Lynx Point Siamese Cats: Meezers with Stripes!

Lynx Point Siamese cats, also known as Tabby Point Siamese in some countries, are named for their beautiful markings which look like those of the wild lynx. As far as I know, though, Lynx Points aren't in any way related to the wild lynx.

Lynx Siamese cats came about from the accidental mating of a purebred Seal Point with a tabby. A kitten from this mating was then crossed with another purebred Seal Point, resulting in the first Seal Tabby Point.

What Do Lynx Point Siamese Cats Look Like?

The combination of a Siamese coat and point pattern with tabby markings gives you beautiful, pale-bodied, pointed cats with tabby-striped points in any one of the breed's main point colors.

• Faces should have well-defined stripes around the eyes, nose and cheeks, spotted whisker pads and an 'M'-shaped marking on the forehead
• Ears should be outlined with the same color as the stripes on the face, but have a paler-colored central area that looks rather like a thumbprint
• Legs should be striped, and the tail marked with rings of color that extend all the way up the tail.
  

Notes on Tabby Markings

Tabby cats get their markings from the presence of the agouti gene, in conjunction with other genes that give a tabby either a striped, spotted or mottled pattern.

The particular gene responsible for producing the striped coat pattern is called the 'mackerel' gene, presumably because it gives a cat mackerel-like stripes.

It also gives the striped tabby a distinctive 'M'-shaped marking on his forehead, which you can also see on the wild European lynx, below.

No such thing as a Lynx Point Siamese?

Technically, there's really no such thing as a 'Lynx Point Siamese' cat. This is because the American Cat Fanciers' Association refers to a Siamese-type cat with lynx markings as a Lynx ColorPoint Shorthair.

Confusingly, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in the UK calls the same kind of cat a Tabby Point Siamese.

So a Lynx ColorPoint Shorthair is, in fact, the same as a Tabby Point Siamese? Yes - it's a question of same cat, different words.

The CFA list six different kinds of Lynx ColorPoint Shorthair – Seal, Chocolate, Blue, Lilac, Red and Cream.

The GCCF lists ten types of Tabby Point – the six listed above, plus Cinnamon, Caramel, Fawn and Apricot.

But whatever they're called and wherever they're called it, there's no denying that Lynx Point Siamese cats are astonishingly beautiful.

What Are They Like to Live With?

Lynx Points are friendly, active and vocal (although some breeders say they're not quite as vocal as their solid point cousins). They enjoy playing games and get along well with people and other pets.

They also seem to have inherited the Siamese trait for longevity, with a reported average lifespan of 15-20 years.

Other Unusual Colors

• Red Points
• Flame Points
• Tortie Points

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