair ancestors, and does not carry the long-hair gene. The premise of the Thai cat is to help preserve the old look, yet provide a future that focuses on healthy diversified lines that genetically maintain the pointed (CSCS) gene and the authenticity and personality of this Old-Style Siamese.
Note to Thai Breeders:
For a Thai breeder to be recognized by PREOSSIA, that breeder must be associated with TICA. The Thai cat should in no way be confused with cats advertised on the Internet by associations that claim to be registries but are not affiliated with reputable organizations of the World Cat Federation (WCF). The Internet has opened the world up to the free market, which often deceives consumers through clever “marketing” to appear legitimate, but in reality their organization generates nothing more than profit at the expense of poor ethics and unassuming breeders. A fundamental knowledge of pedigrees and Siamese history is the key to the development of this breed.
The future of the Thai is grounded in the belief that healthy diversified yet authentic lines are essential for the prosperity and growth of this breed. The TICA Thai Breed Standard will guide the primary look of the cat and should be considered secondary after the health. The breed standard recognizes all pointed colors and will accept those Siamese ancestries that also carry lines of Orientals or Colourpoint Shorthairs, because the genetic factor of breeding the pointed (CSCS) genes validates the authenticity and promotes the healthy exchanges of bloodlines that are seen and practiced in Thailand. The Thai may only outcross with Siamese.
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