How to recognise whether a cat is a snowshoe or a siamese?

Carrot_cake1502

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What differentiates the 2 breeds, I know snowshoe cats have the siamese cat mixed in somewhere. But what are the physical differences? For lynx point colour?
 

di and bob

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Snowshoes indeed have a lot of Siamese background, because they are pointed. A 'perfect' registered Snowshoe is rare because the markings they have are recessive and hard to get right. Both parents must carry the gene. Most have too much white, etc. But it all started out with those white feet on Siamese kittens and went from there. Snowshoes are more docile and quieter than Siamese and have a harder time being separated from people. They are still talkative, though not as loud, and are one of the few cat breeds that like water. Crossed with the American Shorthair, the breed was bred to be stockier like the Shorthair, but not delicate, with a shorter muzzle (white on the chin) and a definite line between the colored and white areas. Eyes are blue. inverted white triangle on the chin, feet, chest, and abdomen. Kittens are born white. They are very intelligent and can be taught tricks. Coloring can vary, the Lynx Point Siamese has pronounced stripes/rings of darker color and the ever-present 'M' (indicating tabby) on the forehead almost between the eyes. If the cat is not registered and does not have papers, they will be known as a Lynx pointed DSH or domestic short hair. Purebred Snowshoes are relatively rare because it is so hard to get their coloring right. Pet quality Snowshoes would be much easier to obtain.
 
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Carrot_cake1502

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Snowshoes indeed have a lot of Siamese background, because they are pointed. A 'perfect' registered Snowshoe is rare because the markings they have are recessive and hard to get right. Both parents must carry the gene. Most have too much white, etc. But it all started out with those white feet on Siamese kittens and went from there. Snowshoes are more docile and quieter than Siamese and have a harder time being separated from people. They are still talkative, though not as loud, and are one of the few cat breeds that like water. Crossed with the American Shorthair, the breed was bred to be stockier like the Shorthair, but not delicate, with a shorter muzzle (white on the chin) and a definite line between the colored and white areas. Eyes are blue. inverted white triangle on the chin, feet, chest, and abdomen. Kittens are born white. They are very intelligent and can be taught tricks. Coloring can vary, the Lynx Point Siamese has pronounced stripes/rings of darker color and the ever-present 'M' (indicating tabby) on the forehead almost between the eyes. If the cat is not registered and does not have papers, they will be known as a Lynx pointed DSH or domestic short hair. Purebred Snowshoes are relatively rare because it is so hard to get their coloring right. Pet quality Snowshoes would be much easier to obtain.
Do you think this cat has any sort of resemblance? He was sold as a ragdoll but his eyes are too light and his fur isn't quite as fluffy and his head shape is different than a ragdoll.
 

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Carrot_cake1502

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Snowshoes indeed have a lot of Siamese background, because they are pointed. A 'perfect' registered Snowshoe is rare because the markings they have are recessive and hard to get right. Both parents must carry the gene. Most have too much white, etc. But it all started out with those white feet on Siamese kittens and went from there. Snowshoes are more docile and quieter than Siamese and have a harder time being separated from people. They are still talkative, though not as loud, and are one of the few cat breeds that like water. Crossed with the American Shorthair, the breed was bred to be stockier like the Shorthair, but not delicate, with a shorter muzzle (white on the chin) and a definite line between the colored and white areas. Eyes are blue. inverted white triangle on the chin, feet, chest, and abdomen. Kittens are born white. They are very intelligent and can be taught tricks. Coloring can vary, the Lynx Point Siamese has pronounced stripes/rings of darker color and the ever-present 'M' (indicating tabby) on the forehead almost between the eyes. If the cat is not registered and does not have papers, they will be known as a Lynx pointed DSH or domestic short hair. Purebred Snowshoes are relatively rare because it is so hard to get their coloring right. Pet quality Snowshoes would be much easier to obtain.
He is a 6 month old male.
 

di and bob

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Other than his hair length, which is MUCh too long, I would say the kitten has more ragdoll background then snowshoe. But the Lynx Point is correct. he does not have the inverted white triangle on the face and the 4 white paws needed for Snowshoe either. He is a stunning cat, very beautiful!
 
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Carrot_cake1502

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Other than his hair length, which is MUCh too long, I would say the kitten has more ragdoll background then snowshoe. But the Lynx Point is correct. he does not have the inverted white triangle on the face and the 4 white paws needed for Snowshoe either. He is a stunning cat, very beautiful!
Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. He is also a very vocal cat, is that to be expected?
 

di and bob

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LOL, oh yes with his points pointing to his Siamese background! They are the most talkative of all, and I can guarantee you he will talk back to you when you discipline or scold him....
 
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Carrot_cake1502

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LOL, oh yes with his points pointing to his Siamese background! They are the most talkative of all, and I can guarantee you he will talk back to you when you discipline or scold him....
Everyday at 7am comes in my alarm (my cat) and he meows until he gets fed, he is very vocal even if he is fed and most vocal when he is wiped.
 

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The actual Snowshoe breed is nearly non-existent. There are very very few breeders in the US. So the chances of a purebred showing up randomly are pretty darn low. Plus defining features of Snowshoes are the white paws and blaze, so your boy definitely isn't a Snowshoe. I agree that if he has any purebred background it would be Ragdoll, but I don't really see a lot of Ragdoll either. He's definitely a lynx point, and is very handsome. I love his tail!
 

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Unfortunately, unless you bought him from a registered breeder there's no guarantees he has any breeds in him at all. A lot of people dont know that DSH and DLH can have colorpoint kittens and if you breed two colors points you will always get colorpoint kittens. A lot of people label colorpoint kittens as ragdolls, siamese or shoeshoe (or mixes) but its not true.
 

lutece

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He's a gorgeous cat!

I would describe your handsome fellow as a seal lynx point domestic longhair. Pointed cats can pop up in a litter with parents of nearly any color, since the colorpoint gene is recessive. Most cats are not any particular breed, and are not mixes of breeds, unlike dogs. Your cat has his own unique appearance and personality! He looks great in a bow tie, too :)
 

Iamleber

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The actual Snowshoe breed is nearly non-existent. There are very very few breeders in the US. So the chances of a purebred showing up randomly are pretty darn low. Plus defining features of Snowshoes are the white paws and blaze, so your boy definitely isn't a Snowshoe. I agree that if he has any purebred background it would be Ragdoll, but I don't really see a lot of Ragdoll either. He's definitely a lynx point, and is very handsome. I love his tail!

i think I may have inherited an actual snowshoe… I recently rescued her and another kitten. The other is much younger and very friendly, but they were both abandoned in an empty house with 3 adult cats and NO humans for over 2 weeks.. the poor baby (potential snowshoe) is so scared and just hides from everyone, but she’s not mad or anything. No raises fur, no paw fights, nothing. Just hiding and hissing in fear…I’ve only been able to snag a couple of pics. Can I get your opinions???
 

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Meowmee

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What differentiates the 2 breeds, I know snowshoe cats have the siamese cat mixed in somewhere. But what are the physical differences? For lynx point colour?
Snow shoes started when siamese cats sealpoints had white spotting. Then people started breeding them as a breed. It is hard to reproduce a standard pattern etc. some siamese breeders also breed snowshoes. Not many breed snowshoes near me anyway.

so most like a dsh whois a snowshoe look a like 😻 pretty kitty.
 

P_Kittys_Mom

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Snowshoes indeed have a lot of Siamese background, because they are pointed. A 'perfect' registered Snowshoe is rare because the markings they have are recessive and hard to get right. Both parents must carry the gene. Most have too much white, etc. But it all started out with those white feet on Siamese kittens and went from there. Snowshoes are more docile and quieter than Siamese and have a harder time being separated from people. They are still talkative, though not as loud, and are one of the few cat breeds that like water. Crossed with the American Shorthair, the breed was bred to be stockier like the Shorthair, but not delicate, with a shorter muzzle (white on the chin) and a definite line between the colored and white areas. Eyes are blue. inverted white triangle on the chin, feet, chest, and abdomen. Kittens are born white. They are very intelligent and can be taught tricks. Coloring can vary, the Lynx Point Siamese has pronounced stripes/rings of darker color and the ever-present 'M' (indicating tabby) on the forehead almost between the eyes. If the cat is not registered and does not have papers, they will be known as a Lynx pointed DSH or domestic short hair. Purebred Snowshoes are relatively rare because it is so hard to get their coloring right. Pet quality Snowshoes would be much easier to obtain.
Hello,
I've attached a couple of pictures of my baby. Would you think he is more Snowshoe? I've ALWAYS said he had marshmallow paws.
 

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di and bob

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Oh yes, i would say definite Snowshoe in there! Very few breeds have socks, and those points are beautiful. He has nice Snowshoe coloring!
 

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here is my boy he's 5 months old. i think he's a brother from another mother to the op's kitten. Carrotcake, how big is your kitten? he does look like a big boy. mine is 6 pounds at 5 months.
PXL_20230730_235759541.jpg
 
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