newjerseylooki.blogg.se

Unable to breathe through compressed nostrils, the cats may breathe through the mouth (something cats are normally reluctant to do). The muzzle became grossly distorted and in extreme typed cats, it barely protrudes, there is an indentation above the nose and the mouth does not fully close. European standards have been amended so that the top of the nose leather must not be above the lower rim of the eye, but cats are still seen where the nose is above that level. As a result of open-ended standards, some Persians had the nose flat against the face and almost between the eyes. The Persian standard called for a "high nose leather", leading to cats with the shortest and highest noses being judged the "typiest". A nose of this type creates an impression of grotesqueness which is not really attractive, and there is always a danger of running eyes" A cat with running eyes will never look at its best because in time the fur on each side of the nose becomes stained, and thus detracts from the general appearance." Soderberg mentioned the extreme typing in another section: "The nose should be short, but perhaps a plea may be made here that the nose is better if it is not too short and at the same time uptilted. There are certainly disadvantages when the face has become too short, for this exaggeration of type is inclined to produce a deformity of the tear ducts, and running eyes may be the result.

This is a type of face which is definitely recognized in the United States, and helps to form a special group within the show classification for the breed. In 1958, breeder and author PM Soderberg wrote in "Pedigree Cats, Their Varieties, breeding and Exhibition" "Perhaps in recent times there has been a tendency to over-accentuate this type of short face, with the result that a few of the cats seen at shows have faces which present a peke-like appearance. Over the years this was taken to greater extremes, partly because breed standards didn't tell breeders where to stop. It resulted from crossing imported Angoras with British longhairs and selecting for cats with long, dense coats, cobby build and short muzzles. The Persian is one of the oldest cat fancy breeds, dating back to the late 19th century.

Syringomyelia - a spinal abnormality flow of cerebrospinal fluid is obstructed Sleep apnoea - unable to draw breath when asleep Stridulous breathing - noisy breathing associated with partial obstruction of the larynx or windpipe (snoring) Stenotic nares - constriction of the nostrils Nasolacrimal - relating to the nose and tear-producing apparatusĮxposure keratitis - drying and inflammation of the eye surface because the eyelids cannot cover it fully.Ĭorneal sequestra - dark patches of dead tissue on the cornea The following terms are used in this article and in quoted material.īrachycephaly - having a disproportionately short head (flat faced)īrachygnathia - having a disproportionately short jaw This article looks at veterinary research into the effects of the flattened face as well as legislative measures that might come into play if cat fanciers continue to value extreme conformation over feline health and if registries do not rein in these excesses. Health problems have been downplayed by breeders and registries as alarmist or overstated, but there is a growing body of veterinary evidence showing the problems associated with the facial anatomy of modern Persians/Exotics. Reports on the problems associated with short muzzles have often been dismissed by fanciers as rants from people who don't appreciate the aesthetics of the modern breeds. Modern extreme-typing (ultra-typing) has led to Persians approaching the level of deformity and handicap founded in the Peke-Faced Persian. In the most extreme case, that of the Peke-Faced Persian, the high palate meant many kittens were unable to suckle effectively and had to be hand-reared. There is even biscuit food aimed at Persians where the pieces are designed to be scooped up with the tongue (anyone doubting this problem should try to eat cat-style, after all Persian/Exotic faces are becoming almost as flat as ours). Owners have noticed that these cats tend to eat by flinging food upwards to catch it in the mouth. Cats are instinctively fastidious animals and the inability to groom properly and the constant tears must frustrate them. Roger Tabor noted, in "The Rise of the Cat", that exhibitors had to continually wipe the dribbling eyes of Persian cats. Owners of Persians and Exotic Shorthairs are advised by cat care books that these breeds may have problems grooming, have dribbling eyes and overcrowded teeth. THE ETHICS OF BREEDING FOR DEFORMITY: EXTREME BRACHYCEPHALY