Persian and Himalayan Cats What Makes Them Different?

When you consider getting a purebred cat, you might consider Persians and Himalayans. If so, you haven’t done enough research to own either breed, since Himalayans actually are Persians. They are the same breed!
Himalayan cats are essentially a cross between a Persian and a Siamese. This gives the cat the long coat of the Persian, with the striking marks of the Siamese. Among Persian cats, the Himalayan is the most popular Persian.

While Himalayans are Persians, however, there are some marked differences between purebred Persians and Himalayans. For example, Himalayans are known to be more vocal than Persians are. Persians have eyes of varying colors, but most Himalayans have beautiful blue eyes. However, the most common difference between Himalayans and purebred Persians are the colors, known as Color Points.

Himalayan color points include blue, red, cream tortie, seal, lilac, chocolate, blue-cream, chocolate tortie, lilac-cream, red lynx, blue lynx, seal lynx, cream lynx, blue-cream lynx, tortie lynx, chocolate lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx, lilac-cream lynx, and lilac lynx.

In the case of Purebred Persians, the color points aren’t as well defined as they are with Himalayans. However, most people cannot distinguish the differences between Persians and Himalayans.

Because Himalayans are actually only part Persian, many people think that they should be priced lower than purebred Persians. In most cases, this isn’t what you will find. Himalayans are priced just as high as purebred Persians because of their beauty and their show quality. Of course, if they are the product of champion status Persians and champion status Siamese, their price only tends to rise higher.

So, why would one choose a Himalayan over a purebred Persian? Some like the darker markings on the Himalayan – the Siamese look combined with the long hair, while others prefer the more solid, non-marked look of the Persian. Other than vocal differences, there really is no difference beyond that.