Doll Face Persian Cats: Facts, Origin & History
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
The Doll Face Persian Cat is one of two types of Persian cats that you can purchase. The other being the more popular flattened face Peke Persian, or just Persian. The Doll Face more closely resembles what this ancient breed would look like without breeder interference, and since they don’t have the squished nasal passages of their close relatives, they don’t have many health concerns. If you are interested in getting one of these cats for your home, keep reading while we dig in and learn more about them.
The Earliest Records of Doll Face Persian Cats in History
The Doll Face Persian is also called the Traditional Persian, and it’s been around much longer than the modern version. It’s a longhaired cat with a round face, and the first documents that mention it date back to 1620 when Italy imported them from Persia, which is modern-day Iran. It remained as it is until English breeders developed it further in the late 19th century. Then, after World War 2, American breeders further developed it into the modern flat-faced version that many consider a new breed.
How Doll Face Persian Cats Gained Popularity
Persian cats began to compete in cat shows around 1871 in England and quickly grew in popularity. It’s similar in appearance to the Angora, and other popular cat breeds, but it has a longer tail, thicker coat, and less pointed ears. Persian cats also have a rounder head than Angoras. The Persian cat’s long hair and friendly nature made it a favorite art competition and, in the home, and they are still one of the most popular cats in the world, except in the United Kingdom, where the British Shorthair is the most popular.
Formal Recognition of Doll Face Persian Cats
A cat show operator created the first breed standard in 1889, and it was the first to establish the difference between the Persian and the Angora. In 1882 a genetic mutation gave rise to the Chinchilla coat, and in the 1950s, a genetic mutation gave rise to the modern style of flat-faced Persian Cats that have become more popular. In 2004, the breed standard changed for the modern Persian to prevent the flat face from becoming too pronounced. In 2007, they adjusted the breed standard again to state the forehead, nose, and chin should be in alignment. Most breeders now consider the Doll Face Persian and the Peke Persian separate breeds.
Top 10 Unique Facts About Doll Face Persian Cats
1. Persian cats have many names depending on where you are, including the Sharazi cat, and the Iranian cat.
2. Persian cats have a long lifespan that often exceeds 15 years.
3. Persian cats came to America in 1895 and are still one of the most popular breeds.
4. Many celebrities owned a Persian cat, including Marylin Monroe.
5. Though they have long hair, they are not heavy shedders.
6. Persian cats are available in a wide variety of colors.
7. There are many famous paintings of the Persian cat, with some selling for more than $800,000.
8. Many people refer to them as furniture with fur because it tends to lounge around all day.
9. Persian Doll Face cats do not like noise.
10. Persian Doll Face cats are extremely vocal, and some even sing.
Do Doll Face Persian Cats Make a Good Pet?
Yes. Your Doll Face Persian cat will make a great pet. It’s affectionate and enjoys being around people. The long fur is attractive and cuddly when they snuggle up with you at the end of the day. Its loud vocalizations are amusing and leave little doubt about what it wants, and it’s generally healthy and has a long lifespan. The only downside to keeping the Persian cat as a pet is that it doesn’t like noise and can get quite unhappy about it, so it’s not a great choice if you live in a noisy part of the city or have small children that like to yell and play loud.
Conclusion
The Doll Faced or Traditional Persian can is an ancient breed with a long history of changes, though it has remained extremely popular and continues to be one of the most popular breeds worldwide. Its long fur is cute and cuddly, and it’s quite lazy, happy to lounge around in a sunbeam in a quiet part of the house. After a long day at work, it will come to welcome you and will likely sit on your lap while you watch television, but it will avoid barking dogs and crying babies at all costs.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over our look into this interesting breed and have learned something new. If you prefer the traditional Persian over the squished faced modern Persian breed, please share this guide to the Doll Faced Persian cat on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Mustafa ferhat beksen, Shutterstock
