 The
Himalayan, also called colourpoint Persian, is a breed of cat with
extremely long, fluffy fur, and the blue eyes and the points of a
Siamese. Himalayan is the American term, while in Europe they are
referred to as colourpoint Persians.
They were bred from Siamese (for the markings) and Persians (for
coat-length and temperament), and share characteristics of both
breeds. Himalayans are now considered the same breed for cat
registries (CFA), (TICA) as the modern Persian show cat since they
have the exact same conformation with a pointed coat.
The body of a Himalyan is white, but the points come in many
different colours: blue, brown, lilac, chocolate, flame, red and
creme. The points can also be tabby or tortie patterned.
These cats are sweet-tempered, intelligent, social and good
companions. Because of their heritage from the Siamese cats they
tend to be more active than an ordinary Persians. Their coat needs
daily attention and grooming, because, like many long-haired cats,
they have an abundance of fur.
Trivia
The Himalayan cat has become well-known in recent years with the
movies Meet The Parents (2000) and Meet The Fockers (2004). The cat
seen in the two movies was named Mr. Jinx. In the movies Homeward
Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) and Homeward Bound II: Lost in
San Francisco (1996), one of the main characters is a Himalayan cat
named Sassy (voiced by Sally Field).
General: The Himalayan should
resemble the Persian 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. Any similarity in type to the Siamese is
undesirable.
Head: 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. OBJECTION: Long,
narrow head, long nose, thin muzzle or visible bite deformity.
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. OBJECTION: Ears large,
pointed, set too close.
Eyes: Large, round, and full. Set wide apart, giving sweet
expression to the face. OBJECTION: Small, oriental or slanted eyes.
See ESH Standard for Color.
Body: Cobby in type - low on the legs, deep in the chest, equally
massive across the shoulders and rump. Back level, short, rounded
midsection. Medium to large in size. Quality and proportion the
determining consideration.
Legs and Feet: legs should be short thick and heavily boned.
Forelegs should slant inward very slightly from breadth of chest
adding to a sturdy appearance. Feet should be large, round and firm
with toes close together; five in front, four behind. OBJECTION:
Light boning, long or bowed legs, small or oval feet.
Tail: Short, straight, but in proportion to the body. Carried
without a curve and at an angle lower than the back. OBJECTION: Long
tail.
Coat: Long and thick, standing off from the body. Of fine texture,
glossy and full of life. Long all over the body, including the
shoulders. Ruff immense and continuing in a deep frill between the
front legs. Ear and toe tufts long. Tail full. Seasonal variations
of the coat shall be recognized.
Condition and Balance: Firm in the flesh, but not fat; well-balanced
physically and temperamentally, gentle and amenable to handling.
Medium to large in size. Heavily boned, short-coupled, broad through
the chest and rump with short, sturdy legs, giving the impression of
robust power.
NFA: Eyes any other color than blue in pointeds, green in silver
tabby and golden tabby non-pointeds; and copper in all other non-pointeds.
Crossed eyes. Kinked tail or any tail abnormality. Lack of break.
White toes or feet, locket or button. Incorrect number of toes.
Apparent weakness in hindquarters. Deformity of skull and/or mouth.
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