Medium sized and stockily built, the Persian has a round, broad head, somewhat large in proportion to the body, with large round eyes and short muzzle that gives them a distinctive and somewhat grumpy expression. The ears are small and set wide which further accentuates the size and roundness of the face. The body is compact, with short sturdy legs, large round paws and a short, bushy tail. The coat is long, extremely thick and luxuriant, with a soft, dense undercoat.
The Persian cat breed is classified as brachycephalic; problems associated with the condition include;
- Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome: is a condition in brachycephalic (breeds with a short noses and squashed faces) breeds where breathing is obstructed and can lead to severe respiratory distress.
- Skin inflammation/infection: brachycephalic breeds have a short nose and a normal amount of facial tissue. This means there is often excess skin around their face which leads to skin folds- which is where soreness and infections are prone to develop.
- Eye ulcers: ulcers are painful erosions on the surface of the eye, they are more common in brachycephalic breeds due to their conformation, as their eyes tend to be more bulbous.
The breed is also prone to:
- Polycystic kidney disease which is an inherited condition where cysts form in the kidneys. This affects kidney function and can eventually lead to kidney failure.
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Hip dysplasia¹ which is where the hip joint does not develop normally.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy² which is a disease were the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick which means the heart cannot beat effectively.
- Alpha-mannosidosis which is an inherited storage disease that affects many different organs.
Testing available:
- DNA testing for progressive retinal atrophy which tests whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by this condition.
| Lifespan: | 10 - 12 years |
| Weight: | 3.2 - 5.4kg |
| Colours: | There are six separate colours, black, blue, cream, cameo (red), smoke tortoiseshell and blue-cream smoke. |
| Family-friendly: | 3/5 |
| Playfulness: | 2/5 |
| Intelligence: | 3/5 |
| Tendency to Vocalise: | 3/5 |
| Likes Other Pets: | 2/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 5/5 |
| Shedding: | 5/5 |
Sweet and gentle, the Persian Longhair appreciates a peaceful home where they can feel relaxed and secure. They are a quiet cat, with a pleasant and melodious voice rather than a rawkish or yowling cry. Their large eyes make them an expressive cat, able to convey their bafflement at our human stupidity with a tilt of the head and a knowing stare, or their happiness with a beam of pleasure and a rumbling purr. They are not inclined to climb and jump, but are a rather decorative cat, enjoying sunny spots and draping themselves artfully across furniture.
Country of Origin: Persia (Iran)
Supposedly exported from Persia in the 17th Century, the Persian cat claims to be one of the oldest cat breeds in existence. Hieroglyphic references from as early as 1684 B.C. are said to show Persian cats, however it should be understood that these cats were not the classic flat faced extreme coated breed we see today, but a more moderate version with a prominent muzzle and shorter hair.
Although ‘Persian’ cats have been around a long time, the breed has been altered in a variety of ways (coat type, muzzle length, colour) by different groups of breed afficionados over the decades and several types exist today, including the Persian Longhair, Chinchilla, Doll Face, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and probably more!
