Exotic Shorthair cats are essentially a shorthaired version of the longhaired Persian cat. Like Persians, they are affectionate and loving, and are generally good with children. They are quiet cats that usually get along well with other animals but may prefer to be left alone. Exotic Shorthair cats are easy-going; this breed will tend to sit quietly and wait to be noticed rather than pounce playfully or meow for attention.
The Exotic Shorthair breed was developed by breeding American Shorthair cats and Persian cats. It was first introduced in the 1960’s and has become very popular since that time. The Exotic Shorthair blends the best of the temperament and appearance of the Persian with the ease of care of the American Shorthair, making it a very appealing pet for many people.
The Exotic Shorthair is a medium sized cat with a round head and very large skull. Like Persians, they have full cheeks and broad noses, with the classic short muzzle distinctive to Persian cats. Exotic Shorthairs have very large, round eyes that are usually very bright. Their compact bodies are carried on thick, strong legs, and they tend to have short tails. Exotic Shorthair cats may have several different color markings, including points, tabby, tortoiseshell and blue.
Because of its short coat, the Exotic Shorthair is easy to groom in comparison to its cousin, the Persian, Regular grooming is still required, but not to the degree of a longhaired variety. Weekly combing to remove dead hair and keep the coat fresh is usually sufficient for the Exotic Shorthair.
Exotic Shorthair cats generally have small litters, often due to complications during delivery caused by the wide heads of the kittens. The average litter size is four kittens. Exotic Shorthairs are generally healthy cats, and are not prone to any particular illnesses or ailments. The life expectancy of an Exotic Shorthairs cat is around 9 to 15 years, and many well cared for Exotic Shorthairs live well into their teen years.
