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The Persian is an absolutely gorgeous breed that
has held the attention of cat enthusiasts since their discovery
in the 1600s. This docile, affectionate breed is a wonderful choice
for families and couples who have time for regular grooming.
This is an especially sweet breed, known for its docility and affection.
The Persian is social, gentle, and enjoys the company of other animals
and humans. They need tranquility and enjoy solitude at times. They
can be playful, but are rarely aggressive. They have a soft voice
that they rarely use. Some Persians are good mousers. Persians live
long lives of 15 or more years.
This breed has a well-muscled, round, short body. It is medium to
large in size. The legs and tail are short. The head is round and
broad. The nose is short, the eyes are large and round, and the
ears are small, wide-set, and round-tipped. The Persian face is
naturally flat in relation to most other breeds, but has become
even flatter through selective breeding. The extreme of this trend
is known as the Peke-Faced. Persians weigh approximately 8-15 pounds.
Persians are known for their luxuriant, long, thick coat. The outer
coat is loosely fit and the undercoat is dense and wooly. Persians
are accepted in just about every color form. The different categories
and examples include: Self (White), Smoke (Lilac Smoke), Chinchilla
(Golden Persian), Cameo (Red Shell Cameo), Pewter (Pewter), Tabby
(Silver Tabby), Tortie Tabby (Blue Tortie Tabby), Tortie (Lilac-Cream),
Tortie and White (Blue Tortie and White), Bi-Color Solid (Black
and White Bi-Color), Bi-Color Tabby (Brown Tabby and White), Van
Bi-Color (Red and White Van), Van Tricolor (Tortie and White Van).
Persians with a colorpoint form (markings like the Siamese) are
known as Himalayans.
Persians should be provided with a scratching post if kept indoors.
However, adult Persians are not very active or destructive.
Most Persians are healthy cats. However, Persians have several health
risks. Due to their large, protruding eyes, they are susceptible
to eye infections, injuries, and irritations. Due to the flat nature
of their faces, they sometimes have breathing problems or problems
with clogged tear ducts. Deafness is common with white Persians,
especially those with blue eyes.
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