Long-haired
cats with other coat colours were used in early breeding programmes.
One result of this crossing resulted in the orange-eyed variety.
Over many years, breeding whites with other solid colours has taken
place to improve both the coat (for length, density and quality)
and type. The type of the White Persian is similar to other Self
Persian cats. Bone should be massive and cobby (short-backed). The
head should be large and round with small ears set wide apart. Eyes
should be large, round and bold with intense eye colour. The nose
should be short and wide with good nostrils. The breed standard
describes the ideal that all breeders and exhibitors are striving
for.
Over
the years the orange-eyed variety has become the more popular with
some excellent cats being put onto the Show bench, There have been
significantly fewer blue-eyed cats shown. There is great difficulty
achieving the desirable deep blue eye colour as out crosses to develop
this feature are not possible. Even fewer odd-eyed cats have been
seen although again some excellent examples have been shown.
Breeding
and showing the White Persian Cat is a challenge. Genetically the
white gene acts as a masking gene or "overcoat". Only
one gene from one parent is required to produce the white coat.
Thus for a mating of a white cat to another coloured cat, on average
50% pf the progeny will be white. The colour of remaining kittens
will be dependant on both the colour cat and the underlying colour
of the white cat. Many breeders thus restrict the colours found
in their cat's pedigree to eliminate surprises. The white gene seems
to be different to the white spotting gene found in bi colour cats
and the blue eye gene appears also to be different that found in
the colour point cat. Hence these breeds do not help in breeding
programmes.
In
addition, there are undoubtedly different shades of white! These
range from the dazzling sparkling white to the dingy almost yellowy
tinged white with textures varying from the silky to the wooly.
So to think that a single colour - WHITE - is easy - forget it.
One
of the greatest challenges is the difficulty of maintaining the
purity of the colour of the coat. For showing, the purity of colour
is of the greatest importance for it to be without marks, shading
or staining of any kind. Even when kittens have been bred which
show this purity of colour, a good deal of attention has to be paid
to grooming of the coat to retain its natural but attractive colour.
Many are put off by the heavy demands on spare time and the discipline
necessary. If you can keep a white in show condition, all other
Persian colours are easy!
The
breed is both hardy and vigorous like other Persians. There may
be deafness in a small minority of cats despite sterling work by
breeders over many years to eliminate this tendency. As with all
long-haired cats, the coat requires continuous care to ensure it
is free from tangles and matting does not occur. The coat will at
times assume a yellowish tinge due to grease from the skin. The
tail of a white cat is definitely inclined to suffer from discolouration
and washing may be necessary. Cat food can sometimes be a problem
for the exhibitor as this often stains the bib - especially by the
messy eaters.
When
clean and in full coat, the White Persian cat (especially in the
hands of an expert) is probably the most beautiful and elegant of
all the Persian cats. This is clearly demonstrated by the number
of White Persian cats that have been awarded Best in Show at so
many or our prestigious Championship Shows. |
