| The principle characteristics of the Persian should be | | | | thinner and tapers to the tipo The down is usually |
| the remarkable conformation possible by 100 years | | | | somewhat shorter, is very fine, and sheds readily |
| of selected breeding. The most incredible feature of | | | | In the very finest of specimens, the three elements |
| a Persian are the eyes that are huge and | | | | of guard hairs, down (wool) and awn (bristle) are of |
| mesmerizing, and the nose, shortened, tilted and | | | | the same length. Cats with a very woolly texture is |
| even with the eyes. There is a sense of soft | | | | highly desirable for show ring, however, they are |
| roundness to this breed. This is an impression not | | | | usually kept shaved once their show careers are |
| shared by Turkish Angoras. The Turkish Angoras are | | | | complete. |
| a breed most often confused with Persians by the | | | | Personalityo The Persian looks like a kitten all of its |
| general public. | | | | life with its very round head and large eyeso The |
| Physical Appearanceo The eyes are huge and | | | | cat's placid personality and implicit trust of its human |
| mesmerizingo The nose is shortened, tilted and even | | | | means it needs a human who does not release the |
| with the eyeso Soft roundnesso Round heado Round | | | | cat to wandero Prefers cuddling and having people |
| bodyo Round eyeso Round muzzle (the observer | | | | around, the Persian feels its best when its coat is |
| should see circles when looking at the Persian)o The | | | | given the care it demands. Persians must be trained |
| 8-inch-long tail fur creates the illusion of a rounded tail, | | | | early at 6 to 8 weeks so it will accept the grooming |
| as wide as it is deep and longo Ears should be small, | | | | needed in later lifeo Although the typical short legs of |
| rounded and set to the side of the heado Eyes | | | | a Persian does not help it to climb the drapes, sit on |
| should be widely set straighto Body is broad in the | | | | the top shelf of the bookcase or walk the curtain |
| chest and broad in the hips, giving the appearance of | | | | rods, it often tries to imitate its more svelte cousins, |
| a sturdy and solid-standing cato Paws are large and | | | | the oriental breeds, in these pursuitso They are very |
| well rounded and set straight ahead without toeing | | | | responsive to positive reinforcement and spend hours |
| outo The tail sweeps downward with no sign of curl | | | | following their humans from room to room watching |
| or kink tail faultso There are now more than 100 | | | | for an opportunity to jump in a lapo Most Persians |
| coat colors and patterns recognized by CFAo These | | | | are bright and will learn their names quicklyo They are |
| coat colors are separated into divisions of: Solid; | | | | notorious for teaching their owners the game of |
| tabbies; silver/golden;shaded/smoke; parti-colors, | | | | fetch and probably understand and obey the "no" |
| bicolors/calicos, and Himalayan for purposes of showo | | | | command most readily of any cat breed |
| There are three types of hair on the Persian: Guard | | | | Source: The Cat Fanciers' Association Complete Cat |
| hairs, down (wool), and awn (bristle)o The guard hairs | | | | Book, By CFA and Its Associates |
| are straight and usually rather stiffo The Awn is | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |