In the early twenties and thirties of the 20th century American and Swedish scientists made the first breed crossing experiments. They didn't intend to create a new breed - they were just interested in what happens if they cross a Siamese cat with a Persian cat. The first results were not really upsetting (impressive) - the kittens looked like average Siamese but they had only one color. The kittens carried both color point and long hair recessive genes.
Similar experiments took place quite often until 1935 when the breeder Virginia Cobb presented a Siamese colored cat with long hair and a dark spot. Later this female cat called "Debutante" disappeared from the publics view as the interest to it reduced.
Only due to the persistence of the English breeders B. A. Sterling Sterling-Webb and Mrs. Harding the breed got a new life. Since then breeders in different parts of America and Europe dedicated themselves to the worthwhile task of breeding Colourpoints with perfect Persian types. The result was amazing: in England in 1955the Colourpoint was recognized under the name "Khmer" and 2 years later in the United States it was recognized as an independent race under the name "Himalayan".
At the beginning there were only cats with classic colored masks like seal-, blue-, red-, and crème-point and/or tortie-point for female pets. Seal-point still counts as the original colour. In the meantime there are colors like lilac-point, chocolate-point and all possible tabby- and torty-tabby-point variations.
General: |
the ideal Persian should present an impression of a heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. The large round eyes set wide apart in a large round head contribute to the overall look and expression. The long thick coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in appearance. |
Head: |
round and massive, with great breadth of skull. Round face with round underlying bone structure. Well set on a short, thick neck. Skull structure to be smooth and round to the touch and not unduly exaggerated from where the forehead begins at the top of the break to the back of the head, as well as across the breadth between the ears. |
Nose: |
short, snub, and broad, with "break" centred between the eyes. |
Cheeks: |
full. Muzzle not overly pronounced, smoothing nicely into the cheeks. |
Jaws: |
broad and powerful. |
Chin: |
full, well-developed, and firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite. |
Ears: |
small, round tipped, tilted forward, and not unduly open at the base. Set far apart, and low on the head, fitting into (without distorting) the rounded contour of the head. |
Eyes: |
brilliant in colour, large, round, and full. Set level and far apart, giving a sweet expression to the face |
Body: |
of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a well-rounded mid-section and level back. Good muscle tone with no evidence of obesity. Large or medium in size. Quality the determining consideration rather than size. |
Legs: |
short, thick, and strong. Forelegs straight. Hind legs are straight when viewed from behind. |
Paws: |
large, round, and firm. Toes carried close, five in front and four behind . |
Tail: |
short, but in proportion to body length. Carried without a curve and at an angle lower than the back. |
Coat: |
long and thick, standing off from the body. Of fine texture, glossy and full of life. Long all over the body, including the shoulders. The ruff immense and continuing in a deep frill between the front legs. Ear and toe tufts long. Brush very full. |
Disqualify: |
locket or button. Kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect number of toes. Any apparent weakness in the hind quarters. Any apparent deformity of the spine. Deformity of the skull resulting in an asymmetrical face and/or head. Crossed eyes. For pointed cats, also disqualify for white toes, eye colour other than blue. |
*The above listed disqualifications apply to all Persian cats. Additional disqualifications are listed under "Colours."
The Colourpoint Persian is an extremely self-confident and friendly cat. The owners of this cat can't resist its charms. The cats are very talkative and one nearly always receives an answer, if it is addressed. If the cat decided upon something it is rather difficult to restrict or to say no - once you look into its blue eyes your heart will melt. It doesn't' make any difference whether it is a child, a dog or a cat - they all make a perfect play companion. To changes in the living environment (e.g. change of residence) the cat reacts rather well, as long as it does not have to miss its beloved family. They adapt very well to every change and are sweet-tempered and gentle. It is possible to live with them in small flats provided they have enough things to play with. These cats do not like to be alone. If you just left the house for a few minutes your pet will be sitting at the door and waiting for you. The hours you spend with your cat it will use to show you its charm.
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