|
Exotic Cat Breed Facts:
Origin: United States
Weight: 7 - 12 lbs
Average Litter Size: 3 - 5
Grooming Needs: Minimal
Life Expectancy: 15+ Years
Good With Kids: Yes
Good With Other Animals: Yes |
The Exotic Shorthair, commonly
known simply as the Exotic Cat, is an entirely man-made breed.
In fact, the first Exotic Shorthairs in existence weren’t even
bred to be exotic shorthairs. In truth, the breeders of
the American Shorthaired cats had decided to work on developing
cats that possessed the stunning silver coat coloration and
vibrant green eyes of the
Silver Persians. In an
attempt to achieve this effect, they crossed their
American
Shorthair cats with the Silver Persians, only to discover
something disturbing - While the cats were beautiful to
look at, they did not have the desired look of the American
Shorthairs.
In an attempt to continue this quest
for the silver color, other outcrosses were done, in hopes of
regaining the American Shorthair’s body type. This,
however, was not successful and, fearing the damage that could
be done to the American Shorthair breed should these actions
continue, it was presented to the CFA Board of Directors in 1966
that a new breed be created to encompass these new outcrosses
and promote the resulting adorable cat that had been created.
Originally,
these cats were to be called “Sterling,” because of the rich
silver coloring that had been achieved. Sporting a very
short, plush coat, these cats looked much like
Persians, both in expression
and body type, but their coats were much easier to maintain.
The only difference recognized between the two breeds was the
nose break that is mentioned in the Persian breed standard.
Even though they were called Sterlings, all Persian breed colors
were also allowed into the Exotic Shorthair standard, right from
the beginning. While many Persian breeders were against
the Exotic crosses, at first, they eventually warmed to the
breed and became instrumental in its development with many
Persian breeders also raising Exotics.
For roughly the
last decade, the Exotic Shorthair has required no more
outcrossings to the American Shorthair breed and the only
acceptable outcross now allowed is the Persian.
Occasionally, kittens will be born with longer coats and are not
acceptable as Exotic Shorthairs, but the breed continues to make
progress and it appears as though this adorable cat is here to
stay.
Exotic Cat Breed Facts
| Exotic Cat Breed History |
Exotic Appearance |
Exotic Temperament
Grooming Your Exotic Cat |
Exotic Cat Health Information |
Is a Exotic The Right Choice
For You?
The
Exotic Shorthair is bred to maintain every part of the Persian
breed standard, save for one thing - their coat. The
Exotic Shorthair has a uniquely soft, plush coat which gives
them a rounder appearance, more like one might expect to find on
a favorite teddy bear, rather than on a feline friend.
Their faces are almost owl-like in appearance, possessing a very
sweet and approachable look that is hard to ignore.
The
Exotic Shorthair comes in a wide variety of colors, including
the following: White (blue or copper-eyed or cats can be
odd-eyed with one of each), blue, black, red, peke-faced red,
cream, chocolate, lilac, chinchilla silver, shaded silver, blue
chinchilla silver, blue shaded silver, chinchilla golden, shaded
golden, blue shaded golden, shell cameo, shell cream, shaded
cream, shell tortoiseshell, shaded tortoiseshell, shell blue,
shaded blue, shell black, shaded black, shell blue-cream, shaded
blue-cream, shell chocolate, shaded chocolate, chocolate smoke,
shell lilac, shaded lilac, lilac smoke, shell chocolate
tortoiseshell, shaded chocolate tortoiseshell, chocolate
tortoiseshell smoke, shell lilac cream, shaded lilac cream,
lilac cream smoke, black smoke, blue smoke, cream smoke, red
smoke, tortoiseshell smoke, blue-cream smoke, classic tabby
pattern, mackerel tabby patter, spotted tabby pattern, silver
tabby, silver patched tabby, blue silver tabby, blue silver
patched tabby, red tabby, peke-faced red tabby, brown tabby,
brown patched tabby, blue tabby, blue patched tabby, cream
tabby, cameo tabby, cream silver tabby, chocolate tabby,
chocolate patched tabby, lilac tabby, lilac patched tabby,
tortoiseshell, blue-cream, chocolate tortoiseshell, lilac-cream,
calico, dilute calico, chocolate calico, lilac calico, bi-color,
pointed and lynx pointed. Combined with their soft coats,
the colors of the Exotic are truly beautiful.
Exotic Cat Breed Facts
| Exotic Cat Breed History |
Exotic Appearance |
Exotic Temperament
Grooming Your Exotic Cat |
Exotic Cat Health Information |
Is a Exotic The Right Choice
For You?
The Exotic Shorthair has the same
calm and endearing personality of his Persian ancestors;
laid-back and easy going, the Exotic loves being a floppy lap
cat and will endure hours of unending petting. A very
sweet-tempered little feline, they are notoriously quiet and
prefer human company to that of other furry friends, though they
usually get along fabulously with most other animals and
children as well. Provided no one attempts to poke at the
kitty’s big eyes or pulls tails, the Exotic usually gets along
wonderfully with just about anyone.
While not exactly
lazy, the Exotic isn’t overly inclined to jump up or investigate
high places. He generally seems to think that anything
higher than a lap is just not worth his effort. Enjoying
games with ground-level toys, the Exotic is quite content to
amuse himself with paper bags or crumpled balls of paper for
playmates.
Exotic Cat Breed Facts
| Exotic Cat Breed History |
Exotic Appearance |
Exotic Temperament
Grooming Your Exotic Cat |
Exotic Cat Health Information |
Is a Exotic The Right Choice
For You?
Care of your Exotic Shorthair
kitten is relatively easy - unlike their ancestor, the Persian,
Exotic Shorthairs have a soft, short coat that is easy to
maintain. A weekly brushing will help to remove any excess
dead hairs, keeping hairballs to a minimum, and will help to
remove any excess dander. While the Exotic Shorthair does
shed, this weekly brushing will help keep it to a minimum.
The Exotic Cat is a relatively
new breed but one with a solid gene pool to support them.
Because of this, they are less prone to many of the hereditary
diseases that plague cats that are more heavily inbred, but it
also makes them more susceptible to hereditary defects that are
inherited from their ancestors. Some example of health
concerns that could effect your Exotic Shorthair Cat are as
follows:
-
Feline urological syndrome
-
Polycystic kidney disease
-
Corneal sequestrum
-
Stenotic nares
-
Breathing concerns
-
Birthing problems, often
resulting in caesarian sections
The Exotic Shorthair is a very
sweet and endearing little cat, who captures the heart of many.
Well adapted to family life, he is a people-cat who enjoys human
company and delights in laying on your lap while you watch the
television. Not overly prone to mischief, they still
remain playful well into their adult lives and are good natured
around other animals and children alike. If you are
looking for a wonderful cat but don’t mind paying a bit more for
this beauty, the Exotic may be just the cat for you.
Ready to add an exquisite Exotic
cat or kitten to your family? Visit our
Exotic
Cat Breeders Showcase where you can find contact information
for responsible Exotic catteries and view photos, detailed
information and litter announcements for Burmese kittens for
sale.
Click here!
Exotic Cat Breed Facts
| Exotic Cat Breed History |
Exotic Appearance |
Exotic Temperament
Grooming Your Exotic Cat |
Exotic Cat Health Information |
Is a Exotic The Right Choice
For You?
