Appearance
With fur that sometimes grows as long as six inches, Persians are one of the most
dignified and beautiful cat breeds. However, if you own a Persian, you must commit
yourself to year-round, daily grooming. Because the hair on a Persian tangles and mats
easily, professional grooming is sometimes required. Persians also need frequent baths.
Although their long hair makes them look massive, Persians are medium-sized cats. Their
bodies are round and stocky, and they have large paws and small ears.
Some Persians have pushed-in faces and turned up noses. These Persians are called
snub-nosed and they look very different from more traditional Persians, which have
nomal-looking faces and noses. Traditional Persians are often called 'doll-faced'
Persians.
Persians come in many different colors and patterns.
Personality
The Persian is the most placid and gentle cat breed in existence. Persians are very
affectionate, but much too sophisticated to demand attention. These lap cats are sometimes
called sofa cushions. Persians are very quiet and meow in a soft voice. These cats will
live peacefully with other cats, dogs, and children. They don't exercise much, which makes
them a perfect apartment cat. Usually, Persians prefer established routines over noisy
unstructured households
History
Persians first appeared in Persia (now Iran) about 300 years ago. Their exceptionally
docile nature, combined with their beautiful appearance, has made them extremely popular.
In 1930, the CFA (Cat Fancier's Association) established the rank of grand champion,
the highest show title a cat could attain. The first cat to win was Eastbury Trigo, a Red
Tabby Persian male imported from England.
Health
The shorter the face, the more respiratory problems a Persian may have. Persians with
extremely short faces are called "piggies." These cats are prone to respiratory
illnesses and their tear ducts become blocked, making their eyes run.
Another type of Persian, called Peke-faced, looks a lot like a Pekingese dog. These
cats come in only solid red or red tabby and are snubbed nose. This an extreme version of
the snub-nosed Persian that's criticized by vets and animal welfare organizations.
Fortunately, these cats are rare.
