by Annie Jane

Created on: February 02, 2009

HISTORY

Exotic Shorthairs, or Shorthaired Persians, were bred into existence by breeders in the United States in approximately 1960, and recognized by the C.F.A. in 1966.

APPEARANCE

The Exotic Shorthairs very much resemble Persians, with the exception of their very short hair. Everything about the Exotic Shorthairs is big and round. They have enormous broad skulls with round foreheads and round cheeks. They have round, but short, muzzles and short noses. They have huge jaws with extremely muscular chins. Their necks are short and bulky and chunky. The Exotic Shorthairs have huge, powerfully built bodies, even though they are only the size of a medium house cat. They have very short legs, which keep them pretty low to the ground. Their beautiful large circular eyes are widely spaced. Their beautiful colors usually depend on the color of their coats, ranging from coppers and golds, to blues, and greens. Their ears, rounded at the tip, are small and also widely spaced. Most Exotic Shorthairs will have hair on the inside of their ears. Their coats are gorgeous, ranging in many colors. Although they are shorthairs, they tend to be a little longer than most others, with dense fluffy hairs. The Exotic Shorthairs carry their short, thick tails lower to the round than most cats. Their tails also tend to have rounded tips. Their paws are large, round, and tend to have tufts of hair between their toes.

TEMPERAMENT

Like Persians, the Exotic Shorthairs are very gentle, and calm. They are good lap cats, due to their loving affection for humans, as well as other pets within the household. They also possess an energetic personality, and are very curious and playful. The Exotic Shorthairs make excellent apartment cats, however they do not like to be left alone without their owners. They are not loud cats, and rarely meows. Owners often say their Exotic Shorthairs are very peaceful and quiet, the ideal cat. They love to be cuddled with, some are said to even hug you back!

HEALTH

Exotic Shorthairs keep themselves properly groomed with little human assistance. However, weekly brushing or bath will help to reduce hairballs and shedding. Sometimes, their tears tend to overflow the nasolacrimal duct, which will wet and stain their faces. This can easily be fixed by simply wiping their face with a wet cloth periodically. Exotic Shorthairs have high chances of getting PKD (Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease), which can lead to kidney failure. This can be avoided with regular trips to the vet and a healthy diet.

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