I have decided that I am going to add a Persian and a Himalayan cat into my life. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The biggest task ahead of me is finding breeders in my area. I live in Michigan. Anyone know of a good breeder around there? I am looking for silver shaded or white only. I decided I want females only. I have a VERY easy going domestic short hair female that was raised with other cats in her former home but is currently an only cat. I also have a very spoiled toy dog that thinks she owns the house and me. I am very concerned about the cats health. So it goes without question that I would only consider a breeder that does genetic health testing on their cats for several generations.

My cat and dog both take multivitamins. The dog takes a joint supplement as she has grade 2 luxuriating patellas. My cat takes a salmon oil supplement for overall good health. Both of them get a dental cleaning agent added to their water. My cat eats a soy/grain free organic diet with raw fish added on occasion. The dog eats a soy/grain free diet with raw meat added on occasion. You could really say I'm a "tad bit" over zealous when it comes to my animal's health.

Welcome to the persian world! Such a wonderful breed

There are a few very wonderful persian breeders on here, perhaps they will give you a better personal recommendations than I can for breeders in Michigan. Through research of my own, I remember Chelcecats cattery. I have never spoken with them, nor met them, so it would be up to you to do further research, but they do specialize in Silvers, and are in Michigan.

Best of Luck in your search! The perfect kitten will come into your life when the time is right.

My advice would be to care less about color than health and "type".

Silvers are generally easier to keep clean than whites, mostly because Silver breeders often select for a nose that's a little lower on the face which allows for better internal tear drainage. But I suspect the difference between Silver heads and the heads of cats being bred in other colors is rapidly disappearing.

Whites are very hard to keep clean.
Persians are high maintenance cats that are great for people who obsessively love to groom.
Whites take more even more work than most of the other colors.

BTW: When you say HImalayan what color are you referring to? Himalayans are colorpoint Persians and are neither White nor Silver, although both of those colors could certainly carry the colorpoint gene.

Luckily Persians are so popular you can find reasonably priced kittens everywhere and many, many breeders are loving, caring people who work hard to produce healthy cats despite the limitations that come with the flat face and ultra coat. If you spend anytime looking around it'll be easy to tell the difference between intelligent, thoughtful breeders and those who are "limited" in mind and in breeding goals.

Finally: ASK how long on average a breeders cats lived. Specifically say, "I don't mean how long can I expect a kitten to live, I want to know how old all of your deceased cats were when they passed."

You will be SHOCKED to find many breeders whose cats die before 12 although they will NEVER volunteer that info- or make believe all Persians die young. Having most of my cats live until late teens to twenty, I found it a bit hard to find a kitten from long lived lines.

Good Luck!

I mean that I'm looking for a Himalayan AND a silver or white. 2 separate cats. I know Himalayan's are a separate breed, even if only marginally. I'm decided about what type color Himalayan

Actually, the Himalayan IS a Persian and has been since 1984. They are simply one of the 7 color divisions of the Persian breed in the CFA.

Bi-Color
Himalayan
Parti-Color
Shaded/Smoke
Silver/Golden
Solid
Tabby

Good luck with your new addition. You will love your kitty, Persians
are wonderful companions and a great addition to any household.

Research is key to finding a healthy kitty.

Mary

Silver breeders do not select for a lower nose. While it is true that the traditional silvers (color bred) are not as extreme as other color classes we are held to the same breed standard as any other Persian. An extreme look is possible without eye drainage if the naso-lacrimal duct is large enough from what I have read. Himalayans are considered a color class of Persians as has been stated in the CFA, but in other organizations such as CCF they are an entirely different breed.

Thank you for clearing that up Lynda!

I should also state that I'm willing to ship a cat from out of state if I find the right breeder/cat.

thanks lynda

Last time I purchased a silver was in 1983 - at that time silver breeders did intentionally want a less extreme look. I did believe and noted that breeders no longer want a more "ethereal" look and go for the same extreme look....as you kindly assert.

Tear ducts aside, most extreme faces DO tear more on the outside of the face than other cats....in normal faced breeds and random breds -tear staining is much, much, much less common than in Persians- that's a simple fact that can not be denied

Thanks!