The Persian, also known as the Persian Longhair, is an elegant, graceful, gentle breed whose most distinguishing characteristics are its remarkable coat and its unique head. Today, the Persian is one of the most popular of all feline breeds due to its exceptional beauty, kind temperament and easy-going disposition. While their basic temperaments have changed little over time, their conformation and overall appearance have changed considerably. Modern Persians are medium to large in size and stocky, with short thick legs, massive rumps and distinctively cobby profiles. Their large, round paws are tufted with fur. The Persian’s head is broad in skull, round and unusually large for the size of its body, while its ears are especially tiny in comparison and are tufted, which is called having “ear furnishings.” The Persian’s eyes are big, round and very expressive. Whatever their color, deepness of eye color is preferred in this breed. The Persian’s open, pansy-like face is famously flat, with a perky up-turned nose and an extremely short muzzle that is barely noticeable. Its neck is short and thick, with a distinctive mane-like ruff, and its tail is short and bushy. The heads and facial features of Persians have become increasingly exaggerated over time.

The coat of the Persian has also become more exaggerated over the years. It is extraordinarily long, silky, dense, fine and profuse. Persians have an extremely thick, soft undercoat, with a longer outer layer made up of more coarse guard hairs. The Persian’s coat requires daily grooming (including brushing and combing), along with regular bathing, to prevent the development of nasty tangles and mats. This is necessary whether or not the cat is being entered in the show ring. Persians tend to shed year-round, even more so than other long-haired breeds. They should be housed exclusively indoors to protect their prized coats, as well as to protect them from parasites and other perils of outdoor living.