the himalayan, reviewed

that is my verdict. now see if you can even recognise this breed →

The Himalayan is what you get when you cross the enormous flowing coat of a Persian with the pointed colouring and blue eyes of a Siamese. It is a calm, sweet, spectacularly fluffy lap cat, and it scores near the very top of my card for coat, and it loafs like few others. It also carries the full Persian grooming burden, and I will be honest about that. Here is the review.

what is a himalayan

The Himalayan was created by crossing Persians with Siamese to combine the Persian's body and coat with the Siamese pointed pattern. Some registries treat it as its own breed and others as a colour variety of the Persian, but either way it looks like a Persian wearing Siamese markings. The name comes from the pointed pattern, which is also seen in Himalayan rabbits, and has nothing to do with the mountains.

the look

This is one of the most striking of all the fluffy breeds. It has the Persian's thickset, rounded body and enormous long coat, so it scores a ninety-six for fluff, combined with a pale cream or white body and darker points on the face, ears, legs, and tail, and it gazes out through vivid blue eyes. Most Himalayans have the same flat, snub-nosed Persian face, though some breeders produce a more moderate muzzle. The overall effect is a soft, luxurious, jewel-eyed cushion of a cat.

temperament: the serene cushion

Like the Persian, the Himalayan is calm, gentle, and sweet-natured. It is a placid, affectionate lap cat that enjoys quiet company, gentle attention, and long, dignified naps, and it is generally undemanding and low-energy. It has a touch more playfulness than a pure Persian, a small inheritance from the Siamese side, but it is nowhere near a busy or boisterous cat, which is why the gremlin score is low, and it loafs magnificently. This is a cat for a peaceful home, not a lively one.

care and health, the honest part

Here is the commitment, and it is a serious one. That magnificent coat mats readily and needs thorough daily brushing to stay healthy, along with routine bathing and eye cleaning. Skip the grooming and it quickly becomes a matted, miserable mess. On health, the Himalayan inherits the Persian's concerns, and the flat-faced individuals in particular can suffer breathing difficulties, tear-duct and eye problems, and dental issues, while the breed also carries a risk of an inherited kidney disease that responsible breeders screen for. Choosing a breeder who prioritises a more moderate face and health testing genuinely matters. As always, buy responsibly or adopt and keep up with veterinary care.

is a himalayan right for you

If you want a serene, affectionate, breathtakingly fluffy lap cat and you are genuinely willing to groom it every single day and manage the potential health costs, the Himalayan is a lovely companion for a calm home. If you cannot commit to daily grooming, or want a lively, low-maintenance cat, this is the wrong breed, and an unkempt Himalayan is a suffering one.

the chairman's verdict

Eighty-five. The Himalayan is a gorgeous, gentle, superbly loaf-shaped cat that scores near the top for coat and calm, held back only by the demanding grooming and the health concerns of its flat-faced heritage. Beautiful and sweet, for an owner who will do the work. High marks, with the brush firmly in mind.

Related reading from my desk: the Persian and Siamese profiles it descends from, and the fluffiest cat breeds.

Scores are the Chairman's opinion, offered in good fun. Flat-faced breeds can have real health issues, so choose a breeder who prioritises health and a moderate face, and speak to your vet. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.