Siamese cats come from Thailand, once called Siam, and arrived in the United States in the late 1800s. They're medium-sized, lithe and muscular, with a short, glossy coat that lies close to the body, vivid blue almond eyes, and darker points on the face, ears, paws and tail. Shedding is low to moderate, and there's no undercoat.
The personality is the main event. Siamese are intelligent, affectionate and very social, and many bond closely with one person while staying friendly with everyone else. Bored or lonely ones can turn loud or mischievous, so play, puzzle feeders and company matter. Many pointed cats are Siamese mixes rather than pedigreed Siamese. They often share the look and the chatty streak, though each cat's personality varies.