The first standard dates from 1892. After the foundation of the first Siamese cat club the standard has been changed several times in order to preserve certain characteristics of the breed or even to change them. Later with the foundations of more cat clubs more standards were created, among others by the Fife which differs from the GCCF on points. Because of the regular changes the standard has become what it is now.

Should a standard develope with the times? Indeed with the progression of the years our tastes change. So why not a standard as well. It is simply a matter of evolution. I understand that the purists will say; "What about the original breed?" Indeed there is not much left of the original Siamese of around 1900. But where do we draw the line? Fact is that the standard will always be subject to minor changes. Breeders who go for certain characteristics and are rewarded for this make this necessary. Writing this makes me realise that the lovers of the old-fashioned Siamese will not agree. I too am concerned about the fact that by this way of progressive breeding. The Siamese has undergone and will undergo a complete metamorphosis. With emphasis I call the modern-day Siamese the "Modern Siamese".

As far as I am concerned, the present standard (before 01-01-2000) can be applied to many Siamese, a wedge is still a wedge and elegant is still elegant. Well, there are as many opinions as there are people. What seems elegant to you may seem plump to me. They are empty phrases that can be interpreted in many ways. This is also the reason why there are so many variations in the different types of Siamese. So my conclusion will be, the standard is still applicable provided it is used by people who are in the know and who have an unconditional passion for the Siamese. In the mean time we must be careful with senseless and inapplicable matters that only bring the standard downwards. The standard has to be guarded and controlled only by lovers of and experts on the true Siamese. After the last FIFe general assembly the standard would be altered per 01-01-2000. in a very negative way. I am strongly against the folded or bonnet rule.   So maybe...................................

2004, Fife Breed Councils are established and see combining power is the way to success. A proposal regarding the ears is successfully put on the agenda of the FIFE General assembly 2004. Read more here

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The Modern Siamese

As a FIFe international judge the golden rule for judging will always be the accepted standard for the breed. But as the standard consists of written words that you will have to adopt into a live being, there will always be ample room for your own personal interpretation of that standard. Due to this, every judge has (or in my opinion should have) his/her own inner picture of the ideal cat of that breed. This one is mine.

My ideal Siamese? – a cat that instantly tells me the breed – preferably screams it out to me (and preferably without using the voice…). Yes, if the head is not a typical Siamese head, it won’t do if only the body is excellent. Long, strong bodies might be found on cats belonging to several breeds, but that strong, triangular, wedge-shaped head with a good build-up and a straight profile belongs only to the Siamese. Straight lines all the way, rounded skull with good width between the ears, a deep chin in line and an excellent bite, to go with this longish, almond shaped, oriental slanted eyes in glittering dark blue – set apart to give the wedge its due triangular look. No, not the too long head, not the too narrow head, not the flat head – a lion head is my favourite.

Then – what’s left? The ears. Large, yes. Low placed, yes. But not only. The ’ice-coon’ shaped ears, however large, are not my favourites, even when they are placed very low on the head. This strong head I yearn for, needs something to balance it – and here comes the need for the large ears with an extreme open base and still good width between them, shown by the rounded top of head. Then everything fits beautifully together, giving all lines the correct slant to emphasise the triangularly of that head.

Enough? No – the body must be a Siamese body, with length, muscularity, strength and still elegance and of course the swanlike neck to promote the feeling of length to the body. In a too fine boned cat, the thinness might just be mistaken for elegance when it’s only lack of muscles. No – a well built, strong body with hard muscles, - and these long, elegant legs (just kicked off the high heeled shoes) and the talkative thin, long and tapering tail. Yes – talkative – a Siamese always talks not only with its mouth, but with its tail as well.

Colour? When you once have experienced a specimen with a perfect full coloured points also on the front legs – then you know that a Siamese will never be perfect without the correct colour. And the coat as well – close lying to the body and not giving any disturbance of the visuality of elegance and health. Yes – health – because this cat in my dreams can’t exist without being demonstratively gleaming with health.