Credit for the Persian breed
is generally given to Turkey, Iran (formerly Persia), and
the neighbouring countries. Longhaired cats were associated
with these countries from about the 16th century, and possibly
earlier. During that period the first cats of this kind began
to arrive in Europe. It is assumed that the long coat arose
from a mutation in shorthaired cats that maybe were of Egyptian
origin. The colder climates of Turkey and Iran certainly favored
such a mutation. The long coat aroused great interest among
cat owners and made the cats more valuable.
The ideal Persian should have : -
Sweet temperament
Laid back
Long, thick coat
Heavily boned
"Cobby" body
Straight, short tail
Large, round eyes
Small, flat nose
Generally good with kids
Short legs
Large, round head
Small, forward-tilting ears
Glossary of cat terms:
Bicolor :Half white and half another
color Blue Point :Type of Himalayan; gray points and a light
gray or beige body Calico :White with red and black patches Chinchilla Golden :Rich cream fur lightly tipped in
black to create a golden appearance Chinchilla Silver: White fur lightly tipped in black
to create a silver appearance (The shading is darker on Shaded
Silvers.) Cobby Body :Sturdy, round, and compact body shape Color Point Carrier (CPC):The cat carries the genetics
to produce color point kittens possibly. Cream :Lighter version of red Dilute Calico :White with blue and cream patches Exotic :With the ancestry of the British Shorthair
and Persian, this cat looks like a short-haired Persian. Extreme Face or Ultra type: A Persian with the standard
look - the nose is smaller and positioned higher on the face Harlequin :Mostly white with several large patches
of color Himalayan (or Colourpoint) :Type of Persian; points
of color are found on the face, ears, legs, and tail. Hybrid :Offspring of 2 animals from the two 2 different
breeds Lynx Point :Type of Himalayan; tabby points Mitted :White paws Pixie: Persians genetically produced to be smaller
than the standard Points :Face, paws, and tail shading to a much lighter
color on the body Prepotent (Genetically) :Lines in question pass on
their good traits; lines that can greatly improve a breeding
program Queen :A female used for breeding; the word "dam"
is found on pedigree forms. Seal Point :Type of Himalayan; dark brown points and
a body color anywhere between light brown and ivory Self: See Solid Smoke :Solid black or gray, but the roots of the hairs
are distinctly white Solid :Same color all over; also known as Self Stud (or Tom) :A male used for breeding; the word "sire"
is found on pedigree forms. Tabby :Stripes or spots Torbie :A patched tabby; an established silver, brown,
or blue tabby with patches of red and/or cream Torbie Point :Patched tabby points Tortie Point :Type of Himalayan; tortoiseshell points Tortoiseshell :Randomly patched all over with red and
black; also known as Tortie Van: Almost all white with color patches only on the
head and tail
Ideal Weight
Cats ideally weigh between 7-12 lbs, but a vet can help you
determine what your cat should weigh based on his/her bone
size. Persians tend to be heavier than other breeds.
Life Span
According to vets, cats usually live 10-18
years. Typically, the life span of a Persian is 15 years and
up. (I know someone who had a Persian that lived to be 22
years old!)
Persian Qualities
There are many different breeds out there all with different
personalities. And it's important that the personality of
the cat compliments that of the owner. Persians tend to be
serene and laid-back. They are definitely beautiful cats,
but their coats require a good bit of maintenance. Persians
are commonly described as being quiet, dignified, and not
too vocal. If these traits sound good, then a Persian is the
cat for you.
The Truth about Grooming/Shedding
It seems like so many people ask: with all
that long hair, aren't shedding and grooming a nightmare with
Persians? The real answer: it depends. Consider human hair
for a moment. It can be curly or straight, thick or thin,
coarse or fine, and everything in between. Every person is
a little different and so is every Persian. The type of hair,
of course, determines how time-consuming your grooming duties
will be as the owner. Some Persians have thick, woolly hair
that knots up quickly. They require a daily brushing. (You
might even plan to have him/her shaved once or twice a year
as well.) Other Persians have sleek, silky hair that never
tangles. They can get away with being brushed as needed.
Shedding also varies from Persian to Persian.
The general consensus is that it's not as bad as one might
expect. If you are good about grooming your cat regularly,
you'll remove much of the excess hair that would otherwise
collect elsewhere. Grooming gloves are handy to have. As you
pet your cat, the gloves pick up the loose hair. If you are unsure or unable to groom your cat, here at Aristocats we offer a pet grooming service. Contact us for details on 01904 728781 .
Choosing a Persian
There are a few things you should decide before
you start shopping around. Decide on the colors or patterns
that you like most. Also, you need to know ahead of time whether
you plan on showing your Persian. If you don't plan on showing,
then you want a "pet-quality" cat. You should decide
whether or not the age and sex of the cat matters, too. Once
you get a feel for the kind of Persian you want, talk to a
vet and see if he/she can recommend a Persian cattery in your
area. Most likely, the vets in your area will know which catteries
are best known for producing healthy, well-adjusted animals.
Another option is to visit a cat show, and talk to judges
and exhibitors.
Be aware that many catteries out there are
in it just for the money, and as a result, they produce inferior
cats. So be on the lookout for sickly kittens who will no
doubt be prone to a lifetime of health problems. Before you
get to the cattery, go ahead and make a list of questions
to ask. Most breeders will be glad to see that you're responsible
and have the cat's best interest at heart. Once you're there,
pay close attention to the health of the kittens and the living
conditions. Does the breeder seem concerned about the kitten's
future home or more interested in making the sale? Be sure
to find out how the cattery handles contracts. Most catteries
include contracts as part of the transaction. And it's a good
thing because it usually includes details on their return
policies.
Another option is to find a Persian rescue
organization. Rescue groups keep Persians that have been abandoned
or lost. You can also check with your local humane society
or animal shelter - sometimes Persians end up there. Not only
would you be getting a new kitty, but you would also be saving
a life.
Regardless of where you get your cat, you
may want to pick up a book/guide on owning a Persian. It can't
hurt to bone up on Persian health and grooming.
Dealing with Breeders
It is very important to do some homework before
deciding on a breeder. If possible, you should visit the cattery
to see first hand the environment in which the cats are being
raised. You will want to observe whether the cats are kept
in the home or in cages. Find out how long he/she has been
breeding Persians and if you can meet the kitten's mother
and father. Do not be afraid to ask the breeder lots of questions
- they should have plenty of questions for you, too.
Definitely get lots of health information.
Ask the breeder if he/she provides a written health guarantee
(and for how long). Also, find out if there is a veterinarian
who sees all the cats and whether he/she has screened them
for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. Additionally,
you should ask the breeder if he/she is aware of any genetic
problems in the breedlines, such as hip dysplasia, and how
long the cats typically live.
Finally, the breeder can provide you with
guidelines on how often to groom and bathe the cat as well
as make recommendations on what to feed the cat.
Get the Necessary Documentation -
Make sure you get the kitten's vaccination
certificate from the breeder. You will need to know what shots
it has had already and when the next ones are due. You also
need the certificate at boarding facilities and if you plan
to show your kitten, you will need it at a show as this involves
vet checking.
If you want a cat with papers make sure you negotiate this
with the breeder before the sale. Ask for a photocopy of the
kittens papers if it is registered. If you have this information
you will be able to check on the progress of the registration
change to your name.
Make sure you have these documents before taking the cat home.
If you wish to show your kitten, you will need its registration
certificate to enter it in cat shows.
Adapting to a New Home
You can get a wide range of responses from
cats adapting to a new home. Some cats will settle in immediately,
while others will take months to really get comfortable. Crying
isn't too out of the ordinary and should subside in time.
(He/she is still unsure of the environment and is looking
to you for comfort and safety.)
Other pets are another factor to consider.
Our vet told us that the older the cat is, the harder time
he/she has welcoming new animals into the household. Cats
are territorial by nature. So don't expect things to change
during the first few weeks. After a while, things should improve.
(Our vet also commented that occasionally cat relationships
don't get any better, and the cats end up only tolerating
each other.)
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