Pedigree Cat Breeds - Chinchilla

The Chinchilla Silver Persian - An elegant and glamorous breed.
The First recorded Chinchilla longhair can be traced back to the 1880s when a smoke-coloured Persian was crossed with a silver tabby. The result of the mating was the famous chinchilla male 'Silver Lambkins' who won nearly every award at The Crystal Palace show in 1888. At the age of 17 he died and was immortalized by a Taxidermist and placed in the Natural History Museum in London. He can still be seen on display today! *Must point out that the modern day Chinchilla Persian has progressed a long way from the original Lad and they are now a lot paler and no tabby markings allowed.
Chinchillas life span average 15-17 years. Approximately 12-14 lbs when adult. Reach Maturity at 3 years.
Healthy cats look fragile due to their colouring. Can be prone to PKD - as with other Persians. Can be more aloof than other Persians.




Undercoat pure white. Coat on back, flanks, head, and tail are sufficiently tipped with black to give the characteristic sparkling silver appearance. Legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest, should be pure white (no yellowing). Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye colour: green or blue-green. *No yellow or copper allowed, these would be classified as Pewter. Body conformation should be the same as the other colours in the Persian series. Kittens that do not conform to the correct show standard are sold as pets, but may be the same quality but, lack in something very small like not enough eyeliner or something similar.
 


The Chinchilla does not need to conform to the modernisation that some of the other colours in the Persian group have undergone (in order to be shown)… but a shorter nose is preferred (not ultra) for showing as opposed to the Traditional. There have been several Silver Persians that have earned their Grand status as both Chinchilla and as a Shaded Silver. The colour difference is really subtle and colour changes can occur up until the cat is approximately 3 years... Making the Silver series very hard to assess - particularly whilst a kitten.

Coat standard for showing must be 'sufficiently' tipped with black to give a sparkling effect. This does not mean the cat must be nearly pure white with only a trace amount of tipping to be considered a Chinchilla Silver. There must be a good amount of tipping to give that sparkling effect Chinchillas described as nearly pure white, are incorrect. A nearly pure white Chinchilla is a fault (as is a Shaded Silver with an insufficient amount of tipping) which falls short of the description "mantle of black" shading.

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Tremarie Persians, Chinchillas & Selkirk Rex

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*Breed standards may vary according to cat governing body