Persian cats nowadays

The Presentbreeders of the bi-colors - several breeders
The closing challenge to that previous Almanacacross the country who saw the promise of
article was: "But as more and more jump ontogreat things in the foundation cats that were, for
the bandwagon that began rolling with thethe most part, lacking in competitive type. A good
determined breeders from the '70s and '80s,head start had been provided by the Pathfinders
watch out, Solids ... here we come!"bi-colors originally imported from Great Britain by
Our opening statement for this section, then,Bobara Pendergrast. These early breeders
must be: "Hello, Solids ... here we are!" Theintegrated the best of the solid Persian lines, and
traditional dominance of the solid colored PersiansCinderella emerged from her rags in amazingly
in showhalls, in finals and in end-of-year nationalshort order.
and regional awards is now being continuallyDuring the '90s, some of those earlier breeders
challenged by the bi-color and calico cats. Someremained dominant forces and continued to make
CFA regions have heavier activity in this divisioncontributions to the bi-color and calico division.
than others do, with the bi-color and calicoThey include catteries such as Anz, Kitty Charm,
presence often exceeding that of the solids.PaJean, Brannaway and Harwood. All bred a
Sheer numbers and quality are the hallmarks ofsignificant number of grands in the '90s and, with
bi-colors and calicos in the '90s.the exception of Anz cattery, are all still actively
Not only has there been a veritable explosion ofbreeding and showing bi-colors as we move
bi-colors during the '90s, but the breeders havetoward the 21st century. Other, new bi-color
also built upon the type established in the decadesbreeders began to make their mark in this division
previous to produce stunning Persian type.during the '90s.
Keeping in mind that there are still two moreThe Anz cattery has retired from active breeding,
years in this decade to register even greaterbut the dynasty of winning bi-colors and calicos
numbers, compare the 13 national winning bi-colorthat they founded lives on in many of the winning
and calico cats of the entire decade of the '80slines, both in the U.S. and abroad. Six of the
with 38 already accomplished in the '90s. The firstnational-winning bi-colors in the '90s carried the
five bi-color and calico Distinguished Merit catsAnz cattery name, and many more had Anz cats
proudly took their place in history in the '80s, andbehind them. Their GC Anz Nicholas Nickleby, DM
29 more have swelled their ranks in the '90s;was CFA's first male DM, and produced 50 grands
finally, compare the 363 total Grand Championsbefore he was neutered.
and Grand Premiers from the '80s with the 959Another bi-color/calico dynasty-in-progress is
already confirmed in the first eight years of thePaJean cattery . Four national-winning bi-color cats
present decade. Is there any doubt that 1000in the '90s are from this cattery, as well as an
grands will be attained soon?impressive 81 grands!
The rapidly growing numbers of the "with white"Because of the sheer volume of winning bi-colors
cats necessitated first, in 1991, the removal ofand calicos, this brief article will be unable to give
these cats from the parti-color division andproper credit to the dozens of dedicated breeders
creation of their own division, and later, thewho have made a significant mark in bi-colors and
dividing of the most populous colors into their owncalicos. To those many individuals we simply have
color classes.not had room to recognize and to name - a tip of
In a 1991 Almanac article, we recognized the earlyour hat to your hard work and accomplishments!