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By Janice Reichle, Diadem Silvers (2001)
The Silver Persian has long been referred to as the "Rolls Royce" of the cat world. The look is timeless
and elegant, and they have always been described as regal and exquisite in appearance. It is a "breed" of
classic, incredible beauty, considered by many to be the most beautiful Persian color, if not "the fairest of
them all." Along with the elegant Golden Persian, they have always been a challenge to breed, and silver
and golden breeders are a dedicated and determined group. Most have found it more productive to
specialize: almost without exception, the top winners of each era have come from catteries that have bred
only these colors. Breeding silvers and goldens in addition to another color or breed means keeping two or
more sets of cats.
The History
The earliest documentation of silvers shows "Chinnie," born in 1882 in England. While no pictures of her
have been found, there was one of her famous grandson, "Silver Lambkin." Some of the pedigrees of our
present day silvers have been traced back to Lambkin. There was little record keeping in the early days,
but as time went on people paid more attention to documenting their breeding. These records showed that
other colors, often blues and tabbies, were used in the breeding of silvers. Silvers also appeared in the
pedigrees of Persians of other colors. There is no record to show when silvers were accepted by the Cat
Fanciers Association, so it is reasonable to assume they were among the original colors bred when this
association was organized in 1906. Silvers had been imported into the United States from England before
that date. (Above right, photo by Chanan)
The Golden Persian does not have as long a history in CFA as does the Silver Persian. The golden color is
recessive to silver, and for many years before this color was accepted, "odd colored" kittens occasionally
popped up in "colorbred" silver litters (see Breeding for Goldens). Most often these kittens, then referred
to as "brownies," were placed as pets. By the 1960s a few interested breeders were working with them.
The beauty of their golden coats with the contrast of their vivid green or blue-green eyes attracted more
and more dedicated breeders, and gradually they grew in popularity until they were finally accepted by
CFA in 1976.
The Division
Silver, golden, smoke, and cameo Persians have been subject to more division changes than any other
color. The Shaded Division consisted of chinchilla silvers, shaded silvers, and smokes until 1961; at this
time, cameos were accepted and added to the division. In 1965, the smokes were taken out of the Shaded
Division and given their own division: the Smoke Division. The next change came in 1976 when chinchilla
goldens and shaded goldens were accepted by CFA and added to the Shaded Division.
Shaded tortoiseshells were accepted and were also added to the Shaded Division. Silver and golden
breeders felt that shaded torties did not belong in their division, but rather belonged in the Parti-Color
Division with other tortoiseshells. Many also felt that perhaps there should be a Green-Eyed Division, as
neither the cameos nor shaded torties rightfully belonged in the same division as silvers and goldens.
Although this was not accepted at the time, starting with the 1995-96 season the cameos and shaded
torties were placed in the Smoke Division and the name of that division was changed to the Shaded and
Smoke Division. Silvers and goldens were then alone in a division called the Silver and Golden Division
(not the Green-eyed Division).
The Color
Early Persians of all colors bore little resemblance to today's Persians. It was some time before the
concept of "color breeding" came into being. With selective breeding, silver breeders had nearly
eliminated tabby markings and leg bars by the mid-20th Century, therefore color breeding became a must.
Silver breeders were criticized if their cats were not colorbred; however, there was no agreement on how
many generations were required for a silver to be considered a "colorbred" cat. (Photo by KKats)
Color breeding was a necessity for many years in order to maintain the beautiful trademark coloring of the
silver Persian. The gene pool was small, and certain physical characteristics appeared to be associated
with the silver color: the cats produced were generally lighter in bone and eventually, smaller in size.
Additional colors and patterns of the other Persians were developed over the years resulting in a larger
gene pool, while the gene pool of the silvers remained the same.
This led to an interest on the part of some breeders to include other colors in their breeding programs.
One of the earliest pioneers in this type of outcrossing was Fannie Mood of Delphi Cattery, who was also
a former CFA registrar. At the time she did this breeding, she lived in California, a stronghold of color
breeding, and she was greatly criticized for breeding to a blue Persian.
The introduction of solids into a golden program to improve type and bone causes the same problems that
it does in a silver program, if not more of them. It muddies the coat color and spoils the eye color; it also
causes more tabby markings in a color that has not yet eliminated these markings. Silvers, having been
bred in the United States for a century, have had a long head start on goldens, whose breeding history
here is less than half of that time. Silvers were being bred before 1900, but goldens were not seriously
bred until the 1960s. What was once written about silvers is now also true for goldens: "You've come a
long way, baby!"
While breeders concentrated on and selected for type, less attention was paid to color. In no other Persian
is color as important as in the shaded or "tipped" cats. Though the pale blue color of years ago has all but
disappeared from the blue Persian, some things remain the same. A smoke is not a smoke without its
dramatic color-on-top and white-underneath coat; and silvers and goldens must have the proper tipping in
addition to black mascara and margins with the appropriate and distinctive nose and eye color. At one time
there was a significant difference between chinchilla silvers and shaded silvers. Today, some of our silvers
are referred to as "neither/nors" because they are neither chinchilla silvers nor shaded silvers. While
many more silvers are registered as shaded than as chinchilla, we seldom see a true shaded silver with
sufficient tipping to give it its lovely dark mantle. It was easier to breed a cat with less tipping than to
breed a cat with not only enough tipping, but also even shading. It has come to the point that if a silver is
not snow white, or if it has a bit too much shading on the body, it is registered as a shaded silver, even
though it does not have enough tipping to be truly shaded.
Almost 50 years ago Jeanne Ramsdale of Dearheart Cattery was quoted as saying that one should be able
to tell the difference between a chinchilla silver and a shaded silver "from across the room." Whether or
not she actually said that, it was an accurate description; and until recently this was the case.
Some years ago breeders were asked whether they wished to accept blue (dilute) silvers. The rationale
was that since breeders were outcrossing to solids, these and other colors were occasionally showing up in
some litters. The question was raised four times over a period of years, and each time it was voted down.
Clearly the majority of breeders has not wanted them accepted. The last three times breeders were also
asked whether or not to accept blue goldens, and this was also voted down. Golden breeders have many
different shades of golden with which to deal, and apparently did not want to add to their color problems.
We need to improve the colors we already have before accepting a variation of these colors. Silvers are
tipped with black, and often there are problems distinguishing between chinchillas and shadeds; goldens
have had these in addition to other color problems. Many cats, both silvers and goldens, have less than
desirable nose color, mascara and margins. Have you ever seen a judge rub a finger over the dense black
mascara on the nose? The really good color has not been seen consistently, so the judge may question
whether it is real! One may choose to use other colors in a breeding program, but perhaps we should show
only those colors meeting the current standards, rather than continue to create new classes to fit the odd
color we may encounter.
It has been suggested that there should be one silver class and one golden class. The chinchillas and
shadeds would be judged together as two separate colors but in the same class, with one class for silvers,
another class for goldens. Opponents feel this would be the end of the beautiful shaded silvers. Chinchilla
silver lovers should also be concerned, because it might also represent the end of the pale chinchilla.
While some color standards read "lighter shades to be preferred," we would probably end up with only
neither/nors. It has always been accepted: "silvers with enough black tipping to give them that
shimmering, silvery look ¯ vibrant green or blue-green eye color, and eyes outlined with black as if made
up with mascara and with nose margin and lip liner to match." Black, not blue tippingÅ .
The eye color in silvers and goldens has always been considered very important, which is why the standard
is specific. It clearly states: "Eye color: green or blue-green. Disqualify for incorrect eye color, incorrect
eye color being copper, yellow, gold, amber or any color other than green or blue-green." All silver and
golden breeders want this eye color in their cats. This may be difficult to attain, but it does not change the
fact that this is the standard, although some are willing to accept less. A silver or golden with incorrect eye
color may be valuable in a breeding program, but it does not belong in the show ring.
Some breeders and judges say that they began by breeding silvers and gave up because they are too
difficult. Goldens are even more difficult to breed to the standard than the silvers. With some exceptions,
they are years behind silvers in type, which may be attributed to the small number of breeders working
with them until recent years. While silvers have variations in the amount of tipping, they do have a white
undercoat with black tipping ¯ one shade of white and one shade of black, to simplify the description. The
goldens are quite different. The golden standard calls for the undercoat to be cream, and the tipping black.
While a cream cat with black tipping and green eyes would be beautiful, that is not a true golden. It would
be more accurate to say, quoting Judith Legg, that "the undercoat is usually cream colored and sometimes
it¹s gray with seasonal variations. The Œovercoat¹ of guard hair is ticked. Each hair shaft is banded
with yellow, rust and dark brown or black. Goldens, including chinchillas, have tabby M¹s on their
foreheads, and dark spines and dark tail tips." This probably explains why there have been many
variations of the golden color. The color has ranged from pale amber to bright red-gold to the less
desirable brownish-gold. Early golden breeders had tried for so long to have goldens accepted that they
did not want to quibble over this color description; however, this was not what had been submitted as their
standard. (Photo by Carl Widmer)
Rarely do two goldens have the same shade, even from the same litter, and the coat color can change until
the cat is five years of age or even older. Some goldens are born with wonderful, rich color; some take two
to three years to develop. The color of the undercoat can change with the seasons of the year, even
achieving a gray, muddy color at certain times of the year. For years, further frustration came from the
fact that if a golden had good color, it lacked type and was not showable; if it had type, the color was poor,
so it also was deemed not showable. While some judges have bred silvers and appreciate the difficulties,
no judge has bred goldens, so they have not experienced all the variations and changes in color. Nearly all
golden breeders feel that if a silver and golden of comparable type are in competition, the silver is more
likely to be chosen. There are so few goldens shown, usually only one golden in the ring, that judges have
rare opportunities to compare their color.
Many goldens have been incorrectly registered and shown in the wrong color class. An apricot golden has
been shown as a chinchilla golden simply because of its light color, not because of the appropriate amount
of tipping. A darker golden color was more apt to be shown as a shaded golden simply because it was dark,
with less attention given to the amount of tipping. Whether golden or silver ¯ color class has been
defined by the amount of tipping, not the color of the undercoat.
The Look
The 1950s, '60s, and '70s produced many beautiful and very competitive silvers, no different from Persians
of other colors in type. Judging by the CFA Yearbooks, it was by the late 1970s that blacks had developed
a different "look" and shorter noses than some other colors; however, the silvers were as good or better
than the whites shown at the time. Silver breeders were breeding selectively to improve and set type.
When compared to some of the other colors, silvers improved more quickly in doming, tophead, and ear
size. Unfortunately, this selective breeding further limited the already small gene pool.
From time to time, some breeders talked about the possibility of a "different" standard for Silver and
Golden Persians; however, most feel that good silvers and goldens meet the standard as it is written. It
has not been the standard or the cat at fault, but more likely the way the standard has been interpreted
over the years. Sometimes we hear a cat praised for having "no nose." The standard calls for "a short
nose"; how short is not defined, but it does not say "no nose!" It describes a "break," but does not
specify how deep the break should be. What is far more specific in the standard is the location of the
break, described as "centered between the eyes." Until the standard becomes more specific, silvers and
goldens should not be penalized for not having noses as short, nor breaks as deep, as some Persians of
other colors. During a discussion while judging silvers, one judge stated his opinion that silvers (and
goldens) should have a nose "as broad as it is long." This meets the description in the standard for a
"broad" nose, as well as contributing to the overall balance of the cat. While silvers and goldens may not
have noses as short as some Persians of other colors, they have met the criteria of "as short as it is
broad," and they are more likely to excel in round doming and small, well-set ears. Their skulls have been
smooth and round, without the ridges and flatness often found in Persians of other colors. (Above left,
photo by Chanan)
Silvers and goldens may never look exactly like other Persians. Breeders have used careful selection to
improve boning and head type, but the "extreme" genes might not be there. Occasionally a kitten has
been born with the "extreme" type similar to that of a solid Persian, but these cats have not consistently
reproduced that look. Outcrossing to solids has resulted in some unusual colors, and by the time coat and
eye color have been regained, type has usually reverted to what has been known and admired as "the
silver look." Perhaps, as in the Peke-face Red Tabby standard which has an "allowance" for a difference
in type, an allowance could be included in the Silver/Golden standard so that these beautiful cats do not
lose their unique look.
Many have used or are using other colors in their breeding programs, but should resist showing a silver or
golden with gold eyes even if they are very typy. Would a gold-eyed Himalayan or a green-eyed white be
acceptable? Certainly notÅ . Breeders ask for the cooperation of judges to help improve our silvers and
goldens. Our cats need to be judged by the standard as it is written and not as it is interpreted by a few.
We have worked very hard to meet the standard in every way, and we stand behind the judges when they
withhold for poor type and incorrect eye color, as they have done for poor condition or tail faults.
Constructive criticism will always be welcomed!
Differences Beyond Color
The time has passed when silvers were hard to handle. I have been exhibiting long enough to remember
when almost every breed had a "personality" problem. In each decade, you knew without asking when you
heard a cat "blow" in the show hall, just what breed it was. Breeders have worked hard to eliminate
behavior problems in almost every breed, including Persians. I remember one judge describing a big silver
class in one section of the country. He said of the silvers he judged there, "The silvers were all gorgeous
¯ too bad you can¹t put your hands on them!" That was a long time ago; silvers no longer have that
reputation, and the problem was pretty much eliminated before goldens appeared upon the scene. They
are, however, very different in personality from Persians of other colors. They are far more active: ask
anyone who has bred and owned enough different colors to compare. (Photo by Mark McCullough)
Silvers generally have lower birth weights and leave the nest box quite early. Although they mature
sexually at an early age, they do not look their best until they are three to five years old. Some silvers and
goldens are smaller in size and lighter in bone when compared with the other Persians. The phrase
"medium to large" in the standard has not been defined, and size is relative. The standard also says
"Quality the determining consideration rather than size."
Silvers and goldens are outgoing cats with unique personalities; they are intelligent, affectionate and
people-oriented lap cats. While they are wonderfully decorative Persians, they are not "couch potatoes,"
as Persians have often been described. You will seldom find these colors dozing on grooming tables in a
show hall, as you often see other Persians. They are sensitive, so they need to be socialized from an early
age, and they do not take well to isolation and confinement. Many have profuse coats, and some have the
difficult-to-groom "cotton candy" coat, but all seem to have fine textured hair that breaks easily. They
may have more sensitive skin. All of this means that grooming had best be started early and done gently
to prepare them for the care required to keep the long, flowing coat at its breathtaking best.
The Unique Silver and Golden
Silver and golden breeders have worked very hard to meet the challenge of "type" to produce beautiful,
well-balanced Persians. Their successes are obvious, as shown in the accompanying pictures. There are
variations of "the look" throughout history, but we hope the unique look of silvers and goldens will always
be there. When one thinks of silvers and goldens, one pictures a cat with a wide-open, sweet expression
with large, round eyes of a luminous green or blue-green. The ears are small with the wonderful round
doming that seems to be a silver and golden trademark. The nose is short and broad, and this lovely round
head, framed by full ruff, is attached to a short, cobby body with a long, flowing coat. It is perfection that
we strive for ¯ but let us not lose the unique look! (Photo by Chanan)
There are many articles available that show the development and changes of silvers and goldens since
1900 (See CFA Yearbook articles), but our attention here has been directed to those of recent years. For
more reading about Silver and Golden Persians, as well as Silver and Golden Exotics, see the United
Silver Fanciers Quarterly publication, which reprints many of the listed articles and some otherwise
unavailable articles.
Copyright © 2000-2005 SGE News Photo Gallery. All rights reserved. Founded by Pamela R. Martin/Castle
Paws, this website is hosted and maintained by Stephanie Ujhelyi/Purrshinka Persians and Persian Cats Online
Services. Downloading, copying and printing of this article is permissible for private use only. It is strictly forbidden to
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The Silver Persian has long been referred to as the "Rolls Royce" of the cat world. The look is timeless
and elegant, and they have always been described as regal and exquisite in appearance. It is a "breed" of
classic, incredible beauty, considered by many to be the most beautiful Persian color, if not "the fairest of
them all." Along with the elegant Golden Persian, they have always been a challenge to breed, and silver
and golden breeders are a dedicated and determined group. Most have found it more productive to
specialize: almost without exception, the top winners of each era have come from catteries that have bred
only these colors. Breeding silvers and goldens in addition to another color or breed means keeping two or
more sets of cats.
The History
The earliest documentation of silvers shows "Chinnie," born in 1882 in England. While no pictures of her
have been found, there was one of her famous grandson, "Silver Lambkin." Some of the pedigrees of our
present day silvers have been traced back to Lambkin. There was little record keeping in the early days,
but as time went on people paid more attention to documenting their breeding. These records showed that
other colors, often blues and tabbies, were used in the breeding of silvers. Silvers also appeared in the
pedigrees of Persians of other colors. There is no record to show when silvers were accepted by the Cat
Fanciers Association, so it is reasonable to assume they were among the original colors bred when this
association was organized in 1906. Silvers had been imported into the United States from England before
that date. (Above right, photo by Chanan)
The Golden Persian does not have as long a history in CFA as does the Silver Persian. The golden color is
recessive to silver, and for many years before this color was accepted, "odd colored" kittens occasionally
popped up in "colorbred" silver litters (see Breeding for Goldens). Most often these kittens, then referred
to as "brownies," were placed as pets. By the 1960s a few interested breeders were working with them.
The beauty of their golden coats with the contrast of their vivid green or blue-green eyes attracted more
and more dedicated breeders, and gradually they grew in popularity until they were finally accepted by
CFA in 1976.
The Division
Silver, golden, smoke, and cameo Persians have been subject to more division changes than any other
color. The Shaded Division consisted of chinchilla silvers, shaded silvers, and smokes until 1961; at this
time, cameos were accepted and added to the division. In 1965, the smokes were taken out of the Shaded
Division and given their own division: the Smoke Division. The next change came in 1976 when chinchilla
goldens and shaded goldens were accepted by CFA and added to the Shaded Division.
Shaded tortoiseshells were accepted and were also added to the Shaded Division. Silver and golden
breeders felt that shaded torties did not belong in their division, but rather belonged in the Parti-Color
Division with other tortoiseshells. Many also felt that perhaps there should be a Green-Eyed Division, as
neither the cameos nor shaded torties rightfully belonged in the same division as silvers and goldens.
Although this was not accepted at the time, starting with the 1995-96 season the cameos and shaded
torties were placed in the Smoke Division and the name of that division was changed to the Shaded and
Smoke Division. Silvers and goldens were then alone in a division called the Silver and Golden Division
(not the Green-eyed Division).
The Color
Early Persians of all colors bore little resemblance to today's Persians. It was some time before the
concept of "color breeding" came into being. With selective breeding, silver breeders had nearly
eliminated tabby markings and leg bars by the mid-20th Century, therefore color breeding became a must.
Silver breeders were criticized if their cats were not colorbred; however, there was no agreement on how
many generations were required for a silver to be considered a "colorbred" cat. (Photo by KKats)
Color breeding was a necessity for many years in order to maintain the beautiful trademark coloring of the
silver Persian. The gene pool was small, and certain physical characteristics appeared to be associated
with the silver color: the cats produced were generally lighter in bone and eventually, smaller in size.
Additional colors and patterns of the other Persians were developed over the years resulting in a larger
gene pool, while the gene pool of the silvers remained the same.
This led to an interest on the part of some breeders to include other colors in their breeding programs.
One of the earliest pioneers in this type of outcrossing was Fannie Mood of Delphi Cattery, who was also
a former CFA registrar. At the time she did this breeding, she lived in California, a stronghold of color
breeding, and she was greatly criticized for breeding to a blue Persian.
The introduction of solids into a golden program to improve type and bone causes the same problems that
it does in a silver program, if not more of them. It muddies the coat color and spoils the eye color; it also
causes more tabby markings in a color that has not yet eliminated these markings. Silvers, having been
bred in the United States for a century, have had a long head start on goldens, whose breeding history
here is less than half of that time. Silvers were being bred before 1900, but goldens were not seriously
bred until the 1960s. What was once written about silvers is now also true for goldens: "You've come a
long way, baby!"
While breeders concentrated on and selected for type, less attention was paid to color. In no other Persian
is color as important as in the shaded or "tipped" cats. Though the pale blue color of years ago has all but
disappeared from the blue Persian, some things remain the same. A smoke is not a smoke without its
dramatic color-on-top and white-underneath coat; and silvers and goldens must have the proper tipping in
addition to black mascara and margins with the appropriate and distinctive nose and eye color. At one time
there was a significant difference between chinchilla silvers and shaded silvers. Today, some of our silvers
are referred to as "neither/nors" because they are neither chinchilla silvers nor shaded silvers. While
many more silvers are registered as shaded than as chinchilla, we seldom see a true shaded silver with
sufficient tipping to give it its lovely dark mantle. It was easier to breed a cat with less tipping than to
breed a cat with not only enough tipping, but also even shading. It has come to the point that if a silver is
not snow white, or if it has a bit too much shading on the body, it is registered as a shaded silver, even
though it does not have enough tipping to be truly shaded.
Almost 50 years ago Jeanne Ramsdale of Dearheart Cattery was quoted as saying that one should be able
to tell the difference between a chinchilla silver and a shaded silver "from across the room." Whether or
not she actually said that, it was an accurate description; and until recently this was the case.
Some years ago breeders were asked whether they wished to accept blue (dilute) silvers. The rationale
was that since breeders were outcrossing to solids, these and other colors were occasionally showing up in
some litters. The question was raised four times over a period of years, and each time it was voted down.
Clearly the majority of breeders has not wanted them accepted. The last three times breeders were also
asked whether or not to accept blue goldens, and this was also voted down. Golden breeders have many
different shades of golden with which to deal, and apparently did not want to add to their color problems.
We need to improve the colors we already have before accepting a variation of these colors. Silvers are
tipped with black, and often there are problems distinguishing between chinchillas and shadeds; goldens
have had these in addition to other color problems. Many cats, both silvers and goldens, have less than
desirable nose color, mascara and margins. Have you ever seen a judge rub a finger over the dense black
mascara on the nose? The really good color has not been seen consistently, so the judge may question
whether it is real! One may choose to use other colors in a breeding program, but perhaps we should show
only those colors meeting the current standards, rather than continue to create new classes to fit the odd
color we may encounter.
It has been suggested that there should be one silver class and one golden class. The chinchillas and
shadeds would be judged together as two separate colors but in the same class, with one class for silvers,
another class for goldens. Opponents feel this would be the end of the beautiful shaded silvers. Chinchilla
silver lovers should also be concerned, because it might also represent the end of the pale chinchilla.
While some color standards read "lighter shades to be preferred," we would probably end up with only
neither/nors. It has always been accepted: "silvers with enough black tipping to give them that
shimmering, silvery look ¯ vibrant green or blue-green eye color, and eyes outlined with black as if made
up with mascara and with nose margin and lip liner to match." Black, not blue tippingÅ .
The eye color in silvers and goldens has always been considered very important, which is why the standard
is specific. It clearly states: "Eye color: green or blue-green. Disqualify for incorrect eye color, incorrect
eye color being copper, yellow, gold, amber or any color other than green or blue-green." All silver and
golden breeders want this eye color in their cats. This may be difficult to attain, but it does not change the
fact that this is the standard, although some are willing to accept less. A silver or golden with incorrect eye
color may be valuable in a breeding program, but it does not belong in the show ring.
Some breeders and judges say that they began by breeding silvers and gave up because they are too
difficult. Goldens are even more difficult to breed to the standard than the silvers. With some exceptions,
they are years behind silvers in type, which may be attributed to the small number of breeders working
with them until recent years. While silvers have variations in the amount of tipping, they do have a white
undercoat with black tipping ¯ one shade of white and one shade of black, to simplify the description. The
goldens are quite different. The golden standard calls for the undercoat to be cream, and the tipping black.
While a cream cat with black tipping and green eyes would be beautiful, that is not a true golden. It would
be more accurate to say, quoting Judith Legg, that "the undercoat is usually cream colored and sometimes
it¹s gray with seasonal variations. The Œovercoat¹ of guard hair is ticked. Each hair shaft is banded
with yellow, rust and dark brown or black. Goldens, including chinchillas, have tabby M¹s on their
foreheads, and dark spines and dark tail tips." This probably explains why there have been many
variations of the golden color. The color has ranged from pale amber to bright red-gold to the less
desirable brownish-gold. Early golden breeders had tried for so long to have goldens accepted that they
did not want to quibble over this color description; however, this was not what had been submitted as their
standard. (Photo by Carl Widmer)
Rarely do two goldens have the same shade, even from the same litter, and the coat color can change until
the cat is five years of age or even older. Some goldens are born with wonderful, rich color; some take two
to three years to develop. The color of the undercoat can change with the seasons of the year, even
achieving a gray, muddy color at certain times of the year. For years, further frustration came from the
fact that if a golden had good color, it lacked type and was not showable; if it had type, the color was poor,
so it also was deemed not showable. While some judges have bred silvers and appreciate the difficulties,
no judge has bred goldens, so they have not experienced all the variations and changes in color. Nearly all
golden breeders feel that if a silver and golden of comparable type are in competition, the silver is more
likely to be chosen. There are so few goldens shown, usually only one golden in the ring, that judges have
rare opportunities to compare their color.
Many goldens have been incorrectly registered and shown in the wrong color class. An apricot golden has
been shown as a chinchilla golden simply because of its light color, not because of the appropriate amount
of tipping. A darker golden color was more apt to be shown as a shaded golden simply because it was dark,
with less attention given to the amount of tipping. Whether golden or silver ¯ color class has been
defined by the amount of tipping, not the color of the undercoat.
The Look
The 1950s, '60s, and '70s produced many beautiful and very competitive silvers, no different from Persians
of other colors in type. Judging by the CFA Yearbooks, it was by the late 1970s that blacks had developed
a different "look" and shorter noses than some other colors; however, the silvers were as good or better
than the whites shown at the time. Silver breeders were breeding selectively to improve and set type.
When compared to some of the other colors, silvers improved more quickly in doming, tophead, and ear
size. Unfortunately, this selective breeding further limited the already small gene pool.
From time to time, some breeders talked about the possibility of a "different" standard for Silver and
Golden Persians; however, most feel that good silvers and goldens meet the standard as it is written. It
has not been the standard or the cat at fault, but more likely the way the standard has been interpreted
over the years. Sometimes we hear a cat praised for having "no nose." The standard calls for "a short
nose"; how short is not defined, but it does not say "no nose!" It describes a "break," but does not
specify how deep the break should be. What is far more specific in the standard is the location of the
break, described as "centered between the eyes." Until the standard becomes more specific, silvers and
goldens should not be penalized for not having noses as short, nor breaks as deep, as some Persians of
other colors. During a discussion while judging silvers, one judge stated his opinion that silvers (and
goldens) should have a nose "as broad as it is long." This meets the description in the standard for a
"broad" nose, as well as contributing to the overall balance of the cat. While silvers and goldens may not
have noses as short as some Persians of other colors, they have met the criteria of "as short as it is
broad," and they are more likely to excel in round doming and small, well-set ears. Their skulls have been
smooth and round, without the ridges and flatness often found in Persians of other colors. (Above left,
photo by Chanan)
Silvers and goldens may never look exactly like other Persians. Breeders have used careful selection to
improve boning and head type, but the "extreme" genes might not be there. Occasionally a kitten has
been born with the "extreme" type similar to that of a solid Persian, but these cats have not consistently
reproduced that look. Outcrossing to solids has resulted in some unusual colors, and by the time coat and
eye color have been regained, type has usually reverted to what has been known and admired as "the
silver look." Perhaps, as in the Peke-face Red Tabby standard which has an "allowance" for a difference
in type, an allowance could be included in the Silver/Golden standard so that these beautiful cats do not
lose their unique look.
Many have used or are using other colors in their breeding programs, but should resist showing a silver or
golden with gold eyes even if they are very typy. Would a gold-eyed Himalayan or a green-eyed white be
acceptable? Certainly notÅ . Breeders ask for the cooperation of judges to help improve our silvers and
goldens. Our cats need to be judged by the standard as it is written and not as it is interpreted by a few.
We have worked very hard to meet the standard in every way, and we stand behind the judges when they
withhold for poor type and incorrect eye color, as they have done for poor condition or tail faults.
Constructive criticism will always be welcomed!
Differences Beyond Color
The time has passed when silvers were hard to handle. I have been exhibiting long enough to remember
when almost every breed had a "personality" problem. In each decade, you knew without asking when you
heard a cat "blow" in the show hall, just what breed it was. Breeders have worked hard to eliminate
behavior problems in almost every breed, including Persians. I remember one judge describing a big silver
class in one section of the country. He said of the silvers he judged there, "The silvers were all gorgeous
¯ too bad you can¹t put your hands on them!" That was a long time ago; silvers no longer have that
reputation, and the problem was pretty much eliminated before goldens appeared upon the scene. They
are, however, very different in personality from Persians of other colors. They are far more active: ask
anyone who has bred and owned enough different colors to compare. (Photo by Mark McCullough)
Silvers generally have lower birth weights and leave the nest box quite early. Although they mature
sexually at an early age, they do not look their best until they are three to five years old. Some silvers and
goldens are smaller in size and lighter in bone when compared with the other Persians. The phrase
"medium to large" in the standard has not been defined, and size is relative. The standard also says
"Quality the determining consideration rather than size."
Silvers and goldens are outgoing cats with unique personalities; they are intelligent, affectionate and
people-oriented lap cats. While they are wonderfully decorative Persians, they are not "couch potatoes,"
as Persians have often been described. You will seldom find these colors dozing on grooming tables in a
show hall, as you often see other Persians. They are sensitive, so they need to be socialized from an early
age, and they do not take well to isolation and confinement. Many have profuse coats, and some have the
difficult-to-groom "cotton candy" coat, but all seem to have fine textured hair that breaks easily. They
may have more sensitive skin. All of this means that grooming had best be started early and done gently
to prepare them for the care required to keep the long, flowing coat at its breathtaking best.
The Unique Silver and Golden
Silver and golden breeders have worked very hard to meet the challenge of "type" to produce beautiful,
well-balanced Persians. Their successes are obvious, as shown in the accompanying pictures. There are
variations of "the look" throughout history, but we hope the unique look of silvers and goldens will always
be there. When one thinks of silvers and goldens, one pictures a cat with a wide-open, sweet expression
with large, round eyes of a luminous green or blue-green. The ears are small with the wonderful round
doming that seems to be a silver and golden trademark. The nose is short and broad, and this lovely round
head, framed by full ruff, is attached to a short, cobby body with a long, flowing coat. It is perfection that
we strive for ¯ but let us not lose the unique look! (Photo by Chanan)
There are many articles available that show the development and changes of silvers and goldens since
1900 (See CFA Yearbook articles), but our attention here has been directed to those of recent years. For
more reading about Silver and Golden Persians, as well as Silver and Golden Exotics, see the United
Silver Fanciers Quarterly publication, which reprints many of the listed articles and some otherwise
unavailable articles.
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