With its round face, short nose, large eyes and flowing coat, the Persian is one of the oldest and most recognizable pedigreed cats. Long-haired cats from Persia and neighboring regions reached Europe centuries ago, and they became a show breed in Victorian Britain, then went on to become one of the most popular cats in America. Persians come in a huge range of colors and patterns, and the colorpoint Himalayan is considered part of the breed by the CFA registry.
Many Persians are calm, gentle and quiet, preferring a predictable routine and a soft lap over climbing and chasing. That easygoing nature comes with real care needs: daily combing to prevent mats, regular face and eye cleaning, and attention to the breathing, eye and kidney problems linked to the flat face and to inherited polycystic kidney disease.