Persian Cat BreedingThe last 30 odd yearsThrough Persian cat breeding the appearance of the cat that you know (probably the extreme persian look) has been altered over a period of time (over the last 100 years and a perhaps more substantially over the last 30-40 years) resulting in a facial expression that has been described as "pansy-like" by the CFA, and "peeked", "peke-faced", "extreme", "ultra" and "pig-faced" by cat fanciers.
In comparison there is the Traditional Persian cat, which is described by the Traditional Cat Association (TCA) as a "doll face" Persian.The traditional cat has a more usual appearance with a particularly endearing and attractive face. See the photograph opposite>>>>>> which is of Fuzie Faniez Faelyn, photographed by Daniëlle Rozeboom (copyright Daniëlle Rozeboom). They live together. I would agree though that the face of extreme Persian cats is also very endearing (particularly kittens). Although sometimes the look can be too extreme, for me. Here's the controversial bit...! (I have no allegiance to either camp and express no views on what it right or wrong. I just report what I see and read) The TCA says that there is ample evidence to support their argument that peeked Persian cats were not part of the breed. They also say that the traditional Persian has a normal nose in respect of its position on the face and appearance . They also say that the traditional Persian is a healthy cat (implying that the peeked Persian isn't)
©Helmi Flick - the close up below is also by Helmi Flick
In contrast the Persian CFA Breed Council says that Persian cat breeding has been astute over over a century and the breeding program has improved on nature. They say breeders have maintained a balance between health and vigor while maintaining the gentle temperament. The council would seem to have responded to a drift by breeders during the 1980s to developing a "piggy" look. This may have been the end of the gradual development from "traditional" to "extreme", which reached its zenith in the late 80s. The breed standard, the breed council says, remained unaltered over the lengthy period of Persian cat breeding. This means, I would suggest, that the change was due to the interpretation of the breed standard, perhaps with the co-operation or encouragement of the show judges. A change has taken place recently to the face "profile" in the breed standard. This would seem to reflect the change over time due to Persian cat breeding, as the desired face profile is now flat (vertical alignment). None of the early Persian cats had the facial elements in vertical alignment it would seem to me. Persian cat breeding will be modified to take into account this standard or is that the standard is following Persian cat breeding? I think that it is both. 
The breed standard for 1979 is illustrated in this picture taken from the CFA breed council manual.>>>> The CFA Persian breed council standard currently states that the eyes should be prominent and the elements of the face (forehead, nose, chin) in vertical alignment The nose as we know should be short, snub and broad with a break between the eyes. As can be seen, the target appearance is very much of a rounded cobby body combined with a rounded head and a flat face requiring an extremely foreshortened muzzle. PetsPlace.com says that the Persian cat's face is very flat. The nose is short with the "break" between the eyes. The nose is nearly as high as the eyes.(PetPlace.com, is a resource recommended by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine). This then tells us why modern Persian cats have the appearance that you see.
©Helmi Flick
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) the major UK registry declined to comment on the development of the modern Persian and referred me to one of their Longhair cat clubs on this matter and (surprisingly) on the matter of the breed standard. The GCCF sets "The Standard of Points" for registered breeds so I am surprised that it can't supply me with the document. There would appear to be a debate at the GCCF about the Persian standard. Is there a move by Great Britain's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy to eliminate what is known there as the "Ultra" Persian? As far back as 1985 the GCCF list of "defects" (for the Persian) included descriptions of elements of the current peeked Persian face. In other words the peeked face was (if bred beyond a certain limit) defective in respect of the breed standard. Although, Persian cats were originally developed with a short muzzle, the muzzle has become extremely exaggerated, particularly in North America. Persians with the more extreme head type are prone it seems to a number of health problems (specifically affecting their sinuses and breathing and tear duct drainage) caused by it. Breeders eliminate this by careful choice of breeding stock with more moderate head type. Good Persian cat breeding means healthy cats that are as healthy as possible. What about the appearance of the rest of the Persian cat? The lovely photographs of Helmi Flick gives you the answer. Just a few words in support. In addition to the "creation" of a peeked face Persian cat breeding has had the objective of longer fur, shorter ears, and a boxy design. The thick fur supports the roundness of the body of Persian cats. The ideal is a heavily boned cat, solid with shortish legs as a result of successful persian cat breeding.
What about the character of Persian cats? This list sums it up:
A major feature, of course is, the Persian cats' fabulous coat. You can read about it and how to maintain it by clicking on this link Here is a potted history of the development persian cats.
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As we all know cats' faces are not generally as rounded as that, but a little elongated at the front. 