Frequently referred to as the lazy man’s Persian, the Exotic Shorthair is actually so much more. Held to the same standard as the Persian cat is, the Exotic Shorthair show ring is the wet tee shirt contest of the cat world with no long beautiful pelt to hide poorly placed or shaped ear,s and no forgiveness for faults easy to hide under all that hair. With all this laid onto the fact that modern life lends less and less time for such chores as such a laborious coat demands, it is no secret that the Exotic Shorthair breed will be going well into future with us.
Colors Allowed
Any color that the Persian registry allows, the Exotic Shorthair standard allows for as well. All number of patterns and colors abound, from tabby to pointed, all black to calico and bright white. These cats may not gain the benefit of colors like silver or smoke, due to the fact that the hair shaft is so much longer. This unusual cat, regardless of color, is sure to turn heads where ever it goes.
About Exotic Shorthairs
The same cat as the Persian, ideally, and should have very similar laid back and easy
going personalities. Like Persians, the breed sports both doll faced and extreme varieties, and a good specimen of either is going to put you back a few thousand bucks. They have small ears, large jewel like eyes, and very round features. This is a small, solid pet that will love you for the better part of two decades so the substantial investment pays off in dividends. They are gentle, affectionate, and lovable with intelligent personalities lent to them from their British shorthair ancestors, and also a tad more active than the Persian tends to be. Exotics are not terrible talkers, but need tons of attention and are a popular type of “Velcro” kitty.
History of the Exotic Shorthair Breed
These guys hit the scene in the 1960’s courtesy Jane Martinke by the cross breeding of Persians and British Shorthairs and Persians, and were formally recognized by the CFA in 1967. The only modern outcross is the Persian today, which is why one quarter of kittens born will have long hair. Not all Exotic Longhairs carry genes for long hair, but most do. The offspring with long hair are referred to as Exotic Longhairs, and having owned one I will attest they are an amazing pet. I feel it is unfortunate that Longhairs are ineligible to show to championship with the CFA, but it also makes sense as the goal is a shorthaired breed. Both varieties are extremely popular in England.
Similar Breeds of Cat
Exotic Shorthairs are unlike any other breed of cat, but if a low maintenance coat with an exotic look is what you crave, try the Sphynx. The coat doesn’t get much more low maintenance then that of the Sphynx, and you cannot deny that this is a pet that will turn heads, probably only one of a very few that people will actually stop and stare at. Loveable and cuddly, at least to their owners, there is a devoted following of cat owners who feel at least one thing in common with Dr. Evil.
The Care of Exotic Shorthairs and Exotic Shorthair Kittens
These cats aren’t unhealthy animals, if anything they will share issues in common with Persians, and maybe a few cardiac issues. For all the hype and fuss about the ultra exotic face people make they are don’t really have near the issues critics claim. They don’t tend to like the cold, I have fewer aspiration issues with my ultra faced cats in warmer air, so keep up the thermostat a little and things should be fine for all but the very poorest bred cats. Exotic Shorthair kittens don’t require much out of life short of quality chow and tons of love.
Like all domestic cats, the genus of the Exotic Shorthair cat is Felis.
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