Himalayan is a popular longhaired cat. It is amongst the most attractive cat breeds.
Himalayan is a breed of long-haired felines. It is a very popular
and pretty cat. The cat originated in 1930 in United States through
breeding of Persian and Siamese cats. The objective was to create a
breed with the long hair of the Persian and the points of the Siamese.
Indeed it is referred to today in European countries as the Colorpoint
Persian.
The Himalayan is light colored at birth. With time
markings develop on face, limbs, ears and tail. This is attributed at
times to difference in temperature between the trunk and extremities.
Accepted colors include blue, brown, chocolate, cream, flame, lilac and
red. Fur is long, flowing and often thick. Overall built of the cat is
stocky with short limbs and large round paws. Head is round and
somewhat big and supported by a short neck. Ears are small, though eyes
are big, bright and round, in varying shades of blue.
Owing to
their extremely long fur, these Colorpoint Persians are subject to
periodic development of matts and hairballs, requiring regular grooming
and baths. Their depressed nose obstructs their breathing at times and
compresses the tear ducts, leading to permanently watery eyes in some
cases. As such, the Himalayans often require their face to be wiped as
the coat is brushed daily. Furthermore decades of inbreeding to create
the prefect Himalayan has meant that these pretty felines sometimes
suffer from genetic defects, resulting in organ failures, in particular
Polycystic Kidney Disease.
As regards temperament, the Himalayans
are quite peaceful and at times laid back. They are loving and
interested in their owners and develop close bonds with them. Social
and gentle cats, the Himalayans make adoring companions. Even as their
company requires daily grooming and maintenance , pet owners around the
world recognize that it is well worth the effort and cherish the
company of these lovely cats.
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Tags: cat breeds, chocolate cream, colorpoint, companions, european countries, extremities, felines, genetic defects, inbreeding, laid back, long hair, matts, organ failures, paws, persians, pet owners, polycystic kidney disease, siamese cats, tear ducts, watery eyes