Snow Cloud Siamese?

With my very first litter of Si-Rex hybrid kittens (straight hair) came 2 surprises! The only male and one female started developing a marbled pattern in their coat at 3 weeks old, and it has only become more defined since then. With rushed research online for similar patterns the ONLY other breeds I've been able to find it in is the Bengal and the Australian Mist cats, however, their patterns still differ from my kittens, where-as the Mist and the Bengals have lynx points, my kittens have solid points. Other differences, if there are any, have yet to be noted, but I am in awe of these kittens...I can only describe it as cool!
I am wondering if these kittens are a new mutation? I have seen all 4 of their grandparents, their uncles and aunts and other relatives and not a single pattern was seen in any of them, not even lynx points, all were solid, normal colored cats. For those of you reading, if you know of any snow marbled cats with solid points, or any siamese cats...without any ancestry of Bengals or Mist cats...that have produced patterned coated kittens, please let me know!
I have previously stated my intentions for my breeding program, and sadly I just don't find room for doing another breed at this time, however I honestly think that these kittens are a very good opportunity to create a new breed or variety. I'm rather fond of the name "Snow Cloud Siamese" but if someone wishes to work on this as a new breed themselves they can have full naming rights. Since I plan re-breedings between Avon and Stetson hopefully the chances for more "snow cloud" kittens are very good. Please contact me if you are interested in these kittens or future kittens and whether you might be interested in developing a new breed/variety.

Cornish Rex History

The Cornish Rex breed is a fairly young one, the first Cornish Rex was "Kallibunker". Born in Cornwall, England on July 21, 1950 to an ordinary barn cat, he was the only kitten with a uniquely distinctive coat...it was very short and curly. His owner had the insight to see the specialness of this kitten and took him to a geneticist to confirm that he was a new mutation. Subsequently a breeding program was created to create more rex cats. In 1956 the first rex cats were imported to the US, and subsequently bred to siamese (along with orientals and other like breeds). Thus giving the American bred Cornish Rex it's more streamline, angular features. (the Cornish Rex in England and Europe remained somewhat stockier than it's American brother).
In 1962 the CFA recognized the breed and began registering them, in 1964 the breed was eligible to compete for championship. However, ironically, the color-point pattern that was inherited from the heavy use of siamese was not recognized for championship until 1983, thus making a color-point Cornish Rex difficult to find, and some breeders still biased against them because they were involved for so long in a world where the colorpoint Cornish Rex was not show-quality and therefore not breeding quality.
Interesting facts about the Cornish Rex which have been a huge added bonus to my breeding plans, is not only because of how well people whom are allergic to cats do with them but also because they are very low shedding, and whatever hairs they do shed (nothing is completely shed-proof...humans shed hair too) is practicly un-noticeable because of how short it is, whether it's a black rex who lounges on a white sofa, or vice-versa, you'll be very hard put to find any hairs they may have left behind.
Also, through sheer luck in the creation of the Cornish Rex breed, there have not been one single health issue discovered in them (nearly every breed/species in the world suffers from some sort of genetic disease). They are healthier than horses! and they are also known for their long lives, most of them live well into their late teens, and I would hazard a guess that quite a few have lived into their 20's too.

Background Information

My passion for cats started with my very first cat, a beautiful calico named Tommytoes who was a Christmas gift when I was 3 years old. I was an only child, so Tommytoes was my sister and playmate and best friend for 15 years when she passed away after suffering and partially recovering from Fatty Liver Disease and senility as well. In the time of having her, and afterwards as well I had 4 other random bred domestic shorthairs. All of them died in not the happiest of ways, one passed away at 2 yrs old from cancer, and another at 5 yrs old from cancer as well, one had to be PTS because of extreme mental illness to which treatment had been ineffective. and my last kitty died after ingesting string when I was not at home. All of the cats had some sort of tempermental issue in one way or another, and the medical issues was quite disheartening as well. Being an avid fan of purebred dogs and conformation shows, I decided to turn to the purebred cats
Since I had never had a longhaired cat I decided I should get into a longhaired breed. I bought a blue male persian that was already a CFA Grand Champion, and a black female that had an entirely titled pedigree and had a few small wins in kitten classes and set out a breeding program for Persian cats. Their temperaments were incredible, I have never known a cat so sweet, forgiving, kindly and charismatic, those personalities along, after being compared to the haughty, sulking personalities that my previous cats had come by so easily, I was hooked on purebreds. It wasn't to long after I acquired the persians that the female became pregnant, however during this short time of owning them I discovered a rather dark side to the purebred world. The suffering these cats had to go through in the name of "typeyness" and "beauty". My grand champion male had a face so extreme that not only did he have difficulty breathing, but he had difficulty eating as well. he sneezed constantly, panted easily and had to sit at his food dish for hours every day in order to consume enough food, his food had to be wet or semi-soft foods, dry kibble was nearly impossible for him. my female was slow to eat as well, but she did not have quite as hard of a time as my boy. but...not only did their extreme faces cause so much trouble, but also their coats. One should understand that there are different types of coats in longhaired cats, some are soft and silky and never need groomed, some are a slightly harsher and need groomed occasionally...and then there is the show persian's coat...bred to be so profuse, so long, and of a very fuzzy texture...it looks awesome when it is freshly groomed and fluffed. but it takes HOURS to get that look that one sees so often in photos and at the shows. and if that coat is not brushed every single day it will matt...every single day. and the breed also seems to have an oilier skin than other breeds, and this oily substance on profuse, fuzzy longhair makes the perfect dirt and smell collector like you've never seen. In short...it was horrible, I enjoy grooming, but this was extreme, and very unnatural, without daily, constant human care these cats would not be able to last a week living alone. After that first litter was born and the kittens sold I decided that I could not abide by such a horrible practise as too breed extreme "show quality" persians. It was such experience that has seriously made me question the ethicality of so called "ethical" show breeders. I had the male neutered and I placed him with a home that was experienced with persians, and the female I sent to another breeder who had wanted her when I purchased her first. So I was catless...and although the persians had left a sad, sour taste in my mouth....I still wanted a purebred longhair, this time I went for a balinese, from a breeder who had traditional and classic type cats. And thus came Avon, an absolutely wonderful little girl. From Avon I discovered a new, enchanting personality of cats, and the wonders of the siamese colors, although having seen them since forever, and never really thinking much about their colors, after having lived with a blue-point Balinese (semi-longhaired Siamese) I have come to appreciate their beauty like none other. And the soft, sweet butterfly like temperament of a cat, she is regal but meek, glorious but humble. She loves her luxuries and appreciates them like I've never seen another cat do. Nearly a month after acquiring Avon, a family friend bought me a birthday gift, knowing that I wanted a purebred cat and had just been so dissapointed by the persians...but not knowing that I had already bought another cat, he gave me a Russian Blue kitten, quite a surprise it was, received with a little trepidition at first, but Maybelline came to fit right in. While I have decided to not pursue breeding Russian Blues, I have found a new companion so incredible I must mention it here, Maybel is incredibly devoted to me to the point she will pine away if I leave, she adores riding around on my shoulder when I come home and sleeps under the covers with me every night, snuggled in my arms, she is like a little monkey with her antics and she loves to play play play, adventure is her middle name, while she is aloof with most other people she is absolutely crazy about me...and I'll tell you, there is nothing quite like the experience of that of a cat who is truly, completely devoted to you and has put their complete trust in you.
Avon and Maybelline are both 3 yrs old this spring of 2007, Avon's coat has never had a single mat....ever. Her coat is incredibly clean, soft and silky (I only wonder why a show persian's coat cannot be like that) Both girls have no aggressive quirks, either with humans, children, other animals or otherwise and they are a complete joy to live with, it is because of them I am sorely tempted to never have anything other than a cat from purebred lineage again.
However, another twist has happened in the last 2 years that has made me change directions once again in my quest for perfect cats (not that mine aren't perfect, they are!) My best friend has developed allergies to my girls (we really suspect maybelline's coat is what is really triggering it) and I have family members who have allergies to cats as well. Because I cannot live without cats, or without my friends and family I had to do something about it. I took my best friend to a Cornish Rex cattery to see if she'd have any reaction, and after 3 hours she was able to determine that she had no allergic reaction to them at all. So I have decided to become involved in rex cats, number one for the comfort of my family and friends, and number 2 to make available more rex cats to more households who experience these same problems. (P.S...in case you are concerned, no, I will never ever give up Avon or Maybelline).
So thus is my start in breeding cats, I am keeping my own stud book, however I hope to find more people also wanting to breed Si-Rexes as well to start an organization and single-breed registry and foundation stud book with and later on apply for recognition from a recognized cat registry.

Breeding Program

Our goal here at Blue Rose Cats is to develope a line of Si-Rex cats. To have more insight into our breeding program please view the post on the Cornish Rex history and the post on background information as to why I choose to breed Si-Rexes.
The Si-Rex cat is very rarely seen in the US. While the Cornish Rex can come in colorpoints, because of the trend of breeding programs it is difficult to find a colorpoint rex...let alone just a rex! I love the siamese colors, but I desire to have the rex coat, however the sharp angularity of most Cornish Rexes does not really appeal to me as much as the softer curves of the classic type siamese. Thus I'd like to make available here in the US what is already being done in Europe...a siamese/cornish rex hybrid breed being developed into it's own breed with it's own standard.
Keep in mind that in November 2006 I had my very first litter of Si-Rex kittens (and they don't even have the rex coat) so my breeding program has only just been born...literally, and it'll take awhile for it to grow and mature into something bigger. I plan to be importing most of my Cornish Rex and Si-Rex stock from Europe and the UK where there is a larger population of them.
I choose to work with the Cornish Rex instead of working with the other rex cat breeds available because I think their conformation fits better with the ideal I am seeking than the other breeds do, however if I am able to find any German Rexes (whose genes have proven to mix well with Cornish rex and produce rexed kittens) then I will certainly jump at the chance to add them to my program as well because, based upon photos I've seen, their conformation is an even better match for the Ideal that I picture.
I am seeking others within the US and Canada whom are also very interested in making the Si-Rex a seperate and recognized breed.
I have not yet finalized a rough draft copy of a standard for the Si-Rex, and such work is best finished with a group of enthusiasts rather than just one person, when the "new" breed has been around before the "founder" got involved. (P.S...therefore, I do NOT consider myself the founder of this breed...merely it's champion)

The Kittens!

These kittens were born on Thanksgiving Day (my veterinarian will attest to that!), this is the first litter for both Avon and Stetson, Avon has done an excellent job as a first time mother! everything has gone very well. There is one little girl, one big girl and one boy. Ever since they were born I could tell that the little girl's and the boy's coats were somehow darker, even though they were white/cream, than big girl's. At about 3 weeks it became apparent that something was definately different about little girl's and boy's coat color...they had a marble pattern! I have found this very strange since both parents are solid points, and I believed that the parent's coat pattern was recessive to tabby type markings, and therefore could not produce such colors. I have yet to receive any answers on this, and I am suspecting that these kittens have a possible color pattern mutation, further investigation will be needed to verify that.

All kittens will have a normal short haired coat, they all carry both the rex coat and the semi-longhair coat. It is expected for the coat to be a lil thicker/plusher than most siamese coats, this always happens when a kitten has one shorthair gene and one longhair gene. All kittens appear to be blue-point, although the marble pattern on the 2 kittens has a tannish hue, in dogs this would be called "blue fawn".

King Stetson

King Stetson was born in early and came to live with us in August 2006, we had searched for a long time for just this boy, we specifically wanted a colorpoint Cornish Rex or Si-Rex with the Cornish Rex coat for our breeding program and we finally found him! Stetson's parents are imports from Russia, both of them were solid colors but they carried the colorpoints, both of his parents are Si-Rexes, they are hybrid designed from Cornish Rex cats and Siamese cats to increase the gene pool of Rex cats and develope more rex cats with colorpoints. Please read the entry on Cornish Rexes to learn more about them. Stetson is a very friendly and laid back boy, he adores attention and loves to be where ever the people are, even when things get real busy. Stetson is a seal point but he carries the blue point also (he was the only seal point born in a litter of solid and blue point kittens). Stetson's body type is also classic, his coat is very short and curly, it feels like suede, and because it is so short and sheds very very little it is unnoticeable on furniture or clothes. He has quickly gotten used to our big Shepherd boy and likes to rub up against him.

Queen Avon

Queen Avon was born in the early spring of 2003 and came to live with me in May of that same year. Avon is a blue-point Balinese, which is a semi-longhaired siamese, her coat is very soft and beautiful, reminds me of downy feathers. In the 3 years that I've had her she has never had a single mat in her coat, unlike the persians I once owned whose hair got mats every single day. Her mother was a beautiful and VERY talkative seal point shorthair and her father was a quiet, sweet blue-point balinese also. Avon is a small classic type siamese, also called a "modified wedge" she is neither extreme wedge or extreme apple-head, but more resembles the old siamese known before the 1960's. She is very sweet and loving, but not the bravest, she does not like loud noises or excessive activity but enjoys being lavished with attention when everyone is sitting down. She is like a butterfly, she flutters away when you move fast, but if you hold still and offer a treat she'll stay with you. Avon loves nothing more than the softest pillow to lay on, give her something soft and cushy and she'll make herself right at home.