If you adore Siamese cats for their physical beauty but are quite put off by their vocalization and aggressiveness, you may opt for a Lynx Point Siamese. These felines have the same slim and elegant bodies as the traditional Siamese cats but unlike the the traditional breed, these cats are laid-back and low-maintenance.
Lynx Point Siamese: Physical characteristics and personality
Finding a cat that fits with your lifestyle and preferences can be tricky because of the myriad of cat breeds to choose from. If you prefer a physically elegant cat, with beautiful features such as striking blue eyes, and a personality that is subdued and calm, the Lynx Point Siamese may be a good fit for you.
Here are the common physical characteristics and personality traits of the Lynx Point Siamese:
Physical characteristics
The Lynx Point Siamese cat has a slim and medium-built body with a sturdy frame, much like the traditional Siamese breed. They weigh around six to 12 pounds with males generally heavier than females. They have spotted whisker pads and an M-shaped forehead marking. They have stripes around the eyes and cheeks and their ears have the same color as the face with a paler-colored central area that resembles a thumbprint.
These cats have striped legs with the tail marked with rings of color that darken as they age. The gene responsible for the striped coat pattern is the mackerel gene since it gives the cat mackerel-type stripes and the M-shaped marking in the forehead. The coat color options include lilac, chocolate, blue, seal, cream, red, caramel, cinnamon, fawn, and apricot. Meanwhile, the traditional breed only has a seal point coloration with color in their face, paws, tail tips, and extremities.
Personality
While the traditional Siamese breed has recognizable personality traits of being affectionate, vocal, inquisitive, and people-oriented, the Lynx Point Siamese may be seen as its subdued and improved version. The latter may still possess most of the qualities of the traditional breed but they tend to be more mellow and less vocal, too. They are laid-back and enjoy the attention of their owners but are not too demanding.
Lynx Point Siamese: What’s in a name
While there are clear variations regarding personality and physical attributes, people are confused when it comes to the breed’s name. For the American Cat Fanciers Association, the breed is called Lynx Colorpoint Shorthair because of the lynx markings. However, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in the UK refers to it as the Tabby Point Siamese. Generally, this breed is called lynx point, tabby point, or colorpoint and it is used interchangeably since the name usually depends on the location.
What is the average lifespan of a Lynx Point Siamese cat?
Lynx Point Siamese cats may live from 15 to 20 years much like the traditional Siamese breed, given the right care and proper nutrition. Usually, mixed breed cats live longer than purebred ones. However, this does not seem to be the case with the traditional Siamese breed. They have great genes while the mixed breed also possesses these genes allowing them to fight off most genetic diseases.
Do Lynx Point Siamese cats shed?
The Lynx Point Siamese is a short-haired breed, thus, they do not shed as much as the long-haired ones. It also means fewer irritants due to fur and dander and these cats are easier to groom compared to many other breeds.
Is the Lynx Point Siamese cat expensive?
Compared to other cat breeds, the Lynx Point Siamese cat is not that costly to own. Kittens that are already microchipped and have received shots cost around $500 while those that have not received shots or other medical needs are priced at $200 to $300. Always opt for a reputable breeder in your area.
What are the two main categories of Siamese cats?
These are the two main categories of the Siamese breed:
Traditional Siamese
This has three sub-categories, the Applehead which has a longer fluffy fur with a stocky round face and is quieter than the others, the Old style which has an elongated facial structure and more almond-shaped eyes that tend to be cross-eyed, and the Classic Siamese which is lighter with a longer body and tail, has larger ears, and a non-existent nose dip
Modern Siamese
Modern Siamese breeds include the wedgies, light-colored points, and dark-colored points.
1. Wedgies – they have the most elongated and extreme form, have wedge-shaped heads that are quite triangular, ears are set lower on the head and more towards the face.
2. Light-colored points – including the cream, lilac, and chocolate points.
3. Dark-colored points – including the seal, blue, and red points.
Final thoughts
The Siamese cat breed is considered as one of the oldest Asian cat breeds around. They make good pets because they’re intelligent, sociable, and get playful but if you prefer your cat to be laidback and not-too-vocal but still have the elegant looks and blue eyes of the Siamese opt for the Lynx Point Siamese breed which is considered as a modern and subdued version of the traditional one.
Image: istockphoto.com / anna avdeeva