The Persian Cat: Popularity and Unique Beauty, by S. Gatto

The Persian cat is one of the most popular breeds in the world, and has been for many years. This exotic looking feline hails from the Middle East, and comes with a long history. Due to the lack of record keeping, little is known about exactly where it first came into existence. What we do know is that this is one of the oldest domesticated cat breeds still thriving today.

A Start in the Desert

Unfortunately, no one knows exactly how the Persian breed first took root. The very first documented examples of Persian cats date back to the 1620s, when they were imported from Khorasan and brought to Italy. Others were also recorded as coming from Angora. The main difference between the two was coat color. The cats originating in Angora were white while those from Khorasan were grey. Shortly after its arrival, this growing breed found its way to France and Britain.

There is some dispute over the roots of the modern day Persian. Although it was once believed the breed living today originated with those imported cats of long ago, many researchers have come to a different conclusion. It is believed that the Persian we know and love actually emerged later from other breeds in Western Europe.

Long Hair and Exotic Appeal: The Look of the Persian

Persian cats are adored for their beautiful appearance. These exotic looking animals come with a soft, long haired coat. Potential Persian owners should be aware that this breed requires regular brushing and general maintenance.  In the show ring, Persian cats are expected to have short legs, large eyes and ears that are set far apart on the head. The Persian comes in a variety of colorations that include blue, tabby, golden, tortoise shell and others.

Even non-cat owners can recognized this breed’s trademark facial structure. Persians come with a flat, broad face. The muzzle is very short giving the feline a ‘pushed in’ look. The long fur only accents this on some colorations, providing the Persian with a very unique appearance.

A Look All its Own and Personality to Match

Despite its somewhat proud appearance, the Persian cat is a very friendly breed. Many seasoned owners agree that the Persian is a loveable feline that is very affectionate and accepts strangers well. Those with children or other animals will find the Persian has no problem fitting in. For the most part, their body structure keeps them low to the ground (although that does not mean they won’t attempt to jump every now and again).

Unlike other breeds, the Persian is also known for being generally quiet. They have a calm disposition and do not become overbearing when they want attention.  The Persian is truly beauty and good behavior contained within a single feline.

Everyone’s Favorite Cat Breed

For a long time, the Persian cat ranked highest among most popular breeds in the United States and Europe.  The 1990s had this feline at the top of registration lists; however that has since changed in recent years. Today, the Persian is still extremely well known and ranks high in registration, although slightly lower than it once did, according to the Cat Fanciers Association.

The Persian cat was used to create another famous breed, the Himalayan. When a Siamese was bred with a Persian in the 1950s, the Himalayan was the result. The newly born feline breed was initially given its own classification by the Cat Fanciers Association. However, it was merged into the Persian category during the mid 1980s. Due to the controversy that ignited from the merge, the association set up registration so breeders could easily separate ancestry.

A Healthy Persian

Every cat breed comes with ailments specific to the breed. The Persian in particular is at risk due to its unique facial structure. The shortened nose has made the Persian susceptible to breathing problems.  The physical appearance also causes a higher instance of malformed tear ducts which creates an overflow of tears onto the face. Birthing difficulties have also been linked back to the Persian’s trademark look.

The Persian also suffers from a higher rate of deceased newborns.  The increased death rate is due to dystocia, or abnormal labor. Sadly, this problem is common among Persians. Many of the breed’s health issues are related to its unique appearance.

Breeders have been forced into the spotlight by many animal welfare groups due to the health problems that come with the Persian.  Changes have been advised to help stop these problems, which stem mostly from the way the Persian looks. Although no changes have been made yet, there may be alterations in selective breeding that could significantly shift the breed’s health problems and accepted appearance.

The Debate Continues and so does the Persian

The Persian cat may not be the exact same breed as those that came out of the Middle East long ago. However, this is still a well loved feline with a long standing army of enthusiasts. Many groups are calling for a change in Persian breeding to help eliminate the health problems that come from the breed’s appearance. Due to the demanded changes, no one can tell what the future holds for this famous feline classification. In the meantime, the Persian still ranks high as one of the most registered and appreciated cats in the world.