Cat Breed of the Month--Himalayan

The Himalayan is a type of Persian but is considered a breed of its own.

The Himalayan was originally created by breeding a Persian with a Siamese. Now, the Siamese has been bred out of the cat, leaving only the color-point gene.

History

For years, cat fanciers desired a cat with the body and long hair of a Persian and the color-point pattern of a Siamese.

In the early 1930s, two medical researchers from Harvard university bred a black Persian male to a female Siamese, only to learn more about their genetics and how they were inherited. This pairing produced black, shorthaired kittens.

The two then decided to cross a black Persian female with a male Siamese, hoping for a different outcome as the first breeding, but it resulted in the same shorthaired, black kittens.

This meant that both the color-point and longhair gene was recessive, meaning that both parents have to carry the gene at least for any offspring to inherit it.

With this information, they took a female kitten from the second breeding and bred her with a male from the first litter. She had a litter of kittens that had the body type of a Siamese with the color-point pattern, and long hair.

Their efforts to create a color-point Persian were disrupted because of World War II.

In the 1950s, a woman named Marguerita Goforth resumed the breeding program and not long after, created the Himalayan.

The Himalayan gets its name from the Himalayan rabbit, because of their shared color-pointed features.

The CFA registered the Himalayan as a breed in 1957.

Appearance & Physical Traits

Himalayans have a medium-sized body with long hair, a flat face, and rounded features, just like their Persian cousins.

Female Himalayans weigh between 8 and 12 pounds (4-5 kg) and males around 12 pounds (5 kg).

Behavior & Personality Traits

Himalayans have a calm, sweet temperament; they’re affectionate, loyal, easy-going, and docile.

The breed is playful but relatively inactive.

They are good with other pets and are a bit bashful around strangers.

Health & Care

The breed is prone to polycystic kidney disease, hereditary cataracts, feline asthma, eye conditions, feline hyperesthesia, and some heart diseases.

Himalayans require regular cleaning around their eyes to prevent tear stains.

Daily grooming is optimal for long fur to keep it clean and healthy. Also, to avoid hairballs. The occasional bath contributes to the health of the cat’s fur as well as keeping it silky and shiny!

Fun Facts