History

The Persian is one of the oldest recognised cat breeds (it has been recognised for over 125 years). When first brought into Europe (from Persia/Iran and Turkey) in the 1600's, the breed was commonly crossed with the Turkish Angora. However by the time of the first formal cat show in 1871, distinct differences were being seen and maintained between the two breeds. The Persian is currently one of the most popular cat breeds worldwide.  

Description

The Persian is a heavily boned and cobby or square bodied cat. It is medium to large sized with a broad and deep chest, well rounded midsection and a level back. It has relatively short, heavily boned legs with large paws. The tail is short and in proportion to the body length. The head is large and round with a broad skull. The nose is short, snubbed and broad with full cheeks. The chin is full and rounded and the jaws broad and powerful. The ears are small, round at the tip, tufted and tilted forward. They are set far apart and appear low on the head. The eyes are large, round and set far apart. The nose is short with a stop (or break) centred between the eyes. The Persian face is often described as ‘pansy like' and has a sweet, appealing expression.

The trend in Persian conformation has been to breed a flatter, more extreme facial type over the years. This is known as a brachycephalic face, where the forehead, nose and chin are in vertical alignment. There are physical problems that can be associated with this extreme conformation such as upper respiratory problems, eye problems, malocclusions of the jaw and dystocias. However there are other types of Persians who have a less extreme facial arrangement - an example is the ‘Traditional Persian' promoted by the Traditional Cat Association which has a less extreme look. Conscientious breeders of the classic brachycephalic Persian do carefully choose their breeding stock to select cats with a more moderate head type as this will minimise the associated health issues.

Size

Medium to large.

Coat

The Persian coat is long and thick but also silky and fine. Although the white Persian is probably the most common the breed does come in a huge array of colours which is often divided into divisions. Markings can include pointed (Himalayan or Colorpoint), tortoiseshell, tabby and bicolour. Many colours have been given their own breed name such as Himalayan or Chinchilla. For more information on Persian colour classifications and breed names see the national cat fancy body of your country.

Temperament

Persians are known for their laid-back and sweet-tempered personality. They are a quiet and easy going cat that is quite different to the extroverted and talkative Oriental. They are affectionate and devoted to their owners but do not need to follow them around all of the time. They are not a demanding breed but do require love and reassurance. They can adapt to a noisy household, but generally prefer a quieter environment.  

Health

Sadly some people buy a Persian because of their beautiful coat, only to discover it needs constant care to stay in good condition. The Persian is unable to maintain its coat by itself and will need daily grooming sessions to prevent mats and knots from occurring. Matts in such a thick coat will rapidly become painful for the cat and limit her movement. A professional groomer will then be required to remove the mats without cutting the delicate skin. Daily grooming sessions will not only keep your Persian in good condition but will also be a wonderful bonding session. It will also reduce the amount of hair shed into your house (Persians moult heavily twice a year and will shed some degree of hair all year round). Persians will also benefit from the occasional bath and trimming of hair around the hindquarters. It is best to train them to accept this from an early age.

Their eyes will need checking on a regular basis and many Persians will require daily cleaning around their eyes and face to prevent tear staining and eye infections. With their brachycephalic conformation and heavy coats the Persian is also susceptible to feeling the heat so are best kept indoors in the air conditioning during summer.

Possible Genetic Disorders

Genetic problems that some lines of the breed are predisposed to include: 

  • Chediak-Higashi syndrome
  • Corneal sequestrum
  • Gingivitis - hyperplastic, early onset
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • PKD (polycystic kidney disease) - DNA screening can be done by responsible breeders
  • Blue-eyed white Persians may be deaf

Best Suited

Given their gentle and laid back nature, the Persian adapts well to a variety of households and will coexist amiably with other pets. They are good with children, but if you have young, boisterous kids it would be best to get a more extroverted and opinionated cat as the Persian will not cope well with being teased or bothered. Given the breeds grooming requirements the Persian should be kept indoors to keep the coat in optimum condition. The ideal owner must also be able to commit to daily grooming and health care. The breed is a high maintenance one in this respect. 

Not Suited

  • For people who can't cope with cat hair around the house.
  • As an outdoor cat
  • For those who want a low maintenance cat

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