Believe it or not, Persians are thought to be the oldest breed of cats, but at the same time, there are numerous different versions of where the Persian cat began. It is widely believed, however, in all versions that the Persian cat originated in the country that was once known as Persia, which is now modern day Iran.
The popular history of the Persian cat tells us that they were first introduced into Italy around about 1620 a man called Pietro della Valle and that at around about the same time they were introduced into France by somebody called Nicholas Claude Fabri de Peiresc. This does seem to be fairly well documented and it fits with all versions of the Persians history.
From France it is thought that the Persian was introduced into Britain, although at this time they did not have the long hair that we know of today. What happened is that they were bred in Turkey with the Turkish Angora cat, and this is where the long hair comes from. It does need to be pointed out that a lot of people think that the Persian was bred with the African wildcat and this is where their long hair came from.
It has been rightly stated that Persian cats have a high value, and this is very well illustrated by the fact that in the past they were the first choice of royalty and the very wealthy.
Another version of the Persian history has todays Persians as descendants of Felis Libyca, which is actually a cat that originates from Africa and Asia. This version also has the Persian being introduced to Europe much earlier than 1620. In fact, this version has the Persian being introduced in the 1500s by the Romans and Phoenicians. This version also states that Persians were considered to be of high trade value.
We can be certain about the time that these special cats were first introduced to the United States and Canada. This occurred in the early 1900s, and from that time on, the cats gained in popularity, quickly becoming the most popular breed of cat in the world, which is a distinction that the breed still holds today. In fact, Persians started out as symbols, and became pets, after which they were prized for their show quality. Today, they are prized for their show and pet qualities, as many Persian owners never show their cats, while others are active exhibitors.
The popular history of the Persian cat tells us that they were first introduced into Italy around about 1620 a man called Pietro della Valle and that at around about the same time they were introduced into France by somebody called Nicholas Claude Fabri de Peiresc. This does seem to be fairly well documented and it fits with all versions of the Persians history.
From France it is thought that the Persian was introduced into Britain, although at this time they did not have the long hair that we know of today. What happened is that they were bred in Turkey with the Turkish Angora cat, and this is where the long hair comes from. It does need to be pointed out that a lot of people think that the Persian was bred with the African wildcat and this is where their long hair came from.
It has been rightly stated that Persian cats have a high value, and this is very well illustrated by the fact that in the past they were the first choice of royalty and the very wealthy.
Another version of the Persian history has todays Persians as descendants of Felis Libyca, which is actually a cat that originates from Africa and Asia. This version also has the Persian being introduced to Europe much earlier than 1620. In fact, this version has the Persian being introduced in the 1500s by the Romans and Phoenicians. This version also states that Persians were considered to be of high trade value.
We can be certain about the time that these special cats were first introduced to the United States and Canada. This occurred in the early 1900s, and from that time on, the cats gained in popularity, quickly becoming the most popular breed of cat in the world, which is a distinction that the breed still holds today. In fact, Persians started out as symbols, and became pets, after which they were prized for their show quality. Today, they are prized for their show and pet qualities, as many Persian owners never show their cats, while others are active exhibitors.
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