Exotic Shorthair

Exotic Shorthair

Another descendant of the American Shorthair is the Exotic Shorthair, although this is a man-made breed rather than a natural mutation. Through selective breeding of Persians and American Shorthairs in the 1960s, this new breed was created to carry the dignified character of the Persian but with the shorter, easier-to-care-for coat of the American Shorthair. For a brief period, Burmese were also used in the breeding, but they soon fell from favor.

The Exotic Shorthair inherited portions of its temperament from both parental lines. It is calm, less active, and affectionate to the whole family like the Persian and playful, inquisitive, and an able mouser like the American Shorthair. This new breed also forms an attachment to its home.

All varieties of both the Persians and the American Shorthairs are acceptable, including White, Black, Cream, Red, Blue, Blue-Cream, Chinchilla, Shaded Silver, Red Shell Cameo, Red Shaded Cameo, and Red Smoke Cameo, Cream Shell Cameo, Cream Shaded Cameo, Cream Smoke Cameo, Cameo Torte, Cameo Tabby, Black Smoke, Blue Smoke, Smoke Tortoiseshell, Bicolor, Red Tabby, Brown Tabby, Silver Tabby, Blue Tabby, Cream Tabby, Patched Tabby, Tortoiseshell and Calico. Eye coloring must complement coat coloring. The fur is dense and plush but of medium length.

The body is short and low-set, with short, thick legs and large, round paws the tail is shorthand bushy, but not as bushy as that of the Persian. The head is round with a short Nose; there are fully-developed cheeks And large, round eyes. The ears are Small, wide set, and pointed at the tips. The coat is easily cared for with Gentle brushing. A diet of meat, giblets, and some cooked vegetables must be restricted in quantity to avoid weight problems.

Litters of four are average. The kittens are generally much darker than their parents, gaining their tricolors only at maturity. Common standard faults are a short or deformed tail, eyes that contrast with the coat coloring, and a head that is too small.

See more: Bombay Cat