The future of persian cats

The future is, of course, shrouded in mystery,During the '80s, as type was being developed and
and contains more questions than answers. A fewrefined, some bi-colors with outstanding type, but
of the questions, with our guesses at thewith far less than the preferred minimum of
answers, are:white, were granding. This would be the exception
Will bi-colors and calicos dominate shows in therather than the rule today, as increased levels of
future? The appeal of this flashy Persian cannotcompetition dictate that the cat that will come out
be denied, but neither are they for the faint ofon top must meet the standard both for type
heart. Some breeders will now choose some ofand for pattern. Increased sales of cats both to
the less populous Persian divisions that theyand from the European market means paying
perceive to be "easier." Best guess is that theattention to pattern standards in other countries'
numbers seen in shows will begin to level off, withregistries.
the bi-color and calico division sitting firmlyThe Cinderella cats of the Persian world are now
alongside the solid division in popularity.wearing their glass slippers. The 1970s saw the
What new color classes within the division can webi-colors and their van patterns accepted for
expect in the future? The CFA Executive Boardchampionship, as well as many notable "firsts,"
at its February 1998 meeting turned down aincluding the first bi-color and calico Grand
majority vote of the breed council in favor ofChampions, the first national winners and first Cat
breaking the tabby and white colors into individualof the Year. The 1980s was the decade of
color classes. Discussion indicated that if the breeddevelopment, of building the house and painting it.
council would request separate color classes onlyThe popularity of this division in the show world
for the colors whose numbers justify them andwas firmly established and included claiming more
add an "Any Other Tabby and White" color class,"firsts" - the first DMs, the first Kitten/Cat of the
that this would be favorably considered. For theYear - and acceptance of the tabby and white
third consecutive year, the odd-eyed andcolors for championship. The 1990s have seen the
blue-eyed bi-colors failed to achieve the requisitebi-colors and calicos come fully into their own, with
60% ballot vote by only one or two votes;breeders adding the refining touches and
undoubtedly this will be accomplished in the nextestablishing consistency of both type and pattern,
few years.and the acceptance of smoke and white colors
What records may fall in the near future? Infor championship. Rapidly increasing numbers of
1986, GC, NW Rambo's Rocky Mountain Sunrisecats being shown in the '90s dictated first, the
became Cat of the Year and the highest scoringestablishment of the bi-color division as separate
bi-color in CFA history, with 11,832 points. Onlyfrom the particolors, and later, the dividing into
GC, NW Granddelight's P.J. of Mockingbird hasseparate color classes those colors where
challenged, scoring 10,785 in 1997. These authorsnumbers being shown warranted it.
do not have a genie to predict when - if ever -Now we move not only into a new decade, but a
Rocky's record will be surpassed.new century. The wonderful foundation for our
What changes, if any, can we expect with regardcats began not just 30 years ago, but a full
to the standard for pattern? Bi-color and calicohundred years ago. Perhaps in the year 2098, a
breed council members have repeatedly turnedbi-color breeder will be searching CFA archives and
down any major changes to their standard, whichsee this article and these pictures. What will he or
has remained substantially the same since 1988.she think?