The Persian cat is an old breed of cat that was brought to Italy from Persia (now Iran) around 1620. There is not a lot known about their history before that. They have since been developed by English and American breeders so there are now different varieties of Persian cats.
Persian cats now come in a variety of coat colors and some have developed a flatter face. The traditional Persian, also known as doll-face Persian, is more like the original with the longer nose.
The peke-faced Persian (flat faced, named after the Pekingese dog) came about in the 1950s from a spontaneous genetic mutation. Some breeders liked this look and bred it more.
The Persian cat is one of the most popular breeds of cat today. They are quiet and sweet cats that usually prefer more peaceful homes and like to lounge around on furniture or your lap. Their long, thick coats require daily brushing to help prevent hair balls and tangled fur.
Check out this old painting of Persian and Angora cats!
If you want to read more about this painting, click here!