Orientals

[nellyflora]

So what's the difference in character between Siamese , tonkanese and Burmese? Which one makes the best pet? This is just advanced day dreaming as current cat is in good health and would not like a new cat at all!

I had a Burmese as a teen he was my savior and I loved him beyond all limits. He took me through my fathers death in my 20's also and I view him as iraplacable.
I currently have a Birman who is a nice cat lovely pet but nowhere near my Burmese, I find him less affectionate and a little dull but still lovely. We got a Birman as I couldn replace my Burmese and also my husband was rather scared of him ( he possesivly used to sit on his chest glaring into his eyes when I took him home to meet my mum& cat he also stole his watch and chased him in the garden and jumped on his head). DH liked fluffier cats (he had never had a pet).
DH has kind of agreed next cat can be a more oriental type. He thinks Siamese are ugly ( I think they are great) he likes the looks of the tonkanese and still views Burmese as slightly evil 😕. DH is no animal or cat expert and has no idea how extreme they can be LOL I am a real oriental cat fan the loader and more demanding the better ! We have 3 small children but will not get one whilst current cat still alive as he is an elderly spoilt solitary cat and would be upset. So anyone got advice or do I risk a second Burmese?

[cozietoesie]

Siamese ugly???

[nellyflora]

Yes his view not mine! I personally think they are stunn

[nellyflora]

Stunning. Lots of typos on phone feeding baby sorry

[cozietoesie]

The thing that always strikes me about Siamese is the personality. Sometimes you catch them out of the corner of your eye as they stroll past and think to yourself how impossibly elegant they are but generally you don't get the chance. You're too busy with them.

(I've had Siamese since I was knee-high so I may be prejudiced.)

[OddsandSods]

I have Burmese they are real cuddle bums, highly intelligent and chatty. My friend has Siamese. I don't think they are very different, both friendly with brains. Burmese are different physically, more solid, round. The new Siamese are quite alien looking. Siamese are much louder.

[OddsandSods]

Ps both breeds love children, my Burmese are never happier than when DD and her friends are being loud and follow them about like little dogs.

[cozietoesie]

It's fair to say that I've always had 'traditional' Siamese.

(I have the vaguest memory that Siamese in the States were becoming so 'attenuated' - breeders were slavishly breeding to the breed standards including much line breeding - that they were withdrawn from the American Fancy for some years backaways. Happy to be corrected on that one - it's just a vague memory.)

[OddsandSods]

Yes traditional are lovely Cozie, I think there are breeders who specifically specialise in the 'old style' Siamese. That's probably right, I know that there were lots of problems with American Burmese at one point, with too small a breeding pool and problems with head shape. That's all corrected now I believe. Ours seem pretty healthy except are beef intolerant, as long as I avoid that their guts are good. They are mad hunters, we have had 2 frogs a toad, 2 large mice and a blackbird, all live, proudly brought to the door. Despite bells on collars....