HIMALAYAN PERSIAN CATS: SIAMESE MARKINGS WITH PERSIAN TEMPERAMENT

According to Dr. Bruce Fogle, author of CATalog, the Himalayan Persian was probably the first deliberate hybridization of two known breeds. The Siamese and Persian Breeds were deliberately crossed to obtain the markings and blue eyes of the Siamese, while preserving the quiet, mild, gentle temperament of the Persian.

APPEARANCE

Himalayan Persians come in self and tortie points of blue, chocolate, cream, lilac, red, seal, blue-cream, chocolate tortie, lilac-cream, and seal tortie. Tabby points come in cream, red, blue point, and seal tabby point. Shading develops as the cats grow older. The body is large to medium sized, set low on its legs. Its ears are small and round tipped, not unduly open at base. Her legs are short, thick and strong, and her coat is long, thick, and silky, with no wooliness. The pattern has evenly colored points with minimal shading on the body. She has frill on her shoulders and chest. Her tail is short, but not in proportion to her body, and it is bushy.

BREED HISTORY

The first Siamese and Persians were deliberately bred in Europe in the 1920s. The Khmer was the result of these breedings, and existed in mainland Europe until the 1950s. Some believe the Birman is also a result of these early breeding experiments. A black longhair was mated with a Siamese by American geneticists in the 1930s, studying inherited traits. Although the first generation were all black long-haired cats, a pointed longhair developed when the cats were back-crossed. This was called the Himalayan Persian, named due to the pointed pattern found in Himalayan rabbits. The breed was first recognized in Britain in 1955, and the Khmer's name was changed to reflect this recognition. In 1961 the breed was recognized by all registries after continued interest brought increased attention to the cats.

BEHAVIOR

Himalayan Persians behave as any Persian. They are calm, less active than most cats, quiet, and somewhat passive. These cats are more likely than many, to allow a new cat into the home. They are sweet and gentle, and love to sit next to their people on the couch or bed. The only drawback to these wonderful animals is that their long hair tends to shed; however, it is less likely to tangle or mat than the coats of traditional Persians, and consequently, requires less grooming.

CLICK BELOW TO READ A TRUE STORY ABOUT A HIMALAYAN PERSIAN AND A MIXED BREED CAT:

http://hubpages.com/_2pvzhao591xs4/hub/HIMALAYAN-PERSIAN-MIXED-BREED-LOVE-CATS-LOVE-FOR-LIFE