popular breed of longhaired cat known for its noble bearing, snubbed nose, doll-like face, and thickset body; coat is flowing and luxuriant; virtually endless variety of color and combinations are recognized, including black, shaded cameo, white, blue, red, chinchilla, tortoiseshell, tabby, and smoke; ears are small, tufted, and round-tipped; tail is long, fluffy, and carried low; eyes are large, round, and must complement coat color; docile nature; loves the indoors; bears 3 to 4 delicate kittens per litter; ancestors descended from Angora cats after 1500; selective breeding for modern breed began in 1871 in Italy by Pietro della Valle ,