A doll face Persian cat is considered to be a traditional version of Persians. This breed variety resembles the original cats that appeared in Persia (today’s Iran) and with whom the world fell in love within a matter of seconds.
Now, this may sound confusing especially if you assume that there’s only one version of a certain breed. How come you have two different-looking cats who claim to belong to the same breed then? Are we talking about two separate breeds?
If this is your first time hearing about Doll Face Persian cats then keep on reading. Everything will make sense once you come to the end of the article. And if you’re already familiar with this breed variety, we also have all the info you need to find out more about these adorable cuddly felines.
How did Doll Face Persian cats come to be?
To make things more clear, you should know that Doll Face Persians are also called Traditional Persians. So, these cats are the real ancestors of the breed. They’re the first and original version that came to be.
Somewhere around the 1950s, a genetic mutation created another version of Persian cats. From the side, this cat looked just as same as any other Persian feline. But her face was more flattened, with a shorter nose. She looked like she had a squished face, that’s the best way to describe it.
Surprisingly, people fell in love with this flat-faced cat so much that breeders started breeding exclusively Persian cats with this specific genetic mutation. That’s how Peke Persian (or Show Persian as they also call her) gained popularity.
Today, some breeders state that these are two separate breeds while others believe they’re just different variations of a breed. However, due to the fact that Doll Face Persians are less prone to certain respiratory diseases, the breed standard was adjusted in 2007 and now states that the chin, nose, and forehead of a Persian cat should line up.
What else is different about Doll Face Persian cats?
As we’ve already mentioned, Doll Face Persians don’t have flat faces, they have longer noses and a bit smaller heads. This gives them that doll-like appearance. They have this adorable expression, so when they look at you, your heart is going to melt for sure.
Other than that, there’s not much difference in comparison with Peke Persians. This breed variety also has long, thick fur that’s so soft it will make you want to cuddle with your Persian all day long.
Both of these are almost the same size. They have medium to large bodies with thicker legs and fluffy tails. Walking around your home, you may confuse them with a cloud. That’s how fluffy they look.
Does a Doll Face Persian cat have the same personality as a Peke Persian?
The answer is yes! Both Doll Face Persians and Peke Persians are real furry cuddlers. They’re extremely affectionate and will lay in your lap the whole day long if possible. What could we say, Persians simply love to be loved.
This breed is not very active and doesn’t prefer playing with mice toys or chasing balls around the apartment. They would rather snuggle right next to you and enjoy your soft and gentle pets.
They’re chilled but affectionate version of a feline. And if you’re looking for a kitty you can keep in your lap whole day long, then this breed is the perfect match for you.
Persian cats have a temperament that’s going to amaze you. They don’t meow as much as some other breeds tend to and they lead an easygoing life where nothing seems to be an issue. (Nothing at all, even aggressive puppies and children who don’t know how to be gentle with them).
Other than that, your Persian purrers won’t cause trouble and will enjoy every second of their relaxing life. Just don’t make them go outside and run around the garden and they’ll be happy. These cats are lazy but we love it since their sociable temperament makes up for their “flaws” (if we can even call them that).
Things to know before getting a Doll Face Persian cat
Now you know what a Doll Face Persian kitty looks and acts like, you may assume that you know everything there is to know. But, there’s still so much to learn and we’ll try to make it as easy as possible for you.
1. Health issues
If you know a thing about Persians then you’re already familiar with the fact that this breed is prone to certain diseases. Even though they can live up to 15 or 20 years (which is a lot in the feline world), they’re still not the healthiest breed out there.
Doll Face Persian cats are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, polycystic kidney disease, and congenital portosystemic shunts. We realize that all of these conditions sound serious.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the heart walls. As a result, your cat’s body doesn’t receive enough oxygen which then causes fast heartbeats and changes in heart function.
This disease is so common that 1 out 7 felines suffer from it. Some of the most common symptoms you may spot include heart murmurs, difficulty breathing, unstable pulse, and lethargy. So, if you notice your cat is suffering from any of these, make sure to take her to the vet right away.
Polycystic kidney disease is a condition that’s inheritable. It presents itself in the shape of cysts that form on your cat’s kidneys. Symptoms that follow include excessive urination and drinking, vomiting, weight loss, and blood in the urine.
Unfortunately, there’s no actual cure for this disease but there are certain medications that can keep your cat’s kidneys working properly for as long as possible. That’s why it’s important to take your cat to the vet as soon as you notice something’s off. That way, you increase her chances of proper kidney function.
A congenital portosystemic shunt is an anomaly of the liver that prevents the liver from doing its usual function of detoxification. The most common symptoms include poor appetite, lethargy, disorientation, pacing and circling, seizures, or eventually coma.
Again, it’s important to take your pet to the vet right away if you notice any of these changes.
Now, even though Doll Face Persians can suffer from the aforementioned diseases, their chances of developing respiratory or eye problems are much smaller than with Peke Persians. Due to the normal shape of their face, they’re not prone to infections that affect their eyes or airways.
2. Dietary habits
Doll Face Persian cats aren’t high-maintenance when it comes to food. They don’t require any particular diet. As long as you feed them protein-based meals that are low in carbs, they’ll be good.
It’s important to mention that free-feeding isn’t the best choice for this breed. They’re prone to obesity and diabetes so it’s best to give them two meals a day and keep their diet under control.
Don’t give up even if they end up staring at you with their doll-like face. You know they’re not under-eating and that’s all that matters.
3. Grooming
We’ve already mentioned that Doll Face Persians have long and thick coats. And even though they look adorable because of it, it’s still important to know that this is probably the one and only reason why they’re considered high-maintenance.
Their fur requires a ton of effort since it consists of two layers. This means that you’ll have to brush and comb them every day.
Don’t think that you can cheat and skip a day or two since that attitude will only make it harder for you. Persian cats are prone to hair mats and we all know how uncomfortable they can be for your kitty.
So, if you choose to get yourself a sweet and gentle Doll Face Persian cat, know that you’ll have to groom her fur on a daily basis. You’ll also have to give her regular baths since her hair can get greasy quite fast.
If you don’t have enough time to groom your feline every day then maybe opt for another breed. Persians will require some effort when it comes to taking care of them and there’s nothing you can do about it. There’s no alternative way that will enable you to skip this process.
While on the topic of grooming, you should also trim your cat’s nails regularly. They’re not out in nature so the best way to keep their claws in good shape is to trim them.
4. Exercise and entertainment
Your Doll Face Persian cat won’t require you to take her on walks or to let her roam around the garden. She’s not a huge fan of activities such as chasing or playing with toys. We could even go on and say that these are lazy cats who prefer to relax and cuddle. So, there won’t be much exercise involved.
What you can do is get your feline a scratching post she can use to keep her nails nice and clean. This way, you’ll also save yourself some time since you won’t have to trim her claws as often.
So, what do you think? Is this the right breed for you? Does it match your lifestyle or should you keep looking?