The Himalayan cat is a breed of long-haired cats similar to the Persian, but differing in color and eye color. She has blue eyes and a light body with dark paws, muzzle, tail, like Siamese cats.
History of the breed
Breeding work began in the United States in 1930, at the famous Harvard University. In the process of breeding, scientists crossed Siamese and Persian cats, and the results of the experiments were published in the Journal of Heredity in 1936.
But, they did not find recognition from any teleological organization of that time. But Marguerita Goforth intentionally reproduced the experiment in 1950 and got cats with Siamese coloration, but Persian physique and hair.
Yes, she and her colleagues were not the first to carry out such a cross, but they were the first to set themselves the goal of making these cats a full-fledged breed. In 1955, the Himalayan cat was not registered by the GCCF as a longhaired color point.
Individuals have been bred in the United States since 1950, and in 1957 the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) registered the breed, which it received for a color similar to that of the Himalayan rabbits. By 1961, American feline organizations recognized the breed.
For many years, Persian and Himalayan cats were considered two different breeds, and hybrids born from them could not be considered either one or the other.
Since breeders crossed their cats with Persians (to obtain the physique and head shape of the Persians), there was no status for such kittens.
And it turned out that the owners could not register them either as Himalayan or as any other breed. The breeders claim that the type, build, and the head was like that of a Persian cat, and only the color was from the Siamese.
In 1984, CFA merged the Himalayan and Persian cats so that the Himalayan became a color variation rather than a separate species.
This means that the offspring of these cats can be registered regardless of color and color.
The decision was controversial, and not everyone agreed with it. Some of the breeders did not like the idea that hybrids would be mixed into pure, Persian bloodlines.
The conflict was so strong that some of the breeders split from the CFA and organized a new association - the National Cat Fanciers' Association (NCFA).
Today they belong to one group or another, depending on the association. So, in TICA they are in the same group with Persian, exotic shorthairs, and share the same standard with them.
However, in AACE, ACFA, CCA, CFF, and UFO, they belong to a separate species with their own breed standard.
But still, since they regularly cross with Persians, most of these associations have special rules allowing hybrids to compete.
Description
Like the Persian cat, the Himalayan cat has a dense body with short legs, and they cannot jump as high as other cats. There are cats with a constitution reminiscent of the Siamese, which does not have such problems.
But, in many organizations, they do not pass according to the standard and cannot be allowed to compete.
Sharing with the Persians the physique and the length of the coat, they inherited the point color and bright blue eyes from the Siamese cats. Since their hair is much longer, the points themselves are softer and more blurred.
They are large cats, with short, thick legs and a muscular, short body. The head is massive, rounded, located on a short, thick neck.
The eyes are large and round, set wide apart, and give the muzzle a cute expression. The nose is short, wide, with a gap between the eyes. The ears are small, with round tips, set low on the head. The tail is thick and short but in proportion to the length of the body.
Sexually mature cats weigh from 4 to 6 kg and cats from 3 to 4.5 kg.
The overall impression of the cat should be that it feels round, but not overweight.
The average life expectancy is 12 years.
The coat is long, thick in color, white or cream, but points can be of several colors: black, blue, purple, chocolate, red, cream.
Chocolate and lilac points are rare, as, in order for kittens to inherit this color, both parents must be carriers of genes that transmit chocolate or lilac color.
The points themselves are located on the ears, paws, tail, and face, in the form of a mask.
Character
Like Persian cats, Himalayan cats are cute, obedient, and quiet creatures. They decorate the house and enjoy sitting on the lap of their owners, playing with children, playing with toys, and playing with a ball.
They love the attention of the hosts and the few guests they trust. Houses where noisy and violently do not suit them, these are calm cats, they prefer a quiet and cozy environment in which nothing changes from day today.
They have large, expressive eyes and a quiet, melodic voice. It is with the help of his Himalayan cats that they will let you know that they need something. And their requests are simple: regular meals, a little time to play with her, and love, which they will return tenfold.
Himalayan cats are not the kind of cats that climb over curtains, jump on a table in the kitchen, or try to climb onto a refrigerator. They feel great on the floor or on low pieces of furniture.
Whether you are busy with work or cleaning the house, the cat will patiently wait for you on the couch or chair until you notice and pay attention. But, it will not distract you and demand you to play.
This is a typical house cat, she scratches weakly and cannot give a worthy rebuff to all the troubles that await on the street. Dogs and other cats are a danger to her. Not to mention people, who would not want to have such a beauty, especially without paying for her?
Health
Like the Persians, these cats have trouble breathing and salivation due to their short snouts and lacrimal glands. They need to wipe their eyes daily and remove dried secretions.
The Himalayan Siamese cat inherited not only beauty but also a tendency to polycystic kidney disease, which is transmitted genetically. But, this tendency can be detected using genetic tests, and in good nurseries, they do so.
Care
Looking at well-groomed, shiny cats at the show, you might think that caring for them is simple and easy. But this is not so, they require serious, daily, painstaking work. Before you bring your kitten home, ask the breeder for all the details and nuances of caring for him.
Otherwise, instead of a luxurious cat, you risk getting a poor animal, all in mats.
The most important thing in grooming is understanding that the Himalayan cat needs daily grooming. This long, luxurious coat will not remain so on its own, but will quickly become tangled.
It needs to be gently but thoroughly combed out daily, and the cat should be bathed regularly at least once a month.
It is also necessary to keep the litter box clean so that the waste does not get stuck in the long fur of the cat, otherwise, it may stop using the litter box.
Discharge from the eyes and tears are characteristic of these cats, and should not bother you if they are transparent.
Just wipe the corners of your eyes once a day to keep them from drying out.