Gimme a Himmie! To say the Himalayan is popular is an understatement. Each year, the Himmie, as he’s affectionately called, recruits more devoted humans into his not-so-exclusive fan club. Membership requires only two things – a desire to share your life and heart with a sweet, devoted feline, and a willingness to spend part of every day slaving over a hot cat comb. The Himalayan demands a serious time commitment to keep those long locks looking lovely. The Himalayan was created in the 1950s by American and British breeders whose goal was to create a cat with the pattern and color of the Siamese but the body and head type of the Persian. By breeding together Persians and Siamese and then crossbreeding the offspring, these breeders succeeded in producing the desired appearance.  Heavily boned, broad through the chest, low on the legs, and massive across the shoulders and rump, the ideal Himalayan is a large, substantial cat with an overall impression of roundness, a body style known as “cobby.” The long coat adds to the impression of roundness and mass.   Like their Siamese ancestors, Himalayans are decorated with the pointed pattern. Pointed and lynx-point colors accepted are seal, chocolate, lilac, blue, flame, cream, tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, and lilac- cream. Himalayans make perfect indoor companions. Like their Persian siblings, Himmies are devoted and loyal. They are gentle, calm, and sweet-tempered, but they also possess a fun-loving, playful side. Himalayans love to play fetch, and a scrap of crumpled paper or a kitty toy will entertain them for hours. More vocal and active than the Persian (a gift from their Siamese ancestors, no doubt), they are nevertheless much quieter and less active than the Siamese. Himalayans are devoted and dependent upon their humans for companionship and protection. They crave affection and love to be petted and groomed, which is a good thing since every Himalayan owner will spend part of each day doing just that.  Breeders recommend a 10 to 15 minute grooming session each day and a thorough one hour grooming session once a week. Occasional bathing is also needed to remove oil accumulation. Fortunately, with their calm, gentle personalities, Himalayans take well to grooming if you are gentle, consistent, and start their grooming programs early in their lives.