The Himalayan is a cat of many facets.

They are also known as Colorpoint Persians, reflecting the mix of the Siamese “pointed” coats with the Persian’s long hair and stocky body.

They were recognized as a breed in the 1950′s. As seen here, they tend to have the Persian’s flat face, known as a “pansy” face. Yet that wasn’t always true; Himalayans of twenty years ago had longer noses and more oval eyes.

Breeders wanted the Himalayan to return to their Persian roots, and compete in the Persian class. They began outcrossing with purebred Persians to arrive at the cat of today.

This also brought a lot of Gamma to the Himalayan personality. Himalayans are now a breed for those who want a Persian with a Siamese coat.

“Himmys,” as they are known to their fans, love being with their people. They often try to make themselves useful, too, whether we like it or not. But they have sweet melodic voices and sweet charming personalities, so giving in to them is no trouble at all.

They need some extra care. Daily grooming at the least, and help washing their faces. Himalayan fans find those faces so appealing they love to help take care of it. With such an extreme trait, care must be taken to breed the cats for healthy offspring.

Himalayans tend to be friendly, laidback, and on the goofy side. They are happy to get rowdy with a toy, and then equally happy to curl up next to us for quiet time. They like manipulating small objects which react in subtle ways, such as toys which crackle or sparkle. They love to chase a wand toy, but remember they are built like tanks, and wear themselves out quickly.

They are so socially oriented that we should always make sure our Himmy has a companion. Another Himalayan or another cat with shared interests keeps them much more secure than being left alone all day.

Himalayans are a delightful combination of stuffed animal looks and big candy hearts. Their captivating ways keeps them a popular choice.

Want a Himalayan? Find an ethical breeder who cares about their cats, or check out the cats needing homes at Himalayan Rescue. Use Petfinder.com to see if there’s one nearby, just waiting for a home.

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