Turkey, Iran (formerly Persia), and the neighbouring countries usually take credit for the Persian breed. Longhaired cats were known to be associated with these countries from the around the 16th century, and possibly earlier - during this period the first cats of this kind began to arrive in Europe. It is assumed that the long coat arose from a mutation in short-haired cats that were maybe of Egyptian origin. The colder climates of Turkey and Iran certainly favored such a mutation. The long coat aroused great interest among cat owners and made the cats more valuable - hence the reason that the Persian Cat is indeed now a breed of it's own.

Palmtree Persians | Torbay, South Devon | Tel:01803 406 745 | 07974 431 479 | email@palmtreepersians,co,uk MSN: palmtreepersians@hotmail.com

© 2006 Palmtree Persians unless otherwise stated. The unauthorised downloading or reproducing of content from this website is prohibited.