Introduction
The Persian is a longhaired medium to large sized breed characterised by a round face with large round eyes and small ears. The breed ages slowly, as it does not reach maturity until around two years of age and generally enters puberty fairly late.
History
The first documented ancestors of Persian cats might have been imported into Italy from Khorasan (a territory now lying in north-eastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan and northern Afghanistan) as early as around 1620, however, this has not been proven. Instead, there is stronger evidence for a longhaired cat breed being exported from Afghanistan and Iran from the 19th century onwards. A Persian was presented at the first organised cat show in history: in 1871 in The Crystal Palace in London, England, organised by Harrison Weir. The breed was recognised at the foundation of FIFe (1949).
Appearance
Apart from its round face, the Persian is known for its short, cobby body, short thick legs with round paws and a broad chest, the tail is short. The coat is long and dense, the texture is fine and silky.
Temperament
The Persian is generally described as a quiet cat, which adapts quite well. 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.
Breed Standard
Last modification of the Standard: 2024