Persian

Coat length	Longhair
Weight	Male: Ø 7 kg Female: Ø 3.5-6 kg
Coat colours	Almost all colours
Eye colour:	Usually orange to copper
Activity / playfulness
Grooming needs

The Persian (Persian: گربه) is among the oldest and most popular pedigree cats. Persians share much of their breed standard with Exotic Shorthairs and colourpoint varieties, differing chiefly in coat length, texture and colour.

Temperament and basic characteristics

The Persian is generally quiet, reserved and dependable, with a moderate urge to roam, making indoor living possible. Its coat readily develops tangles and mats, so it is among the more demanding breeds to groom. Regular coat care takes time and patience; the older profile recommends grooming every two or three days, although individual coats may need more frequent attention.

Like most cats, Persians appreciate affection on their own terms. They can be very cuddly, but forced attention may prompt rejection. Numerous colours and patterns are found in the breed.

Origins

Historical accounts trace the breed to crosses between Angora and Persian longhaired cats. Early Persians looked very different from modern examples, with a type more reminiscent of the Maine Coon. Over time, breeding produced a shorter, more compact body, a rounder and flatter head, and an increasingly abundant coat and undercoat.

Large-scale breeding operations developed in America around 1970. The historical account criticises the spread of undesirable features to Europe through imported cats, while crediting conscientious breeders with efforts to combine breed type and health. Some breeders also developed colours such as chocolate and lilac.

The shorthaired relative, the Exotic, was established as a separate breed by CFA in 1966. It resembles the Persian in type and temperament but has a short, teddy-bear-like coat. This offers a related breed with less demanding coat care for people who favour that appearance. Source: CFA, Exotic.

Appearance and standard

Standards can differ between associations. The description reproduced in the original profile includes:

• Body: medium to large and stocky, on low, short, sturdy legs with round paws. Toe tufts are desirable. Chest and shoulders should be broad, muscular and substantial.
• Head: round, massive and well proportioned, with a very broad skull.
• Forehead: rounded.
• Cheeks: full.
• Nose: short and broad, with a distinct stop between the eyes, neither above the upper nor below the lower eyelid. Bridge and nose leather should be broad, with open nostrils permitting unobstructed airflow. Some breeders prefer the older, longer-nosed type, which differs from this description.
• Chin: strong.
• Jaws: broad and powerful.
• Ears: small, widely spaced and low-set, with rounded tips; long ear furnishings are desirable.