Help! I am going to be the future owner of a Himalayan cat within the next year. I have read several articles/information about the breed however I am confused about the doll face and the flat face characteristics of the breed. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Also, I know that there are potential health concerns in regards to respiratory and tear duct issues. Is either face type less prone to health problems? Thanks so much!
2007-10-15 07:22:57 · 7 answers · asked by aurorasreddawn 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
The more "snout" the kitten has...which means the less "flat" the face is...the less tearing, and respiratory problems there will be. The flatter the face, the more problems you are going to have in those departments.
I have two rescue Himi's and one is VERY flat-faced. He has LOADS of eye issues..tearing, and protruding eyes...and he has a lot of respiratory issues. If he gets a URI, he has major complications. The other has quite a snout and I have had no problems with him in either department.
2007-10-15 07:26:27 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doll Face Himalayan Kittens
2016-11-06 21:34:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 2y Persian (not a pure bred with papers though) with a very flat face. If I could fix her face I would, only because I think it is wrong to breed a cat for looks over stable health. I need to clean her eyes every day and she had an eye infection when I got her. I don't mind the eye cleaning, but if I don't do it she will just have another infection, as she can't keep them clean herself. When she is really running up a storm she snorts a lot and breaths through her mouth to get more breath. Otherwise she is in very good health, but is more prone to infections and breathing problems and if she caught a cold I would worry more then with my other cats. It is luck she has not had more problems then she has I think. I would consider another Persian in the future as I love her temperament, but not one with such a flat face and only from a breeder who cares about health more then ribbons. I am very used to the way mine looks now, but honestly she looked like an alien at first to me. I think cats with noses look better and they have better health. I would defiantly get a doll faced cat and support healthier bred animals. Everything I have read about even the best bred flat faced Persians say they have weepy eyes, and the worst bred can have tear ducts that can't drain at all and trouble breathing through their noses at all.
2007-10-15 14:39:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
IMO I would not "buy" a doll face persian - if you like that type, check the shelters or rescue groups. The breeders of those cats are more/less backyard breeders who breed outside the written standard for the persian. There cats may or may not be tested and they certainly are not shown, so the quality is pet and they charge more for their pets then other ethical breeders do for properly bred persians. Add to your list: Nail clippers (check and clip once a week) Combs - fine-toothed and medium toothed or the Pin brushes - do not use any other brushes. Persians have to be combed every day to look their best. Persians do best if given a bath once a month. Be sure all tangles/knots are out of the coat before you wet them down. They need a more extensive grooming/washing then regular cats - not just a shampoo/rinse thing. From beginning to end it can take a few hours if you do it properly. Some persians like high places so be sure you get a good sturdy treehouse (minimum of 4 feet tall). Some may have breathing problems and many of them have eye/tearing problems that have to be wiped every day or they will stain.
2016-05-22 19:13:06 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not familiar with the term "Doll faced" But as I understand there are two types of himilayans "Traditional" and "extreme"
The extreme are more prone to breathing problems because they have been bread unnaturally flat-nosed. It is a product of extreme breeding and isn't healthy.
The traditional (what I think you're calling doll-faced) is a much healthier kitty and much prettier too IMO..
My mom has two Himmies.. Both traditional face (half-siblings). a male seal point who is Mr. GORGEOUS and a female tortie-point who is the cutest thing in the world..
Himilayans are GREAT cats. I'm jealous! I'd LOVE to have a himmie, but I'm currently at my max quota of 2 cats (small apartment) and they're both rescue cases..
This breeder's website talks the two different types of faces..
WARNING... Clicking on the link below will cause you to see pictures of ADOREABLE himilayan kittens and BEAUTIFUL Himilayan cats. Prepare to surrender your heart LOL...
http://www.yewcats.com/Himalayans.htm
2007-10-15 07:38:32 · answer #5 · answered by Shelly P. Tofu, E.M.T. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i never heard of doll face. all the one's i've seen have a flat face. some more flatter than others. the flatter the face the more thet are prone to respitory and tear duct problems from what iv'e heard from owners/breeders. the only thing i know for sure is that if face too flat, have to wash around eyes frequently to avoid discoloration
2007-10-15 07:27:59 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ cat furrever ♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not familiar with the terms doll face and flat face, but I'm guessing they are versions of the traditional and peke face/extreme Persian. This refers to the shape of the face with the extreme being more pushed in than the traditional. The extreme/peke face are much more likely to have problems than the traditional. Peke face may also actually have problems eating correctly because there muzzles are so pushed in.
2007-10-15 07:45:45 · answer #7 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋