Traditional Persian Cat, also known as Doll Face Persian, is considered the original version of the Persian cat. I love their sweet face, quirky personality, playful nature and desire to cuddle. I have a rather unique story on how I got started with Persians.
My love for the Persian breed started in a Nordstroms parking lot some 30 years ago. I started to pull into a parking spot and noticed a pet carrier sitting on the ground. I got out to look and saw a message taped to the top. It read something like this, “My owner can no longer keep me due to health problems. Please help!” When I looked inside I saw a beautiful black cat with long hair and yellow eyes.
I thought, why would someone just leave their pet in a parking lot? Then I looked around, and realized that Nordstroms has a covered parking lot and there’s a pet store within view. They obviously planned this, probably thinking that if you’re shopping at Nordstroms you have a good home…?
I took her to a local vet and he told me she was a Persian, about 8 years old, healthy and spayed. He stressed to me that she is an indoor cat only because she had been fully de-clawed
She was quite shy at first. It took 2 weeks before she would come out from under the bed during the day. My first Persian cat turned out to be the sweetest and most gentle cat I had ever known.
History
I really like the way The Cat Fanciers Association website paints the history of the Persian cat:
“As the dusty desert caravans wound their way westward from Persia and Iran, it is supposed that secreted among the rare spices and jewels on the basket-laden camels was an even more precious cargo, an occasional longhair cat. They were called Persian for their “country of origin,” but hieroglyphic references as early as 1684 B.C. shroud forever their exact beginnings.”
Look
When you visit The Cat Fanciers Association page for the Persian cat, all that’s represented today is the extreme facial feature version. I’m sorry, but I don’t understand the attraction.
From Wikipedia: “The breed was originally established with a short muzzle, but over time, this characteristic has become extremely exaggerated, particularly in North America.”
In my opinion, the extremely flat face and upturned nose creates a weird-looking expression, no longer sweet. When I visited several Persian breeders back in the late 80’s, all were the Doll Face breeding. I never would have thought the breed would ever change into what I see now. I’m a little saddened.
Grooming
Owning a Persian requires daily grooming. Their silky long hair can tangle into horrible clumps on the belly, chest and behind their legs (matting). I used to take mine to a groomer (I tried several), but still noticed how stressed (drooling) they were when I picked them up. However groomers handle cats, it was not working for mine, so I decided it was best that I take over the job.
I did have to purchase a cat muzzle for my male, he loved to bite. Otherwise, I got into the routine of daily combing and the tape roll will be your best friend.
Personality
The Persian can best be described as a quiet cat. Typically placid in nature (except kittens), and they adapt well to apartment life. Persians will show closeness and affection with their owners, they are meticulous groomers, somewhat vocal and fussy when it comes to food.
I had a female who preferred chicken and a male who would only eat fish. All of my Persians required a clean litter box, or else it was the carpet!
They were also accepting of my first Rottweiler puppy. Then the second and third! Rottweiler’s that are brought up with cats are also very accepting. My Rotties treated our cats as members of their family.
I planned on more Persians but then my brother and his Huskies entered our life. Huskies and cats are not a good combination and now I own 2 beautiful Husky/Shepherd mixes. Persians will have to wait, for now!
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