Appearance
Even non-cat lovers can usually recognize
the long-haired Persian, probably the best known of
cat breeds. Most people think of white cats with thick, luxurious
long hair when they hear the word 'Persian' but the coat comes
in many colors including blue, silver, smoke, black, red,
tortoiseshell and tabby. Color-pointed Persians resulting
from a Siamese
cross in the ancestry are known as Himalayans
in the USA and form a separate breed. Cats with a tipped coat
are Chinchillas. The bushy tail may be almost as wide as the
body. The Persian cat is heavily built with solid bones, a
broad back and short legs. The long hair gives the effect
of an even larger body, but most cats are surprisingly agile,
provided they are not allowed to become overweight. The head
is wide with the ears set far apart. Eyes are large and round,
and come in many colors depending on the coat color. The muzzle
is foreshortened, giving the face a pansy-like or pug-like
appearance. Cats with almost non-existent muzzles are prized
by some people but inbreeding has led to health problems,
especially in the respiratory system. Many breeders are now
moving toward producing less extreme examples. Cats
with a more pronounced muzzle are known as Doll-faced Persians
or Traditional Persians.
Temperament
The Persian is known as a placid cat,
with a quiet, pleasant voice. Owners consider them to be very
communicative. They make great lap cats and are happy to live
indoors. They prefer a quiet, secure environment and it may
take them some time to feel settled and safe in a new home.
Once established they are very affectionate and make marvelous
companions. Persian cats must be given a thorough brushing
every day and bathed regularly to maintain their coats. This
is not just for appearance but to prevent hairballs and other
problems. It gives owners a chance to spend quality time with
their pets. Eyes must be checked regularly and may need cleaning.
It can be a large commitment to own a Persian
cat but they are also very easy to fall in love
with!
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History
The Persian cat gets its name
from the longhaired cats
brought to Europe from the Iranian plateau (formerly
Persia) by traders in the 17th century. However, other
longhaired cats called Angoras were brought from Turkey,
and it is likely that there was some interbreeding with
these and domestic longhairs. How much similarity there
is between the Persian
cats as we know it today and those first
cats brought to Europe by travellers, is unknown. It
is well known that Persians were the favorite pampered
feline pet of European royalty. They are now consistently
the most popular breed of cat in the USA.
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