Himalayan Cat

Himalayan is a breed of long-haired felines. It is a very popular and pretty cat. The cat originated in 1930 in United States through breeding of Persian and Siamese cats. The objective was to create a breed with the long hair of the Persian and the points of the Siamese. Indeed it is referred to today in European countries as the Colorpoint Persian.

The Himalayan is light colored at birth. With time markings develop on face, limbs, ears and tail. This is attributed at times to difference in temperature between the trunk and extremities. Accepted colors include blue, brown, chocolate, cream, flame, lilac and red. Fur is long, flowing and often thick. Overall built of the cat is stocky with short limbs and large round paws. Head is round and somewhat big and supported by a short neck. Ears are small, though eyes are big, bright and round, in varying shades of blue.

Owing to their extremely long fur, these Colorpoint Persians are subject to periodic development of matts and hairballs, requiring regular grooming and baths. Their depressed nose obstructs their breathing at times and compresses the tear ducts, leading to permanently watery eyes in some cases. As such, the Himalayans often require their face to be wiped as the coat is brushed daily. Furthermore decades of inbreeding to create the prefect Himalayan has meant that these pretty felines sometimes suffer from genetic defects, resulting in organ failures, in particular Polycystic Kidney Disease.

As regards temperament, the Himalayans are quite peaceful and at times laid back. They are loving and interested in their owners and develop close bonds with them. Social and gentle cats, the Himalayans make adoring companions. Even as their company requires daily grooming and maintenance, pet owners around the world recognize that it is well worth the effort and cherish the company of these lovely cats.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Himalayan cats.

What is a Chocolate Persian Or Himalayan Cat?

Many people are surprised to find out that there is actually a chocolate gene in breeding Persian and Himalayans.  First, it's important to know that all Himalayans are a Persian; just a type of Persian.  The Himalayan has Siamese in it' background and one can tell a Himmy by their dark 'points' and blue eyes.  The points are the ears, head, tail and paws.

Unlike the other genetic colors of black and red and white, in order to have a 'visual' chocolate, both parents have to carry the chocolate gene.  That's what makes a chocolate Persian or Himalayan more rare.

Each color has a dominate and a dilute, or recessive color of the particular gene.  With the black gene, it's blue; with the red gene, it's cream; and with the chocolate gene, it is lilac.

With me so far?  So, a Himalayan (which are always 'pointed') you can have a chocolate pointed Himalayan or a lilac point Himalayan.  You can also have a chocolate cream or a lilac cream Himalayan.  If you see little patches of 'cream' on the nose or paws, you have a color-cream point.  There is also a chocolate tortoishell point.  Only females can be cream or tortie points.

Now, there are many more chocolate possibilities with a Persian.  You can a chocolate tortoiseshell (very rare) or a chocolate tabby (even more rare!)  There are also chocolate and white bi colors,  chocolate calico's, and chocolate smoke Persians.  And then of course, the dilute, lilac is also possible in all these markings.

What is most fun being a breeder of Persians and Himalayans is the surprise each litter brings.  Since all chocolate Persians are CPC (which mean they carry the pointed gene), pairing a chocolate Persian and a pointed Himalayan will always give you a unique litter; of some Persians and some Himalayans.  It's always like Christmas!

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Cat Breeds - Choosing The Best Breed

Which types of cats are right for you and your family? There is a large number of different cat breeds that one can choose from. Many of these breeds can easily adapt to home living, and make excellent pets for you and your children. So how do I find the best breed that is appropriate for me? Here is an excellent list of tips that you can use before making your final decision.

Quiet Or Noisy Cats

Some cat breeds can be very loud and noisy. You will want to consider this when choosing your pet cat. You and your family will need to determine if you can handle a vocal type of cat within your home, or would a quiet cat be more enjoyable. A number of cat owners don't usually have any issues with a more vocal cat, although if you live in an apartment, then you might have to reconsider choosing a loud cat. Some of the more loud or vocal types of cats include: the Korat, Siamese Cats, or the Burmese. If you are in the market for a quiet cat, then the following breeds may be more to your liking: Scottish Fold, Somali, or the American Curl.

Cuddly Or Playful

The next decision that you will want to make is to determine whether you want a cat that is more of an aloof breed or one that is more affectionate and cuddly. Some of the considerations to keep in mind are the amount of free time that you can spare. If you have a lot of available time then a cuddly cat who craves attention may be a great choice. Affectionate cuddly cats are also a great choice for those with children.

Friendliest Cat Breeds:

Maine Coon

Snowshoe

Abyssinian

Ragdoll

Tonkinese

Himalayan Persian

Less Sociable Breeds

Nebelung

Russian Shorthair

Norwegian Forest

If you are looking for a cat breed that will not get into constant mischief, and ones that can amuse themselves, then the following breeds may be a bad choice:

Siamese

Rex

Sphynx

Balinese

British Angora

These cats have a lot of energy and can be very inquisitive. These breeds are an excellent choice for someone who has a lot of free time and is home-bound. They can be a great source of entertainment; in fact the Rex can be enjoyable and silly to watch as he attempts to amuse those around him.

Other Important Features

There are also other important features that you want to look at in addition to the right temperament of the cat. An important feature to consider when choosing the right cat is whether you want a long haired or short haired breed. This is especially important to those owners who do not have a great deal of time to devote to a pet. These owners may want to opt for a short haired breed. The attraction of a fuzzy ball of fluff may look great, but grooming adult long haired cats can be very time consuming. A cat's coat of hair can tangle and matt up right down to its skin at an alarming rate if you do not provide proper grooming. If this should happen, your only choice is to have him completely shaved, which can be very traumatic. Your cat would need to be sedated, and this could pose some potential health risks.

Making The Final Choice

Having looked at the many different cat breeds and their unique features, you are now able to begin selecting your new cat. You should first ask yourself a few questions such as: should I get a baby kitten, or start with a feline that is somewhat older or even one that has been abandoned.

There are many new kittens available at various cat shows, and you might want to check out your local listings. There will more than likely be a number of cat exhibitors who are looking at selling some of their kitten litter. A great place to find an older feline would be at the humane society, or possibly the animal shelter in your town.

Susan Richards is the creater of http://www.onlinecatcare.com You can find a wealth of information pertaining to a variety of cat related items. Read comprehensive articles on a number of cat care needs from cat health to behavior training, cat breeds and more.

Different Type of Guinea Pig Breeds and Colors

Guinea pigs, also known as cavy, are species of rodents originated in Andes, a mountain Range in South America. How it ends up being called a Guinea pig when it's not even a pig nor is it from Guinea, is still a big question.

"Cavies" are docile in nature; they are a social animal and they rarely bite even when they are tense. Their receptiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, makes them a popular pet.

Domesticated cavies come in various breeds, which have been developed since their introduction to Europe and North America. Since their introduction to the United States and Europe, developing new guinea pig breeds gears toward development of attractive and appealing pet.

Here are some common breeds:

The American or formerly known as English cavy is the most popular, they are also the oldest breed of Guinea Pig. The good thing about this Cavy because of its short and glossy coat its low maintenance. It's also easy to handle because of its tame personality.

The Abyssinian cavy has a very distinctive appearance. Its coat is multiple swirls of hair referred to as cow licked rosettes. The ideal Abyssinian has 10 rosettes, one on each shoulder, four across its back, one on each of the animal's hips, and two on the rump.

The Peruvian breed has a smooth and straight coat that grows to several inches in length. These type of guinea pig breeds requires a lot of grooming because of its long hair, which makes it harder to take care of. The Himalayan cavy originates in Southeast Asia and is similar to the Siamese cat in coat. Himalayans' coat darkens depending on the temperature.

A Silkie or Sheltie has a silky and very long coat that smoothly flows back over its body and never forward over the face (as in the Peruvian). Compared to the well-known Peruvian, the Silkie's soft coat fails to part, at least naturally, along the back. The hair continues to grow backwards from the head. The Sheltie is normally expected to have a fairly longer sweep of hair in the back. The Teddy is a short-haired cavy characterized by a short dense coat with bent (kinked) hair streak that makes the coat stand on end, giving a very fuzzy look.

There are also a range of color varieties of cavies, aside from the typical guinea pig breeds. The familiar colors are the following:

Self: This cavy only has one color, so it can be completely black or white or any other color. This is one of the most common colors for cavies. An all-black color guinea pig is called self-black.

Agouti: Alternate dark and light bands of color on each hair; the hair roots color is different from the tip. Usually, this type of color is found in short-coated guinea pigs.

Solid: This is almost like the Agoutis, but its belly is marked as well.

Tortoiseshell: This guinea pig is a mixture of black and red; just like the Dalmatian, it comes with patches.

Brindle: Black series and red series hair colors are evenly mixed throughout their coats.

Albino: This is one of the most common colors for guinea pig. It is white with pink eyes.

Dalmatian: Just like its dog counterpart, this "pig" has a white body with black patches or spots.

Himalayan: The color of the Himalayan's body is white, while brown or black is the color of its nose and feet. The color of the eyes is either black or pink.

If you're interested in owning a cavy as a pet, there are lots of other breeds you can choose from.

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Breeds of Cats

Although there are many breeds of cats, this article briefly discusses the more well known breeds. Each breed has distinct markings and many times is easily recognizable. Cats have been crossbred for many years, but the cats shown below are still bred as a pure breed.

The Russian Blue is a silver-blue coated cat originally from Russia. The outer coat is coarse while the undercoat is soft and downy. The body is lean and elongated and the eyes are usually dark green. The breed is very intelligent and playful but can be timid among strangers. The breed is very loyal to it's owners.

Another breed is the Abyssinian. The breed is believed to have originated from Egypt. This breed is active, colorful and muscular. It is a medium in size with a soft, silky and dense coat. It's eyes are almond shaped and can be gold, hazel, copper or green in color. The breed requires a lot of attention and is timid toward strangers.

Burmese originally came from Thailand. It is medium sized and very muscular. It's eyes are gold or yellow. The Burmase was brown but selective breeding has made it available in many colors. It's coat is short haired with a satin-like finish. A Burmese is intelligent, playful and has an even temperament.

One of the oldest breeds is the Egyptian Mau. The Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted and fastest breed of domestic cat. Although the Mau is smaller than some cats, it's body shape and hind legs give it greater agility and speed. The Mau likes warm temperatures. The Mau is very loyal to it's owner but doesn't take well to strangers.

The Himalayan is a Persian-type cat. It is a long haired cat that requires daily brushing. It's vivid blue eyes and color points are that of a Siamese which distinguish it from the Persian. It's legs are short limiting it's jumping ability. It's temperament is sweet and it makes a good companion. It is intelligent and very active.

One of the larger breed of cats is the Maine Coon. It is native to Maine where it is the state cat. It is a long haired cat that comes in many colors. It's long fur is water resistance and the shape of it's toes allows it to walk on snow. The Maine Coon is one of the larger breed of domestic cats weighing up to 18 pounds. It is intelligent, gentile but cautious with strangers.

The Manx is a tailless cat with a sturdy body despite it's mutated spine. The mutated spine accounts for it being tailless. The Manx originated on the Isle of Man. It has a long, coarse outer coat and thick undercoat. Having longer front legs gives it the appearance of being rounded. The Manx has a sweet disposition and is a strong hunter.

Another long hair cat is the Persian. The Persian has a thick coat, short legs, wide head with large eyes and an an appearance of a "pushed in" face. It requires daily cleaning and brushing to avoid health problems. It has a good temperament and makes a good companion.

The Devon Rex origins date back to 1960 in England. The Devon Rex has a short curly soft coat, large ears, wide head and an upturned nose. It's whiskers are short and curled. It can leap very well due to it's long legs and large toes. It cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. The Devon Rex is intelligent, very friendly and likes high places.

Last but not least is the Siamese. The Siamese cat originated from Siam(Thailand). The Siamese has a slim, long, well muscled body, triangular shaped head, almond shaped eyes and a long, thin neck. It's hair is short, glossy and soft and has a pointed color scheme. The Siamese is the most vocal of all breeds and can jump with ease. The Siamese is intelligent and very social.

Each breed has it's own unique look and behavior. As an owner, you have to decide which features are important to you. Whether you chose a cat like the ones mentioned above, a stray or a cat from an animal shelter, a cat makes a loyal house pet when treated with love and kindness. If you decide on a pure breed cat, make sure the cat conforms to the Cat Fanciers' Association standards for authenticity.

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The Amazing Start of the Himalayan Cat Breed

The Himalayan cat is a charming cat developed by breeders from the crossbreed of a Siamese mantle and Persian frame. The cat has blue eyes same as of the Siamese, arranged in striking color patterns which is consist of body tone that is light with accents of dark colors on the points of the cat just like the face, legs, feet and tail.

Similar to the Persian, Himalayan cats are a well-balanced, heavy boned, medium-to-large with significant deepness across the shoulders and the chest. The Himalayan have broad heads, tiny ears, large rounded eyes, full cheeks and snub nose connive to produce the sweet but great expression which few persons cannot resist. The Himalayan cat's sweet, passive behavior is likewise irresistible.

Nature has already made-up the vital Himalayan elements (the Persian and the Siamese cats) long enough before anyone stumbled to the idea that the foursquare Persian with the blue-eyed Siamese color can create some killer combination. Having the outline of that notion, all breeders have to figure out some ways of overlaying Siamese markings along with the blue eyes on the jammed Persian frame.

Accordingly, crossbreeding a Siamese and a Persian did not produce Himalayan. Instead, it produces non-pointed kittens containing short hair, longer nose, yellowish eyes, daintier scaffolding and bigger ears compared to Persians which were expected to evolve.

However, each one from these first generations has carried the genes meant for the longer hairs, striking colors and the genetic blue eyes. Crossbreeding the two, (Persian and Siamese) hybrid kittens have been produced. An average of one kitten for every 16 kittens acquire the desired outcome of long hair, blue-eyes, and color pointed kittens. Himalayan breed requires several years of back crossing before it can come up solidly.

The blue-eyed cats are thought to be looking just similar to the Persian had made 180 degrees, shifting improvement ever since the time of Debutante along with Princess Himalayan Hope. Those modern Himalayan and color-pointed carrier go to nose to the virtually non-existing of nose with most tremendous Persians being revealed.

Himalayan are now the most well-liked breed in USA. Once the registration records for the Himalayan and their Persian and color-pointed relatives were united, they resulted to an amazing existence in the pedigreed cats' world.

On 1996, the Cat Fancier Association, the biggest pedigreed cat registration on earth had enrolled 68,948 novel cats along with kittens. From that total, there are 62% of Persians, a description including the Himalayan and the color-pointed carriers.

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How to Find the Best Domestic Cat Breed For Your Personality

If you are considering a cat as the family pet you may be wondering which domestic cat breed is best for you. There are so many different types of breeds and the right cat is just waiting to move in. The process is very simple. By asking yourself a few questions about who you are, and knowing a little about various breeds you will be better equipped to make the right decision about which breed to go with.

All people have various personality traits that make them unique, and some people may have a very diverse personality, meaning that they can be very social when the occasion calls for it, yet artistic and quiet at other times. Choose a cat based on your most dominate personality traits.

TYPE A: Funny and Outgoing

People who have a type A personality are very outgoing and cheerful the majority of the time. These people look at the positive side of life. They are innocent and tend to attract the opposite sex. Type A personalities are strong because they always seem to find joy in the simple things that life has to offer.

People, who display these personality trails most of the time, tend to do well with very social energetic vocal cats. Top cat breeds for this personality are: Bengals, Rag dolls, Tonkinese, Manx, Japanese Bobtail, Tabbies, Calicos, Siamese and Abyssinian.

TYPE B: Artistic and Creative

People with type B personalities are very artistic and creative. They love to explore and meet new people, but they also like their quiet time. Crafty people love to work on the next big project and help others by making gifts or serving in some way.

Creative people tend to be more emotional and treasure close relationships, rather than having a lot of friends. Type B personalities do well with social, yet quiet cats. Top cat breeds for this personality are: Bengals, Tiffany, Scottish Fold, Persian, American Curl, Turkish Angora, and the Norwegian Forest Cat.

Type C: Emotional Sensitive and Loving

People with type C personalities are very emotional and sentimental. These people give and receive a lot of respect because of their ethical nature and loving character. They treasure marriage, and avoid arguing at all costs. They try to make amends and keep the peace with everyone they come in contact with. People with these personality traits forgive others quickly.

However, sometimes people who favor these personality traits can be very naïve and other people take advantage of their sweet giving philosophy. These people do very well with loving, affectionate, quiet cats. Top cat breeds for this personality type are: Persian, Turkish Angora, Turkish Van, Angora, Rag Doll, Bengal, Himalayan, and Burmese.

TYPE D: Charming, Successful, Aggressive

People who have this personality type are very aggressive and successful at just about everything they do. However, some of these people will favor the charming ethical side while others will favor the controlling side and step on people in order to get to the top. Type D personalities are not bad, it just depends on how they use their talents. These people tend to be very focused on their outward appearance and sex appeal. They love to have fun and get attention.

Type D personalities do well with beautiful social, unique cats because they love to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Top domestic cat breeds for this personality type are: Bengal, Siamese, Japanese Bobtail, Wild Abyssinian, Ocicat, California Spangled, American Curl, Siamese, Main Coon, Calicos, and Tabbies.

Also remember that even though certain breeds are known for specific personality traits, every cat still has his or her own individual personality. You will still need to spend time with the kitten or cat first to see if you found the right one.

Have fun finding the best domestic cat breed that matches who you are as a person! As a new cat owner, there is still so much more that you need to know. Cats are lovable family pets, but they can be even better additions to the family when they are in top health and when they are properly trained. Get Your Copy of Cat Behavior and Health Secrets Now at: http://www.cats101.info.

Part Siamese - Siamese, But Better?

Variety is the spice of life and there is plenty of variety available when it comes to part Siamese breeds.

The Siamese caused such a stir when it arrived to our UK shores during the late 1800's that it quickly became the must-have designer cat. The Siamese, of course, has some distinctive characteristics: The voice, the coloring and the blue eyes come to mind.

Due to its popularity and its very unusual appearance cat breeders quickly realized that by crossing the Siamese with other breeds some very beautiful and smart cats would be produced. Enter the part-Siamese breeds. Purists might stick with the original Siamese but they would be missing out on some beautiful and loving cats.

So what is out there?

Short-hair part-Siamese cats

Take one Siamese and cross it with a Burmese cat and some nine weeks later you get little Tonkinese. They can be easily confused at first glance with the Siamese but their eyes are much paler and green/blue. They are more chunky than the Siamese and generally have darker coats that become darker still where the Siamese has its points.

Points? the word given to the areas on the Siamese where the color gets darker, on the face, legs and tail. The most fun fact is that a litter will have a mixture of kittens: some look like Burmese, others like Siamese and others like Tonkinese! Take your pick.

Another part-Siamese is the romantically named Snowshoe cat. At first glance it looks like the Siamese except that it has pretty white feet and a white pattern on its face.

The Burmese is a major offshoot from original Siamese breeding and are harder to categorize visually, since you can get cats in a variety of colors, any color you want, in fact, including black.

The Havana Brown cat is - yes, you guessed it - the color of Cuban cigars, but with the build of a Siamese.

The Korat is a special and delicate cat reputed to be good luck and therefore given as a gift in Northeastern Thailand. These cats really have the cute factor.

A spotted cat related to the Siamese? Yes, there is one, but the original Ocicat breeders were hoping for a new point color of Siamese and almost ignored the spotted litters - yet they are extremely popular and loveable nowadays in their own right.

Your last shopping opportunity among the part-Siamese short-hairs is a cat that almost does not have any, a rare cross, the Devon Si-Rex = perfect for the owner who appreciates a different kind of cat.

Medium-hair part-Siamese cats

Birman cats are real glamor pusses and come in all the Siamese color points - but with cute white feet. Their fur looks difficult to maintain however with no matting undercoat it is more a case of a quick brush and go.

Another medium-hair has a contested past but is now accepted for the beautiful hardy cat it is - and comes all the way from Russia. The Neva Masquerade is fluffy with a dense fur coat to survive a Russian winter. This cat has both beauty and the exotic looks.

Long-haired part-Siamese cats

The Ragdoll comes in many different colors but one variety has Siamese color points, the ideal cat for the owner looking for a large and somewhat ostentatious cat. The Ragdoll is no shrinking violet!

Finally, there is a cat that people seem to either love or hate. Well, hate is perhaps too strong a word but if you like the sleek, sophisticated, elegant Siamese, this chunky furry ball of fluff is really not for you. The Himalayan is a real chocolate box cover cat and all that fur will not remain attractive without frequent help from you. If you like the idea of a cat that tends towards the quiet and laid back and you love the hairdressing aspect, then this real Hollywood star is right up your street.

This is just a brief rundown from the world of the part-Siamese but I hope it has encouraged you to explore further.

Are they better than Siamese?

I will let you decide, but they are different. I will leave you with the thought that there is a cat out there that is just perfect for you - you just have to find it.

Anne Sterck, 'The Siamese Cat Lady', has never been without a cat or two or three! She is presently owned by Cumin, the cutest and naughtiest Siamese cat in France.

Obviously she couldn't include as much information on the beautiful part-Siamese world that she would have liked here. You will find much more about these beautiful cats and their characters http://www.loving-siamese-cats.com/part-siamese.html

Shopping for a part-Siamese just got a whole lot easier.