Exotic Shorthair

The Exotic Shorthair is a distinct breed of domestic cat.

It was specifically developed to be a short-haired version of the Persian cat. While they look very similar to Persians, they possess a short and dense coat instead of long fur. This breed is considered medium to large in size. They are known for having a very compact and balanced silhouette.

Because of their unique history, they have become a popular choice among cat fanciers.

The physical appearance of an Exotic Shorthair is very striking. They have a large, round head with prominent, full cheeks. Their eyes are also large and round, which creates a very distinctive expression. The ears are small and sit low on the head with rounded tips. This placement helps the cat look even more broad and rounded. Their tails are relatively short compared to the rest of their body. Like the Persian and British Shorthair, they come in many different color variations.

Sometimes, these cats may appear to have long hair. This happens because the Persian was used frequently as an outcross in their development. An outcross is a cat from a different breed used in breeding. Because of this, some Exotics carry a recessive longhair gene. When two cats with this gene mate, there is a 1 in 4 chance of having longhaired kittens. The Cat Fanciers' Association does not consider these longhaired cats to be Persians. However, The International Cat Association does accept them as Persians. Other groups, like the American Cat Fanciers Association, call them Exotic Longhairs.

The history of the breed began in the late 1950s. During this time, some American Shorthair breeders used Persians as outcrosses in secret. They wanted to improve the body type of their cats. They also made crosses with the Russian Blue and the Burmese breeds. This crossbreed look eventually gained recognition in cat shows. However, some American Shorthair breeders were unhappy with this. They created a new standard to disqualify any American Shorthairs that showed signs of crossbreeding.

One breeder saw the potential in these crosses. They worked with Jane Martinke, a judge and breeder, to get the breed recognized. The Cat Fanciers' Association officially recognized them as the Exotic Shorthair in 1966. In 1987, the association changed the rules so that Persians became the only allowed outcross.

Health is an important topic for this breed due to their facial structure. Exotic Shorthairs are a brachycephalic breed. This means their nose and eyes are located very close to each other. This anatomy gives them a characteristic pushed-in face. This structure can lead to brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome. This condition causes abnormalities in the upper airway. It can lead to increased airway resistance and inflammation. It can also put extra strain on the heart. Owners may manage this through weight loss, surgery, or avoiding heat and humidity. They may also face issues like corneal sequestrum, which is a necrosis of the cornea.

Another significant health concern is feline polycystic kidney disease, or PKD. This is a disease that can lead to kidney failure. Because they are derived from Persians, Exotics have a high chance of inheriting this condition. Studies using ultrasound scans show that the prevalence of PKD is between 40% and 50% in developed nations. To help, breeders use DNA screening. This helps reduce the disease by identifying PKD-positive cats for spaying and neutering. Interestingly, they are rarely found in studies of urate urolithiasis. In a review of over 5,000 cases, only one case belonged to an Exotic Shorthair.

The Exotic Shorthair has achieved many milestones in the world of cat shows. In 1967, the Cat Fanciers' Association accepted them for Championship status. By 1971, the very first Exotic Shorthair reached Grand Champion status. The Fédération Internationale Féline recognized the breed in 1986. Their popularity continued to grow through the early 1990s. In 1991, an Exotic was named the Cat of the Year by the Cat Fanciers' Association. Just one year later, in 1992, an Exotic won the title of Best Kitten. These successes show the lasting impact of the breed's dedicated advocates.