Exotic Shorthair

The Exotic Shorthair is, in effect, a short-haired Persian — the same round face and cobby build under a dense, plush coat that needs a fraction of the grooming.

History

It was created by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs, keeping the Persian type but bringing in a short coat, which earned it the nickname "the lazy person's Persian". It is bred to the same standard as the Persian in everything but coat length.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, sweet and undemanding — a quiet, affectionate cat that is playful in gentle bursts and content to be a placid companion. It is easygoing and tolerant.

Care

The short dense coat needs only weekly brushing, far less than a Persian's, but the flat face means the eyes and tear-stained folds need regular cleaning. Its placid nature can tip into weight gain without play.

Health

The flat face brings genuine breathing, tear-duct and dental concerns, and the Persian ancestry carries polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, for which breeders test. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for the individual cat and its vet; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.