Thai
The old style Siamese, before the breed was drawn into a narrow wedge: rounder head, sturdier body, the same points. Registered separately to keep the older type.
Photo by Sasha India, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Thai is the Siamese as it was before Western breeders reshaped it. Through the twentieth century the show Siamese was bred toward an extreme wedge head, huge ears and a tubular body, and the Thai preserves the rounder headed, sturdier cat that came out of Thailand originally.
It is sometimes called the Old Style or Traditional Siamese, and it is now recognised as a breed in its own right rather than as a version of one.
Temperament
Siamese in personality and slightly less extreme in volume. Thais are vocal, affectionate, clever and thoroughly involved, and they bond hard.
They are sociable with children and other animals, highly trainable, and poor at being alone. Anyone who wants the Siamese character in a less angular cat is looking at this breed.
Care and grooming
A weekly rub down for the short close coat. Nothing more.
The broader head shape and less extreme build have generally been kinder to the breed's health than the show Siamese line has, but the underlying inherited conditions are shared: rdAc progressive retinal atrophy with a DNA test, and a tendency to dental disease.
Living and exercise
Company and interaction. They are active, they climb, and they want to be part of the household.
They are sturdier than a modern Siamese and generally robust with it. Twelve to sixteen years is the usual expectation.
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