Imperial Grand Premier Morninglory Zeus
owners: Chris & Arthur Peers
photo by Alan Robinson

The Orange (or Copper-eyed White) has for sometime been more prominent in general popularity
and numbers on the show bench than the Blue or Odd-eyed varieties. This may be because
the Blue and Odd-eyed Whites are somewhat more difficult to breed in that
there is no way of guaranteeing a Blue or Odd-eyed kitten in a litter
although they seem more common in some lines that others.

The GCCF standard for Whites as with all Self cats is covered under the  Self Longhair Standard of Points  which requires the cat to be a solid cobby (square in body appearance when viewed from the side), with a long flowing coat. The head should broad with rounded contours, a short broad nose and full cheeks. The lovely expressive eyes should be full, rounded and copper coloured. (See more information on conformation - the Cream Persian - the Bluecream Persian)

The breed standard is also subject to the List of Defects which forms the preface of the GCCF Standard of Points for all breeds. The listed defects are considered to be undesireable features and withholding faults which for Persians includes depressions or protrusions of the skull, entropian, reduced nostril size, extremes of type which result in deep nose breaks or abnormally high noses, i. e. "upper edge of the nose leather above lower edge of the eye" (GCCF Standard of Points) and mouth faults such as twisted, undershot or overshot jaws and improper angulation of canine teeth.

The genetics of the White Persian:
The existence of a solid white coat or areas of white in a cat can be the result of different genetic factors. Firstly there is the albino gene, as distinct from the gene which produces a white cat. This albino gene is highly undesirable and recessive, i.e. it can be carried without being displayed and can crop up when two cats carrying this gene are mated together. Another highly undesirable gene is the recessive white spotting gene, as distinct from the gene responsible for Bi and Tri colours. This is the gene often responsible for white lockets and areas of white usually on the tummy of a coloured cat. Early breeders worked very hard to try to eliminate this fault, although there is some evidence that it has not completely disappeared. A third and more common gene is the white spotting gene responsible for the areas of white in a Bi or Tri colour. This is not a recessive gene, in that it must be evident in one parent to produce a Bi or Tri coloured kitten. This gene is a cumulative gene which, very simply put, means that the areas of white can be increased or decreased by the effect of the gene. It is therefore not advisable to mate cats with the dominant white spotting gene to White cats as this may have a detrimental effect on the coat pattern of the coloured kittens.

The dominant White gene which is responsible for the White Persian is a ' masking gene' which means two things: one of the parents must be white to breed a white kitten and the White Persian is like a coloured cat wearing a white coat: there is another colour 'underneath' and this will be evident in the colour of the kittens produced when the cat breeds. This is why two White cats can produce a coloured kitten. While this can make breeding Whites interesting it may produce some problems with other colours in that if you are breeding for pale Creams, you may have no idea whether the 'colour underneath the white coat' is pale or hot, clear or shady. On rare occasions a mating between two White cats will produce a cate that is homozygous for White which in practical terms means that the cat will produce only White kittens whatever colour it is mated to; only a number of test matings will confirm this.

Breeding Whites is always interesting and there is the element of mystery waiting for their eye colour to show. By about 6 weeks it is usually possible to tell if there is a Blue or Odd-eyed White kitten in the litter. Where the kittens are to be Orange-eyed, the eyes will begin to show a muddying of the colour, often with orange flecks coming through. This will also be evident in the orange eye of an Odd-eyed White kitten. The eyes of a Blue-eyed White kitten will however appear to be a clearer, brighter blue, or all too often a paler blue.

It is not uncommon for White kittens to be born with smudges of colour on their head. This smudge usually indicates the colour 'masked' by the white coat. It does not however guarantee, as once believed, that the cat has perfect hearing - neither does the absence indicate that the kitten is deaf..

Champion Morninglory Orion ofAlaska
4 CCs - Grand and BOB GCCF Suprepme Show 2004
Owner: Caroline Roberts (Alaskan Persians)

The Blue-eyed White has long been admired for its beauty and is probably the original pedigree White Persian. There was a Blue eyed White exhibit at the first ever UK Cat show in 1871, organised by Harrison Weir, commonly known as the 'Father of the Cat Cancy'.

Like all Persians, Whites need special attention in terms of grooming, however, they also need extra care to prevent their faces and coats becoming stained. In what appears to be a contradition, moisture is most likely to cause staining or even make it worse ( a good bath however will make a White sparkle). The best preventative for staining on the coat is a light dusting of baby powder to dry and protect the area. Even fairly severe problems of dirty bottoms can be dealt with with baby powder, patience and careful brushing when the area has dried. The use of wet cotton wool around the eyes and face is more likely to increase staining rather than remove it. The most effective approach is often to wipe the area under the eyes with dry cotton wool and then, if necessary to remove heavy matter, cotton wool slightly dampened with one of the preparations made specifically for the purpose or some lightly salted water which has been boiled and then left to cool. It is however important to finish off by carefully drying the area and if neccessary putting a bit of powder under the eye to keep it dry, taking great care not to get any into the eye.