The exotic shorthair cat is a feline breed that originates from the crossbreeding of the Persian cat and the American Shorthair. Let's explore the breed standard, the exotic cat's temperament, and many other fascinating facts about the beautiful exotic shorthair cat!
Origins and history of the exotic shorthair cat
In the 1950s, breeder Carolyn Bussey attempted to produce a chocolate-coloured Persian cat by crossing a Burmese with a Persian. Unfortunately, the result was not what she had hoped for, and what were born instead were short-haired cats with a very sweet and charming little face. Inspired by the sweetness of these kittens, Carolyn crossed other cat breeds such as the British Shorthair, the Russian Blue, and the American Shorthair. The latter, when paired with the Persian, gave rise to the first exotic shorthair that we all know today.
Another theory, however, suggests that the crossings with the American Shorthair came about in order to improve the morphology of the feline breed, with the aim of making them more competitive at cat shows. Due to the various pairings, the breed underwent noticeable changes in appearance; so in 1966, the need to define a new breed standard began to be considered, and in 1967, on the proposal of Jane Martinke, the exotic shorthair breed was officially recognised for the first time.
Exotic shorthair breed standard
The little short-haired Persian generally reaches a weight ranging from 3 to 6 kg. The head is large and round in shape, massive, with a flat face; a broad skull, domed forehead, well-developed cheeks, and a short, small nose marked by a clearly defined stop. The cat's eyes are large and round, expressive and bright, matching the colour of the coat; while the ears are small and rounded, furry on the inside, and set low on the skull. The body is low to the ground, powerful but not fat, with broad shoulders and a sturdy bone structure. The legs are muscular, short, and straight, with the most adorable round little paws.
The cat's tail is short, slightly rounded at the tip, and proportionate to the body. The exotic shorthair cat's coat is thick and silky; thanks to the density of the undercoat, it does not lie flat. All colours and patterns recognised for the Persian cat are permitted, namely exotic shorthair tabby, bicolour, colourpoint, smoke, and chinchilla.
Exotic shorthair cat care and nutrition
Despite the short coat, the exotic cat requires careful grooming — the coat needs to be brushed at least 2–3 times a week, while during the shedding season it is important to brush the cat every day. Eye care is of great importance: because they are very large and prominent, and due to the particular shape of the nose, the eyes tend to water heavily and should be cleaned up to twice a day using gauze pads or moistened wipes. If you notice any redness, take your cat to your vet, who will be able to recommend the most suitable eye drops.
Finally, it is important to remember that the exotic shorthair frequently suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). This condition involves the formation of fluid-filled cysts within the kidney, which prevent it from functioning correctly and can lead to serious kidney failure in the cat. As for the shorthair cat's nutrition, the cat's diet should consist of a mix of wet and dry food.
Exotic shorthair cat temperament
The exotic cat's temperament is gentle and affectionate. It absolutely dislikes being left alone, and for this reason it happily welcomes the company of other pets in the home. This is a creature of habit that becomes deeply attached to the whole family. It is suitable for everyone — from the very young to the elderly — because, like the Persian, it is extremely mild-mannered and easy-going. It has a strong personality, slightly more adventurous than the Persian, but almost never aggressive. If you are a sedentary or particularly laid-back person, with the exotic cat you have surely found your perfect napping companion!
Exotic shorthair breeding and price
Females are generally bred once they have passed their first year of age. The cat's gestation lasts from 60 to 65 days, and litters consist on average of a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 6 exotic shorthair kittens. This is not a very prolific feline breed, and it can sometimes happen that complications arise during labour, in which case a caesarean section will be necessary — this is because the kittens are still of considerable size given their sturdy build and large, round heads. Once born, weaning should take place at around thirty days, beginning with very liquid food before gradually moving on to solid foods.
The price of an exotic shorthair ranges from €400 to €900, depending greatly on the pedigree and the rarity of the coat colour. In any case, as always, and bearing in mind the health issues this breed is prone to, we recommend purchasing a kitten exclusively from specialist exotic shorthair cat breeders.
