Alice White
The Persian cat is one of the most popular breeds today. The original appearance and calm character have won her the love of connoisseurs of purring pets all over the world.
#1 The Persian cat is exclusively a pet in the literal sense of this definition
This is a true aristocrat who in an incredible way combines an incomparable appearance, intelligence, and regal demeanor with amazing affection and sincere love for her master. Thanks to such a harmonious combination, the Persian cat is confidently ahead in the popularity rating of representatives of other breeds.
#2 There are several versions of the origin of Persian cats.
According to one of them, the first long-haired animals were brought to Europe in the twenties of the 17th century by the Italian aristocrat Pietro Della Valle from his travels in Turkey and Persia. In the city of Isfahan, he acquired several pairs of animals, amazing and unusual for Europe at that time, and sent them to Italy. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the further fate of these animals. And who knows how the history of the Persians would have developed further if the French scientist Nicole-Claude Farby, who corresponded with Della Valle, had not turned out to be a true lover of cats. Interested in the breed described by the Italian and never before seen in the Old World, he brought several Turkish Angora cats to France. Luxurious long-haired beauties conquered the hearts of the European aristocracy, including the all-powerful Cardinal Richelieu. With such patrons, the new breed has become one of the most elite. Having an oriental cat has become not only fashionable but also prestigious. Depending on where they were brought from, furry pets in those days were called Turkish, Asian, Russian, and even Chinese. Bearing in mind that the Persians began their spread across Europe from France, for some time they were called French cats.
#3 According to another version, long-haired animals originally appeared on the territory of Russia, where the presence of such a cover was due to the harsh climatic conditions.
It was from here that these outlandish animals came to the East, and only later, in the 17th century, did Europeans first learn about them.
In the scientific literature of the late 18th century, two main types of long-haired cats are described. The first - animals are light, graceful, with thin soft hair, wedge-shaped head, and pointed ears. The second - more massive, round-headed, and undersized individuals with long hair and the presence of a thick undercoat.
