Himalayan or Persian

Just depends on what association you are working with. I belong to CFA and breed to their standards. How did we get there? Well in 1984, the CFA united the Himalayan and the Persian breeds into one, with the Himalayan considered a division rather than a separate breed. Himalayans are shown in the Himalayan color division of the Persian breed, and are called pointed pattern Persians. Persians that carry the Colorpoint gene are called Colorpoint carriers. The reason for this change? By the 1980s, the body, head, and coat types were the same for both breeds. Only the colors and pattern remained of the Siamese ancestors. Also, since the breeders were required to cross their Himalayans to Persians now and then to maintain the body and head type, registration and status problems arose for the hybrid offspring. Previously, the hybrids were not considered true members of either breed. As varieties of the same breed, the hybrids could be registered and shown in whatever color division they qualified.

Association Acceptance

The Himalayan is accepted for championship by the following North American cat associations:

- American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE)
American Cat Association (ACA) as a division of the Persian breed
American Cat Fancier’s Association (ACFA)
Canadian Cat Association (CCA)
Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) as a division of the Persian breed
CFA is the world's largest association
Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF)
National Cat Fanciers’ Association (NCFA)
Traditional Cat Association (TCA) In TICA, for example, Persian, Himalayan, and exotic (shorthaired Persian) hybrids may be registered and shown with the parental breed they resemble. That means if a cross between a Persian and a Himalayan results in offspring that look like Himalayans, they can be registered and shown as Himalayans. If the mating produces offspring that look like Persians, they can be registered and shown as Persians.
The International Cat Association (TICA)
United Feline Organization (UFO)

Because Himalayans are regularly crossed with Persians, most associations have special rules that allow for these Himalayan/Persian hybrids.

Special Notes

Himalayan health concerns are the same as the Persians.