1620 is the year when the first Persian cats were brought from Persia. The Persian cats history begins in Italy. That is the place where they were first taken to. After about 50 years this breed was also taken to France. But this time not from Persia but from Turkey.
But is their origin Persia? How did the short muzzle cats appear? There is no known ancestor for any domestic cat to have such a thick fur. It seems that the species we know today was obtained by cross breeding with the Pallas cats. As a consequence of this mating in France, a long fur cat has been obtained. But not quite the one we know today. To get the cats as we now know them several breeds were tried and selected.
But what makes the Persian cats so wanted? What traits did they inherit from the Pallas cats? What is characteristic to them and makes them special? There are several physical features obtained across the Persian Cats history. The first one and most known is the thick fur. But the fur is not enough for the cat to make it a true Persian. Their ears have to be placed wide apart. They must be found nearly to the sides of their head. Their eyes need to be big and clear. And most importantly their short, very short muzzle. This is a trait that often comes with serious illnesses. Many Persian cats die due to the short muzzle.
Even though the first place in Europe to have them was Italy, it seems that the Persian Cats History began in France. A certain Nicholas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc is the person who successfully mated the Pallas cats with the Persian for the very first time, to obtain the thick fur cats of today.
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