The Persian cat:

Also known as the Persian Longhair, it is a breed of long-haired cat characterized by its round face and short muzzle.

In the Middle East region, they are widely known as Iranian cat and in Iran, they are known as Shiraz cat. It is called Persian because it was exported from Iran, or ancient Persia.

The Persian cat is one of the oldest cat breeds and can be seen depicted in hieroglyphics as early as 1684 BC. Since 1520, there is the first mention of long-haired cats in Europe.

The first documented ancestors of Persian were imported from Khorasan, Iran, to Italy in 1620 by Pietro della Valle, and from Angora (present-day Ankara), Ottoman Empire (Turkey), to France by Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc in around the same time.

The first Persian cat was shown at the first organized cat show, in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London, England, organized by Harrison Weir.

Recognized by feline fantasy since the end of the 19th century, it was first developed by the English, then mainly by American breeders after the Second World War. Persians are perhaps the ultimate luxury cat, the cat that expects to be kept in luxury.

They are, however, one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.

The lifespan of a Persian cat is between 12 and 17 years, with a median age of 14.1 years. Persian cats are medium sized, typically weighing between 3.2 and 5.4 kilograms (7 and 12 pounds) and measuring 25 to 38 centimeters (10 to 15 inches) in height.

Characteristics of the Persian cat:

The Persian cat has a stocky, short-legged body, a broad, round head, a snub nose, and a short, very hairy tail. Large, round eyes can be blue, orange, gold, green or copper, depending on the color of the cat. The soft, finely textured coat forms a heavy ruff around the neck.

The Persian cat is bred in a number of color varieties. Patterned coats include ombre silver and black; silver, brown, blue or red with darker markings; white finely ticked with black; cream, red and black (tortoiseshell); calico or tortoiseshell and white; intertwined blue-gray and cream (cream blue); and two-tone. The colors of tortoiseshell, calico, and blue cream are genetically linked to the sex of the cat.

White cats with blue eyes can be deaf.

Since Persian cats have long, dense fur they cannot clean effectively, they need regular grooming to prevent matting. To keep their fur in its best condition, they need to be brushed frequently.

The art world and its patrons have long embraced their love for the Persian cat by immortalizing them in art.
A 6-by-8.5-foot work of art that is believed to be the world's largest cat painting sold at auction for more than $820,000.

To learn more about the Persian, feel free to visit the French Feline Federation website.