The short-haired Persian cat is a very famous breed, and many people have heard of it. Its round face, big eyes, and chubby cute image are very popular among people. For example, it is the prototype of the world-famous Garfield cat. However, this kind of cat was actually deliberately bred by people.

1. Origin of Persian Cat Breeds

1. New hybrid varieties

Around 1960, American breeding experts crossed American short-haired cats with Persian cats in an attempt to improve the coat color of American cats and increase their weight. This gave birth to a short-haired Persian cat nicknamed the exotic short-haired cat.

It was recognized as a new variety by CFA in 1966. During the breeding period, it was also crossed with Russian Blue cats and Burmese cats.

2. For exotic short-haired cats

Since 1987, the allowed hybrids of this breed have been limited to Persian cats. FIFE recognized the Exotic Shorthair in 1986. This breed is already very common in the United States and is becoming increasingly popular in Europe.

It is said that Persian cats were previously found in Turkey and Iran (the early Persian country). Because of the local climate, short-haired cats gradually developed long-haired genes to protect their survival.

3. Persian cat in pajamas

Foreign short-haired cats retain the round body shape and cute appearance of Persian cats, but the difference is that the coat on their bodies has become shorter. Therefore, it is anonymously called "Persian cat in pajamas".

It is a breeder’s dream to give birth to a short-haired cat that inherits the characteristics of Persian cats but saves the trouble of grooming.

4. This is where Garfield comes from

Garfield is that cute cartoon character with a round yellow face and half-open eyes, which was drawn based on the Eotic Shorthair cat.

They retain the graceful appearance of Persians, but they have thick, short coat that is smooth and soft. In this way, owners no longer need to spend so much time worrying about cat hair.

2. Changes in Persian cat mating and breeding

1. Mating different cat species

The exotic shorthair cat is a cross between an American shorthair cat and a long-haired Persian cat. After years of continuous breeding and genetic modification, it has become the current exotic shorthair.

Originally a breeder of American short-haired cats, hoping that American short-haired cats would have beautiful coats like Chinchillas, they began to develop and breed Persians and American short-haired cats.

2. Be careful with outcrossing

In the early days, in order to have the body shape of short-haired cats, the breeding predecessors first mated Burmese cats with American short-haired cats. Later, some people used Russian short-haired cats to mate with them.The blue short hair is used to increase the thickness of its coat.

The method of outcrossing must be very careful, otherwise the short-haired cat's genes will overwhelm the Persian genes, and it will return to the body appearance of the long-haired Persian.

3. Strict review standards

After entering the American CFA Cat Register, the appearance and color of exotic shorthair gradually became more and more variable, and there was also a set of review standards for official competitions.

3. CFA standards for Persian cat selection

1. Thick frame and short neck

Its skeleton should be thick and full. The face is round, with a pair of big eyes evenly embedded in the face. The neck is short and thick. The broad, flat and short nose is right between the two eyes. The chin is round and strong.

2. Small ears and round face contour

The ears are round and small, pointed forward and upward, slightly rounded, and complement the round face.

3. Round eyes, big feet, short feet

The eyes are bright and round in appearance. The feet are short and thick, and the limbs are strong and powerful. The tail is short and straight, equal in proportion to the body, and the tail hair is also short.

4. The coat is soft and thick

The coat is soft and thick, and feels smooth and comfortable when touched.

4. Personality characteristics of Persian cats

1. Recognize the owner and don’t bark randomly

He has a very nice temperament, he comes and goes easily, he has a lovable appearance, and he doesn’t bark too much. Its attitude towards most people is OK, but it recognizes its owner and is very loyal to its owner.

2. I like to act coquettishly

It is usually quiet, but if its owner feels pain, it will sit in front of you, look at you very hard, and beg you to look at it and stay with it for a while.

3. I’ll hug you obediently

It may not sleep with you, but as long as you hold it, it will quietly and obediently hold it for you.

4. Know how to have fun

Persian cats are a breed that are very good at playing with themselves and do not often disturb their owners. Moreover, this kind of cat is relatively lazy and does not like games very much.