Persian cat

{{Short description|Breed of cat}} {{Distinguish|List of generation I Pokémon#Persian{{!}}Persian (Pokémon)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Use British English|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox cat breed |name = Persian cat |image = Persialainen.jpg |caption = Modern-type Persian cat |image2= Persian silver dollface.jpg |caption2= Traditional-type Persian |altname = Persian Longhair, Shirazi<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Ibrahim | first1=Alaa | last2=Nomeir | first2=Ahmed | last3=Emara | first3=Doaa | last4=El Sharaby | first4=Ashraf | title=Comparative pilot study of radiography and computed tomography for the thorax of Shirazi cat | journal=Damanhour Journal of Veterinary Sciences | volume=6 | issue=2 | date=2021-09-01 | issn=2636-3011 | doi=10.21608/djvs.2021.79115.1037 | pages=1–6| doi-access=free }}</ref> |nickname = |country = |cfastd = https://cfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/persian-standard.pdf |fifestd = http://www.fifeweb.org/dnld/std/EXO-PER.pdf |ticastd = https://tica.org/phocadownload/ps.pdf |wcfstd = https://wcf.de/pdf-en/breed/PER_en_2022-01-25.pdf |acfstd = https://www.acf.asn.au/notices/notices/standards/Group%20One/ACF-PersianOctober2023.pdf |acfastd = https://www.acfacat.com/Breed%20Standards/PERSIAN.pdf |cccastd = |ccastd = https://www.cca-afc.com/documents/BreedStandards/PERSIAN_20211031_212644.pdf |cffstd = |gccfstd = https://www.gccfcats.org/Portals/0/Persian.SOP.pdf |nzcfstd = |saccstd = |otherstd= |note = The Exotic Shorthair and Himalayan cats are often classified as coat variants of this breed. }}

The '''Persian cat''', also known as the '''Persian Longhair''' or simply '''Persian''', is a long-haired traditional breed of cat characterised by a round face and petite, but not flat and not smashed in, muzzle. The short flat nose was created in the US from in-breeding and causes breathing difficulties in the breed, whereas, the traditional Persian breed has a petite nose which enables them to breathe without difficulties.

The first documented ancestors of Persian cats might have been imported into Italy from Khorasan as early as around 1620, but this has not been proven. Instead, there is stronger evidence for a longhaired cat breed being exported from Afghanistan and Iran/Persia from the 19th century onwards.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |last1=Digard |first1=Jean-Pierre |title=CAT II. Persian Cat |url= https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/cat-ii-persian-cat |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Floor |first1=Willem |title=A Note on Persian Cats |url= https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/021086032000062866A |journal=Iranian Studies |date=2023 |volume=36 |pages=27–42 |publisher=Carfax Publishinh |doi=10.1080/021086032000062866A |s2cid=161381713 |access-date=March 11, 2023|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://persiancatcorner.com/persian-cat-information/ |title=Persian Cat Information {{!}} Persian Cat Corner |work=Persian Cat Resource|date=February 13, 2017}}</ref> Persian cats have been widely recognised by the North-West European cat fancy since the 19th century,<ref name="DK">{{Cite book |last1=Baggaley |first1=Ann |title=The cat encyclopedia - the definitive visual guide |last2=Goddard |first2=Jolyon |last3=John |first3=Katie |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-4654-1959-0 |edition=First American |location=London |oclc=859882932}}</ref> and after World War II by breeders from North America, Australia and New Zealand.<ref name="DK" /> Some cat fancier organisations' breed standards subsume the Himalayan and Exotic Shorthair as variants of this breed, while others generally treat them as separate breeds.

The selective breeding carried out by breeders has allowed the development of a wide variety of coat colours,<ref name="DK" /> but has also led to the creation of increasingly flat-faced Persian cats. Favoured by fanciers, this head structure can bring with it several health problems. As is the case with the Siamese breed, there have been efforts by some breeders to preserve the older type of cat, the ''Traditional Persian'', which has a more pronounced muzzle. Hereditary polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is prevalent in the breed, affecting almost half of the population in some countries.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://icatcare.org/advice/polycystic-kidney-disease |title=Polycystic kidney disease |website=International Cat Care |access-date=July 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/PolycysticKidneyDisease.cfm |title=Polycystic Kidney Disease |website=www.vet.cornell.edu |access-date=July 8, 2016}}</ref>

In 2021, Persian cats were ranked as the fourth-most popular cat breed in the world according to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), an US-based international cat registry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2021 |title=The Cat Fanciers' Association Announces Most Popular Breeds for 2020 |url=https://cfa.org/cfa-news-releases/top-breeds-2020/ |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=cfa.org |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423133453/https://cfa.org/cfa-news-releases/top-breeds-2020/ }}</ref>

==History==

=== Origin === The exact time of the appearance of long-haired cats is unclear, as no long-haired specimens of the African wildcat, the ancestor of the domestic cat species, are known.

thumb|left|An Angora/Persian from ''The Royal Natural History'' (1894)

The first documented ancestors of the Persian cat might have been imported from Khorasan, either Eastern Iran or Western Afghanistan, into the Italian Peninsula in 1620 by Pietro Della Valle; and from Damascus, Syria, into France by Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc at around the same time. While the de Peiresc import from Syria is corroborated by later correspondences, Della Valle is only known to have voiced his intention in a letter from 1620 but returned to Italy much later in 1626 after travelling several other countries with the remains of his wife in tow and no further mention of the cats.<ref name="auto2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Grey |first1=Edward |title=The Travels of Pietro Della Valle in India, Volume I |url= https://famineanddearth.exeter.ac.uk/displayhtml.html?id=fp_00236_en_thetravelsofpietrodellavalleinindia_vol01 |website=Famine and Dearth in India and Britain 1550-1800 |publisher=Hakluyt Society |access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>

In his letter from 1620, Della Valle distinguishes the Khorasan cat from similar long-haired cats imported to Europe from the Near East by their grey coat:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Freund and Yonan |title=Cats: The Soft Underbelly of the Enlightenment," Journal18 Issue 7 Animals (Spring 2019) |date=April 4, 2019 |url= https://www.journal18.org/3778 |publisher=Journal18 |access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=At this point I have found in this country a very beautiful species of cats which are native to the province of Khorasan, but of another appearance and quality than those of Tyre, Lebanon. We estimate them to be of high value; however, they mean nothing to the people of Khorasan. I am inclined to bring them to Rome and to populate Italy with this breed. Their size and their form are like those of ordinary cats. All their beauty is in their coat which is gray without any speckles and without any spots, of one colour throughout all the body, being a little lighter on the chest and the stomach which goes somewhat whitish, with an agreeable shade of light brown, as in paintings when one colour is mixed with the other to give a marvellous effect.}}

Albeit of unclear geographic faithfulness, the name Persian cat was eventually given to cats imported from Afghanistan, Iran, and likely some adjacent regions for marketing purposes in Europe. Persian-speakers themselves are not documented to refer to any breed of cat as "Persian cat", or {{lang|fa-Latn|gorba-ye pârsi}}. Instead, variations of {{lang|fa-Latn|gorbe-ye borāq}},<ref>Naficy, 1967, p. 68; Haïm, 1969, I, p. 244.</ref>{{full citation needed|date=January 2024|reason=No one has any idea what these sources are without their titles and other details.}} {{lang|fa-Latn|gorbe-ye barrāq}},<ref>Steingass, 1892: 1078.</ref>{{full citation needed|date=January 2024|reason=No one has any idea what this source is without its title and other details.}} and {{lang|fa-Latn|gorbe-ye barāq}} appear in Persian dictionaries of the 19th and 20th centuries.<ref name="auto2" />

[[File:Across coveted lands - or, A journey from Flushing (Holland) to Calcutta, overland (1903) (14801328343).jpg|thumb|Arnold Henry Savage Landor with his two Persian kittens, which he purchased himself in Kerman, Iran (known then as Persia) around 1900<ref>{{Cite book |last=Landor |first=Arnold Henry Savage |url= https://archive.org/details/acrosscovetedlan02land |title=Across coveted lands: or, A journey from Flushing (Holland) to Calcutta, overland |date=1903 |publisher=New York : C. Scribner's sons |others=University of California Libraries}}</ref>]]

In 1815, Lord Elphinstone described the cats in Kabul thus:<ref>{{cite book |last1=Elphinstone |first1=Mountstuart |title=An account of the kingdom of Caubul, and its dependencies, in Persia, Tartary, and India (1842) - Volume I |date=1842 |publisher=University of Nebraska Omaha |page=191 |url= https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1013&context=afghanuno}}</ref>

{{blockquote|text=The cats must also be noticed, at least the longhaired species called Boorauk, as they are exported in great numbers, and everywhere called Persian cats, though they are not numerous in the country from which they are named, and are seldom or never exported thence.}}

In 1839 Lieutenant Irwin notes that "a variety of cat is bred in Cabul, and some parts of Toorkistan. By us it is very improperly called "Persian", for very few are found in Persia, and none exported. The Cabulees call this cat bubuk [buruk?] or boorrak, and they encourage the growth of his long hair by washing it with soap and combing it."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Irwin |first1=Lieut. |title=Memoir on the Climate, Soil, Produce and Husbandry of Afghanistan and the Neighbouring Countries, Part III, Section III: Of Animals |journal=Journal of TheAsiatic Society of Bengal |date=1839 |volume=8 |page=1007 |url= https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=h7lJAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA1006&hl=en |access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>

Seeing as the British seemed to assume the majority of Persian cats stemmed from Afghanistan, there is reason to infer that no small portion of the original Persian cat breed stock was, among other places, imported from Afghanistan to Britain and other European countries.

However, the Persian cat was not only exported to Europe by this time but also to India. In 1885 Edward Balfour describes the Afghan trade of long-haired cats to India: "The long silky-furred Angora cats are annually brought to India for sale from Afghanistan, with caravans of camels, even so far as Calcutta."

thumb|Phylogenetic tree of cat breeds and populations. Asian (green), Western European (red), East African (purple), Mediterranean basin (blue) and wildcat (black) populations form strongly supported monophyletic branches. European and African wildcats are closely related whereas short branches of most all other populations indicate close relationships of these breeds and populations. Random-bred populations are indicated in italics, breeds are in standard font.<ref name=":0" />

Similarly in 1882, Jane Dieulafoy, travelling in Iran from Isfahan to Shiraz in a caravan heading for Bušehr, observes "an inhabitant of Yezd in Kirmania, who transported from Tauris [<nowiki/>Tabriz] to Bombay about twenty beautiful angoras. For several years he constantly travelled between Persia and India and apparently profited from his strange commerce".<ref name="auto2" />

=== Genetic origin === Recent genetic research indicates that present-day Persian cats are related not to cat breeds from the Near East, but to those from Western Europe, with researchers stating that "Even though the early Persian cat may have in fact originated from Persia, the modern Persian cat has lost its phylogeographical signature".<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |first1=Monika J. |last1=Lipinski |first2=Lutz |last2=Froenicke |first3=Kathleen C. |last3=Baysac |first4=Nicholas C. |last4=Billings |first5=Christian M. |last5=Leutenegger |first6=Alon M. |last6=Levy |first7=Maria |last7=Longeri |first8=Tirri |last8=Niini |first9=Haydar |last9=Ozpinar |first10=Margaret R.|last10=Slater |first11=Niels C. |last11=Pedersen |first12=Leslie A. |last12=Lyons |title=The Ascent of Cat Breeds: Genetic Evaluations of Breeds and Worldwide Random Bred Populations |journal=Genomics |date=January 2008 |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=12–21 |doi=10.1016/j.ygeno.2007.10.009 |pmc=2267438 |pmid=18060738}}</ref>

This can be seen in the phylogenetic tree of cat breeds and populations. The Persian cat is depicted in red, which indicates it falls genetically in the European cat population. The modern-day Persian cat breed is genetically closest related to the British Shorthair, Chartreux, and American Shorthair.<ref name=":0" /> The Exotic Shorthair is a breed developed in the late 1950s by outcrossing Persian cats with American Shorthairs.

==Development==

===Persians and Angoras===

{{Multiple image | direction = vertical | align = right | image1 = Blue Persian "Gentian".jpg | image2 = Fulmer Zaida - Silver Persian.JPG | image3 = Internationale kattententoonstelling in Koopmansbeurs, de kampioen de pers Rebe, Bestanddeelnr 917-2418 (cropped).jpg | width = 220 | caption3 = '''Top''': Blue Persian, prize-winner at Westminster (1899)<br />'''Middle''': Silver Persian, winner of multiple leading cat shows in the UK (1902)<br /> '''Bottom''': French blue Persian with a more ultra-type face, winner of a cat show in the Netherlands (1964) | total_width = | alt1 = | caption1 = | header = Historical Persian cat show winners }}

A Persian cat was presented at the first organised cat show, in 1871 in The Crystal Palace in London, England, organised by Harrison Weir. As specimens closer to the later established Persian conformation became the more popular types, attempts were made to differentiate it from the Angora.<ref name="Helgren">{{cite web |last=Helgren |first=J. Anne. |title=Cat Breed Detail: Persian Cats |date=2006 |work=Iams.com |publisher=Telemark Productions / Procter & Gamble |url= http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=CBD&breedPage=persian.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081119191145/http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=CBD&breedPage=persian.html |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> The first breed standard (then called the ''points of excellence'' list) was issued in 1889 by cat show promoter Weir. Weir stated that the Persian differed from the Angora in the tail being longer, hair more full and coarse at the end, and head larger, with less pointed ears.<ref>{{cite book |last=Weir |first=Harrison |title=Our Cats and All About Them |date=1889 |location=Tunbridge Wells, UK |publisher=R. Clements & Co. |lccn=2002554760 |ol=3664970M |url= https://archive.org/details/ourcatsallaboutt00weir |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> Not all cat fanciers agreed with the idea of making (or creating) a distinction between the two types, and in ''The Book of the Cat'' of 1903, Francis Simpson states that "the distinctions, apparently with hardly any difference, between Angoras and Persians are of so fine a nature that I must be pardoned if I ignore the class of cat commonly called Angora".<ref>{{cite book |last=Simpson |first=Frances. |title=The Book of the Cat |date=1903 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofcatsimpson00simprich/page/98 98] |location=London/New York |publisher=Cassell and Company |lccn=03024964 |ol=7205700M |url= https://archive.org/details/bookofcatsimpson00simprich |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>

Dorothy Bevill Champion lays out the difference between the two types in the 1909 ''Everybody's Cat Book'':<ref name="champion">{{cite book |last=Champion |first=Dorothy Bevill |date=1909 |title=Everybody's Cat Book |page=[https://archive.org/details/everybodyscatboo00cham/page/n22 17] |publisher=Lent & Graff |location=New York |lccn=10002159 |oclc=8291178 |ol=7015748M |url= https://archive.org/details/everybodyscatboo00cham |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>

{{blockquote|Our pedigree imported long-hairs of to-day are undoubtedly a cross of the Angora and Persian; the latter possesses a rounder head than the former, also the coat is of quite a different quality.}}

Bell goes on to detail the differences. Persian coats consist of a woolly undercoat and a long, hairy outer coat. The coat loses all the thick underwool in the summer, and only the long hair remains. Hair on the shoulders and upper part of the hind legs is somewhat shorter. Conversely, the Angora has a very different coat which consists of long, soft hair, hanging in locks, "inclining to a slight curl or wave on the under parts of the body." The Angora's hair is much longer on the shoulders and hind legs than the Persian, which Bell considered a great improvement. However, Bell says the Angora "fails to the Persian in head", Angoras having a more wedge-shaped head and Persians having a rounder head.

Bell notes that Angoras and Persians have been crossbred, resulting in a decided improvement to each breed, but claimed the long-haired cat of 1909 had significantly more Persian influence than Angora.

Champion lamented the lack of distinction among various long-haired types by English fanciers, who in 1887, decided to group them under the umbrella term "Long-haired Cats".<ref name="champion" /><ref name="Helgren2">{{cite web |last=Helgren |first=J. Anne |title=Cat Breed Detail: Turkish Angora |date=2006 |work=Iams.com |publisher=Telemark Productions / Procter & Gamble |url= http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=CBD&breedPage=turkango.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100509130400/http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=CBD&breedPage=turkango.html |archive-date=May 9, 2010 |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=A cat food manufacturer is not a reliable source on cat breed history.|date=July 2015}}

===Traditional Persian=== thumb|Traditional-type golden Persian cat {{Main|Traditional Persian cat}}

The '''traditional Persian''', '''doll-face Persian''', or '''moon-face Persian'''<ref>{{cite web |url= http://buyfuffy.com |title=Cats and Kittens: Maine coon Kittens |access-date=March 17, 2016}}</ref> are somewhat recent names for a variety of the Persian breed, which is essentially the original phenotype of the Persian cat, without the development of extreme features.

As many breeders in the United States, Germany, Italy, and other parts of the world started to interpret the Persian standard differently, they developed the flat-nosed "peke-face" or "ultra-type" over time, as the result of two genetic mutations, without changing the name of the breed from "Persian". Some organisations, including the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), consider the peke-face type as their modern standard for the Persian breed. Thus the retronym Traditional Persian was created to refer to the original type, which is still bred, mirroring the renaming of the original-style Siamese cat as the Traditional Siamese or Thai, to distinguish it from the long-faced modern development which has taken over as simply "the Siamese".

Not all cat fancier groups recognise the Traditional Persian (at all, or as distinct), or give it that specific name. TICA has a very general standard that does not specify a flattened face.<ref name="TICA std">{{cite web |title=Persian Breed Group |author= |work=TICA.org |date=May 1, 2004 |location=Harlingen, Texas |publisher=The International Cat Association |url= http://www.tica.org/members/publications/standards/ps.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100802122540/http://www.tica.org/members/publications/standards/ps.pdf |archive-date=August 2, 2010 }}</ref>

===Modern Persian (peke-face and ultra-typing)=== {{multiple image | align = left | image1 = Persian profile view moderate type.jpg | width1 = 140 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Cat Show - Ft. Lauderdale - October 2008.jpg | width2 = 120 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = A Persian with a visible muzzle in contrast with a Persian with its forehead, nose and chin in vertical alignment, as called for by CFA's 2007 breed standard. The shorter the muzzle, the higher the nose tends to be. UK standards penalise Persians whose nose leather extends above the bottom edge of the eye. }}

In the late 1950s, a spontaneous mutation in red tabby Persians gave rise to the "peke-faced" Persian, named after the flat-faced Pekingese dog. It was registered as a distinct breed in the CFA, but fell out of favour by the mid-1990s due to serious health issues; only 98 were registered between 1958 and 1995. Despite this, breeders took a liking to the look and started breeding towards the peke-face look. The over-accentuation of the breed's characteristics by selective breeding (called ''extreme-'' or ''ultra-typing'') produced results similar to the peke-faced Persians. The term peke-face has been used to refer to the ultra-typed Persian but it is properly used only to refer to red tabby Persians bearing the mutation. Many fanciers and CFA judges considered the shift in look "a contribution to the breed."<ref name="messybeastLHC">{{cite web |url= http://www.messybeast.com/longhair-cats.htm |title=Longhaired Cats |last=Hartwell |first=Sarah |date=2013 |work=Messybeast Cats |publisher=Sarah Hartwell |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="CFA Saunders">{{cite web |first=Lorraine |last=Saunders |title=Solid Color Persians Are...Solid As a Rock? |work=Cat Fanciers' Almanac |date=November 2002 |publisher=Cat Fanciers' Association |url= http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/persian-solid02.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101201041221/http://cfainc.org//breeds/profiles/articles/persian-solid02.html |archive-date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="CFA Brocato">{{cite web |first1=Judy |last1=Brocato |first2=Greg |last2=Brocato |title=Stargazing: A Historical View of Solid Color Persians |work=Cat Fanciers' Almanac |publisher=Cat Fanciers' Association |date=March 1995 |url= http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/persian-solid.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101201043934/http://cfainc.org//breeds/profiles/articles/persian-solid.html |archive-date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="ultracat">{{cite web |last=Hartwell |first=Sarah |title=Novelty Breeds and Ultra-Cats – A Breed Too Far? |work=Messybeast Cats |url= http://www.messybeast.com/ultracat.htm |date=2010 |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>{{self-published inline|certain=y|reason=See previous note about this source.|date=July 2015}}

In 1958, breeder and author P. M. Soderberg wrote in ''Pedigree Cats, Their Varieties, breeding and Exhibition:''<ref name="ultracat" />

{{blockquote|Perhaps in recent times there has been a tendency to over-accentuate this type of short face, with the result that a few of the cats seen at shows have faces which present a peke-like appearance. This is a type of face which is definitely recognised in the United States, and helps to form a special group within the show classification for the [Persian] breed. There are certainly disadvantages when the face has become too short, for this exaggeration of type is inclined to produce a deformity of the tear ducts, and running eyes may be the result. A cat with running eyes will never look at its best because in time the fur on each side of the nose becomes stained, and thus detracts from the general appearance .... The nose should be short, but perhaps a plea may be made here that the nose is better if it is not too short and at the same time up-tilted. A nose of this type creates an impression of grotesqueness which is not really attractive, and there is always a danger of running eyes.}}

thumb|Modern cream tabby and white thumb|A black smoke female with moderate features

While the looks of the Persians changed, the Persian Breed Council's standard for the Persians remained the same. The Persian breed standard is, by its nature, somewhat open-ended and focused on a rounded head, large, wide-spaced round eyes with the top of the nose in alignment with the bottom of the eyes. The standard calls for a short, cobby body with short, well-boned legs, a broad chest, and a round appearance, everything about the ideal Persian cat being "round". It was not until the late 1980s that standards were changed to limit the development of the extreme appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://persiancatcorner.com/why-do-persian-cats-look-angry/ |title=Why Do Persian Cats Look Angry? |last=Shaun |website=Persian Cat Corner |date=July 17, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref> In 2004, the statement that muzzles should not be overly pronounced was added to the breed standard.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.persianbc.org/bcpoll_2003.php |title=2003 Breed Council Ballot Proposals and Results |date=2004 |publisher=CFA Persian Breed Council |access-date=October 17, 2009}}</ref> The standards were altered yet again in 2007, this time to reflect the flat face, and it now states that the forehead, nose, and chin should be in vertical alignment.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.persianbc.org/bcpoll_2006.php |title=2006 Breed Council Ballot Proposals and Results |date=2007 |publisher=CFA Persian Breed Council |access-date=October 17, 2009}}</ref>

In the UK, the standard was changed by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in the 1990s to disqualify Persians with the "upper edge of the nose leather above the lower edge of the eye" from Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes.<ref>[http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/persian-bicolor.html Bi-Color and Calico Persians: Past, Present and Future] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090827102947/http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/persian-bicolor.html |date=August 27, 2009}} Cat Fanciers' Almanac. May 1998</ref><ref name="GCCF std" />

While ultra-typed cats do better in the show ring, the public seems to prefer the less extreme, older "doll-face" types.<ref name="messybeastLHC" />

==Variants==

===Himalayan=== {{Main|Himalayan cat}} thumb|right|The Himalayan or Colourpoint Longhair was created by crossing the Persian with the Siamese. This crossing also introduced the chocolate and lilac colours into full-coloured Persians.

In 1950, the Siamese was crossed with the Persian to create a breed with the body type of the Persian but the colourpoint pattern of the Siamese. It was named Himalayan, after other colourpoint animals such as the Himalayan rabbit. In the UK, the breed was recognised as the Colourpoint Longhair. The Himalayan stood as a separate breed in the US until 1984, when the CFA merged it with the Persian, to the objection of the breed councils of both breeds. Some Persian breeders were unhappy with the introduction of this crossbreed into their "pure" Persian lines.<ref name="Helgren3">{{Cite web |last=Helgren |first=J. Anne. |title=Cat Breed Detail: Himalayan |date=2006 |work=Iams.com |publisher=Telemark Productions / Procter & Gamble |url= http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=CBD&breedPage=himalaya.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081119190910/http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=CBD&breedPage=himalaya.html |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=A cat food manufacturer is not a reliable source on cat breed history.|date=July 2015}}<ref>Breed Article: Himalayan-Persian {{Cite web |url=http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/persian-himalayan.html |title=CFA Breed Article: Himalayan - Persian |access-date=October 13, 2009 |archive-date=September 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913063731/http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/persian-himalayan.html |url-status=bot: unknown }} Cat Fanciers' Almanac May 1999</ref>

The CFA set up the registration for Himalayans in a way that breeders would be able to discern a Persian with Himalayan ancestry just by looking at the pedigree registration number. This was to make it easy for breeders who do not want Himalayan blood in their breeding lines to avoid individuals who, while not necessarily exhibiting the colourpoint pattern, may be carrying the point colouration gene recessively. Persians with Himalayan ancestry have registration numbers starting with 3 and are commonly referred to by breeders as colourpoint carriers (CPC) or 3000-series cats, although not all will carry the recessive gene. The Siamese is also the source of the chocolate and lilac colour in solid Persians.<ref>[http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/persian-solid.html Breed Profile: Persian – Solid Color Division] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090917091248/http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/persian-solid.html |date=September 17, 2009}} Cat Fanciers' Association</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cfainc.org/org/minutes/Jun04.pdf |title=CFA ANNUAL AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS JUNE 23–27, 2004 |website=cfainc.org |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100613043435/http://cfainc.org/org/minutes/Jun04.pdf |archive-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref>

===Exotic Shorthair=== {{Main|Exotic Shorthair}}

The Persian was used as an outcross secretly by some American Shorthair (ASH) breeders in the late 1950s to "improve" their breed. The crossbreed look gained recognition in the show ring, but other breeders unhappy with the changes successfully pushed for new breed standards that would disqualify ASH that showed signs of crossbreeding.

{{Multiple image | direction = vertical | align = right | image1 = Fat Cat (2516955618) (cropped).jpg | image2 = Shaded silver Persian Cat Missionhill Cosmic Rainstorm.jpg | image3 = | width = 220 | caption3 = | total_width = | alt1 = | caption1 = Traditional | caption2 = Modern | header = Two black silver chinchilla Persians }}

One ASH breeder who saw the potential of the Persian/ASH cross proposed, and eventually managed, to get the CFA to recognise them as a new breed in 1966, under the name Exotic Shorthair. Regular outcrossing to the Persian has made present-day Exotic Shorthair similar to the Persian in every way, including temperament and conformation, except for the short dense coat. It has even inherited much of the Persian's health problems. The easier-to-manage coat has made some label the Exotic Shorthair "the lazy man's Persian".

Because of the allowed use of Persians as outcrosses in most registries,<ref name="WCC">{{Cite web |title=Breed Comparisons - Exotic Shorthair |publisher=World Cat Congress |url=https://worldcatcongress.org/wp/cat_breed_comp_exo.php |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=worldcatcongress.org}}</ref> some Exotics may carry a copy of the recessive longhair gene. When two such cats mate, there is a one in four chance of each offspring being longhaired. Longhaired Exotics are not considered Persians by some of the cat registries, although others accepts them as Persians or register them as a separate Exotic Longhair breed.

===Chinchilla Longhair=== Originating in England in 1882 by accident, a silver tabby and smoke-coloured Persian offspring produced ''Silver Lambkin'', a cat regarded as the father of the chinchilla Persian line. Silver Lambkin was bred, and even members of the British royal family had his descendants.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://buzzpetz.com/chinchilla-persian-cat |title=Chinchilla Persian Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics, and Care Guide – BuzzPetz |date=December 16, 2022}}</ref>

In the US, there was an attempt to establish the silver Persian as a separate breed called the Sterling, but it was not accepted. Silver and golden Persians are recognised, as such, by CFA. In South Africa, the attempt to separate the breed was more successful; the Southern Africa Cat Council (SACC) registers cats with five generations of purebred Chinchilla as a Chinchilla Longhair. The Chinchilla Longhair has a slightly longer nose than the Persian, resulting in healthy breathing and less eye tearing. Its hair is translucent with only the tips carrying black pigment, a feature that gets lost when out-crossed to other coloured Persians. Out-crossing also may result in losing nose and lip liner, which is a fault in the Chinchilla Longhair breed standard. One of the distinctions of this breed is the blue-green or green eye colour only with kittens having blue or blue-purple eye colour.<ref>[http://www.chinchillafactssite.com/chinchillas-as-pets/persian-longhair-cat/#appearance Difference Between Chinchilla Rodent and Chinchilla Cat] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170703115557/http://www.chinchillafactssite.com/chinchillas-as-pets/persian-longhair-cat/#appearance |date=July 3, 2017}} Chinchillafactssite.com</ref>

==Registration==

=== Classification by registries === thumb|Cream adult as a pet in an Iranian house [[File:Chocolate Persian.jpg|thumb|right|A Grand Champion chocolate adult]]

The breed standards of various cat fancier organisations may treat the Himalayan and Exotic Shorthair (or simply Exotic) as variants of the Persian or as separate breeds.<ref name="WCC" /> The CFA treats the Himalayan as a colour-pattern class of both the Persian and the Exotic, which have separate but nearly identical standards (differing in coat length).<ref name="CFA std" /> The FIFe entirely subsumes what other registries call the Himalayan as simply among the allowed colouration patterns for the Persian and the Exotic, treated as separate breeds.<ref name="FIFe std">{{cite web |title=Category I: Exotic/Persian |author= |date=January 1, 2015 |work=FIFeweb.org |publisher=Fédération Internationale Féline |location=Jevišovkou, Czech Republic |url=http://www.fifeweb.org/dnld/std/EXO-PER.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121044945/http://www1.fifeweb.org/dnld/std/EXO-PER.pdf }}</ref> The International Cat Association (TICA) treats them both as variants of the Persian.<ref name="TICA std" /> The World Cat Federation (WCF) treats the Persian and Exotic Shorthair as separate breeds and subsumes the Himalayan colouration as colourpoint varieties under each.<ref name="WFC std">{{cite web |title=Breed Standards: Persian–Colourpoint |date=1 January 2010 |author= |work=WCF-Online.de |publisher=World Cat Federation |location=Essen, Germany |url=http://www.wcf-online.de/WCF-EN/library/PER_en_2010-01-01.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129100702/http://www.wcf-online.de/WCF-EN/library/PER_en_2010-01-01.pdf }}</ref>

Among regional and national organisations, Feline Federation Europe treats all three as separate breeds.<ref name="FFE std">{{cite web |author= |date=September 25, 2004 |title=British Shorthair and Highlander |url= http://www.ffe-europe.de/standard/persian_e.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150711050216/http://www.ffe-europe.de/standard/persian_e.htm |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |access-date=9 July 2015 |work=Bavarian-CFA.de |publisher=Feline Federation Europe}} Note: Due to poor coding at this site, this link goes directly to the standard's content.</ref> The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) has the three as separate breeds (also with a Non-pointed Himalayan that is similar to the Persian).<ref name="ACFA std">{{cite web |title=Persian |date=May 2015 |author= |work=ACFACat.com |publisher=American Cat Fanciers' Association |location=Nixa, Missouri |url= https://www.acfacat.com/Breed%20Standards/PERSIAN.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> The Australian Cat Federation (AFC) follows the FIFe practice.<ref name="ACF std">{{cite web |title=ACF Standards: Persian [PER] |date=January 1, 2015 |author= |publisher=Australian Cat Federation |location=Canning Vale, Western Au. |url= http://www.acf.asn.au/notices/notices/standards/2015_Group%201_Persian.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150301054912/http://www.acf.asn.au/notices/notices/standards/2015_Group%201_Persian.pdf |archive-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> The Canadian Cat Association (CCA-AFC) treats the three separately and even has an Exotic Longhair sub-breed of the Exotic and a Non-pointed Himalayan sub-breed of the Himalayan, which differ from the Persian only in having some mixed ancestry.<ref name="CCA-AFC std">{{cite web |title=Persian |author= |date=August 6, 2005 |work=CCA-AFC.com |publisher=Canadian Cat Federation |url= http://www.cca-afc.com/en/BreedStandards/persian.pdf |location=Mississauga, Ontario |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121030090206/http://www.cca-afc.com/en/BreedStandards/persian.pdf |archive-date=October 30, 2012}} Also referred to corresponding [http://www.cca-afc.com/en/BreedStandards/exotic%202010.pdf Exotic] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120916192949/http://www.cca-afc.com/en/BreedStandards/exotic%202010.pdf |date=September 16, 2012}} and [http://www.cca-afc.com/en/BreedStandards/himalayan.pdf Himalayan] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121030090200/http://www.cca-afc.com/en/BreedStandards/himalayan.pdf |date=October 30, 2012}} standards.</ref> The GCCF does likewise.<ref name="GCCF std">{{cite web |title=Persian Section |author= |date=2015 |work=GCCFCats.org |publisher=Governing Council of the Cat Fancy |url= http://www.gccfcats.org/Portals/0/Persian.SOP.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>

=== Popularity === [[File:GCCF breed registration data - Top 5 breeds of 2008.jpg|thumb|right|The popularity of the Persian (blue line) in the UK (GCCF) has declined for the past two decades.]]

In 2008, the Persian was the most popular breed of pedigree cats in the United States.<ref name="CFAdata2008">[http://www.cfainc.org/press/2008-breed-popularity.pdf 2008 Top Pedigreed Breeds] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100401080256/http://www.cfainc.org/press/2008-breed-popularity.pdf|date=April 1, 2010}} CFA. March 2009.</ref> In the UK (GCCF), registration numbers have decreased since the early 1990s and the Persian lost its top spot to the British Shorthair in 2001. As of 2012, it was the 6th most popular breed, behind the British Shorthair, Ragdoll, Siamese, Maine Coon and Burmese.<ref>{{cite web |date=2013 |title=Analysis of Breeds Registered |url= http://www.gccfcats.org/pdf/breedanalysis/2012breeds_ranking.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233852/http://www.gccfcats.org/pdf/breedanalysis/2012breeds_ranking.pdf |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |access-date=December 30, 2013 |publisher=Governing Council of the Cat Fancy}}</ref>{{update inline|date=May 2024}} In France, the Persian is the only breed whose registration declined between 2003 and 2007, dropping by more than a quarter.<ref>{{cite web |last=Javerzac |first=Anne-marie |date=2008 |title=Palmarès du chat de race en France: Les données 2008 du LOOF |url= http://www.aniwa.com/fr/chat/document/fr/chat/magazine/tendances/statistiques-race-chat-loof-fff/index.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081026133939/http://www.aniwa.com/fr/chat/document/fr/chat/magazine/tendances/statistiques-race-chat-loof-fff/index.htm |archive-date=October 26, 2008 |publisher=ANIWA |language=fr}}</ref> In the 2024 statistics of FIFe, one of the major global cat registries, the Persian breed ranked at position 11 out of 54 breeds in popularity, comprising 2,1% of their total registered kittens that year, which translates to 1.981 cats.<ref name="FIFestat">{{Cite web |date=June 2025 |title=FIFe breeding statistics 2024 |url=https://fifeweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/FIFe-breeding-statistics-2024.pdf |publisher=Fédération Internationale Féline |access-date=12 March 2026}}</ref>

The most colour popular varieties, according to CFA registration data, are black ("seal") point, blue point, red ("flame") point and tortie point Himalayan, followed by black-white, shaded silvers and tri-colour.<ref name="CFAdata2008" />

==Characteristics==

=== Appearance === A show-style Persian cat has an extremely long and thick coat, short legs, a wide head with ears set far apart, large eyes, and an extremely shortened muzzle. The breed was originally established with a short muzzle, but over time, this characteristic has become extremely exaggerated, particularly in North America. Persian cats can have virtually any colour or markings.

{{Clear}} center|thumb|550x550px|Four adults in snow (l-r); blue and white, black tabby, solid black, and cream tabby and white

==== Colouration ==== thumb|Silver and golden thumb|Grand Champion Topknot James Bond of Lions & Owls RW Best Black Persian 2016–2017. A solid black, 1-year-old with brilliant copper eyes. This cat is in a kitten coat and the colour of the coat will darken as the kitten coat is shed and the adult coat grows in. Note the immense ruff, small round ears, heavy-boned, cobby body, and nose that is short, snub, and broad, with a "break" centred between the eyes.

The permissible colours in the breed, in most organisations' breed standards, encompass the entire range of cat coat-pattern variations.

The International CFA groups the breed into four coat-pattern divisions, but differently: solid, silver and golden (including chinchilla and shaded variants, and blued subvariants), shaded and smoke (with several variations of each, and a third sub-categorisation called shell), tabby (only classic, mackerel, and spotted, in various colours), parti-colour in three classes; tortoiseshell (in black, blue, chocolate, and lilac), tri-colour (tortoiseshell-and-white or "calico" in North America), and bi-colour (in around 40 variations), and Himalayan (point colouration).<ref name="CFA std"/>

CFA base colours are white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, and lilac. There are around 140 named CFA coat patterns for which the Himalayan qualifies, and 20 for the Himalayan sub-breed.<ref name="CFA std">{{cite web |title=Persian Show Standard |author= |work=CFAInc.com |publisher=Cat Fanciers' Association |location=Alliance, Ohio |date=2015 |url=http://www.cfainc.org/Portals/0/documents/breeds/standards/persian.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710164617/http://www.cfainc.org/Portals/0/documents/breeds/standards/persian.pdf }}</ref> These coat patterns encompass virtually all of those recognised by CFA for cats generally. Any Persian permissible in TICA's more detailed system would probably be accepted in CFA's, simply with a more general name, though the organisations do not mix breed registries.

TICA groups the breed into three coat-pattern divisions for judging at cat shows traditional (with stable, rich colours), sepia ("paler and warmer than the traditional equivalents", and darkening a bit with age), and mink (much lighter than sepia, and developing noticeably with age on the face and extremities). If classified as the Himalayan sub-breed, full point colouration is required, the fourth TICA colour division, with a "pale and creamy coloured" body even lighter than mink, with intense colouration on the face and extremities. The four TICA categories are essentially a graduated scale of colour distribution from evenly coloured to mostly coloured only at the points. Within each, the colouration may be further classified as solid, tortoiseshell (or "tortie"), tabby, silver or smoke, solid-and-white, tortoiseshell-and-white, tabby-and-white, or silver/smoke-and-white, with various specific colours and modifiers (e.g. chocolate tortoiseshell point, or fawn shaded mink marbled tabby-torbie).<ref name="TICA std" />

TICA-recognised tabby patterns include classic, mackerel, marbled, spotted, and ticked (in two genetic forms), while other patterns include shaded, chinchilla, and two tabby-tortie variations, golden, and grizzled. Basic colours include white, black ("brown", "ruddy", "bronze"), blue ("grey"), chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, red, and cream, with a silver or shaded variant of most. Not counting bi-colour (piebald) or parti-colour coats, nor genetically impossible combinations, there are nearly 1,000 named coat pattern variations in the TICA system for which the Persian/Himalayan qualifies. The Exotic Shorthair sub-breed qualifies for every cat coat variation that TICA recognises.<ref name="TICA std" />

Eye colours range widely and may include blue, copper, odd-eyed blue and copper, green, blue-green, and hazel. Various TICA and CFA coat categorisations come with specific eye-colour requirements.<ref name="TICA std" /><ref name="CFA std" /><ref name="TICA UCD">{{cite web |title=Uniform Color Descriptions and Glossary of Terms |author= |date=January 1, 2015 |publisher=The International Cat Association |url=http://www.tica.org/members/publications/ucd.pdf |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610171542/http://www.tica.org/members/publications/ucd.pdf }}</ref>

=== Behaviour === thumb|A leaping Persian The Persian is generally described as a quiet cat. Typically placid, it adapts quite well to apartment life. Himalayans tend to be more active due to the influence of Siamese traits. In a study comparing cat owners' perceptions of their cats, Persians rated higher than non-pedigree cats on closeness and affection to owners, friendliness towards strangers, cleanliness, predictability, vocalisation, and fussiness over food.<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=D. C. |title=Companion Animals & Us: Exploring the Relationships Between People & Pets |publisher=Cambridge University Press |date=2000 |isbn=978-0-521-63113-6 |editor1-last=Podberscek |editor1-first=A. L. |location=Cambridge, UK |pages=257–271 |chapter=Human-cat interactions: relationships with, and breed differences between, non-pedigree, Persian and Siamese cats |editor2-last=Paul |editor2-first=E. S. |editor3-last=Serpell |editor3-first=J. A.}}</ref>

==Health== [[File:Persian color-point • Персидский колор-пойнт (5289954686).jpg|thumb|Extreme ultra-type brachycephalic facial features in a red point Himalayan/Persian]]

=== Ultra-type consequences === The modern-type brachycephalic Persian has a large rounded skull and shortened face and nose. This facial conformation makes the breed prone to breathing difficulties, skin and eye problems, and birthing difficulties. Anatomical abnormalities associated with brachycephalic breeds can cause shortness of breath.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Morphometric Investigations of Breed-Specific Features in Feline Skulls and Considerations on their Functional Implications |first1=W. |last1=Künzel |first2=S. |last2=Breit |first3=M. |last3=Oppel |doi=10.1046/j.1439-0264.2003.00448.x |pmid=12919072 |journal=Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia |volume=32 |issue=4 |pages=218–223 |date=2003 |s2cid=2721559}}</ref> Persians are susceptible to malocclusion (incorrect bite), which can affect their ability to grasp, hold and chew food.<ref name="HVH" /> Even without the condition, the flat face of the Persian can make picking up food difficult, so much so that specially shaped kibble has been created by pet food companies to cater to the Persian.<ref>[http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/my_pet/cat_products/feline_breed_nutrition/persian.aspx Persian 30] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728072447/http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/my_pet/cat_products/feline_breed_nutrition/persian.aspx |date=July 28, 2011 }} Royal Canin</ref>

Malformed tear ducts cause epiphora, an overflow of tears onto the face, which is common but primarily cosmetic. Entropion, the inward folding of the eyelids, causes the eyelashes to rub against the cornea and can lead to tearing, pain, infection and cornea damage. This condition is not uncommon in Persians and usually involves the medial aspect of the lower eyelid.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite book |editor1-first=Kirk N. |editor1-last=Gelatt |editor2-first=Gil |editor2-last=Ben-Shlomo |editor3-first=Brian C. |editor3-last=Gilger |editor4-first=Diane V. H. |editor4-last=Hendrix |editor5-first=Thomas J. |editor5-last=Kern |editor6-first=Caryn E. |editor6-last=Plummer |title=Veterinary Ophthalmology |date=2021 |edition=6th |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |publisher=Wiley |oclc=1143827380 |isbn=978-1-119-44181-6}}</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2024|reason=Both page and volume number, actually.}} Similarly, in upper-eyelid trichiasis or nasal-fold trichiasis, eyelashes/hair from the eyelid and hair from the nose fold near the eye grow in a way that rubs against the cornea.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Frans Cornelis |last1=Stades |first2=Milton |last2=Wyman |first3=Michael H. |last3=Boevé |first4=Willy |last4=Neumann |first5=Bernhard |last5=Spiess |title=Ophthalmology for the Veterinary Practitioner |location=Hannover |publisher=Schlütersche |date=2007 |edition=2nd |isbn=978-3-89993-011-5}}</ref>

The anatomical changes in the upper respiratory track caused by brachycephaly such as stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, and nasopharyngeal turbinates contribute to obstruction of the airways and breathing difficulties.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Farnworth | first1=Mark J | last2=Chen | first2=Ruoning | last3=Packer | first3=Rowena M. A. | last4=Caney | first4=Sarah M. A. | last5=Gunn-Moore | first5=Danièlle A. | title=Flat Feline Faces: Is Brachycephaly Associated with Respiratory Abnormalities in the Domestic Cat (Felis catus)? | journal=PLOS ONE | publisher=Public Library of Science (PLoS) | volume=11 | issue=8 | date=August 30, 2016 | issn=1932-6203 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0161777 | doi-access=free | article-number=e0161777| pmid=27574987 | pmc=5004878 | bibcode=2016PLoSO..1161777F }}</ref> Due to the reduction of the maxillary alveolar space the Persian's teeth are positioned at abnormal angles and overlap, causing dental and gingival problems.<ref name="pubmedfree">{{cite journal | last1=Schmidt | first1=M.J. | last2=Kampschulte | first2=M. | last3=Enderlein | first3=S. | last4=Gorgas | first4=D. | last5=Lang | first5=J. | last6=Ludewig | first6=E. | last7=Fischer | first7=A. | last8=Meyer-Lindenberg | first8=A. | last9=Schaubmar | first9=A.R. | last10=Failing | first10=K. | last11=Ondreka | first11=N. | title=The Relationship between Brachycephalic Head Features in Modern Persian Cats and Dysmorphologies of the Skull and Internal Hydrocephalus | journal=Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine | publisher=Wiley | volume=31 | issue=5 | date=August 20, 2017 | issn=0891-6640 | doi=10.1111/jvim.14805 | pages=1487–1501| pmid=28833532 | pmc=5598898 }}</ref> Brachycephaly causes the Persian to have shallow orbits and protruding eyes, this can lead to keratitis, sequestrum developments in the cornea, and non-healing corneal ulcers.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Croix | first1=Noelle C. La | last2=Woerdt | first2=Alexandra van der | last3=Olivero | first3=Dennis K. | title=Nonhealing corneal ulcers in cats: 29 cases (1991–1999) | journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | publisher=American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) | volume=218 | issue=5 | date=March 1, 2001 | issn=0003-1488 | doi=10.2460/javma.2001.218.733 | pages=733–735| pmid=11280407 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1=Blocker | first1=Tiffany | last2=Van Der Woerdt | first2=Alexandra | title=A comparison of corneal sensitivity between brachycephalic and Domestic Short-haired cats | journal=Veterinary Ophthalmology | publisher=Wiley | volume=4 | issue=2 | year=2001 | issn=1463-5216 | doi=10.1046/j.1463-5224.2001.00189.x | pages=127–130| pmid=11422994 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1=Featherstone | first1=Heidi J. | last2=Sansom | first2=Jane | title=Feline corneal sequestra: a review of 64 cases (80 eyes) from 1993 to 2000 | journal=Veterinary Ophthalmology | publisher=Wiley | volume=7 | issue=4 | date=June 16, 2004 | issn=1463-5216 | doi=10.1111/j.1463-5224.2004.04028.x | pages=213–227| pmid=15200618 }}</ref> The reduction of the length of the maxilla can cause excessive skin folds on the face, which may lead to the development of idiopathic facial dermatitis.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Malik | first1=Richard | last2=Sparkes | first2=Andy | last3=Bessant | first3=Claire | title=Brachycephalia - a Bastardisation of what Makes Cats Special | journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery | publisher=SAGE Publications | volume=11 | issue=11 | year=2009 | issn=1098-612X | doi=10.1016/j.jfms.2009.09.009 | pages=889–890| pmid=19857851 | s2cid=1789486 | pmc=11383017 }}</ref> The brachcephalic skull of the Persian has led to changes in the morphology of the cranial cavity, causing intracranial overcrowding, herniation of the brain, and hydrocephaly.<ref name="pubmedfree"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sieslack |first1=Jana |last2=Farke |first2=Daniela |last3=Failing |first3=Klaus |last4=Kramer |first4=Martin |last5=Schmidt |first5=Martin J. |title=Correlation of brachycephaly grade with level of exophthalmos, reduced airway passages and degree of dental malalignment' in Persian cats |journal=PLOS ONE |date=July 21, 2021 |volume=16 |issue=7 |article-number=e0254420 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0254420 |doi-access=free |pmid=34288937 |pmc=8294563 |bibcode=2021PLoSO..1654420S |language=en |issn=1932-6203}}{{Creative Commons text attribution notice|cc=by4|from this source=yes}}</ref>

Dystocia, an abnormal or difficult labour, is relatively common in Persians.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gunn-Moore |first1=D. A. |last2=Thrusfield |first2=M. V. |date=1995 |title=Feline dystocia: prevalence, and association with cranial conformation and breed |journal=Vet Rec |volume=136 |issue=14 |pages=350–353 |doi=10.1136/vr.136.14.350 |doi-broken-date=July 1, 2025 |pmid=7610538 |s2cid=46646058}}</ref> Consequently, the stillbirth rate is higher than normal, ranging from 16.1% to 22.1%, and one 1973 study puts the kitten mortality rate (including stillborns) at 29.2%.<ref>Prescott, C. (1973). "Reproduction patterns in the domestic cat." Aust Vet J 49: 126-129.</ref> A veterinary study in 2010 documented the serious health problems caused by the brachycephalic head.<ref name="Schlueter">{{Cite journal |last1=Schlueter |first1=C. |last2=Budras |first2=K. D. |last3=Ludewig |first3=E. |last4=Mayrhofer |first4=E. |last5=Koenig |first5=H. E. |last6=Walter |first6=A. |last7=Oechtering |first7=G. U. |date=2009 |title=Brachycephalic feline noses: CT and anatomical study of the relationship between head conformation and the nasolacrimal drainage system |url= http://www.fabcats.org/news/breeding/JFMS%20artice.pdf |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery |volume=11 |issue=11 |pages=891–900 |doi=10.1016/j.jfms.2009.09.010 |pmid=19857852 |pmc=11383020 |s2cid=7762312}}</ref>

=== Life span === thumb|A 19.5-year-old black tabby and white Persian. Such longevity is rare in this breed.<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal |last1=Egenvall |first1=A. |last2=Nødtvedt |first2=A. |last3=Häggström |first3=J. |last4=Ström Holst |first4=B. |last5=Möller |first5=L. |last6=Bonnett |first6=B. N. |date=2009 |title=Mortality of Life-Insured Swedish Cats during 1999—2006: Age, Breed, Sex, and Diagnosis |journal=Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=1175–1183 |doi=10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0396.x |pmc=7167180 |pmid=19780926}}</ref> The lifespan of Persian cats varies depending on their country. Pet insurance data from Sweden puts the median lifespan of cats from the Persian group (Persians, Chinchilla, Himalayan and Exotic) at just above 12.5 years, while most cats live until they are about 15 years old. 76% of this group lived for 10 years or more and 52% lived for 12.5 years or more.<ref name="auto" /> A 2015 study looking at veterinary clinic data from England shows an average lifespan of 14.1.<ref>{{cite journal |last=O'Neill |first=D. G. |date=2014 |title=Longevity and mortality of cats attending primary care veterinary practices in England |url= https://researchonline.rvc.ac.uk/id/eprint/8438/1/8438.pdf |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=125–33 |doi=10.1177/1098612X14536176 |pmid=24925771 |pmc=10816413 |s2cid=7098747}} "n=70, median=14.1, IQR 12.0-17.0, range 0.0-21.2"</ref> A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 10.93 years for the Persian (9.63–12.23) compared to an overall of 11.74 years (11.61–11.87).<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Teng | first1=Kendy Tzu-yun | last2=Brodbelt | first2=Dave C | last3=Church | first3=David B | last4=O'Neill | first4=Dan G | title=Life tables of annual life expectancy and risk factors for mortality in cats in the UK | journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery | volume=26 | issue=5 | date=2024 | article-number=1098612X241234556 | issn=1098-612X | doi=10.1177/1098612X241234556 | doi-access=free | pmid=38714312 | pmc=11156239 }}</ref>

=== Internal medical conditions === Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) which causes kidney failure in affected adult cats has an incidence rate of 36–49% in the Persian breed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Polycystic Kidney Disease |url= http://www.ufaw.org.uk/POLYCYSTICKIDNEYDISEASEPERSIAN.php |work=Genetic welfare problems of companion animals |publisher=Universities Federation for Animal Welfare |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120403162407/http://www.ufaw.org.uk/POLYCYSTICKIDNEYDISEASEPERSIAN.php |archive-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref> A study in Japan of cats suspected to have kidney problems found that 46% of tested Persian cats had the PKD1 mutation, which is responsible for feline polycystic kidney disease (PKD).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sato |first1=R. |last2=Uchida |first2=N. |last3=Kawana |first3=Y. |last4=Tozuka |first4=M. |last5=Kobayashi |first5=S. |last6=Hanyu |first6=N. |last7=Konno |first7=Y. |last8=Iguchi |first8=Aiko |last9=Yamasaki |first9=Yayoi |last10=Kuramochi |first10=Konomi |last11=Yamasaki |first11=Masahiro |title=Epidemiological evaluation of cats associated with feline polycystic kidney disease caused by the feline PKD1 genetic mutation in Japan |journal=The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science |date=2019 |volume=81 |issue=7 |pages=1006–1011 |pmid=31155548 |doi=10.1292/jvms.18-0309 |pmc=6656814 }}</ref> Previous ultrasonographic studies (involving procedures likely to be performed on cats suspected of kidney problems) found a PKD rate in Persian and related breeds of 49.2% in the UK, 43% in Australia, and 41.8% in France.<ref>{{harvp|Sato|Uchida|Kawana|Tozuka|2019}}. Citing: {{bulleted list|1={{cite journal |last1=Cannon |first1=M. J. |last2=MacKay |first2=A. D. |last3=Barr |first3=F. J. |last4=Rudorf |first4=H. |last5=Bradley |first5=K. J. |last6=Gruffydd-Jones |first6=T. J. |date=October 2001 |title=Prevalence of polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats in the United Kingdom |journal=Veterinary Record |volume=149 |issue=14 |pages=409–411 |doi=10.1136/vr.149.14.409|pmid=11678212 |s2cid=45594692 }} |2={{cite journal |last1=Barrs |first1=V. R. |last2=Gunew |first2=M. |last3=Foster |first3=S. F. |last4=Beatty |first4=J. A. |last5=Malik |first5=R. |date=April 2001 |title=Prevalence of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats and related-breeds in Sydney and Brisbane |journal=Australian Veterinary Journal |volume=79 |issue=5 |pages=257–259 |doi=10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb11977.x|pmid=11349412 }} |3={{cite journal |last1=Barthez |first1=P. Y. |last2=Rivier |first2=P. |last3=Begon |first3=D. |date=2003 |title=Prevalence of polycystic kidney disease in Persian and Persian related cats in France |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |volume=5 |issue=6 |pages=345–347 |doi=10.1016/S1098-612X(03)00052-4|pmid=14623204 |s2cid=26271964 |pmc=10822557 }} }}</ref> The cause of PKD in the Persian is an autosomal dominant mutation to the PKD1 gene.<ref>{{cite book |author1-first=James A.C. |author1-last=Oliver |author2-first=Cathryn S. |author2-last=Mellersh | editor1-first=Barbara | editor1-last=Cooper | editor2-first=Elizabeth |editor2-last=Mullineaux |editor3-first=Lynn | editor3-last=Turner |title=BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing |date=2020 |publisher=British Small Animal Veterinary Association |isbn=978-1-910-44339-2 |edition=Sixth|chapter=Genetics| page=131}}</ref>

Cysts develop and grow in the kidney over time, replacing kidney tissues and enlarging the kidney. Kidney failure develops later in life, at an average age of 7 years old (ranging from 3 to 10 years old). Symptoms include excessive drinking and urination, reduced appetite, weight loss, and depression.<ref>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1007/s00580-008-0744-0 |title=Polycystic kidney in an adult Persian cat: Clinical, diagnostic imaging, pathologic, and clinical pathologic evaluations |journal=Comparative Clinical Pathology |volume=18 |pages=95–97 |date=2008 |last1=Hosseininejad |first1=M. |last2=Vajhi |first2=A. |last3=Marjanmehr |first3=H. |last4=Hosseini |first4=F. |s2cid=32052553}}</ref> The disease is autosomal dominant and DNA screening is the preferred method of eliminating the gene in the breed. Because of DNA testing, most responsible Persian breeders now have cats that no longer carry the PKD gene, hence their offspring also do not have the gene. Before DNA screening was available, an ultrasound was done. However, an ultrasound is only as good as the day that it is done, and many cats that were thought to be clear, were in fact, a carrier of the PKD gene. Only DNA screening and breeding cats that are negative for the PKD gene will produce kittens that are also negative for the gene, effectively removing this gene from the breeding pool.<ref>Lyons, Leslie. [http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/LyonsDen/pkd.htm Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105080443/http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/LyonsDen/pkd.htm |date=November 5, 2009 }} Feline Genome Project</ref>

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common heart disease in all cats. It is likely hereditary in the Persians. The disease causes thickening of the left heart chamber, which can, in some instances, lead to sudden death. It tends to affect males and mid- to old-aged individuals. The reported incidence rate in Persians is 6.5%.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Gary D. |last1=Norsworthy |first2=Mitchell A. |last2=Crystal |first3=Sharon |last3=Fooshee Grace |first4=Larry P. |last4=Tilley |title=The Feline Patient |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_aSMmFN4TQYC&pg=PA34 |date=2007 |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |isbn=978-0-7817-6268-7 |page=34}}</ref> Unlike PKD, which can be detected even in very young cats, heart tests for HCM have to be done regularly to effectively track and/or remove affected individuals and their offspring from the breeding pool.<ref>[http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy.html Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Advice for Breeders] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080513083815/http://www.cfa.org/articles/health/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy.html |date=May 13, 2008}} The Winn Feline Foundation</ref>

Early onset progressive retinal atrophy is a degenerative eye disease, with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance in the Persian.<ref>{{Cite journal |pmid=15851577 |date=2005 |last1=Rah |first1=H |title=Early-onset, autosomal recessive, progressive retinal atrophy in Persian cats |journal=Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science |volume=46 |issue=5 |pages=1742–7 |last2=Maggs |first2=D. J. |last3=Blankenship |first3=T. N. |last4=Narfstrom |first4=K |last5=Lyons |first5=L. A. |doi=10.1167/iovs.04-1019 |doi-access=}}</ref> Despite a belief among some breeders that the disease is limited to chocolate and Himalayan lines, there is no apparent link between coat colour in Persians and the development of PRA.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rah |first1=H. |last2=Maggs |first2=D. |last3=Lyons |first3=L. |title=Lack of genetic association among coat colors, progressive retinal atrophy and polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats |journal=J Feline Med Surg |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=357–60 |date=2006 |pmid=16777456 |doi=10.1016/j.jfms.2006.04.002 |s2cid=32147182|pmc=10822235 }}</ref> Basal-cell carcinoma is a skin cancer which shows most commonly as a growth on the head, back or upper chest. While often benign, rare cases of malignancy tend to occur in Persians.<ref name="HVH">Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook</ref> Blue smoke Persians are predisposed to Chédiak–Higashi syndrome. White cats, including white Persians, are prone to deafness, especially those with blue eyes.<ref>Strain, George M. [http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/catbreeds.htm Cat Breeds With Congenital Deafness]</ref>

=== Skeletal conditions === A study of cats presented to the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital that underwent radiography found 3 Persians out of a population of 19 to have hip dysplasia, higher than the 6.6% average for all cats.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Keller | first1=G.G. | last2=Reed | first2=A.L. | last3=Lattimer | first3=J.C. | last4=Corley | first4=E.A. | title=Hip Dysplasia: A Feline Population Study | journal=Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound | publisher=Wiley | volume=40 | issue=5 | year=1999 | issn=1058-8183 | doi=10.1111/j.1740-8261.1999.tb00375.x | pages=460–464| pmid=10528838 }}</ref>

=== Other === Other conditions which the Persian is predisposed to are listed below:<ref name="Pred">{{cite book |last1=Gould |first1=Alex |last2=Thomas |first2=Alison |title=Breed Predispositions to Diseases in Dogs and Cats |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |date=2004 |location=Ames, Iowa |isbn=978-1-4051-0748-8}}</ref>

* Dermatological – primary seborrhoea, idiopathic periocular crusting, dermatophytosis (ringworm),<ref>{{cite web |title=Dermatophytosis |url= http://www.ufaw.org.uk/DERMATOPHYTOSISINPERSIAN.php |work=Genetic welfare problems of companion animals |publisher=Universities Federation for Animal Welfare |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140311141834/http://www.ufaw.org.uk/DERMATOPHYTOSISINPERSIAN.php |archive-date=March 11, 2014}}</ref> facial fold pyoderma, idiopathic facial dermatitis, multiple epitrichial cysts (eyelids) * Ocular – coloboma, lacrimal punctal aplasia, corneal sequestrum, congenital cataract,<ref name="auto1" /> excessive tearing, eye condition such as cherry eye * Urinary – calcium oxalate urolithiasis (feline lower urinary tract disease) * Reproductive – cryptorchidism * Gastrointestinal – congenital portosystemic shunt,<ref>{{cite web |title=Portosystemic Shunt |url= http://www.ufaw.org.uk/PORTOSYSTEMICSHUNTPERSIAN.php |work=Genetic welfare problems of companion animals |publisher=Universities Federation for Animal Welfare |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150328011905/http://www.ufaw.org.uk/PORTOSYSTEMICSHUNTPERSIAN.php |archive-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> congenital polycystic liver disease (associated with PKD) * Cardiovascular – peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia * Immunological – systemic lupus erythematosus * Neurological – alpha-mannosidosis * Neoplastic – basal-cell carcinoma, sebaceous gland tumours * Drug sensitivity — Persians are more prone to side effects of ringworm drug Griseofulvin.<ref>[http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=31&A=543&S=0 Griseofulvin (Fulvicin)] VeterinaryPartner.com</ref> * Heat sensitivity

===Idiopathic facial dermatitis=== Idiopathic facial dermatitis, also known as facial dermatitis of the Persian and Himalayan cat is a type of dermatitis only observed in the Persian and Himalayan cat. It's characterised by greasy skin, debris adhering to the folds of the face and nose, ceruminous otitis externa, secondary bacterial folliculitis and ''Malassezia'' dermatitis, and pruritus. Onset is at 10 months to 6 years.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Rhodes | first1=Karen Helton | last2=Werner | first2=Alexander H. | title=Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | publication-place=Ames, Iowa | date=January 25, 2011 | isbn=978-0-8138-1596-1 | page=476}}</ref>

== Breeding ethics == Persian cats, known for their facial structure, raise concerns about the ethics of breeding for certain deformities.

Brachycephaly is a highly sought-after characteristic producing big owl-like eyes and an overall petite-looking face. Though these features may be "cuter", they result in many health issues including ill-functioning nasolacrimal ducts where tears build and flow down the face, a soft and long palate that obstructs the upper airway making breathing more difficult, and dental and jaw defects (brachygnathia) where the teeth grow outwardly in unnatural positions, making it difficult to eat and increasing the chance of plaque formation gingivitis.

Such health issues affect the quality of life of many Persian cats, especially those that fall into the severe category, and raise questions about the ethics and legality of these deformity breeding programmes. As a consequence of the BBC programme ''Pedigree Dogs Exposed'', cat breeders have also come under pressure from veterinary and animal welfare associations, with the Persian singled out as one of the breeds most affected by health problems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Copping |first=Jasper |date=March 14, 2009 |title=Inbred pedigree cats suffering from life-threatening diseases and deformities |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/petshealth/4990966/Inbred-pedigree-cats-suffering-from-life-threatening-diseases-and-deformities.html |access-date=November 8, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090317090715/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/petshealth/4990966/Inbred-pedigree-cats-suffering-from-life-threatening-diseases-and-deformities.html |archive-date=March 17, 2009}}</ref> Animal welfare proponents have suggested changes to breed standards to prevent diseases caused by over- or ultra-typing, and prohibiting the breeding of animals outside the set limits.<ref>{{cite book |last=Steiger |first=Andreas |title=The Welfare of Cats |publisher=Springer |date=2005 |isbn=978-1-4020-6143-1 |editor1-last=Rochlitz |editor1-first=Irene |series=3 |chapter=Chapter 10: Breeding and Welfare |chapter-url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/w2421766j16ln803/?p=e886e2e0eec64cb489fa933f7e88f339&pi=9 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Apart from the GCCF standard that limits high noses, TICA,<ref name="TICA std" /> and FIFe standards require nostrils to be open, with FIFe stating that nostrils should allow "free and easy passage of air." Germany's Animal Welfare Act also prohibits the breeding of brachycephalic cats in which the tip of the nose is higher than the lower eyelids.<ref name="Schlueter" />

==Grooming== thumb|Shaved cream and white adult being groomed Since Persian cats have long, dense fur that they cannot effectively keep clean, they need regular grooming to prevent matting. To keep their fur in its best condition, they must be brushed frequently. An alternative is to shave the coat. Their eyes may require regular cleaning to prevent crust buildup and tear staining.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://m.petmd.com/cat/care/what-you-need-know-bringing-home-persian-cat |title=What You Need to Know Before Bringing Home a Persian Cat |website=m.petmd.com |access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Persian cats in art== The art world and its patrons have long embraced their love for the Persian cat by immortalising them in art. A {{Convert|1.8 x 2.6|m|ft|abbr=on|round=0.5}} artwork that is purported to be the "world's largest cat painting" sold at auction for more than {{US$|820,000}}. The late 19th-century oil portrait is called ''My Wife's Lovers'', and it once belonged to a wealthy philanthropist who commissioned an artist to paint her vast assortment of Turkish Angoras and Persians.<ref name="Sotheby's">{{Cite web |first=Kirstin |last=Fawcett |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/70373/sothebys-auctioning-what-might-be-worlds-largest-cat-painting |title=Sotheby's Is Auctioning Off What Might Be the World's Largest Cat Painting |work=Mental Floss |date=October 26, 2015 |access-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621113015/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70373/sothebys-auctioning-what-might-be-worlds-largest-cat-painting }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/carl-kahler-my-wifes-lovers-auction |title=Carl Kahler ''My Wife's Lovers'' Auction |work=Architectural Digest |access-date=June 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saul |first=Emily |title=World's largest cat painting sells for $826K |date=November 3, 2015 |work=New York Post |url= https://nypost.com/2015/11/03/worlds-largest-cat-painting-could-fetch-300k/ |access-date=June 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=thepawmag |url= https://thepawmag.com/ |access-date=June 14, 2023}}</ref> Other popular Persian paintings include ''White Persian Cat'' by famous folk artist Warren Kimble and ''Two White Persian Cats Looking into a Goldfish Bowl'' by late feline portraitist Arthur Heyer. The Persian cat has made its way onto the artwork of stamps around the world.<ref name="Sotheby's" /><ref>{{Cite news |url= http://mentalfloss.com/article/71010/10-fancy-facts-about-persian-cats |title=10 Fancy Facts About Persian Cats |date=November 20, 2015 |access-date=June 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://iheartcats.com/u-s-postal-stamps-will-feature-cats-in-2016/ |title=U.S. Postal Stamps Will Feature Cats In 2016 |work=IHeartCats.com |access-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811105733/https://iheartcats.com/u-s-postal-stamps-will-feature-cats-in-2016/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://petsoranimals.com/2020/01/the-top-10-smartest-cat-breeds-in-the-world/ |title=The Top 10 Smartest Cat Breeds In The World |date=January 4, 2020 |website=Pets or Animals |access-date=January 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207024931/https://petsoranimals.com/2020/01/the-top-10-smartest-cat-breeds-in-the-world/ }}</ref>

{{Clear}} <gallery> File:Carl Kahler - My Wife's Lovers.jpg|alt=My Wife's Lovers (1891), Carl Kahler. Painting featuring Persian and Angora cats sold for more than $820,000 at Sotheby's.[81]|''My Wife's Lovers'' (1891), Carl Kahler. Painting featuring Persian and Angora cats sold for more than US$820,000 at Sotheby's. File:The book of the cat (Plate (2)) BHL23996405.jpg|The book of the cat (Plate 2) featuring a solid black and a solid white Persian cat File:The book of the cat (Plate 5) BHL23996479.jpg|The book of the cat (Plate 5) featuring a smoke and a red Persian File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2010-cats2-2.jpg|Stamps of Azerbaijan featuring a Persian Tabby kitten File:The book of the cat (Plate 6) BHL23996505.jpg|The book of the cat (Plate 6) featuring a tortoiseshell and a tortoiseshell-and-white Persian cat </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Persian cats}} * [https://cfa.org/breed/persian/ CFA Breed Profile: Persian]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Persian (Cat)}} Category:Cat breeds Category:Persian mythology Category:Cat breeds originating in Iran