CFA PERSIAN AND HIMALAYAN
SHOW STANDARDS
The Cat Fancier's Association, abbreviated CFA, provides a PDF document for the Persian and Himalayan Breed Standards, which includes the standard for each color class in the Persian and Himalayan Breed.
We, at Victorian Gardens Cattery, use this standard as a judge of type when determining if our kittens are pet quality or show quality. It is also used in determining the color standard for each kitten. We have provided a link for the actual CFA PDF file for your review and have also listed below some of the most common CFA color standards we have at Victorian Gardens Cattery in our kittens. The listing below are direct quotes from the CFA PDF document. We are providing this partial list since our colors coming out of our Cattery are expanding and we are getting some of the more rare colors in kittens. We are only listing the colors that we current have produced or are expecting to produce in the near future.
Persian
POINT SCORE
HEAD (including size and shape of eyes, ...................................... 30
ear shape and set)
BODY TYPE (including shape, size, bone, and ............................ 20
length of tail)
COAT ............................................................................................. 10
BALANCE........................................................................................ 5
REFINEMENT................................................................................. 5
COLOR........................................................................................... 20
EYE COLOR .................................................................................. 10
Balance and refinement are the essence of the breed, where all
parts come together in a harmonious whole, with neither too much
nor too little consideration given to any one feature.
For cats in the tabby division, the 20 points for color are to be divided
10 for markings and 10 for color. For cats in the bi-color division,
the 20 points for color are to be divided 10 for “with white” pattern
and 10 for color.
GENERAL: the ideal Persian should present an impression of a
heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft,
round lines. The large round eyes set wide apart in a large round
head contribute to the overall look and expression. The long thick
coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in
appearance.
HEAD: round and massive, with great breadth of skull. Round face
with round underlying bone structure. Well set on a short, thick neck.
Skull structure to be smooth and round to the touch and not unduly
exaggerated from where the forehead begins at the top of the break
to the back of the head, as well as across the breadth between the
ears. When viewed in profile, the prominence of the eyes is apparent
and the forehead, nose, and chin appear to be in vertical alignment.
NOSE: short, snub, and broad, with “break” centered between the
eyes.
CHEEKS: full. Muzzle not overly pronounced, smoothing nicely into
the cheeks.
JAWS: broad and powerful.
CHIN: full, well-developed, and firmly rounded, reflecting a proper
bite.
EARS: small, round tipped, tilted forward, and not unduly open at
the base. Set far apart, and low on the head, fitting into (without distorting)
the rounded contour of the head.
EYES: brilliant in color, large, round, and full. Set level and far apart,
giving a sweet expression to the face.
BODY: of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the
chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a wellrounded
mid-section and level back. Good muscle tone with no evidence
of obesity. Large or medium in size. Quality the determining
consideration rather than size.
LEGS: short, thick, and strong. Forelegs straight. Hind legs are
straight when viewed from behind.
PAWS: large, round, and firm. Toes carried close, five in front and
four behind.
TAIL: short, but in proportion to body length. Carried without a curve
and at an angle lower than the back.
COAT: long and thick, standing off from the body. Of fine texture,
glossy and full of life. Long all over the body, including the shoulders.
The ruff immense and continuing in a deep frill between the
front legs. Ear and toe tufts long. Brush very full.
TRANSFER TO AOV: colors not accepted for championship status.
DISQUALIFY: locket or button. Kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect
number of toes. Any apparent weakness in the hind quarters. Any
POINT SCORE
HEAD (including size and shape of eyes, ...................................... 30
ear shape and set)
BODY TYPE (including shape, size, bone, and ............................ 20
length of tail)
COAT ............................................................................................. 10
BALANCE........................................................................................ 5
REFINEMENT................................................................................. 5
COLOR........................................................................................... 20
EYE COLOR .................................................................................. 10
Balance and refinement are the essence of the breed, where all
parts come together in a harmonious whole, with neither too much
nor too little consideration given to any one feature.
For cats in the tabby division, the 20 points for color are to be divided
10 for markings and 10 for color. For cats in the bi-color division,
the 20 points for color are to be divided 10 for “with white” pattern
and 10 for color.
GENERAL: the ideal Persian should present an impression of a
heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft,
round lines. The large round eyes set wide apart in a large round
head contribute to the overall look and expression. The long thick
coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in
appearance.
HEAD: round and massive, with great breadth of skull. Round face
with round underlying bone structure. Well set on a short, thick neck.
Skull structure to be smooth and round to the touch and not unduly
exaggerated from where the forehead begins at the top of the break
to the back of the head, as well as across the breadth between the
ears. When viewed in profile, the prominence of the eyes is apparent
and the forehead, nose, and chin appear to be in vertical alignment.
NOSE: short, snub, and broad, with “break” centered between the
eyes.
CHEEKS: full. Muzzle not overly pronounced, smoothing nicely into
the cheeks.
JAWS: broad and powerful.
CHIN: full, well-developed, and firmly rounded, reflecting a proper
bite.
EARS: small, round tipped, tilted forward, and not unduly open at
the base. Set far apart, and low on the head, fitting into (without distorting)
the rounded contour of the head.
EYES: brilliant in color, large, round, and full. Set level and far apart,
giving a sweet expression to the face.
BODY: of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the
chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a wellrounded
mid-section and level back. Good muscle tone with no evidence
of obesity. Large or medium in size. Quality the determining
consideration rather than size.
LEGS: short, thick, and strong. Forelegs straight. Hind legs are
straight when viewed from behind.
PAWS: large, round, and firm. Toes carried close, five in front and
four behind.
TAIL: short, but in proportion to body length. Carried without a curve
and at an angle lower than the back.
COAT: long and thick, standing off from the body. Of fine texture,
glossy and full of life. Long all over the body, including the shoulders.
The ruff immense and continuing in a deep frill between the
front legs. Ear and toe tufts long. Brush very full.
TRANSFER TO AOV: colors not accepted for championship status.
DISQUALIFY: locket or button. Kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect
number of toes. Any apparent weakness in the hind quarters. Any
PERSIAN COLORS
Solid Color Division Colors
BLUE: blue, lighter shade preferred, one level tone from nose to tip of
tail. Sound to the roots. A sound darker shade is more acceptable
than an unsound lighter shade. Nose leather and paw pads: blue.
Eye color: brilliant copper.
BLACK: dense coal black, sound from roots to tip of fur. Free from
any tinge of rust on tips or smoke undercoat. Nose leather: black.
RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red; without shading, markings, or ticking.
Lips and chin the same color as coat. Nose leather and paw
pads: brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper.
CREAM: one level shade of buff cream, without markings. Sound to
the roots. Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads:
pink. Eye color: brilliant copper.
CHOCOLATE: rich, warm chocolate-brown, sound from roots to tip of
fur. Nose leather: brown. Paw pads: cinnamon-pink. Eye color: brilliant
copper.
LILAC: rich, warm lavender with a pinkish tone, sound and even
throughout. Nose leather: lavender. Paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant
copper.
Parti-Color Division Colors
TORTOISESHELL: black with patches of red or softly intermingled
areas of red on both body and extremities. Presence of several
shades of red acceptable. Nose leather and paw pads: black and/or
brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper.
BLUE-CREAM: blue with patches of cream or softly intermingled
areas of cream on both body and extremities. Lighter shades preferred.
Nose leather and paw pads: blue and/or pink. Eye color:
brilliant copper.
CHOCOLATE TORTOISESHELL: rich, warm chocolate brown with
patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and
extremities. Presence of several shades of red acceptable. Nose
leather: brown, brick red and/or pink. Paw pads: brick red, cinnamon
pink and/or pink. Eye Color: brilliant copper.
LILAC-CREAM: rich, warm pinkish toned lavender with patches of
cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both body and extremities.
Nose leather: lavender, lavender pink and/or pink. Paw pads:
lavender pink and/or pink. Eye Color: brilliant copper.
Calico and Bi-Color Division Colors
EYE COLOR: brilliant copper, blue or odd-eyed, with noted exception.
Odd-eyed bi-colors shall have one blue and one copper eye
with equal color depth.
CALICO: a tri-color cat of black, red and white. The red and the black
should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a preferred minimum,
the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle.
Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. As
a preferred minimum, the cat should have a colored tail and one or
more colored patches on the head or body. Less color than this minimum
should be penalized proportionately.
DILUTE CALICO: a tri-color cat of blue, cream and white. The cream
and the blue should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a preferred
minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides,
chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized
proportionately. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have a colored
tail and one or more colored patches on the head or body. Less
color than this minimum should be penalized proportionately.
CHOCOLATE CALICO: a tri-color cat of chocolate, red and white. The
red and the chocolate should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a
preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides,
chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized
proportionately. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have a colored
tail and one or more colored patches on the head or body. Less color
than this minimum should be penalized proportionately.
LILAC CALICO: A tri-color cat of lilac, cream and white. The lilac and
the cream should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a preferred
minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and
muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately.
As a preferred minimum, the cat should have a colored tail
and one or more colored patches on the head or body. Less color
than this minimum should be penalized proportionately.
BI-COLOR: black and white, blue and white, red and white, cream
and white, chocolate and white, or lilac and white. As a preferred minimum,
the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest, and
muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized
proportionately. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have a colored
tail and one or more colored patches on the head or body. Less
color than this minimum should be penalized proportionately.
Himalayan Division Colors
HIMALAYAN (POINT) PATTERN: Body: clear color is preferred with
subtle shading allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color
in older cats but there must be a definite contrast between body
color and point color. The points, consisting of ears, legs, feet, tail,
and mask show the basic color of the cat. The ideal mask extends
from above the eyes down through the chin and stretches beyond
the eyes from side to side.
CHOCOLATE POINT: body ivory. Points milk-chocolate color, warm
in tone. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink. Eye color:
deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
SEAL POINT: body even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading
gradually into lighter color on the stomach and chest. Points deep seal
brown. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep
vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
LILAC POINT: body glacial white. Points frosty grey with pinkish tone.
Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink. Eye color: deep vivid
blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
BLUE POINT: body bluish white, cold in tone. Points blue. Nose
leather and paw pads: slate blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
FLAME (Red) POINT: body creamy white. Points deep orange flame
to deep red. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye
color: deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than
blue.
CREAM POINT: body creamy white. Points buff cream. Nose leather
and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
TORTIE POINT: body creamy white or pale fawn. Points seal with
unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw
pads: seal brown and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
BLUE-CREAM POINT: body bluish white or creamy white. Points
blue with patches of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue
and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye
color other than blue.
CHOCOLATE-TORTIE POINT: body ivory. Points chocolate with
unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw
pads: cinnamon pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
LILAC-CREAM POINT: body glacial white. Points lilac with patches
of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink and/or pink.
Eye color: deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other
HIMALAYAN (POINT) PATTERN: Body: clear color is preferred with
subtle shading allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color
in older cats but there must be a definite contrast between body
color and point color. The points, consisting of ears, legs, feet, tail,
and mask show the basic color of the cat. The ideal mask extends
from above the eyes down through the chin and stretches beyond
the eyes from side to side.
CHOCOLATE POINT: body ivory. Points milk-chocolate color, warm
in tone. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink. Eye color:
deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
SEAL POINT: body even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading
gradually into lighter color on the stomach and chest. Points deep seal
brown. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep
vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
LILAC POINT: body glacial white. Points frosty grey with pinkish tone.
Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink. Eye color: deep vivid
blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
BLUE POINT: body bluish white, cold in tone. Points blue. Nose
leather and paw pads: slate blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
FLAME (Red) POINT: body creamy white. Points deep orange flame
to deep red. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye
color: deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than
blue.
CREAM POINT: body creamy white. Points buff cream. Nose leather
and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
TORTIE POINT: body creamy white or pale fawn. Points seal with
unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw
pads: seal brown and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
BLUE-CREAM POINT: body bluish white or creamy white. Points
blue with patches of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue
and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye
color other than blue.
CHOCOLATE-TORTIE POINT: body ivory. Points chocolate with
unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw
pads: cinnamon pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
Disqualify: white toes, eye color other than blue.
LILAC-CREAM POINT: body glacial white. Points lilac with patches
of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink and/or pink.
Eye color: deep vivid blue. Disqualify: white toes, eye color other
Persian Show Standard (revised 2012)
Persian
© 2012 The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc.
