Himalayen

The Himalayan is a colorpoint Persian. These colorpoint Persians are variously called Himalayans, colorpoints, or even 'Malaysian Persian'. Apart from its coat pattern, it is identical to the Persian in all respects. The name refers to a domestic rabbit breed that exhibits an identical coat pattern. Colorpoint Persians are the result of research on the Siamese gene. These studies were conducted in the United States and Sweden between 1924 and 1930. From this research was born 'Debutante,' the first long-haired cat with Siamese coloring. Subsequently, other programs were conducted in France, and in 1935, cats of the 'Khmer' type appeared. But this new breed was abandoned in 1955 as it was too Oriental in type. The true colorpoint Persian was created through selective breeding programs launched in 1947 in Great Britain and the United States: it involved crosses between a long-haired Siamese and black and blue Persians. It was finally in 1955 that the breed was recognized in England and in 1957 in the United States. It took until 1958 for the colorpoint to win first prize for best long-haired cat. The first colors obtained were seal point (black or very dark brown markings), chocolate point, blue point, and lilac point; then other colors quickly followed such as cream, tortoiseshell, red, and tabby. Shaded and smoke varieties also exist. Colorpoint Persians always have blue eyes: this physical characteristic is associated with the gene that gives the colorpoint coat pattern to the cat. Originally registered as a breed by the Cat Fancier Association (CFA), the Himalayan was included in the Persian breed as an additional division in the 1980s. It is still considered a breed by some federations such as ACFA, TICA, and WCF. The Himalayan enjoys considerable success on the North American continent but remains more discreet in Europe.

Himalayans are generally said to be calm and gentle cats, well-suited to living in an apartment. The Siamese blood heritage would make it a somewhat more active breed than its Persian cousin. These character traits, however, remain perfectly individual and are a function of each individual's history.

Like all Persians of its origin, the Himalayan is entirely rounded, massive, and short-legged. Its back is straight, its skeleton massive, and equal thickness at the shoulders and hips. The legs are short but strong, notably due to the powerful skeleton. The feet are round and large; the toes should be well-spaced. The ACFA specifies that there should be five toes in front and four in the back. The tail is short but remaining proportionate to the body. It is carried upright.