Persian Cats

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Persian Cats

The Persian cat is probably the most popular of all cat breeds. Purebred Persians are common all over the world as pets, and are prominent participants in every cat show.

In Britain, these cats are called Longhairs, and each coat color is classed as a different breed. Accordingly, a cat that is considered to be a Black Longhair in Great Britain, is simply a black Persian in the United States.

Persian cats - Breed History

Persians are believed to have originated from central Asia, probably Iran (Persia). Longhair cats were brought to Europe from that region during the seventeenth century. Their popularity increased during the nineteenth century, and they became famous during the first cat show held in London in 1871.

Persian cats - Breed Description

Persian cats have a short and broad body type, often referred to as "cobby." The body should be powerfully built and well balanced, with a massive short neck and thick legs.

The head should also be of a heavy broad type. All Persians share large round eyes, short broad noses, and small rounded ears. However there is a distinction between two face types:

The modern flat-faced Persian. This is the cat commonly seen in shows.

The traditional doll-faced Persian has a more proportioned face, with the mouth and nose located well in front of the eyes, while retaining the basic broad, round, and flat look.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the Persian cat is its full, long coat. This unique look is created by a combination of long undercoat and long topcoat.

Persians come in many coat colors. The variety of possible colors and the fact that so many Persian cats participate in cat shows have led to the creation of seven color categories for Persians:

• Solid Color
• Silver and Golden (silvers are also known as Chinchillas)
• Shaded and Smoke
• Tabby
• Particolor (tortoiseshell varieties)
• Bicolor
• Himalayan (also known as Colorpoint Longhair)

Persians are very affectionate, but relatively quiet. They are more inclined to a sedate lifestyle and feel most comfortable in calm, quiet surroundings.

Persian cats - Special Needs

The long, beautiful coat demands constant grooming. Persians need daily brushing and regular baths (preferably monthly). If you fail to provide the necessary grooming, the coat is likely to mat and tangle, and professional help may be required.

If you plan to show a Persian cat, seek advice from an experienced breeder who can teach you the tricks of the trade. Alternatively, buy one of the many professional books on the breed (seen to the right of this article).

The special form of the face may sometimes cause eye drainage problems, which can create a build-up of residue. Owners should clean the eyes of such cats on a daily basis.

A growing concern among cat owners in general and Persians in particular is PKD, which stands for Polycystic Kidney Disease, a genetic kidney disease that appears to be more common among Persians than other cats. In some tests, it was found that nearly 40% of Persian cats were carrying this disease.

Anne Moss is the founder and owner of TheCatSite.com. She is a cat behaviorist and a member of the Cats Writers Association.