|
Written by Cindy Ball
Note: for Breeders of Himalayan Cats on Meowhoo.com click here:
Himalayan Cats
The Himalayan is one of the most popular breeds of cats. These longhair, blue-eyed beauties
capture the eyes and hearts of cat lovers all over the world. Read on to learn about the history,
look and care of Himalayan cats.
History of Himalayan Cats
 The Himalayan breed was started in 1930 by Dr. Clyde Keller, from The Harvard
Medical School, and Virginia Cobb of Newton Cattery. They started out by breeding Siamese
cats with Persian cats, trying to develop a long-haired, Persian-bodied cat with the color-points of
the Siamese. They bred and crossbred until "Newton's Debutante" was born. This cat was the first
cat recognized as beginning the Himalayan Breed.
The breed was accepted by CFA in 1957 as a breed standard, and in the 1980's it was
merged with the Persian breed, listing them as a color variation of a Persian instead of a totally
different breed. Now in order to breed CFA registered Himalayans, you must have a CFA
Registered Persian and/or Himalayan for both the sire and the dam. No Siamese are allowed in
the breeding line.
Himalayan Cats - Breed Characteristics
The Himalayan should have a round, massive head, attached to a thick short neck, with small
round-tipped ears and large, round, wide-set eyes. The body should be medium to large, broad
across the rump, with short, stubby legs and large round feet. The fur should be one of two types,
either long and flowing, or medium-long and thick.
As far as color- points, the CFA recognizes the following: chocolate, seal lilac, blue, red-tortie,
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. These points are restricted to the facial
mask, feet/legs, tail and genitals, with the body in various shades from white to fawn .
The eyes of the Himalayan should be blue, ranging from light, almost clear blue, to a vivid
bright blue.
Himalayan Cats - Temperament and Health Issues
These cats, like their Persian blood-lines, are laid-back and calm. Very easygoing, cats that
enjoy playing. Mine like the interactive toys such as DaBird, or one that I made by hand from a
piece of fringed fabric taped to the end of a rod off a set of mini blinds. I can tire them out with one
of these toys. Prior to bedtime this is a good plan, for then they sleep through the night and don't
wake me at odd hours.
Being laid-back cats does not however mean they are lazy. They simply view the world
differently than most short-haired cats. For example, around my house, there are always short-
haired kittens running around, for I do rescue work as well. These rescued kitties are always up to
something. My Himalayans watch these kittens with what I liken to be amusement in their eyes.
They can't seem to figure out what all the fuss is about, with all the activity going on.
Babycakes and Yum ( two of my Himalayans) are prone to what we refer to as "cat fits." They
run through the house at breakneck speeds for no apparent reason. But that's about all they do.
They don't get into trouble just for the sake of stirring things up.
There are two health issues associated with Himalayans, both stemming from the extreme flat
"pug" face that is so treasured by the show breeders right now. This subjects the cats to major
breathing problems along with watery eyes. The shortened breathing tube makes it difficult for
some of the cats to get good breath, and the tear ducts become compressed, causing the eyes to
leak almost continuously.
These are not usually life-threatening problems. However, if you are thinking of buying or
rescuing a Himalyan, the fact that their eyes and noses need to be wiped daily is something you
need to be aware of. It becomes a part of the routine, just like combing and brushing their fur. It's
just part and parcel of the breed.
Himalayan Cats - Kitten Development
These beautifully colored kittens come into this world pure white or cream. They do not start
developing the points for a couple of weeks, and then darken as they mature. The darkening of the
points occurs due to the slight difference in temperature from the body to the extremities, a cooling
of a couple of degrees, but it is enough to elicit this remarkable change in appearance.
While most kittens are ready to leave their mom at twelve-weeks, most Himalayans are not
fully mature enough to leave mom until they reach sixteen-weeks of age. They do not appear to
mature socially and emotionally as fast as their shorthaired and other purebred counterparts, but
their sexual maturity develops at a normal pace.
Himalayan Cats - Personal Experience
I bought my first male Himalayan in March of 1993. I purchased my female in August of the
same year. My husband and I then spent the next ten years breeding and learning about these
sweet animals. Over the years, we have collected a seal-point, a blue- point, a flame- point (red),
and two torties.
Each of these animals has their own distinct personalities, and I would not trade any of them
for the world. They are completely different from the short-haired stray cats of my childhood, but it's
a good difference! These wonderfully laid-back cats will allow you to do things other cats would
object to. Small children can even lug them around, in that awkward way that children have about
them, but as long as the child doesn't hurt them, the cats don't appear to care.
In the Spring of 2003 when I had to have surgery, I found that my cats were instrumental in
making me feel better and lowering my blood pressure. I spent a week in bed, surrounded by their
comfort, and they rarely left my side except to eat and use the litter pan. Once I recovered, they
found other places to occupy themselves.
It is all these characteristics rolled up in one cat breed that makes me say, if I ever went back
to do it over. I would pick the Himalayan every time. They have enhanced my life greatly!
Cindy Ball, lives in Jasper, Alabama with her husband Charlie with her 5 Himmies and an ever-changing number of strays and feral cats that seem to find her, even as she finds homes for others.
|
