Persian Cats
Persian cats are well
known for their quiet, docile dispositions. They usually get along well with
kids and other pets, and enjoy attention. They can be very playful and
affectionate.
Persian Cats Breed
As the dusty desert caravans wound their way westward from Persia and Iran, it is supposed that secreted among the rare spices and jewels on the basket-laden camels was an even more precious cargo, an occasional longhair cat. They were called Persian for their "country of origin," but hieroglyphic references as early as 1684 B.C. shroud forever their exact beginnings.
Persians, with their
luxurious coats and open pansy-like faces are the number one breed in
popularity. Their sweet, gentle, personalities blend into most households once
they feel secure in their new environment. Creatures of habit, they are most at
home in an atmosphere of security and serenity, but with love and reassurance,
can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households. Their quiet, melodious
voices are pleasant and non-abrasive.
They communicate delightfully with their large expressive eyes and make charming pets for all ages. Persians have short heavilyboned legs to support their broad, short bodies. They like to have their feet firmly planted and are not given to high jumping and climbing. Playful but never demanding, they love to pose and will drape themselves in a favorite window or chair, enhancing the decor in much the same way as a treasured painting. Persians are tremendously responsive and become a constant source of joy and delight to their owners. Pleasurable as an unexpected sunbeam, their companionship is close and enduring.
They communicate delightfully with their large expressive eyes and make charming pets for all ages. Persians have short heavilyboned legs to support their broad, short bodies. They like to have their feet firmly planted and are not given to high jumping and climbing. Playful but never demanding, they love to pose and will drape themselves in a favorite window or chair, enhancing the decor in much the same way as a treasured painting. Persians are tremendously responsive and become a constant source of joy and delight to their owners. Pleasurable as an unexpected sunbeam, their companionship is close and enduring.
Their long flowing coats
require an indoor, protected environment. Proper maintenance requires a daily
run-through with a metal comb to eliminate the potential drawbacks of tangles
and hairballs. An occasional bath, attempted only after a complete comb-through
and clipping of the nail tips, will keep the coat clean, healthy and beautiful.
It is wise to establish the routine of the bath when they are young. While the
white Persian has long been the darling of photographers and advertisers,
Persians come in an astonishing number of colors, which are divided into seven
color divisions for purposes of competition.
Solid Division
In the Solid Division, only the pristine whites come in three different eye colors. Some have brilliant copper or deep blue eyes, others the surprising combination of one blue and one copper eye of equal intensity. The other solid colors have brilliant copper eyes.
In the Solid Division, only the pristine whites come in three different eye colors. Some have brilliant copper or deep blue eyes, others the surprising combination of one blue and one copper eye of equal intensity. The other solid colors have brilliant copper eyes.
The coat color for all
solids should be sound to the roots and free from markings or shadings. Blues,
once the apex of the breed, have been interbred with other colors to produce a
more uniform type. Their pale silver-blue coats are most beautiful when viewed
in natural lighting. Blacks have glossy patent finishes that glisten with
intensity. Pale milk-colored creams are the dilute of the deep vibrant glowing
reds. Chocolates and lilacs, introduced through the combination of Persian and
Himalayan, are rarely seen. The chocolate demonstrates a warm chocolate-brown
color while the lilac is a warm lavender with a pinkish tone.
Silver & Golden
Division
The exquisite silvers
are considered the most ethereal of all Persians. The chinchilla is a sparkling
white cat with black tipping scattered as evenly as stardust, ever so lightly,
on the face, legs, tail and body. Shadeds show a mantle of black on the back,
shading evenly down the sides.
The Silver and Golden
Division consists of chinchilla and shaded silvers and goldens.
Shaded & Smoke
Division
The Shaded and Smoke Division includes the shell and shaded cameos which have red tipping with a white undercoat. The cream shell and shaded cameos demonstrate a white undercoat tipped with cream. The shell and shaded tortoiseshells have a mantle of black tipping with well-defined patches of red tipped hairs while the shell and shaded blue-creams have blue tipping with well-defined patches of cream tipped hair.
The Shaded and Smoke Division includes the shell and shaded cameos which have red tipping with a white undercoat. The cream shell and shaded cameos demonstrate a white undercoat tipped with cream. The shell and shaded tortoiseshells have a mantle of black tipping with well-defined patches of red tipped hairs while the shell and shaded blue-creams have blue tipping with well-defined patches of cream tipped hair.
The smoke Persian is one
of the most striking patterns of the Persian colors. There are six separate
colors, black, blue, cream, cameo (red), smoke tortoiseshell and blue-cream
smoke. In repose, the smoke appears to be a solid color cat. In motion, the coat
will break open, giving glimpses of a startling white undercoat. All should
have the characteristic white ruff and ear tufts. The perfect balance of
undercoat to overcoat is transitory and the perfection of color balance can
usually only be seen six to eight weeks annually. Their brilliant copper eyes
seem almost like burning embers within the smoke setting.
Tabby Division
The Tabbies are the extroverts of the Persian breed. They come in three patterns: classic, mackerel and patched tabby. The patched tabby may exhibit either the classic or mackerel pattern with the addition of patches of red. The classic tabby is identified by the bull’s eye markings on the side of the body while the mackerel pattern is characterized by narrow penciling encircling the body. The brilliantly contrasted markings can be as striking as an exotic jungle cat.
The Tabbies are the extroverts of the Persian breed. They come in three patterns: classic, mackerel and patched tabby. The patched tabby may exhibit either the classic or mackerel pattern with the addition of patches of red. The classic tabby is identified by the bull’s eye markings on the side of the body while the mackerel pattern is characterized by narrow penciling encircling the body. The brilliantly contrasted markings can be as striking as an exotic jungle cat.
Often referred to as the
“fun’’ cat, tabbies are outgoing and demonstrative. Their facial markings give
them a zesty added appeal. Recognized colors are silver, blue silver, red,
brown, blue, cream, cameo and cream cameo. There are no patched tabby patterns
in red, cream and cameo. All have brilliant copper eyes except silver varieties
which also may have green or hazel.
Particolor Division
The Parti-Color Division consists of the tortoiseshell, blue-cream, chocolate tortoiseshell and lilac-cream.
The Parti-Color Division consists of the tortoiseshell, blue-cream, chocolate tortoiseshell and lilac-cream.
The tortoiseshell is a
black cat dispersed with great patches of red. A dividing blaze of color on the
face adds interest to this brightly colored variety. The blue-cream, a
delightful study in pastel, is a solid blue cat patched with cream. The muted
coloring of the blue-cream and lilac-cream are as softly lovely as the
tortoiseshell and chocolate tortie are flashy. All four colors have brilliant
copper eyes.
Bicolor DivisionThe Calico & Bi-Color Division consists of calicos, bi-colors, smoke and whites and tabby and whites. Calicos have white coats splashed with vivid patches of red and black, while the dilute calico is patched with blue and cream. The chocolate and lilac calicos have white coats splashed with vivid patches of chocolate and red or lilac and cream respectively.
A van pattern is a white
cat with color confined to the head and extremities. A maximum of two spots of
color are allowed on the body. Bi-colors (black, blue, red, cream, chocolate or
lilac with white) commonly exhibit white on the feet, legs, undersides, chest
and muzzle. All established colors and patterns of tabbies with white and
smokes with white are shown in this division. All have brilliant copper eyes
except for the silver tabby with white which also may have green or hazel.
Himalayan Division
The Himalayan is one of the most popular of all Persians. The Himalayan is shown in the following point colors: chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, red, cream tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream, seal lynx, blue lynx, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx and lilac-cream lynx. Color is restricted to the facial mask and extremities with the body of various shades of white to fawn.
The Himalayan is one of the most popular of all Persians. The Himalayan is shown in the following point colors: chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, red, cream tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream, seal lynx, blue lynx, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx and lilac-cream lynx. Color is restricted to the facial mask and extremities with the body of various shades of white to fawn.
Himalayans were
developed by breeding Persians to Siamese to combine the Siamese point coloring
with Persian type. After many years of cross breeding they were approved as
accepted color variations of Persians. All must have deep vivid blue eyes as
eyes other than blue are a disqualification.
Keeping the Persian
indoors also keeps it safe from transmission of disease and parasites, as well
as the dangers of urban life. With an annual trip to a trusted veterinarian,
and good nutrition and care, the Persian can live as a family member for easily
15 years, and some surpassing 20 years. Persian breeders dedicate themselves to
breeding healthy cats, availing themselves of the latest in veterinary
screening procedures to test for any heritable disease conditions. A well-bred
Persian is a hardy and healthy cat and is not more prone to illness and
respiratory infections than other breeds. However, the large eyes do mean that
a certain amount of tearing is normal, and a daily face wash is recommended.
Usually breeders make
kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks,
kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social
stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air.
Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying, providing
acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of
scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) and regular
claw trimming are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful
life.
What They Are Like to Live
With
Unlike some other breeds, Persians don’t demand
attention from their owners, and can be selective about who they prefer within
a family. They do crave attention from their favorite humans, and love to curl
up in your lap.
Persians need a lot of grooming. Their long, thick fur can easily mat if not brushed on a weekly basis.
Persians need a lot of grooming. Their long, thick fur can easily mat if not brushed on a weekly basis.
Things You Should Know
Persian cats need a lot of grooming to prevent hairballs and mats. Be prepared to
spend at least 20 minutes a week grooming your Persian.
Although they are not demanding, Persian cats enjoy spending time with their families and like to sleep curled up on a lap.
Although Persians are not very active cats, they do enjoy playing with interactive toys as well as other cats and dogs they grow up with.
Persian cats are not very independent and need the companionship of a human family. Persians left alone all day often prefer another pet for company.
Although they are not demanding, Persian cats enjoy spending time with their families and like to sleep curled up on a lap.
Although Persians are not very active cats, they do enjoy playing with interactive toys as well as other cats and dogs they grow up with.
Persian cats are not very independent and need the companionship of a human family. Persians left alone all day often prefer another pet for company.
Persian History
Long-haired Persian cats were first
discovered in the Middle East by an Italian traveler in the early 1600s. They
were eventually brought to Europe, and became popular in England during the
19th century. Queen Victoria owned two blue Persians.
Persian cats came to America in the late 1800s. The breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1914, and quickly became the most popular cat breed in America. U.S. breeders have their own breed standard for this cat, giving the American Persian a slightly different look among the world’s Persian cats.
The Persian is also recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA).
Persian cats came to America in the late 1800s. The breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1914, and quickly became the most popular cat breed in America. U.S. breeders have their own breed standard for this cat, giving the American Persian a slightly different look among the world’s Persian cats.
The Persian is also recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA).
The Look of a Persian
Persians are well known for their long, luxurious fur and their distinct, sweet
expressions. Persians have a flat face and round eyes. Their heads are round
and large, and the ears small and round-tipped. The body of the Persian is
thick and stocky.
Persians come in a large variety of colors and patterns, including solid, silver, golden, shaded, smoke, tabby, parti-color, bicolor and Himalayan.
Persians come in a large variety of colors and patterns, including solid, silver, golden, shaded, smoke, tabby, parti-color, bicolor and Himalayan.
