The A-Z of Cats - Pedigrees of the World - The Himalayan

The A-Z of Cats
Pedigrees of the World - The Himalayan

The Himalayan breed was started in 1930 by Dr. Clyde Keller, from The Harvard Medical School, and Virginia Cobb of Newton Cattery. They started out by breeding Siamese cats with Persian cats, trying to develop a long-haired, Persian-bodied cat with the colour-points of the Siamese. They bred and crossbred until "Newton's Debutante" was born. This cat was the first cat recognized as beginning the Himalayan Breed.  The existence of the Himalayan is largely attributed to the British Cat Fancy with the world's first official "Colourpoint Long Hair" being approved by Britain's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1955. An Englishman, Mr Brian Stirling-Webb, had developed the breed at this time.

A Himmy, is a cross between a Persian and a Siamese.  Himmys are strikingly beautiful cats with personalities that reflect the best of the Persian and Siamese. They have beautiful coats like Persians, but come in pointed colours, seal (dark brown) chocolate (milk chocolate), blue (bluish grey) and lilac (pinkish grey).  More exotic colours include red (or flame) cream, tortie, and lynx.  The eyes of the Himalayan should be blue, ranging from light, almost clear blue, to a vivid bright blue.  The fur should be one of two types, either long and flowing, or medium-long and thick. Their beautiful hair can reach five inches in length, and it stands out from their bodies, making them look like balls of fluff.  However, there's a downside to all of this beauty as they require frequent daily grooming. And, even if you do groom a Himmy routinely, it may still become matted and tangled. The Himalayan should have a round, massive head, attached to a thick short neck, with small round-tipped ears and large, round, wide-set eyes. The body should be medium to large, broad across the rump, with short, stubby legs and large round feet.  However, if you are thinking of buying or rescuing a Himalayan, the fact that their eyes and noses need to be wiped daily is something you need to be aware of.  It becomes a part of the routine, just like combing and brushing their fur. It's just part and parcel of the breed.  The kittens come into this world pure white or cream and do not start developing the points for a couple of weeks, and then darken as they mature. While most kittens are ready to leave their mum at twelve weeks, most Himalayans are not fully mature enough to leave mum until they reach sixteen weeks of age. The Himalayan cat requires regular maintenance to keep the beauty of that coat, so consider carefully before making what should be a lifetime commitment to this glorious cat.

In personality, the Himalayan is a friendly, affectionate and mischievous cat. Easy going, gentle and friendly with humans and other pet animals, a Himalayan makes an adaptable pet. They are extremely playful, always in the middle of all their human's activities, and express themselves with a wonderful melodious voice. Their quiet disposition, sweet pansy-faced expression and appealing blue eyes have made the Himalayan one of the most beloved of all pedigree cats. Himalayan owners find the breed irresistible and usually have more than one Himmy in their household.  One simply isn’t enough!  The Himalayan’s personality is what really wins hearts, though! They are similar in temperament to the Persian in some ways. They are full of personality and thrive on attention!  Where the Persian may want to lie on a pillow and nap while you admire him from across the room, the Himalayan definitely wants to be with you! Your Himmy will follow you around the house, “help” you with your chores, lie in your lap if you’re sitting down, sleep on your pillow at night, and will talk to you often. He might even play fetch! They are as healthy as their Persian counterparts with a life span which can easily reach 15 years. Unfortunately, they are prone to genetic deformities and have a greater likelihood of developing joint problems, organ abnormalities, and particularly polycentric kidney disease. 

Famous cats among the breed include Mr. Jinx who was the pet Himalayan cat of Jack Byrnes (Robert de Niro) in the movies Meet the Parents (2000) and Meet the Fockers (2004.)   In the movies Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) and Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996), one of the main characters was a Himalayan cat named Sassy (voiced by Sally Field).