Famous for her flat face, round head, short limbs and thick, long fur, the Persian has
reigned supreme in the cat world for more than three decades.
An even-tempered cat, the Persian is known to enjoy a sunny window and show sudden bursts
of kitten-like energy.
The Persian is the epitome of a lap cat, with a restful and undemanding personality.
She first came into vogue during the Victorian era, but she existed long before then.
Hi, welcome to Animal Facts.
Today, we look at the world’s favorite feline, the Persian Cat.
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10.
Persian cats are a very old breed.
So old, in fact, that their origin can be traced together with the origins of human
civilization.
First records of their existence date to the times when Mesopotamia was the world’s most
advanced civilization.
This region was later incorporated in the empire of Persia, which is where the breed
gets its name from.
9.
Persian cats were highly valued and smuggled along with jewels and spices out of Persia
and considered contraband.
Today, they remain symbols of wealth and sophistication.
8.
If you’ve watched more than one Animal Facts video, you’ll know that Queen Victoria was
a bit of an animal fanatic and it is said that she had a fondness for the Persian cat
breed, thus cementing the cat’s status of sophistication and nobility.
Persians took London by storm when the breed was showcased in the world's first organized
cat show in 1871 at the Crystal Palace.
Proving that cats were popular long before the Internet, the event drew more than 20,000
visitors.
Of course, the Persian took “Best of Show.”
7.
Sometime after 1895, Persians were brought to the United States.
In 1906, the Cat Fanciers' Association was formed in America, and a Persian was one of
the first cats registered.
Today, the Persian is one of the most popular cats in the United States.
6.
Recent genetic research indicates that present day Persians are more closely related to cats
from Western Europe than from the Near East.
The researchers stated, "Even though the early Persian cat may have in fact originated from
Persia, the modern Persian cat has lost its phylogeographical signature."
This is not surprising considering the changes the cats have seen since coming to Europe
in the 17th century, including a much rounder head and flatter face.
5.
The dignified and docile Persian is known for being quiet and sweet.
She is an ornament to any home where she can enjoy sitting in a lap—surely her rightful
place—being petted by those who are discerning enough to recognize her superior qualities.
Persians are affectionate but discriminating.
She reserves her attention for family members and those few guests whom she feels she can
trust.
4.
As any Persian cat owner can attest, owning one of these cats doesn’t come easily.
Grooming is a major requirement for a Persian and she requires daily attention to keep her
looking rightfully majestic.
To manage all that fur, some Persian owners opt to keep their cat’s hair short.
3.
The Persian makes the ultimate lap kitty.
Due to her ability to be inactive for long periods of time, the Persian rightfully owns
the nickname “furniture with fur”.
Looking that good requires lots of beauty sleep.
You should be honored that she chooses you to rest upon.
2.
If you own a Persian, you won't find it climbing on your bookcase or attempting to launch itself
off your furniture.
This is a calm, quiet breed that won't destroy your possessions.
It doesn't need constant attention and is perfectly content to curl up on a chair and
doze while you are gone.
Curtains, counters, and cushions are all safe from Persians.
1.
In 1950, the Siamese was crossed with the Persian to create a breed with the body type
of the Persian but colorpoint pattern of the Siamese.
It was named Himalayan, after other colorpoint animals such as the Himalayan rabbit.
In the UK, the breed was recognized as the Colorpoint Longhair.
The Himalayan stood as a separate breed in the US until 1984, when the Cat Fanciers’
Association merged it with the Persian, to the objection of the breed councils of both
breeds.
Some Persian breeders were unhappy with the introduction of this crossbreed into their
"pure" Persian lines.
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