The Persian Cat Breed
The Persian is an ancient breed of cat, the Persian was first mentioned in hieroglyphs beginning at approximately 1684bc. The Persian was named for their apparent country of origin, the ancient empire of Persia which was located in around the modern country of Iran.
The first known Persian cats to make it to Europe were brought by an Italian traveler, Pietro della Valle, in the 1600s. Persians became very popular throughout Europe. At the first modern cat show, held in 1871 in London at the Crystal Palace, Persians were a featured breed.
The show at the Crystal Palace, and the others that followed, served only to increase the popularity of this already very popular breed. Even Queen Victoria adored blue Persians.
Persians are an exceedingly popular breed. Their long flowing coats and sweet faces immediately endear them to so many people. Their personality is gentle and affectionate. They’re creatures of habit and are most at ease in a secure environment with regular routines. However with gentle support, they can adapt to a more lively environment if they need to.
Persians are soft spoken cats with a melodious voice that many people love. Their expressive eyes captivate people of all ages. Persians’ bodies are long and low with sturdy short legs. They are not big jumpers but do enjoy lounging in their favorite strategic locations. They can often be found draped on a sunny windowsill.
They are friendly cats that will seek attention, but not demand it. Persians have long been portrayed in artwork, and their great beauty has earned them regular roles in commercial advertising and in movies.
Persians need to be kept indoors, away from dirt and burrs that could knot up their beautiful coats. Daily combing is a must to prevent tangled fur and hairballs. Those huge beautiful eyes do tend to do a bit of tearing, and washing a Persians’ face daily will help to take care of it. When properly cared for, Persians can live to be 15 years old.
The Persian comes in an astounding variety of colors and patterns. The registry divides their colors into 7 categories. These are:
- Solid color
- Silver and gold
- Shaded and smoke
- Tabby
- Particolor
- Bicolor
- Himalayan
The Persian cat is a beautiful and gentle cat that appears in a huge variety of colors and patterns, one of which is sure to catch your eye.
Persians have long been a loving, loyal companion to many people over the years. This cat may be exactly what you are looking for in a new companion.