EXOTIC SHORTHAIR CAT: SHORTHAIRED VERSION OF THE PERSIAN

The Exotic Shorthair is actually a short haired version of the Persian.  It retains the gentle nature and voice of its parent breed; however its coat is highly original.  The coat is not quite short, but not semi-long either, and requires only moderate grooming, combing about twice weekly.  While outcrossing to bring in the shorter coat has produced a more lively and inquisitive cat, it has not eliminated the anatomical problems of the Persian face.  The breed is rare, as many litters continue to produce long-haired cats.

APPEARANCE

Exotic Shorthairs come in all colors and patterns.  Their dense coat is plush, and stands out from the body.  The Exotic head is similar to that of the Persian, and has similar problems.  Some of the Persian's flows, such as overflowing tear ducts, constricted nostrils, and dental problems, have unfortuanately, also been inherited by this breed.  The British standard is attempting to correct these problems by requiring that the upper edge of the nose leather be below the lower edge of the eye.  The eyes are large and round, and the head is round and massive with full cheeks.  The body is medium to large and cobby, and is carried low on the cat's legs.  The tail is somewhat short, and the paws are large, rounded, and firm. 

BREED HISTORY

Breeders of the American Shorthair attempted to introduce the Persian's coat texture into their breed in the early 1960s.  The breeding instead developed a short haired version of the Persian with its flat face and related problems.  To differentiate the breed from the American Shorthair, breeders named it the Exotic Shorthair, and began using British Short-hairs, Burmese, and Russian Blues for breeding purposes.  CFA recognized the breed in 1967 (Bruce Fogle, DVM, Catalog).

CHARACTERISTICS

 The Exotic Short-hair, like the Persian, is quiet, self contained, and sedate.  It requires moderate grooming, and is gental and inquisitive in nature.  As is mentioned above, the breed has some genetic problems associated with the flat face.