It is the general belief that today’s Persian cats are descendants of a breed that originated in Persia (today known as Iran) and Turkey in central Asia. Persians were actually known as Asiatic cats, or Turkish Angoras, until the late 1800’s.

One of the Persian’s original ancestors, the Turkish angora, was introduced to the Italians in the seventeenth century. These felines were sought after among the European aristocracy. Louis XV owned an angora Persian, and the king of Persia and English royalty also valued Persians as royal pets.

During the nineteenth century, Persians bred in Italy were crossed with Turkish Persians and a new variation of the traditional Persian was born. This crossbreeding produced the more common sturdy body type seen in these felines today, introduced more colors and patterns, and improved the Persian’s distinctive, long and silky coat.Persians were brought to America toward the end of the 19th century. Once introduced to the people of the United States, the Persian quickly became the most popular breed of cat in the country, and remains the favorite today.

Physical Characteristics of the Doll-Face Persian: There are two main classifications of Persians, including the modern Peke-faced Persian with a flat face, most commonly seen in shows. The traditional doll-face Persian’s mouth and nose are located well in front of the eyes, but their faces still retain the unique Persian “pansy” look: open, round and beguiling.

Most Persians have a medium to large build usually classified as "cobby," meaning stocky and short-legged. Persians' chests are broad and deep, with equally broad shoulders and rumps. A healthy Persian will have a good muscle tone and when well taken care of, will not run to fat.

Persian coats are long and thick, fine-textured and glossy, thanks to their unique undercoat and angora ancestry. The exception to this long-haired rule is the Exotic Shorthair Persian. Persians are found in an extensive array of colors and patterns, and are classified into the following divisions, according to CFA Standards:

• Solid Color
• Silver & Golden
• Shaded & Smoke
• Tabby
• Parti-Color
• Calico & Bi-Color
• Himalayan
• Personality Characteristics of the Doll-Face Persian

Doll-face Persians are well known for their sweet and gentle natures. They treasure security and serenity, but if given patience, love and ample opportunity, they will adapt to most households and adjust to their new environments.

The voice of a Persian is quiet and doesn’t grate on the ears, like some other breeds. They have expressive faces and beautiful eyes that they also use to communicate with their owners. They tend to be restive, rather than active and are down-to-earth, preferring to keep their paws on solid ground, rather than up climbing the drapes.Doll-face Persians are fun-loving and playful, demanding little but care and affection. Good companions, doll-face Persians make wonderful pets for people of all ages.

Caring for Your Persian: Unless you own an Exotic Shorthair, your Persian will require careful care of its long coat to avoid painful matting and tangles. Although their fur is long, maintenance is relatively easy. Simply running through your Persian’s coat with a metal comb daily will allow you to avoid common long-haired feline problems, such as hairballs and tangles. Occasional bathing is recommended, but should be attempted only after a good combing and nail clipping.

Your doll-face Persian will have large, beautiful eyes, and though you should expect some normal tearing, plan on protecting them by washing their face daily. Because of their slightly more elongated facial structure, doll-face Persians may not have as many tear-duct difficulties as Peke-face Persians. A veterinarian should immediately be seen for any tearing that seems out of the ordinary. To avoid difficulties later on, acclimate your Persian to a grooming and bathing routine while they are still young.

A protected indoor environment is preferable to life outdoors for your Persian, not only to prevent a messy coat, but also to keep your pet safe from disease, parasites, and ever-present cars and dogs.

An annual trip the veterinarian is also recommended, as with any pet, and with a good diet and loving care, your doll-face Persian can live to an excess of fifteen years. A well-bred doll-face Persian is a sturdy, beautiful and healthy animal and will not be as prone to respiratory infections and sickness as many pedigreed breeds.

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