Cat Breeds 101: Exotic Shorthair – Image To Repin / Share
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If you love Persian cats but you don’t have the luxury of time to take care of their grooming needs, then you should consider having an Exotic Shorthair. This breed of cat looks almost the same as the Persian – minus the long flowing coats. Exotic Shorthairs are actually known for their teddy bear look.
According to research, Exotic Shorthairs were in fact bred to match the qualities of the standard Persians, minus the long coat, of course. And since they were bred after the Persians, it’s not a surprise to know that they also resemble the temperament as well as the conformation of the Persian breed.
The ancestors of the Exotic Shorthairs were actually the product of a breeding experiment. Some American Shorthair breeders secretly used the Persian as an outcross to improve their breed. The experimental breeding produced lovely kittens which led to the creation of the breed which was initially called “Sterling” due to the cats’ silver coloration. Those kittens look exactly the same as Persians, except for their short and plush coats. Eventually, the new breed’s name was changed to Exotic Shorthair, and all colors were since then accepted. [1]
In 1966, the new breed was officially registered by the Cat Fanciers’ Association. Meanwhile, it took another two decades for the breed to be recognized by the Federation Internationale Feline. [2] In 1979, The International Cat Association (TICA) granted the breed’s championship status.
In general, Exotic Shorthairs are regarded as extremely affectionate and loyal companions at home. They continue to endear more hearts with their sweet voices. They are not the type that will beg for your attention in a noisy way. Instead, they will opt to sit in front of you, and use their irresistible look to catch your attention. However, it is worth noting that this breed does not constantly demand for their owner’s attention. Nonetheless, they will still hug you, curl on your lap, or sit on your shoulder sometimes. [3]
In contrast to what most people believe in, male Exotic Shorthairs are actually more affectionate and warm than their female counterparts. Meanwhile, the females may be more aloof than the opposite gender.
Just like other breeds of cats, Exotic Shorthairs are also playful, easygoing, and fun-loving. Sometimes, they tend to jump until they get exhausted. They also love chasing and playing with toys.
Exotic Shorthairs are also the type of cats that follow their owners wherever they go inside the house just to satisfy their desire to be near them. Also, they tend to jump, curl up, and take a nap on your lap whenever you settle down to read a book. In addition to their impressive intelligence, Exotic Shorthairs are positively regarded for their ability to get along well with children and other pets at home.
Unlike the Persians and other breeds of cats, Exotic Shorthairs only require minimal grooming. In fact, their coats do not easily form into mats or tangles. On the other hand, further research revealed that the Exotic Shorthairs have inherited some of Persian’s health problems such as the Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease.
References:
[1] https://www.tica.org/public/breeds/es/intro.php
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exotic_Shorthair
[3] https://www.cfainc.org/Breeds/BreedsCJ/Exotic.aspx