There is no doubt that the Persian Breed Council is very well intentioned. But they consider, it seems, the longer nose of a Traditional Persian a defect. By the criteria of the breed standard, it is a defect. Back in the 1970s the flat profile was well established, with large round eyes and round head structure. However, since then the nose has become shorter but the "break" (the point where the angle of the nose turns to join the forehead) has remained in the same place - between the eyes.
 |
Photo of Ultra Persian © Stockxpert
I would suggest too, that since the 1970s the head structure has been developed more towards the flat profile but has now stopped.
However, throughout this period of development and change, up until the 1980s the Persian Breed Standard had remained almost unchanged (since the acceptance of the breed in the late 1800s - i.e. over a 100 year period).
 ©Helmi Flick | Want to see great pictures of Ultra Persians? Click |
Persian breeders in both England and in America were aiming to produce cats with a rounder head structure and a shorter nose that they believed were closer to the "ideal" expressed by the Persian standard.
Moving forward to the 1980s, breeders tended to "over develop" the face, in my opinion, and faces became too extreme and "piggy" looking. The piggy appearance is due to the fact that the nostrils are between the eyes.
The noses of these cats where not necessarily shorter but the break was higher (at the top of the eyes), with the noses between the eyes.
As a result, cats developed to this extent had lost some of the sweet open look that was the original objective to be achieved by reference to the breed standard.
It was decided at this point to change the breed standard to ensure that the nose was not between the eyes, while the break was between the eyes. A number of changes to the standard took place over this period (late 1980s).
Since then, there has been one more important change to the standard. Over many years judges had been using the same diagrams and examples of the Persian head and profile in judging workshops so it was decided to formalize that with a change to the profile (flat facial profile).
In conclusion, through selective breeding and a desire to satisfy judges interpreting a naturally open ended breed standard, breeders developed the Ultra Persian, the changed appearance of which has now become a new breed standard; the standard having been adjusted to meet the evolving appearance.
There are no absolute right and wrongs as to which is the better. The only immutable consideration is the health and well being of the cat. However, it would seem to me that Persian cat breeders have overlooked the CFA "overall standard". This is an underlying standard that is not breed specific. A cat in competition must meet this standard as well as the breed standard. They work together, the former being more fundamental than the latter.
This overall breed standards makes it clear that the ideal cat must not suffer from an illness, condition or discomfort as a result of characteristics bred into the cat. Isn't this the case with the flat faced Persian? Why is this underlying standard ignored? There is a parallel situation in the dog world in the UK. The Kennel Club, and old and revered dog club, who run Crufts, the biggest dog show have decided under pressure to review breed standards with the intention of promoting health over appearance. Read about this.
One last point. Perhaps a number of Persian cat breeders feel but do not express the view that the breed standard is not written as clearly and concisely as it should be. In addition it could and should be illustrated (for the sake of clarity). Further I sense that Persian cat breeders would like the standard changed to one which allows them to breed healthy cats. The current standard encourages the opposite.
As one breeder says, if a cat has too many toes the cat is disqualified. The number of toes have no bearing on anything least of all health. But if a cat has a nose that looks correct according to the breed standard but the cat has difficulty in breathing the judges are prepared to make the cat a champion.
Read about Persian cat health issues by clicking on the link below.
 © Louise | Which is the healthier? Click and see | src: Wikipedia |
One thing we are all in agreement about is that the appearance of this breed is still very popular. They make great photographs if you're a great photographer. But the popularity of Persian cats seems to have waned due to the extreme and unhealthy conformation, which is in addition to the other health issues. It is these, in my view, which have had a negative impact on the Persian cat.
Also, through selective breeding, the coat has got longer bringing both a fabulous appearance and greater demands on grooming. The development of this breed's coat has a similar history to the face, it seems. I would argue that it has gone a fraction too far. When the coat becomes problematic to the point when it is recommended that the cat remain indoors for fear of getting the coat dirty, then humans, I think, have interfered with nature too much.
Can Persian Cats clean their fur? Click |
Persian Cat Rescue Centers
Click here for Californian rescue centers
Click here for UK rescue centers.
Breeders
These are selected as usual from the first 2 pages of a Google search and only from independent websites (i.e. not part of a directory). They are listed in the order in which they appear on a Google search.
Rocky Mountain Persians
A small family operated cageless Persian cattery located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Boutique Kittens
Located in Colorado, USA. Himalayans and Persians, all traditional.
Pelaqita Persians
Located in Pleasantville, OH, USA, this is both an educational site and a small cattery.
T-N-T Puff Cattery
Located Merrimack, NH, USA (believed - this is not clear from the website).
Kasiakatz
Located in Upstate New York, USA, breeding Himalayan and Persian.
The Cozy Kitten Cattery LLC
Located in Missouri, USA. Quality is their objective. Traditional Persians bred.
Hekla Cattery
Located in New Zealand. Small cattery.
Sources:
- Wikipedia
- TCA
- CFA
- PetPlace.com
- Own Knowedge
- Chapel House rescue centre
- Tally's cat behaviour links
- traditional persian picture courtesy Louise
Click here to return from Persian cats to the Home Page
