What is the Tortoiseshell Siamese Cat? I Everything You Need To Know About the Stunning Tortie Point

Siamese is one of the rarest and most sought-after cat breeds in the world—people adore these cats for their one-of-a-kind beauty and distinctive personalities, and of course, for their gorgeous pair of blue eyes!

Fortunately, there are many types of Siamese to choose from if you plan to adopt one. One of the most beautiful and unique types is the Tortieshell Siamese cat, often also referred to as the tortie point.

If you want to learn more about this stunning Siamese type, read on as we cover everything you need to know about Tortoiseshell Siamese cats—from their origins to their charismatic personalities and everything in between!

You might enjoy my articles on Siamese Cat Colors, Flame Point Siamese Cats, Lynx Point Siamese Cats, Lilac Point Siamese Cats, Chocolate Point Siamese Cats, Cinnamon Siamese Cats, Blue Point Siamese Cats, Silver Point Siamese Cats and Striped Siamese Cats.

Let’s Talk History!

So, what are the origins of Tortie Point Siamese cats? To answer this question, let’s talk about the origins of the Siamese first…

Siamese cats were cherished by the Siamese kings for their role of guardian and their distinctive beauty—anyone caught capturing a Siamese was put to death (yikes!). This is why Siamese didn’t come to Europe until the early 19th century.

In Bangkok, British Consul General Owen Gould became the first person to adopt a pair of Siamese. In 1885, the first Siamese exhibition was held in London, and the kittens born to his Siamese couple were displayed there.

The first Siamese to set foot on the soil of America was a gift from the King of Siam to a friend. Breeders in America started to import Siamese cats from the UK, Japan, Siam, and France at the turn of the century, and then they developed the breed.

The Siamese cat didn’t start gaining this love and attention until after World War II. But now they’re all the rage, being the 2nd most popular cat breed in North America!

As for the Tortoiseshell Siamese, these beauties were bred in the late 1940s. Breeders attempted to develop Siamese cats in new colors other than the four conventional colors (blue, seal, lilac, and chocolate) in the 1940s. These attempts, however, required the sacrifice of many Siamese cats because the initial results were not promising.

The first Tortie Point Siamese cat was created in the late 1940s, but it wasn’t until 1966 that it was recognized as a real Siamese.

Characteristics of the Tortoiseshell Siamese Cat

1. Appearance

Tortoiseshell Siamese cats have many things in common with normal Siamese, possessing features like gorgeous blue eyes, triangular ears, and pointed tails. But these two are not the same regarding other physical features…

The area of the body where there’s a different color from the rest of the body is solidly colored in traditional Siamese cats. On the other hand, a Tortie Point Siamese boasts a unique tortoiseshell pattern instead of a solid color.

A female cat with the orange gene mates with a male cat without the orange gene, creating a Tortie Point Siamese. Tortie Point Siamese kittens have a completely white coat when they’re born, and a few months later, the gene works its magic, and beautiful points start to form.

The tortoiseshell mottling on Tortie Point Siamese cats varies widely from one cat to another, which makes Tortie Point Siamese cats even more special!

2. Color

Tortoiseshell or Tortie Point Siamese cats come in seven beautiful colors, each with distinctive beauty that appeals to different people.

Color	Description
Blue Tortie Point	Blue Tortie Point Siamese cats boast beautiful white fur with mottled cream and light blue points.
Seal Tortie Point	This is one of the most sought-after Tortie Point Siamese colors. Its coat color can be off-white, cream, or fawn with mottled seal red and brown points.
Lilac Tortie Point	The lilac Tortie Point Siamese features an off-white coat with pinkish-gray or lilac points.
Chocolate Tortie Point	The chocolate Tortie Point Siamese has ivory white fur with milk chocolate points and red shades.
Fawn Tortie Point	This variety features an off-white coat with pale rosy mushroom points and soft cream shades.
Cinnamon Tortie Point	The cinnamon Tortie Point Siamese boasts a beautiful ivory white coat with stunning cinnamon-brown points and red shades around it.
Caramel Tortie Point	The caramel Tortie Point Siamese has an off-white coat with brownish-gray points and pretty apricot shades.

So, blue Tortie Point, seal Tortie Point, lilac Tortie Point, chocolate Tortie Point, fawn Tortie Point, cinnamon Tortie Point, caramel Tortie Point—take your pick!

3. Personality

Like other Siamese cats, Tortoiseshell Siamese cats are easygoing, loyal, lively, friendly, curious, outgoing, affectionate, playful, and extremely clever.

Due to their clinginess, Tortoiseshell Siamese cats are among the Velcro cats that defy the notion that cats are arrogant, indifferent, and aloof. However, causing trouble and being annoying are in any cat’s genes, and the Tortie Point Siamese is no exception.

They’re also like other Siamese cats, extremely vocal! So, if you can’t deal with constant meowing, purring, and chirping, the Tortoiseshell Siamese, is just not for you. Want to learn more about the excessive meowing of Siamese cats?

Check out our comprehensive article Why Do Siamese Cats Meow So Much?

Finally, Tortoiseshell Siamese cats are naturally active athletes—they enjoy playing, running, climbing, and engaging in other physical activities!

4. Health

The energetic nature of the Tortoiseshell Siamese makes it a healthy breed that usually lives longer than other sedentary cat breeds. On average, Tortoiseshell Siamese cats live 12-15 years, depending on their health and care.

Tortie Point Siamese cats are more likely to develop an eye condition that may cause blindness. Some cats may even suffer from lung issues with age. So you want to take your Tortoiseshell Siamese to the vet for regular checkups to ensure he’s not suffering from any of these diseases.

You might enjoy reading more of my articles on Siamese Cats: Siamese Cat Personality, Types of Siamese Cats, Siamese Cats, Are Siamese Cats good mousers?, Why do Siamese Cats meow so much?, When do Siamese cats stop growing, Siamese Munchkin Cat, Are Siamese Cats mean?, Do Siamese Cats shed?, Do Siamese Cats fur change color?, How big do Siamese Cats get?, Why does my Siamese Cat attack me?, Siamese Cats in Heat, Signs my cat is a Siamse Mix and Male vs Female Siamese Cats.

Recognition of the Tortoiseshell Siamese Cat

In addition to approving the blue, lilac, and chocolate points in 1971, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) initially recognized the seal Tortie Point Siamese in 1966. The fawn, cinnamon, and caramel Tortie Points later received recognition. The American Cat Fanciers Association (AFCA) and the International Cat Association (TICA) are two cat registries that recognize Tortie Point Siamese cats.

On the other hand, the Tortie Point Siamese is not recognized as an official Siamese point color by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in the USA. However, they still recognize solid points like blue, seal, and chocolate.

Final Thoughts: Should You Adopt A Tortoiseshell Siamese Cat?

The short answer is YES! The Tortoiseshell Siamese’s strong attachment to their favorite humans is one of his most adorable personality traits, making this fur ball a great pet! This cat breed gets attached to his people more than territory—once you gain his love and trust, he never leaves your side!  

Additionally, the Tortoiseshell Siamese is extremely affectionate, sometimes invasive and too demanding, so make sure you have enough time and energy to devote to your Siamese before deciding to adopt one.