Peke-Faced Persian

Vital Statistics:

Place of Origin: Iran (formerly Persia)

Coat Type: Long, silky, neck ruff

Color: red tabby to solid red, same colors as Persians

Temperament: affectionate, quiet, gentle,
not suited for small children or other pets

Description

The Peke-Faced Persian is a variety of the Persian cat which appeared in the United States as a result of selective breeding. It is a very affectionate and cuddly cat. It has a long, silky pelt, like the Persian, and the most noticeable is its long neck ruff fur. It has a thick undercoat, and is a quiet, serene animal, also like the others Persians. It has a mild reputation, does relatively well in apartments, but might not be very suited for houses with small children and/or other animals because of its incapacity to defend itself when attacked or teased. Other than that, it's a great indoor cat. It's head is round, with rather small ears on top. It's body is short, along with short legs. The face is very different than the regular Persian, with a constant snuffle, wrinkles above the nose, and bulging eyes. Adding to this is virtually no muzzle and its nose is quite short, depressed, and is indented between the eyes, giving it a flat-faced look. Some organizations don't recognize the Peke-Faced Persian as a separate breed. They classify them as standard Persians. The Peke-Faced Persian is prone to weeping, caused by problems with the sinuses and tear ducts. This first occurred by natural mutation within the red and red tabby Persians. Added to these problems is a high mortality rate with kittens. Peke-Faced Persians also need to be brushed frequently to avoid mats and hairballs. Adding to this, they often developed an overcrowding of teeth.