About the breed

Miss-perfection

As any star, Persian cat have all distinguishing features, peculiar to stars of big size:

1.Her appearence entailed oblivition of many breeds - worhty and having been popular before it.

2.Her primordial origin still remains as an exciting mystery, contrary to a big number of propositions of searching minds of selectionists...

3.Her name experienced a lot of variations...

4. Her popularity stays invariable during a lot of years of her existance.

5. Her changeable look is always perfected in the process of selectionists' work.

History

There are many versions of Persian cat's origin. One of them is that roots of Persian cats went back to Persia (modern Iran). Just there Italian aristocrat and traveller Pietro Della Valle found unusual longhaired cats during his travel in Eastern Europe, Turkey, Persia and India (1614-1626). In his book 'Trip to Turkey, Persia and India in 54 letters' he described in details cats, which he saw in Ishafan (Persia) in 1620. At that time he sent a pair of that grace animals 'with fluffy, long, especially on the neck and tail, fur' to Italy for the breeding. But their further fate stayed unknown.

In 'Natural history' by Fransua-Loui Lekler earl de Buffon, there was given a description of two varieties of longhaired cats, having imported to Europe (the beginning of XVII century) from Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey (native land of Turkish Angora). Painting of that times often reflects the cat similar with her appearance to modern Angora, but cats occur which differ from her with more broad mill of ears, quite expressed transfer from forehead to nose, and thick with evidently expressed undercoat, hair. It gives us a chance to suppose that from the East there was imported not only Turkish Angora, but other variety, survived many names (Asian, Chinese, Russian and others), of eastern longhaired cat, have become a progenitress of Persian.

There is a version, disproving the eastern origin of Persians. The main her point is that, according to the genographic map of spreading of allele L (Long) in natural populations, the most probable native land of owners of long hair is considered to be Russia, where climat was favourable to the developmebt of such hair. And only from there she could be imported to the East as 'exotic wonder'.

All is possible... However, it is hardly possible to foresee the place and logicof formation of mutation.

Another version is probable that by her quite different type and constitution Persian cat is obliged to wild felis manul - this appallingly slow resident of hilly regions of Asia sometimes, when he has a mood, pays definite attention on the local domestic cats. His thickset, 3-4 kg by weight, body in combination with flat face framed with fluffy whiskers, round eyes and little broadly delivered ears really say in favour of this version.

And nevertheless, these and oher existed versions with more or less degree of probability are only suppositions. In reality the history of origin of Persian cat still remains a mystery. That, however, gives us a chance to enrich the collection of these 'probability theory' with not one suppositon.

Memorable event

As for our mysterious 'charming cat', from France she got to Great Britain - country which finally took her career into hands. That was the most favourable period when British cat-lovers began to take into breeding of different breeds of cats purposefully and seriously. Just there, in Great Britain the final division of two varieties of longhaired cats. Light, flexible and grace owners of thin silky hair, wedge-shaped head and sharp ears were related to Turkish Angoras, and more massive, shortish, round-headed cats, having long hair with thick undercoat began to call French or Persian at first.

In 1887 our heroine got an official status, become one of the first registered domestic cats of Great Britain. From the big variety of her supposing names one was finally chosen - the most beautiful and exotic ( is matched for her) - Persian Longhaired. These event, memorable for the lovers of Persians) happened in England, in the country which is called by right the founder of felinology - science about cats.

Metamorphosis 

The beginning of the rash flight of popularity of Persian cat all over the world was based by this. In future, more and more people take a great interesting in her.

She was fallen in love with! She was perfected.

Meanwhile it is significant that Persian cat of that time absolutely differed from modern, having become in the result of selection, for human's caprice's sake an alive likeness of charming, soft toy. Sweet, big-headed, round as small ball, thick-legged, playful kitten, in adult cat meter. Her constitution, type, hair, color undergone significant metamorposis: quite right-angled size, extended and light-weight body became heavy and compact. Her earlier elongated hair with gaunt face and splay forehead became round and more massive. Rounded, prominent forehead, nose of charming form, smoothly delineated, expressive chin settled in the same plane. Big, high delivered ears became little and 'departed' widely blended ( in the ideal) into the circumference of the head. High a little and 'overextended' earlier cheek-bones unfolded and fell out as a result of what eyes, earlier limited with cheek-bones, opened wide. Slightly bulging, 'open', big and expressive eyes moved apart widely, have given to the face wonderful affecting, baby expression of defencelessness and trustfulness. 'Baby face'; Persians are the only breed being honoured of such definition. Waht can be more touching, charming and sweet than naive and trusting baby face? Of course, Persian cat became such not at once. Years of painstaking work, successes and defeats, hopes and disappointments preceded of her look being corresponding to present, modern type.

Great Britain of XIX century

Coming back to Grait Britain of XIX century it should to specify that at first only one, blue, variation of lonfhaired cat was registered under the name of 'Persian'. And only in future as receiving of every new color new clubs of longhaired cats, going in for separate color, were created. So, gradually, clubs, uniting English breeders who selflessly went in for breeding of only white, then only red, only black, tortoiseshell and so on cats, were born. In first standards in the world of phelinology, called at that time 'Points of superiority', by their author Harrison Weir were described next colors of longhaired cats: white, black, grey, red and 'any other' solid colors, and also brown, blue, silver and light grey with white tabby. But, it can't help noting that the most favourite and respected were exactly blue Persian cats for a long time. Probably these sympathies were as a result of special adherence to the longhaired cats exactly this color of makers of destinies of that time - Queen Victoria and Prince of Wales, in futuer - Edward VII, not only keeping of Persians of blue color, but instituting special prizes for this breed on the cat shows of that time. Meanwhile the number of Persian cats' colors wsa growing and increasing and it was impossible to stop this process. Then, by The Gouverning Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), United Organization of Cat Lovers, based in 1910, having united various clubs of Great Britain at that time, and then a lot of number of other countries, resolution was issued, that functioning for clubs GCCF to present day. This resolution is about that all cats, belonging to this breed, are called 'Longhaired'. Besides, every variation of color must be refered to separate breed. Every color, its merits and demerits and defects is described in details, with scale of points, in first standards approved by GCCF

The USA of XIX century

Fate still was favourable to Persian cats. By the end of XIX century they got to Nothern America. It was their second and rather favourable chance, that played significant role in the further turn of perfection of Persian breed. The breed was met with enthusiasm in America. And though at first serious competition of this longhaired 'coquetts' were marvelous 'children of America' - Main Koon, Persian cats soon gave a revenge and gained the highest popularity in the USA. Followed at first English standards, soon American selectionists defined their own, greatly differnt from 'British', ideal of Persian cat. They selected more compact, masive, unusual and decorative type of Persian, to which all their thoughts. As the result of their 'selective passion' soon in the broods of red and red tabby of Persian cats kittens began to born, having quite unusual look.

They differed with unnaturally short nose wit deep 'stop' (socket) between eyes, pendent over the eyes forehead, deep wrinkles from eyes' corners to the mouth and prominent, placed veryb widely eyes. As a result of extreme shortening (almost till full disappearing) of back of the nose, animals of this type had pronounced problems with breath and also problems with nasal ducts and violation of bite, followed the representatives of the breed to present day. That, however, didn't prevent funny faces to become popular. By accosiation with dogs of breed 'Pekinese' this victims of progress were called pekinish or 'pek-faces'.

Next problems of these cats (high mortality, slowed development, gap growth as the result of anoxeamia) and many other negative consequences of extreme demonstration of their 'peak' roused serious censure from the side of more sensible representatives of veterinary services and humane societies of animals. Further selective work of beeders was directed to elimination of negative demonstrations of such 'super-progress'. At the same time it can't help noting that exactly these unlucky victims of our human mistakes served as serious push to the further development of breed, led to the birth of that new look of Persian cats - their modern, extreme type. For the breeders of every breed Pek-Faces were regular evidence of fragility, unbelievably thin and, unfortunately invisible by us, border detween Harmony and Ugliness, the caution from possible in our passion of excessive 'hyper-super', with its consequences caused to violation of Divine interconnection with every cells of any being. And at the same time they are confirmation that there is no progress and achievements without risk and failures.

Essence, borned by soul

So, received in the process of purposeful selective work, modern Persian cats differ with amazingly fascinating (and charming) appearance and just great qualities of character.

We can say with full responsibility that no one from existing breeds was changed so hard by human as Persian cat. Years of intensive selective work practically resulted in that she didn't just change - she found new, not having an analogue, 'face'. Naturally, that her essence changed at the same time. After all, in the process of breeding not only the most standard animals were selected: voluntary or not the tenderest and cleverest animals stayed for the further work.

As the result of it Persian became the incarnation of ideal of domestic animal - 'personificated version of cat'. They are borned by human soul and the thread, co0nnecting them, is indissoluble. And, contrary to versions listed above, their native land is not Persia, Kurils, or Malta. Their native land, their land of promise is human. Their sociability, pattern are fitted exactly for cohabitation with human. At this, owing to the intelligence, developed in them, every animal keeps his individuality. Persian cat is symbiosis of human's and animal's soul. She loves, worries, falls ill, defending and keeping her elect on her catlike level, which is inaccessible for us.

Persian cat is hardly able to live 'at liberty'. And it is not because of her incapability to care of her luxurious 'caprice of human' - hair by herself. First of all, it is explained by her unbelievable need to love and to be loved. And though on contrary of ignorant statements of 'experts', she can perfectly eat, drink, look after the posterity and even catch mouses ( if to 'wake up' this instinct which all cats have (period from 3 to 6 months) in proper time), if she is not loved she is helpless.

Accustomed to contacts Persian cat is adapted to travels and changes of place of residence. She feels herself comfortably there where HE is near her - her human or members of his family. However, while the owner is not at home the impression is given that her vital activity stands motionless. She can not touch the food, water, and leave the place where she was left. She 'dies down'. But when somebody comes back home and the world finds colors! She immediately has a million cases (play, food, toilet)! Asleep beauty turns into madcap. Full house is empty without her funny games and shining eyes.

"Problems of breeding"

Persian cat is beautiful, caring mother.
She shares her feelings and nervousness from first 15 minutes of pregnancy. Probably, it is touchingly, because after some time all your house is involved in the problems of 'kittens bearing.' And all two months are in this way. At the moment of birth not only you will have a milk, but your neighbours too :)

Birth and breeding of kitens is a family business. No, it's not because Persian cat will not manage with it herself. Just you will not be able to do in other way...