History:
This breed originated in the United States in the 1920's, but it did not truly achieve success until the 1950's.  Himalayans are the the result of efforts in the 1930s to cross Siamese to Persians in order to understand the inheritance of the Siamese colorpoint  gene. Offspring were bred back to Persians to keep the Persian look while maintaining the color points. The name comes from the color pattern found on rabbits and goats originating in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia.  Today CFA considers this breed a division of Persians.  CFF considers Himalayans to be a separate breed.

General Information:
The Himalayan is one of the most docile affectionate cats available today. If you want a cat that gives you unconditional love, this is your breed.

The Himalayan also know as the 'Colorpoint Longhair' or 'Himalayan Persian' is like other Persians in that they are very lovable, gentle, and affectionate. They are intelligent and very playful as well as outgoing and demanding. Himalayans are often known to follow their owners around the house reporting to them their activities of the day in a series of meows. These cats are not to be confused with the Siamese. While they
possess the pointed markings of a Siamese they are a Persian and maintain a Persian temperament, not the temperament of a Siamese. One might wonder why it was not named the 'Siamese Persian' since its coloring so closely resembles those cats originating in Siam. There are several types of animals with pointed coloring, such as goats and rabbits that are found in Asia near the Himalayan mountains, thusly this coat pattern is also Himalayan and does not belong exclusively to the Siamese. The Himalayan can be a very vocal cat. The are very communicative and will let you know with a few meows that dinner time has arrived! Don't worry, their voice is much more similar to that of a Persian than that of a Siamese. These cats adapt well to different             environments and are well suited for a variety of homes. They get along well with people and other animals. Since they are of fairly quite disposition they do best in a home without too much confusion and noise.

Description:
The Himalayan has a long thick coat with a dense undercoat that requires daily brushing. If you do not intend to brush your Himalayan daily, you should choose another breed. They are very prone to matting and hairballs if not groomed daily. If groomed daily their gorgeous coats will shine. Acceptable colors for the Himalayan coat are seal, blue, lilac, tabby, chocolate, choc/tortie lilac/cream, red and bluecream points. They have brilliant round blue eyes that sparkle with their pleasant demeanors. The Himalayan kiitten, like the Siamese, is born white, with its points developing as they mature. The average Himalayan litter is about 4 to 6 kittens. This is a large densely boned cat. They are short, stocky, and heavy. This is not a small cat. They have small ears, which
rest atop a round broad head.

EYES: brilliant in color, large, round, and full. Set level and far apart, giving a sweet expression to the face.

BODY: of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a well-rounded mid-section and level back. Good muscle tone with no evidence of obesity. Large or medium in size. Quality the determining consideration rather than size.

COAT: long and thick, standing off from the body. Of fine texture, glossy and full of life. Long all over the body, including the shoulders. The ruff immense and continuing in a deep frill between the front legs. Ear and toe tufts long.  This cat is prone to matting because of its thick undercoat. In order to prevent uncomfortable knots and mats the Himalayan must be brush and combed daily. In addition, their white coats may need monthly bathing. These cats are also known for not using litter boxes.

Health:
Similar to Persians this breed is also prone to polycystic kidney disease, entropion, cherry eye, seborrhea, dental malocclusions, constricted nostrils and tear overflow.
 

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