Affectionately known as the lazy man's Persian, the Exotic is the result of crossing a Persian with an American Shorthair. The Exotic retained the sweet, charming expression of the Persian with the shorter coat of the American Shorthair. The coat is dense, plush and soft, and comes in all the beautiful Persian colors, including parti-colors, pointed colors, shadeds, smokes and tabbies.

Native Country

United States

Breed Description

History

This feisty ball of fluff takes time to grow up In the United States around 1960, breeders crossed the American Shorthair with the Persian in order to improve the American’s coat color and make it heavier. Thus were born shorthaired Persians, dubbed Exotic Shorthairs and recognized by the C.F.A in 1966. During the breeding program, crosses were also made with the Russian Blue and the Burmese. Since 1987, the only allowable outcross breed is the Persian. The F.I.Fe. recognized the Exotic Shorthair in 1986. Very common in the United States, Exotic Shorthairs are conquering Europe.

Behavior

The Exotic Shorthair is a tranquil cat but a bit livelier than the Persian. Curious, playful, and even-tempered, he is friendly to other cats and to dogs. Easygoing and quiet, as he rarely meows, he does not like being left alone. He is affectionate and needs the tender presence of his owner. This sturdy cat does not reach maturity until around three years of age and enters puberty fairly late. When two Exotic Shorthairs are crossed, they may produce longhaired kittens called “Exotic Longhairs” by the C.F.A. and considered Persians in France. Exotic Shorthairs are easy to groom. Weekly brushing and combing is sufficient. During shedding, they should be brushed and combed daily. Because of their fairly productive tear ducts, their eyes should be cleaned daily.