Persians - Extreme or Doll Face

When you first begin looking for a Persian kitten, the different face types can be very confusing. This article will focus on those of you who are strictly looking for a pet kitten because if you want a show cat, you will have to purchase an extreme faced kitten if you are going to show in some registries (CFA), while other registries honor the “traditional” Persian face, which is flat from forehead to chin, but the nose isn’t up between the eyes (TCA).

Let’s take a look at some of the different face types you might find:

Doll Face Persians

When breeders advertise doll face, they can mean anything from kittens that look almost like a regular cat all the way into the smushy face range that isn’t extreme. Many people prefer this face type because there are basically no health problems related to the upper respiratory system. The doll face cats don’t tear as much, and it is easier to maintain their grooming.

Unfortunately, many breeders have taken this to extreme, and their kittens don’t look like Persians any more. Even the doll face kitten should have a nice, round head and beautiful, chubby cheeks, like the Traditional Doll Face.

Traditional Doll Face Persians

The traditional doll face Persian was the original before the cat show people got hold of them and started breeding for such an extreme face on this breed. The traditional doll face should look exactly like the extreme faced Persian, only with a lower nose. Their head should be round, they should have chubby cheeks, and their face should be flat from forehead to chin. They should have the same low, small, rounded ears, and the same body type.

The traditional doll face has very little upper respiratory problems, though they may still have some tearing. Of course the flatter the face, the more possibility of health problems, but most breeders who breed for the traditional doll face are very health conscious with their breeding programs.

Flat to Extreme Face Persians

With the CFA being the largest cat registry, most Persians cats are bred to a standard that includes the extreme nose. If you love the extreme face, there is simply nothing cuter in the world! There are, however, health problems that come with the territory. The extreme faced cat can have moderate to severe upper respiratory problems. They can have trouble breathing and even eating. Some extreme faced cats have to be hand fed because their face is so flat and their nose so mashed in, that it is difficult for them to pick up food out of a bowl.

Not all extreme faced kitties have health problems. A good, selective breeding program with a reputable breeder will only choose extreme faced cats that have no health problems for their breeding cats. This is another reason to carefully choose your breeder when looking for a kitten. Ask to see their cats. If there are signs of excessive tearing or if their cats seem to have difficulty breathing or their face smells bad, do not purchase a kitten from them. And remember that you can get a smushy faced kitten without it being too extreme.

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The best advice on which face to choose is always to go with what you like, but choose a reputable breeder whose focus is on the health of their cats. If a kitten’s face is dirty, wet, or tear stained, it might be best to find another breeder.

You might also like “Persian Cats,” and “Himalayan Cats.”

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