Persian Kittens and Himalayan Kittens,
What's the difference?

When you see the word himalayan, it really should be Persian/Himalayan. But most people choose one or the other.  Himalayans are Persian Cats, and not a separate breed.  Himalayan is actually a color decsription of a Persian Cat.

Persian Cat Description & History

Persian Cats with their long flowing coats and open pansy-like faces are the number one breed in popularity. Persian Cats have sweet, gentle personalities that blend into most households once they feel secure in their new environment. Creatures of habit, Persian Cats are most at home in an atmosphere of security and serenity, but with love and reassurance, can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households. Their quiet, melodious voices are pleasant and non-abrasive. They communicate delightfully with their large expressive eyes and make charming pets for all ages. Persians have short heavily-boned legs to support their broad, short bodies. They like to have their feet firmly planted and are not given to high jumping and climbing. Playful but never demanding, they love to pose and will drape themselves in a favorite window or chair, enhancing the decor in much the same way as a treasured painting. Persian Cats are tremendously responsive and become a constant source of joy and delight to their owners. Pleasurable as an unexpected sunbeam, their companionship is close and enduring.
Persian Cats with their long flowing coats require proper maintenance. A daily run-through with a metal comb to eliminate the potential of tangles and hairballs is helpful. An occasional bath, attempted only after a complete comb-through and clipping of their nail tips, will keep the coat clean, healthy and beautiful. It is wise to establish a routine of bathing when they are young kittens.
Persians Cats are divided into seven color divisions for the purposes of competition. These divisions are established on the basis of color pattern. Red peke-face Persians Cats, with more extreme facial conformation, appear in both the Solid and the Tabby Division. Solid chocolate and solid lavender Persians Cats are known as the Kashmir in CFF. It is still called by this breed name in some older cat breed books.

The Himalayan Cat Description & History

The Himalayan Cat is one of the most popular colors of all Persians. The description "Himalayan" is actually a description of the coloring of a division of Persian Cat. Himalayan is not a breed it is a color of Persian Cat Breed. The Himalayan is known for its great beauty, "people oriented" demeanor and gentle disposition. Developed in the 1930's by crossbreeding Siamese and Persians to combine the Siamese point coloring with Persian type body. The Himalayan evolved into a pointed, longhaired, blue-eyed beauty. Their large, round eyes and plush coat can only be outdone by their loving personality. They want to be with their people whenever possible and will often "help" with whatever you are doing, from cooking, reading the paper, working on the computer, to watching TV. Although playful by nature, the Himalayan is not known to climb your drapes or jump to the top of your refrigerator. After even a short absence, more often than not, your best friend, the Himalayan, greets you at the door. The Himalayan is shown in the following point colors: chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, red, cream tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream, seal lynx, blue lynx, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx and lilac-cream lynx. Color is restricted to the facial mask and extremities with the body of various shades of white to fawn. After many years of cross breeding they were approved as accepted color variations of Persians. All must have deep vivid blue eyes as eyes other than blue are a disqualification.


Himalayan kittens are generally white when they are born. The gene that gives them their color is sensitive to heat, so the cooler the body, the more color you see. Newborn kittens are kept very warm by their mother, as they grow accustomed to the air around them, the tips of their ears and tail start to darken. Gradually, the point color appears on the tail, legs, feet, ears and front of the face (referred to as the mask).

General: Himalayans should resemble Persians in type, confirmation, coat length and texture. The Pointed Himalayan has the eye color, coat color, and pattern of the Siamese. The non-pointed Himalayan has the eye color, coat color and pattern of the Persian.

Head: Shape and Size: Round and massive with great breadth of skull. Round face with round underlying bone structure. Head well set on short, thick neck. Jaws broad and powerful, with cheeks full and prominent. In profile, forehead, nose and chin should appear to form a perpendicular line. Nose snub, as broad as it is long, and with a break. Break to be no higher than the middle of the eye. Top of nose leather no higher than the middle of the eye. Chin well developed.

Coat: Long and thick, standing off from body; fine texture; glossy; full of life; long all over body, including shoulders; ruff immense; deep frill between front legs; ear and toe tufts long; brush very full. Daily grooming is necessary, but usually takes only a few minutes and the end result is certainly worth it. So, enjoy your Himalayan. It is a proud, beautiful designer kitty, developed with and for love!

Eyes: Himalayan eyes are large, round and set far apart, giving a sweet expression to the face. Pointed Himalayans must have deep vivid blue, the deeper the better. Non-pointeds must be copper in all colors except Silver and Golden Tabbies, these two colors must have green eyes. Deeper shades preferred. Allowance to be made for color variations in kittens.

Ears: Small, round tipped, tilted forward and not unduly open at the base. Set far apart and low on the head fitting into, and without distorting, the rounded contour of the head.

Weight: 9-12 lbs.

Associations: The Himalayan is accepted by all major cat registries. In CFA, ACA, and GCCF, it is considered a color class of the Persian rather than as a separate breed.