Believe it or not, a woman named Ann Baker created this breed in a laboratory in California when she for some unknown reason, selected genes from a skunk, deposited them into a female Persian cat and mated that cat with a random male cat. The resulting kittens looked a lot like skunks (surprise!), being born silver and later turning black with stripes along the head, back or underside (no smelling mechanism however). These cats were so exceptionally sweet and friendly that they became the foundation stock for the Honeybear breed, which was sustained by crossing the males from that and subsequent litters with Persian females.
These cats are known for their loving and affectionate natures. They love children and get along well with other pets of all kinds. Like their Persian forebears, their coats do tend to mat and require almost daily attention. They retain other Persian qualities as well; a broad head with rounded, tufted ears and a shortish nose. Their eyes are almond-shaped and come in a variety of golden colors, ranging from pure gold to greenish gold to goldish brown and copper with a touch of orange. The tail, however, is short and fluffy, resembling the skunk or raccoon, and is either held high or dragged low behind the Honeybear. Born with stripes, with maturity they usually lighten, but sometimes coats will darken with time and the stripes will reappear. With age, these recurring stripes may become spots, fade or even disappear.
Their devotion to their owners is sometimes called dog-like but is more often referred to as ‘child-like.” They thrive on praise and attention. These cats are positively adorable and their sweet dispositions have been known to warm the hearts of even the most distant admirers of cats.
Do YOU own such a special cat? Please share your experiences.
Related Articles:
“The Persian Cat: Longhaired Royalty”
http://pets.families.com/blog/the-persian-cat-longhaired-royalty