A HIMALAYAN is a blue eyed Persian cat with Siamese color points. The Show Standard calls for a round head, short nose with a break, large round blue eyes, small ears set far apart, and heavy boned, cobby body. The coat is long and thick, often silkier and easier to groom than that of other Persian cats. The HIMALAYAN originated from a cross breeding between the Persian and the Siamese.
Experimental breeding of HIMALAYANS took place in the United States and England as far back as the early 1920's. It's actual recognition in the United States as a purebred cat did not come until 1957. Today the HIMALAYAN is the most popular breed, second only to all other Persian colors combined, in the number of cats registered with the Cat Fanciers Association Inc. (the largest registering body in the United States).
In 1930, Dr. Clyde Keller, Harvard Medical School, had a vision; the blending of the two most popular breeds of cats to produce a cat with Siamese color pattern, persian type and coat. Working with Virginia Cobb,"Newton Cattery", they produced a black Persian male kitten , Bozo, by breeding a Siamese female to a black Persian male. Bozo, who had a wave to his coat indicating a longer coat, was kept for future breeding. They then produced a female, Bitzie, by breeding a Siamese Male to a black Persian female. Bozo and Bitzie produced a long haired black female, Babbit. Babbit bred to Bozo, produced a litter of five kittens. One of these kittens was long coated with a Siamese color pattern. She was named "NEWTONS DEBUTANTE" and was the FIRST HIMALAYAN. There was no further need to use additional Siamese. Dr. Keller's and Miss Cobb's dream had been fulfilled.
Marquerita Goforth a breeder located in San Diego, California contributed greatly to establishing the HIMALAYAN breed in America. Beginning in 1950 it took her years to produce the HIMALAYAN with the qualities and beauty needed to capture the hearts of the Cat Fanciers Associations' public. By the end of 1957, the accurate records kept by Miss Goforth helped in having the HIMALAYAN recognized as a new breed by all the Cat Registering Associations. Although Miss Goforth saw the need to periodically breed the Himalayan back to Persians, the opinion of the Associations was no further out-crossing was necessary or would be accepted.
Mr. Bryan Sterling-Web, in England, dedicated years to the color point longhair. In 1955 they were recognized by the governing council of the Cat Fancy. With the help of Mrs. Hardin, "Mingchiu Cattery", they produced and exported many breeding pairs to establish the breed.
The Borretts, "Chestermere Cattery", in Canada were working diligently to perfect the HIMALAYAN. One of their finest examples, a male named Chestermere Kinuba, was sold to Boris Teron, "Nevah-Tep Cattery" in 1964. Kinuba was the first HIMALAYAN to earn his Grand Championship in four Cat Associations.
We HIMALAYAN breeders of today owe a lot to those cattery pioneers who had the vision and willingness to see their dreams come true and make ours a reality.
Contrary to popular belief, HIMALAYAN cats did not originate in the Himalayan mountains. The name HIMALAYAN, comes from the color pattern found on rabbits and goats originating in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia. It was derived as the name for the color point cats because their genetic color factors are the same as found on the other fur bearing animals with light body color and dark extremities. The kittens are born near white and develop their color points over several weeks. The color points result from the extremities cooler body temperature, 3 degrees centigrade, which accounts for some Himalayans darkening with age. This is similar to humans hair turning gray with age.
The original HIMALAYAN came in four colors; Seal Point, Blue Point, Chocolate Point, and Lilac Point. When the Red color gene was introduced another Six colors appeared; Flame Point, Cream Point, Tortie Point, Blue Cream Point, Chocolate Tortie Point, and Lilac Cream Point. Now included is the Lynx Point, a color point with Tabby markings.
The colors recognized by C.F.A. are Seal Point, Blue Point, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point, Flame Point , Cream Point, Tortie Point, Blue Cream Point and the same colors in Lynx Points.
Although early breeders abandoned the practice of outcrossing the HIMALAYAN with Persians, it was soon obvious the HIMALAYAN conformation was below the Persian standard. Breeders reintroduced the Persians into their breeding programs once again and soon the HIMALAYANS were well on their way to conforming to the Persian Standard.
Today, most breeders use solid color or parti-color Persians in their breeding programs in order to improve their stock and produce kittens which come as close as possible to the show standard. Such outcrosses are also extremely valuable in expanding the genetic pool with an increase in the health and vigor of the offspring.
The first generation of these HIMALAYAN color point, to Persian breeding are called Hybrids, sometimes referred to as Color Point Carriers (CPC's).
Until recently such Persian/Himalayan crosses, color point carriers (CPC's), were not recognized for Championship within CFA. In May 1984, C.F.A., incorporated the HIMALAYAN into the Persian Division and called them Color Point Persians and accepted the Color Point Carriers (Hybrids) in the Show Ring. Judged as Persians, both the Color Points and Color Point Carriers, must meet the Persian Standard and do so with both beauty and grace. Today, a "hybrid" (CPC) is shown against the other Persians, and many of them do very well indeed!!
HIMALAYANS are the ideal pet or companion animal. Along with their striking appearance, they have a wonderful personality that may be equaled but never exceeded.
From our experience with HIMALAYANS, we can honestly say that these cats are extremely affectionate, playful, and endearing, and are unsurpassed by any other breed as a companion.
