| The Persian cat is one of the oldest | | | | In the USA, there was an attempt to |
| breeds of cat. In Britain, it is called | | | | establish the Silver Persian as a |
| the "Longhair" or "Persian Longhair" | | | | separate breed called the Sterling, but |
| (tipped varieties are known as | | | | it was not accepted and Silver and |
| "Chinchilla"). | | | | Golden longhaired cats, recognized by |
| Orgin of the Breed | | | | CFA more specially as Chinchilla |
| The Persian cat originates from Persia, | | | | Silvers, Shaded Silvers, Chinchilla |
| but interbreeding of Angoras with native | | | | Goldens or Shaded Goldens are judged in |
| British domestic longhairs in the 19th | | | | the Persian category of cat shows. In |
| Century makes the true origin of the | | | | South Africa, the attempt to separate |
| breed unclear. The Persian's European | | | | the breed was more successful: the SA |
| debut is credited to Pietro Della Valle, | | | | Cat Council (SACC) registers cats with 5 |
| an Italian traveller | | | | generations of pure bred Chinchilla as a |
| Characteristics | | | | Chinchilla Longhair. The Chinchilla |
| A show-quality Persian has an extremely | | | | Longhair has a slightly longer nose than |
| long thick coat, short legs, a wide head | | | | the Persian, resulting in healthy |
| with the ears set far apart, large eyes, | | | | breathing and no tearing of the eyes. |
| and an extremely foreshortened muzzle. | | | | Its hair is translucent with only the |
| The breed was originally established | | | | tips carrying black pigment: a feature |
| with a short (but not non-existent) | | | | that gets lost when out-crossed to other |
| muzzle, but over time this feature has | | | | colored Persians. Out-crossing also may |
| become extremely exaggerated, | | | | result in losing nose and lip liner, |
| particularly in North America, and | | | | which is a fault in the Chinchilla |
| Persians with the more extreme | | | | Longhair breed standard. |
| brachycelphalic head type are prone to a | | | | Because their fur is too long and dense |
| number of health problems (specifically | | | | for them to maintain themselves, Persian |
| affecting their sinuses and breathing) | | | | cats need regular grooming. To keep |
| caused by it. However, conscientious | | | | their fur in its best condition, they |
| breeders eliminate this by careful | | | | must be bathed regularly, dried |
| choice of breeding stock with more | | | | carefully afterwards, and brushed |
| moderate head type, as the goal is first | | | | thoroughly every day. Their eyes need to |
| and always healthy cats. | | | | be checked for problems on a regular |
| Persian cats can have any colour or | | | | basis because some animals have trouble |
| markings including pointed, | | | | keeping them clean. |
| tortoiseshell, blue, and tabby. Persian | | | | A Persian cat without an established and |
| cats with point are referred to as | | | | registered pedigree is classed as a |
| Colourpoint Persian in Europe and | | | | domestic longhair cat. |
| Himalayan (cat) in United States. | | | | |