Peke-Faced Cat

Though considered a breed in its own right, the Peke-Faced is basically a flat-faced Persian. It even sports the same glamorous coat of the Persian. Most of the Peke-Faced cats found today reside in the United States.

Physical Characteristics

This breed has a short yet plump body, with a distinctly round head and short, pointed ears. Its face, which is flat, bears a striking resemblance to the Pekingese dog -- hence its name. This also gives the illusion that its eyes are bulging. The nose, according to the standard, should be “short, depressed, and indented between the eyes.” Also unusual is the lack of muzzle on the Peke-Faced.

Although it has long, silky hair like the Persian, the Peke-Faced cat sports only red and red tabby colors. Its undercoat, meanwhile, is thick and dense.

Personality and Temperament

The Peke-Faced is a docile cat that rarely gets into trouble. It prefers peaceful households over noisy ones, and enjoys lazily wasting the day away relaxing on a sofa or sleeping. However, the Peke-Faced does have a friendly and affectionate nature.

It believes in giving and receiving love, and often becomes attached to one person in the home. This does not mean it will not interact with other people or greet visitors in a friendly manner.

In addition, because of its quiet nature, the Peke-Faced prefers to be the only pet in the household.

Care

Like the Persian, the Peke-Faced needs to be groomed daily to loosen matted hair and remove brambles or grass from its coat. The ears, too, should be inspected regularly.

If it should become dirty, the Peke-Faced cat will not fight a bath -- much. However, properly groom it before bathing. It is also safe to towel- and blow-dry its fur.

Finally, the eyes Peke-Faced may water up and should be wiped daily with a wet cloth.

Health

Due to its facial configuration, the Peke-Faced often suffers from medical issues. Its tear ducts may become blocked (which cause watery eyes) or its small nasal cavities can lead to respiratory problems. It also has a poor bite when its mouth is closed. These problems may worsen as the cat grows older.

History and Background

The history of the Peke-Faced can be traced to the 1930s, when a variant of the ordinary Persian appeared spontaneously in litters of ordinary Reds. They quickly garnered popularity in America and Canada, even winning awards at cat shows.

The Peke-Faced has yet to make a substantial mark in Europe, possibly due to its many abnormalities.