The Persian cat is one of the oldest recorded breeds of felines. There is some confusion as to its true name and origins. In Britain, this breed is known as the “Longhair” or “Persian Longhair.” In Persia, however, these indigenous, longhaired cats were once known as Angoras (white, long-haired cats), and they interbred with native British longhairs in the 19th century, obscuring the true origins of the breed. A show quality Persian cat has an extremely long and thick coat, short legs, a wide head with ears set far apart, large eyes and a foreshortened muzzle.
It is so odd that the best-bred Persians have no tear ducts and that is why their eyes are always tearing. (It’s almost as if one interbreeds proudly to achieve the perfect club foot in the family!) This condition also creates unique health problems (sinus and breathing) for this particular breed. The more conscientious breeders are careful in their selection of breeding stock, and have made their goal first and foremost to be the breeding of healthy cats.
There was an attempt in America to establish the silver Persian as a separate breed called the “Sterling”, but it was not accepted by the powers-that-cat-be and silver and gold longhaired cats are always judged in cat shows as Persians. In South Africa, however, the South African Cat Council has established as a separate breed the “Chinchilla Longhair” (provided that the animal has 5 generations of pure breeding of Chinchilla). This cat has a slightly longer nose than the Persian, resulting in healthy breeding and no tearing. Its hair is translucent and only the tips carry the black pigment.
Persian cats in general need help in maintaining their long and dense coats. They must be bathed regularly and brushed thoroughly as often as possible. A Persian cat without an established pedigree is classified as a domestic longhaired cat.
Do you have any experience with Persian cats? Please share.