by Dan Scott

Created on: January 15, 2010

The Exotic, or Exotic Shorthair cat, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Depending on the ranking source, they are either in third place, or in second, right behind the Persian. This is fitting, because the Exotic is a cross breed, combining the Persian and the American short hair, producing a cat with the look of a Persian, but with short hair. For breeders now, the cross breeding is between the Exotic and the Persian. This can produce mixed litters of both Persians and Exotics, depending on the length of the coat.

Like the Persian, the Exotic has a strong, big boned body, a short muscular neck and short, strong legs. The head is large and round, with a flat face and large round eyes. The ears are short and set wide apart on the skull. Like the Persian, the flattened face can cause problems with breathing, which is the main health problem you will encounter with this breed.

The color of the coat can be any color found in the Persian line such as Tortie, Cream, Smoke, Silver Tabby and even the Siamese/Himalayan coloring and color points. Grooming for the Exotic, while less demanding than for the Persian, is still essential for the looks and wellbeing of your cat. While the Exotic is a short haired cat, its fur is very thick and plush. The coat can become matted, so weekly brushing is essential. Also, unlike a traditional shorthair, where the fur lies flat, the fur of the Exotic should stand out from the body, giving it a slightly fluffy look. The Exotic also sheds, which is why brushing is important. Also, the face should be washed to prevent tear stains and to help keep the nose clear. This is especially important if your Exotic doesn’t have a traditional face, but the more flattened face of the extreme.

It is not just the body type that the Exotic inherited from their Persian heritage, but also their temperament. They are a quiet, even sedate cat, who likes nothing better than to snuggle down into your lap for a little quality time and affection. They are also great with other cats and dogs. The will get along well with children too, making them a great family pet. A little play time is ok, but a lot of quiet time is always nice. All of this makes it obvious why the Exotic is such a popular breed.

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