Javanese vs Siamese

Verdict

The profiles score these two almost the same, so coat and availability decide it. The Siamese has a short, fine, glossy coat that needs almost no grooming. The Javanese has a fine, silky single coat of medium length with a plumed tail, so it needs slightly more brushing. Both are slender, blue-eyed, very talkative and devoted. The Siamese is Common and the Javanese is Rare, with a longer watch-list that includes heart and gut disease. Choose the Siamese for the short coat and easier search, and the Javanese for the plumed tail.

Choose the Javanese if

• You want a Siamese-type cat with a medium-length silky coat and a plumed tail.
• You want points in colours beyond the four traditional ones.
• You can wait for a kitten from a Rare breed.
• You will ask your vet about dental disease, amyloidosis, heart disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Choose the Siamese if

• You want the classic short-coated pointed cat.
• You want an easier search, since the Siamese is Common.
• You want the least grooming of the two.
• You will ask about progressive retinal atrophy and amyloidosis.

Where they are alike

Both score top marks for talkativeness, affection and intelligence, and both score lowest for independence. Neither suits a household that is empty all day.