My first Publication CC May Edition for Web | Page 18

Domestic Cat Breeds
PERSIAN
T
his cat breed owes its origins to
the Middle East where it was fi rst
discovered in the 1600s by an Italian
traveler. Th ese cats were brought to Europe
and became extremely popular in England
during the 19th century. Queen Victoria,
an ardent cat lover, is known to have
owned two Blue Persians.
Persian cats were introduced to
America in the late 1800s. Th ey gained
recognition by the CFA in 1914 and
rapidly became the most popular cat breed
in the country. TICA also recognizes the
Persian.
Th e Persian cats are known for their
distinctly sweet expressions and long, lush
coats. Flat faces with round eyes, big, round
heads and thick, sturdy bodies marked
by small, round-tipped ears characterize
them. Th ey come in a wide range of
colours and patterns such as silver, gold,
tabby, bicolor, smoke and Himalayan.
Th ey weigh between 8-10 pounds.
Th ese cats are prized for their long fur and
aff ectionate nature. Th ey make great house
pets as they are easy-going and playful
and great human buddies. Th ey do
well in households with children and
other pets. Th ey crave attention from
their favourite humans and require
grooming for at least 20 minutes every
week.
RAGDOLL
T
he term ‘Ragdoll’ is
derived from the tendency
of the originals of this breed to
go limp like a ragdoll when
picked up. Characterized by
blue eyes and a colour point
coat, these cats are also known
as “dog-like cats” as they tend
to follow people around and
aren’t aggressive towards other
animals.
Th ese cats have distinct
wedge-shaped heads, wide-
set ears and a well-defi ned
chin. Th ey weigh somewhere
between 9.9 to 19.8 pounds
and are known to possess
robust bodies in a medium
to large-size frame and have a
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Creature Companion | May 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 5 • Noida
muscular built with a fatty pad
below the abdomen.
Most ragdoll kittens are born
white but gradually go on to
develop light coloured coats
with darker points like those
on a Siamese. Ragdolls are
known for their elegance and
soft , silken coats that don’t
shed much. Running a steel
comb through a Ragdoll’s fur
keeps it looking great.
Ragdolls make great house
pets as they have relaxed
temperaments and do well
in households with kids and
other pets. Th ey are devoted to
their owners and are easygoing
and gentle. Th ey love to curl
on their owner’s lap and are
fascinated with water.