Persian Cat Breed Description

Active: Persian cats are not a particularly active cat breed. They do enjoy to play games but tend to be a more quiet and docile cat breed. They are more than happy to spend the day cuddled up in your lap.

Size: Persian cats are medium in size and typically weigh between 7 - 12 pounds.

Characteristics: The Persian cat is a medium -sized, muscular cat with short, cobby legs. Their square shaped body has a short, thick tail. They also have large, round heads with large, round eyes, giving them a very sweet expression. They have open expressions that have often been described as "pansy-like." Some breeders have moved towards a more flat looking face for Persians but it is a controversial choice because it can also lead to a number of health problems such as difficulty breathing. Also large and round are their paws, with tufts on them as well.

Temperament: The Persian cat is one of the most loved cat breeds today, and for good reason. Persians are sweet, gentle and affectionate cats that make wonderful companions. While they are active, they are not hyper by any means. They enjoy playing games but are just as happy to cuddle up and be petted. Persian cats will play well with children that are gentle and respectful. They are creatures of habit and prefer a more sedate environment. They are a mostly quiet breed but do occasionally like to speak up. Persians are happy to quietly enjoy their surroundings and are not overly demanding of your attention and time. Persians are a sweet and loving joy to be around and will have you wrapped around their paws in no time!

Care: Persian cats are lovely, but high maintenance. Their long, beautiful coats are simply gorgeous, but require daily combing or brushing to look their best. Without daily combing, their coats are likely to mat and tangle and you will find cat hair all over your house. The silky-coated Persian will not tangle as easily as the soft-coated cat, which depends on color. In addition to daily combing, your Persian will need weekly baths to stay fresh and clean. Because of the tendency for Persian cats to have flatter faces, their eyes may tear. To avoid staining from tearing, wipe your Persian's face daily. Additionally, trim their nails and clean their ears frequently and your Persian will look show quality! Lastly, be sure to brush their teeth to prevent periodontal disease and keep their breath smelling fresh!

Coat: Persian cats are known for their famously beautiful long coats. Their coats can be so long they brush the floor! The coat is thick and shiny, but with a fine texture that feels silky to the touch. They have a thick, heavy ruff around the head. While the coat is somewhat high maintenance, it is incredibly beautiful. Persian coats come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Depending on the specific color, the coat will either feel more silky or somewhat soft and cotton-like.

Origin: The Persian cat breed is among the oldest cat breeds in the world. Their ancestry dates back centuries and hieroglyphic records even exist of the lovely cats. In the 1500s, Persians and Angoras began to arrive in Europe from Persia and Turkey. The breed's gorgeous, signature long hair is believed to be the result of natural genetic mutation. It is believed that Italian nobleman Pietro Della Valle brought the first Persian cats to Europe in the 1600s. As more cats arrived in France and England, the breed picked up the affectionate nickname "French Cats." The breed quickly gained a devoted following and rose in popularity among fanciers to high esteem, where the breed remains today.

Turkish Angora cats and Siamese cats were often bred together and, for a time, Turkish Angoras were the preferred breed. Over time, Siamese cats regained their popularity among fanciers and they began to breed to achieve specific preferred characteristics such as a rounder heads, smaller ears, shorter noses, bigger eyes and more. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy determined that Turkish Angoras, Siamese and Russian longhairs would all be known as Longhairs in the early 1900s. Persians rapidly grew in popularity and Queen Victoria even owned two Persians!

In the late 1800s, Persians began to make their way to the United States. Persians were incredibly popular worldwide and Blue and Silver Persians were being rapidly imported. One breeder, Mrs. Clinton Locke, found great success with showing her Persians and they won many cat shows. Persian cat breeds continue to enjoy great success and admiration among cat fanciers and are one of the most popular breeds in existence.