Official ICCF Breed Description
Historical Background
The Persian cat is one of the oldest and most recognizable breeds in the world. Its origins date back to the 17th century, when longhaired cats from Persia and Turkey were brought to Europe. These animals immediately attracted attention with their unusual appearance and dense coats, which set them apart from local breeds. In the 19th century, systematic breeding began in England to establish the long coat, rounded body, and distinctive head structure. Persian cats quickly became symbols of luxury and aristocracy, often found in palaces and noble households. Today, the breed is among the most popular globally, admired for its beauty, gentle temperament, and elegance.
General Appearance
The Persian cat is a medium to large-sized animal with a strong skeleton, massive body, and characteristic rounded forms. The body is low-set, with a broad chest, short and strong legs, emphasizing the compact silhouette. The head is large and round, with a flat face and very expressive eyes. The ears are small, set wide apart, and have rounded tips. The neck is short and thick, smoothly joining the heavy body. The tail is relatively short and well-furnished. The coat is the breed’s main adornment: long, dense, with a rich undercoat and soft texture. The overall impression is one of harmony, nobility, and majestic beauty.
Important Proportions
The hallmark of the Persian cat’s proportions lies in compactness and roundness. The height at the withers is significantly less than the body length, creating a low, grounded silhouette. The head is large, its width nearly equal to its length, with a flat profile and pronounced cheekbones. The face is short, the nose broad and upturned, and the chin strong, forming the characteristic “doll-like” expression. The limbs are short but strong, ensuring stability and smooth movement. The tail is short and proportional, blending harmoniously with the body. The coat adds volume and completes the rounded impression, giving the breed its unique and refined look as defined by ICCF standards.
Behavior and Temperament
The Persian cat has a calm and balanced temperament. These are gentle, affectionate, and friendly animals that thrive on close contact with humans. They are devoted to their owners, enjoy companionship, but are never intrusive. Persians appreciate comfort and peace, adapting well to indoor life. They are patient, good with children and other pets, and rarely show aggression. Playful yet moderate in activity, they prefer observation and rest. Intelligent and perceptive, they easily respond to human attention. Persians are ideal companion cats that bring warmth and serenity to the home.
Head
The head of the Persian cat is large, massive, and rounded, with balanced proportions. The skull is broad, the forehead convex, and transitions are smooth. The facial part is short with a flat profile, creating the typical “doll-like” expression. The cheekbones are broad and well developed, emphasizing the rounded shape of the head. The chin is full and strong, aligned with the nose and forehead. The nose is short and wide, with a pronounced stop. Full cheeks give the face a soft, harmonious look. The head should convey substance and completeness, reflecting the breed’s aristocratic and refined type.
Facial Part
The facial part of the Persian cat is short and broad, with a distinct flat profile. The nose is low-set, broad, with a deep stop and short bridge. The chin is strong and firm, aligned with the nose and lips. The cheeks are full and round, giving a gentle, harmonious expression. Whiskers are long, thick, and symmetrically arranged. The facial balance is essential — an overly long muzzle or excessively flat face is undesirable. Overall, the Persian face should appear expressive and well-proportioned, contributing to its distinctive “doll-like” look.
Eyes
The eyes of the Persian cat are large, round, and wide apart, emphasizing the head’s round shape. They must be expressive and bright, giving an impression of depth and gentleness. Eye color is rich and depends on coat color — copper, orange, green, blue, or odd-eyed combinations are acceptable. The gaze should be calm and kind, without squint or dullness. The eyes must harmonize with the face, complementing the flat profile and creating a sweet, characteristic expression. Small, narrow, or dull eyes, or incorrect spacing, are serious faults.
Ears
The ears of the Persian cat are small, wide apart, and low set, accentuating the round head shape. The base is broad, and the tips are gently rounded with soft lines. The inner ear is well furnished, often forming decorative tufts. The placement should maintain head harmony without disturbing roundness. Ears that are too large or too high-set spoil the type. They must appear neat and unobtrusive, completing the overall elegant and balanced look of the breed.
Neck
The neck of the Persian cat is short, thick, and muscular, smoothly connecting the heavy head with the strong body. Its width enhances the impression of strength and stability. The lines are soft, forming a continuous, solid silhouette. In males, the neck is more powerful, emphasizing masculinity; in females, it is finer but still firm. A thin or weak neck disturbs the proportions. The neck must harmonize the large head with the compact body, reinforcing the breed’s unity and monumentality.
Body
The Persian cat’s body is massive, compact, and well-muscled with a strong skeleton. The chest is broad and deep, giving an impression of power. The back is straight, the body low-set, and the topline even. The abdomen is round but not sagging, and the croup is broad and smoothly connected to the tail. All body lines emphasize stability and solidity. Compactness and balanced form create a strong and harmonious appearance. An overly elongated body or weak musculature is undesirable and contradicts the ICCF standard.
Tail
The tail of the Persian cat is relatively short, well-furnished, and proportionate to the compact body. It is broad at the base, tapering to a rounded tip. In motion, it moves smoothly and should not appear too long or too short. The hair is long, thick, and forms a luxurious plume that enhances the decorative effect. The tail continues the body’s line harmoniously and must not disrupt the silhouette. Kinks, knots, sparse hair, or incorrect proportions are faults. The tail completes the breed’s majestic and balanced appearance.
Forelimbs
The Persian cat’s forelegs are short, sturdy, with a heavy bone structure and well-developed muscles. The shoulder blades are close-set, ensuring body stability. The elbows point backward and remain aligned. Bones should be strong yet balanced with the compact body. The paws are large, round, and covered with tufts of hair between the toes, emphasizing the breed’s type. The stance is straight and firm, giving an impression of solidity. Long or thin legs that break the compact harmony are undesirable.
Hindlimbs
The hind legs of the Persian cat are short, powerful, and balanced with the forelegs. The thighs are broad and muscular but not coarse. The lower legs are strong and compact, consistent with the breed’s low-set structure. The hocks are low, stable, and correctly aligned. The paws are large and round, with tufts of hair between the toes, adding a decorative touch. The correct posture ensures balance and stability. Long, thin, or overly straight legs are faults, as they disrupt the compact appearance of the breed.
Gait and Movement
The Persian cat’s gait is calm, smooth, and confident, without excessive activity. Movements are slow but steady, graceful, and flowing. The legs move parallel, with a short, even stride befitting the compact body. The tail moves in harmony with the back, maintaining balance. Stiffness, wobbling, or incorrect leg positioning are faults. The movement should reflect the breed’s calm temperament and regal composure. Overall, Persians move with serene dignity and soft power.
Coat
The Persian cat’s coat is the breed’s defining feature. It is long, thick, with a rich undercoat and soft, silky texture. The hair covers the entire body evenly, creating a luxurious volume. It is especially dense around the neck, forming a “mane,” and on the tail, belly, and breeches. The hair is fine, straight, or slightly wavy, never coarse. The coat should emphasize roundness and contribute to the majestic appearance. Sparse, brittle, or overly soft coats that lack volume are considered faults.
Acceptable Colors
The Persian cat has one of the richest color palettes, with hundreds of recognized variations. Acceptable patterns include solid colors (black, white, blue, cream, red), smoke, shaded, tabby, bicolor, tricolor, and colorpoint. Each color must display correct tone and contrast according to the standard. Eye color must correspond to coat color: green for shaded varieties, blue for colorpoints, and copper or orange for solids. Uneven, faded, or atypical coloration is considered a fault.
Size
The Persian cat belongs to medium and large breeds. Females weigh between 3.5 and 5 kg, maintaining compact elegance; males range from 4.5 to 7 kg, with heavier bodies and stronger bones. The height at the withers is low, reinforcing the grounded silhouette. Proportions must remain balanced — a large body with short legs and a dense tail. Oversized or undersized individuals are undesirable. Size and weight must highlight the breed’s monumentality and balance.
Faults
Faults include deviations from the ICCF standard that compromise the breed’s harmony or type. These include elongated or narrow bodies, weak musculature, or a narrow chest. Head faults include overly long muzzles, exaggerated or weak stops, and receding chins. Eye faults include small size, dull color, narrow shape, or incorrect spacing. Ears that are too large, high, or misplaced disturb the head’s balance. Faulty coats include short, thin, or underdeveloped hair lacking volume. Incorrect tail proportions or poor furnishing are also faults. In color, dull or faded tones without proper contrast are penalized. In temperament, excessive fear, aggression, or nervousness are undesirable.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations from the ICCF standard: congenital or hereditary defects such as incorrect bite, jaw deformities, or missing teeth. Tail deformities such as kinks, knots, or congenital shortening are not permitted. Crossed eyes, dull eye color, or defects in vision or hearing disqualify the cat. Absence of a dense coat or extremely sparse fur is disqualifying. Nonstandard or unrecognized coat colors are not allowed in shows or breeding. Structural defects, lameness, or gait abnormalities are also disqualifying. Excessive aggression or extreme shyness resulting in abnormal behavior leads to exclusion from ICCF breeding programs.
Important Notes
The Persian cat requires special care and attention. Its long, thick coat demands daily grooming and maintenance. To preserve breed type, uncontrolled breeding must be avoided, as the flat-faced structure may cause inherited breathing issues. Only cats with ICCF documentation confirming origin and health may participate in breeding. Owners should regularly monitor eye and respiratory health, as these areas require care. Breeding must be supervised by professionals to maintain both the breed’s beauty and health. With proper care, the Persian cat retains its unique appearance and remains a timeless symbol of comfort and elegance.
Conclusion
The Persian cat is one of the most recognizable and admired breeds in the world, combining a majestic appearance, luxurious coat, and calm disposition. It is valued for its loyalty, friendliness, and ability to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. The ICCF system defines strict standards for conformation, color, coat, and temperament. Only cats with official ICCF documents confirming origin and compliance may participate in shows and breeding. Without these documents, cats are excluded from breeding programs. The Persian cat symbolizes grace and nobility and requires attentive care. When properly maintained, it rewards its owners with beauty, tranquility, and warmth, becoming a true jewel of the home.
