History of the
Persian cat:
The Persian is one
of the oldest known breeds of cat. The early history isn't
entirely known although it is generally accepted that the early
cats came from Persia (now Iran) & Turkey. Italian traveller Pietro della Valle (1586 -
1652) is credited with bringing the first Persian cats back to
Europe, arriving in his homeland of Italy in 1620 with them.
By the 1800's the
Persian had become a popular breed in Europe & the first
Persians arrived in America in the late 1800's. In the Harpers
Weekly supplement dated January, 27, 1872 there is an
illustration of several feline exhibits from the London Crystal
Palace show, including an Persian cats. See pictures below
(click to enlarge).
Appearance
of the Persian cat:
Early drawings
(see above) & photographs of the Persian show quite a different
cat to to the Persians of today. The images below are taken from
Country Life in America dated September, 1908.
The Persian is
a heavy boned, cobby type with short, thick legs with large paws. Persians
are well muscled & medium to large in size. They have a
short, thick neck, large shoulders & a broad chest. It has a short tail which is in
proportion to the body.
It has a large, broad
head with large, round, expressive eyes set wide apart, small
round tipped tufted ears
which are set low on the head & wide apart. The nose is
short, with a stop (or break) centered between the cat's eyes.
The overall expression is sweet and sometimes described as
"pansy like."
The luxurious coat is
long, thick, silky & fine.
Persian cat
temperament:
Persian cats
have a sweet & gentle nature. Typically they have a laid
back personality. They are an affectionate breed & enjoy the
company of their carers.
Persians are a
quiet cat, easy going & generally get along with other pets &
family members although boisterous children should be avoided.
Persian cat
colours:
Persian cats
come in a multitude of colours, including solids, smokes, tabby,
bi-colour & van. Some colours have been given their own
breed name including:
Himalayan which
is a pointed Persian.
Chinchilla
which comes in silver or golden.
Special
Requirements:
Persians
require daily grooming to avoid knots & mats in their coat. This
will only take a few minutes per day.
Some Persians
may have runny eyes, these can be gently wiped clean.
Due to their
flat faces and heavy coats, some Persians may have problems
during hot weather and they are best keep indoors.
Suitable
for:
With their
gentle & laid back temperament, the Persian is suited to almost
any family, although families with young children should seek
advice from Persian breeders before proceeding. They will require daily
grooming so it is important that the family has time to ensure
this is done to avoid knots & mats. If the coat does become
knotted/matted then a professional will be required to fix the
problem. Not only is an unkempt coat untidy but it is also
extremely uncomfortable for the cat. So it really cannot be
emphasised enough that proper attention be paid to the coat. If
done daily, it will only require 10-15 minutes of your time.
Also see:
Persian Cat Breeders in Australia
Thanks to:
Tracy of
IceRegal for her beautiful Persian photos.
