Persian doll-faced kittens are closer to the original breed type. See how they differ from today's Persian cat varieties and why they can be a little easier to stay at home as pets.
The traditional Persian doll-faced
Although organizations such as the Cat Fanciers' Association - CFA - maintain a breed standard for Persian cats, there are two distinctly different types of Persians within the norm. The main difference is in the structure of their heads.
Doll-faced Persians
According to the Association of Traditional Cat Breeds (TCA), this type of Persian is considered the original/traditional Persian, and supports that position through images that show us what this breed used to be, on their website. This Persian has a normal length nose that is in proportion to the rest of its face and skull structure, but still has that distinctive Persian appearance, but not as extreme as the contest Persian.
Persian doll-faced
Persian contest
This is the Persian described in the CFA breed standard. Its head is round with large round eyes, round cheeks and a short nose that is aligned with its eyes. In fact, the nose almost seems to be placed between the eyes on some of these extreme Persians because their faces are so flat.
Compare the two images below to see how different these two types of Persians can be.
Persian kitten contest
Breeders believe that Persian doll-faced people are healthier
Breeders who support the breeding of the traditional Persian cat doll face say that health considerations are one of the most important reasons to continue with the reproduction of the original Persian. The extreme style of the contest Persian's head can lead to excessive tearing, and this can lead to stains on the face. With a flat-faced Persian your face should be cleaned daily to keep it clean and prevent sores from developing due to moisture and the resulting bacteria.
Like other pets with a brachycephalic head structure, including Pekingese dogs and Pug dogs, some contest Persians may also experience superior breathing problems and shortness of breath that is directly related to their extremely short noses, especially during very warm weather. Be very careful to keep these kittens out of the heat.
Due to their more normal head structure, doll-faced Persians generally do not face these same problems.
Persian doll-faced kitten breeders
The following breeders are some examples that breed Persian kittens with doll faces. Check out their photo galleries to make sure this is the kind of kitten you're looking for.
Precious Kittens
Boutique Kittens
You'll also find a list of doll-faced Persian breeders from around the world on the CFA Breeders page.
Love to Know does not endorse any breeder and recommends that no matter who you want to buy a kitten from, be sure to check each breeder before making any transactions. Also make sure your kitten is checked and has a written health guarantee.
What kind of Persian kitten is right for you?
Except for the difference in the structure of the head and the resulting difference in appearance, both types of Persians still have luxurious coats and very nice temperaments. These are relatively quiet kittens that grow to be very quiet cats. Both can be wonderful and beautiful feline companions, and both will always need a lot of grooming and care to keep their long furs in good condition. However, the type of contest Persian will need the additional facial toilet daily. If you don't mind washing your pets face every day, this won't be a problem. If you prefer not to have to deal with this extra toilet, the Persian doll face may be a better choice for you.