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All you need to know about our cat breeds - Shirazi

Writer's picture: CairocatrescueCairocatrescue

Updated: Apr 11, 2024

Cairo Cat Rescue & Rehoming Champions is well known for rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming beautiful Shirazi cats. They are our most frequently adopted cats, no doubt due to their photogenic appearance, but also their loveable and laid-back personalities.


Their history is complex and at present contributes to the reason that they have yet to be granted pedigree status, unlike Persians and Himalayans, the latter of which is a ‘manufactured’ breed of cat and will feature in a future Blog.


The controversy even starts with their name. Are they Persians, or Shirazi Persians or just Shirazis? The most common nomenclature on the web for those in Egypt seems to be Shirazi. This prevents any confusion with the Persian pedigree breed whose standards are applied in Europe and North America.


Original Persian cats did not have the flat face which has until recently been favoured by the breeding standards of the pedigree variety. Most, but not all, Shirazis which grew from the original Egpytian street cats have the original face. You can see the difference if you look through the cats at our Rescue.


There are conflicting views as to how and when Shirazis arrived in Egypt but there is a general consensus that they are not natives and that they are of Persian origin. The name ‘Shirazi’ of course means Persian (now Iran) and, as explained above, they share many of the features of the pedigree Persian cat.


Some believe that their origins go back to the Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 BC when the Empire encompassed both Egypt and Persia (Iran) as well as Turkey and parts of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan, and that they feature in ancient Egyptian wall art. Others claim they were introduced more recently, after Persian cats were introduced into Italy in the early seventeenth century. Both agree that they inter-mixed with the local Mau population and therefore now retain the colours and personality features of both breeds. Sabine Harding in her article on Shirazi cats describes them as ‘ancient, unique souls that compare the god-like traits of the Egyptian Maus with the royal look of Persian cats’. They are, she says, ‘the Egyptian Maus’ fluffy relatives’.


Shirazis’ coat colour was originally the same as that of the native Maus. This was what is now called bronze (brown coat in various shades with dark brown/black patterns) and golden (red). Black and diluted colours, such as blue and cream are also occasionally found, as is white, which is quite a common colour in our Rescue cats. Silver and smoke, on the other hand, are artificial fur colours which emerged from selective breeding and are still quite rare among Egyptian Shirazis.


The pattern beneath their smooth and silky long fur is usually associated with Maus – the broken necklace on the chest, the ‘M’ on the shoulders, bands on the legs and random spots on the back. They can also be completely free of markings, as are several of ours. Their eyes are large and almond shaped and, like Maus, are in a variety of shades of green and amber with mascara marks.


Shirazis are high maintenance cats because of their long fur, which is not ideally suited to hot climates. They require regular attention including, grooming, nail clipping, inspection of ears and eyes, teeth cleaning, bathing and flea treatment. Check-up by a professional groomer is recommended.


The Shirazis in our Rescue often arrive there as a result of over-breeding and the escalating cost of living which has affected both humans and animals in Egypt. Some have been used for breeding for a couple of years and then abandoned, others started their lives as kittens on the streets. Unfortunately, many also arrive injured and require extensive and expensive medical treatment.


Despite these adversities Shirazis make superb family cats with the affection of a Mau but without its exuberant personality. If you like regular affection and cuddles and are prepared to put in that little bit of extra effort into grooming then this cat breed is for you.


Can you tell us more about your Shirazi? Let us know about it in the comments below.


Next time – the Egyptian Mau


If you enjoy our Newsletters and Blogs please consider making a donation to help us. The price of a cup of coffee would do. We have 280 cats in our care, most coming from a background of hardship and abuse on the streets of Cairo. You can send via PayPal to catschampions4c@gmail.com.


We thank you in advance for considering this.


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Heather Kirby
Heather Kirby
May 30, 2024

My Sherazi is now in Canada. She flew with me at 9 months old from Doha, Qatar 28 hours transit from Doha to Istanbul to Toronto. Yes she is a First Class Kitty....now 7 years old. The Sherazi Cats are loving and very sweet kitties.


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