Cat encyclopedia
Persian
A long-haired breed with a rounded head and abundant coat.
At a glance
- Entry type
- Cat breed
- Origin / context
- Historical links to West Asia
- Coat
- Long and dense
Name & background
Its name reflects historical links with Persia. Long-haired cats became part of European cat breeding in the nineteenth century, and the modern breed developed further over time.
[1]Three everyday scenes
See this cat in three scenes
Each illustrated cat appears in three scenes: exploring, playing and resting. This directory includes breeds as well as coat colors and patterns; illustrations do not predict personality, and a real cat’s preferences show up in daily life.

Recognizing the look
A full coat and round head are recognizable features. Traditional and modern lines can differ in muzzle shape, and coats come in many colors.
[1]
Watch how this cat plays
- Does your cat go straight toward a new toy, or watch for a while first?
- Which part catches their interest: chasing, touching, or peeking from a hiding spot?
- When the game ends, do they stay nearby or choose a quiet place of their own?

What to notice at home
After play, notice which resting place your cat chooses. It may walk over, settle nearby, or go somewhere quiet on its own.
These facts describe breeds and appearances. Each cat’s preferences are best learned through everyday observation.
Get to know the cat in front of you
See where it rests, what distance it keeps and how it likes to play. A breed or coat label cannot tell you that.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked ·
The encyclopedia summaries are adapted and translated from the Wikipedia articles below, with contributors listed in their histories. These summaries are shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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