The Exotic Shorthair cat appeared relatively recently and is an artificially bred breed. We can say that this is a Persian with a shorter coat, which is not surprising - in all other respects, these cats are very similar.
Initially, the breed was bred by lovers of Persian cats, who, at the same time, wanted to get a pet with the same characteristics, with the same head structure and flat muzzle, but without long hair. This would greatly simplify grooming, and besides, thanks to a completely different coat texture, such cats would have their own, unique aesthetics.
To this end, the American Shorthair was crossbred with the Persian cat. The offspring greatly satisfied the breeders, and soon the pets of the new species gained considerable popularity.
Those who stood at the origins of the origin had to make a lot of effort in order to standardize the breed and develop clear, easily reproducible genes. It is believed that at the very beginning, breeders had to use Burmese cats for crossing, however, in our time this is not allowed.
Current breed standards and the American Association allow the Exotic Shorthair to be crossed only with Persians or American Shorthair cats. Of course, if you want to register your pet officially and build a pedigree. International standards are different from American ones, and allow you to cross exotic only with Persians or Himalayan cats.
The Exotic Shorthair cat was recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1967, by the International Cat Fanciers Association in 1969, and to this day remains very popular all over the world.
Characteristics of the breed
Adaptability 10/10
Attachment to family 10/10
Game activity 05/10
Intelligence 06/10
General Health 03/10
Hair loss 06/10
Child-friendly 07/10
Dog friendly 06/10
Love of Meows 02/10
Information about the breed
Country of origin |
USA |
Lifespan |
12-15 years old |
Size |
medium-large |
Weight |
Cats: 5-7 kg, Cats: 3-5 kg |
wool type |
shorthair |
Color |
any colors and coat patterns |
Lifestyle |
in room |
Price |
1500 - 2000$ |
Story
The Exotic Shorthair cat appeared relatively recently and
is an artificially bred breed. We can say that this is a Persian with a
shorter coat, which is not surprising - in all other respects, these cats are
very similar.
Initially, the breed was bred by lovers of Persian cats,
who, at the same time, wanted to get a pet with the same characteristics, with
the same head structure and flat muzzle, but without long hair. This would
greatly simplify grooming, and besides, thanks to a completely different coat
texture, such cats would have their own, unique aesthetics.
To this end, the American Shorthair was crossbred
with the Persian cat. The offspring greatly satisfied the
breeders, and soon the pets of the new species gained considerable popularity.
Those who stood at the origins of the origin had to make a
lot of effort in order to standardize the breed and develop clear, easily
reproducible genes. It is believed that at the very beginning, breeders
had to use Burmese cats for crossing, however, in our time this is not allowed.
Current breed standards and the American Association allow
the Exotic Shorthair to be crossed only with Persians or American Shorthair
cats. Of course, if you want to register your pet officially and build a
pedigree. International standards are different from American ones, and
allow you to cross exotic only with Persians or Himalayan cats.
The Exotic Shorthair cat was recognized by the American Cat
Fanciers Association in 1967, by the International Cat Fanciers Association in
1969, and to this day remains very popular all over the world.
Description
The cat is exotic, short-haired, and well-suited for family
life, while the pet will feel great living with one owner. If you want to
buy a cat as a gift for a child, think twice, as a lot depends on the age of
your baby. After all, this breed does not really like being squeezed,
dragged around the apartment, and trying to play mother-daughters or war.
And, on the contrary, if you come home from work and want to
relax near the TV in an easy chair with an affectionate cat on your lap, this
is ideal.
Outwardly, the exotic shorthair resembles a small bear
cub. The body is compact, the legs are not very long, or strong, and the tail is
short. The neck is also short, the head is rounded, and the muzzle is
flat. There are a lot of color options - from plain to tortoiseshell,
which provides great freedom of choice.
Personality
Despite the fact that, in fact, exotic cats are descended
from the Persians, they are more active and inquisitive. On the other
hand, if you indulge in laziness and overeating, activity can decrease
significantly, and you will have a small meowing ottoman instead of a cat.
At the same time, there is some difference between males and
females in behavior. Males are more affectionate, and friendly, moreover,
these traits of their character are sometimes manifested in combination with
some impudence. Females, on the other hand, may be slightly
colder. Sometimes, this difference is not noticeable at all.
The Exotic Shorthair loves to play, loves to explore the
world around them, and at the same time, they need attention, sometimes they are
ready to literally wait until their family members want to play or cuddle.
Although playful, these cats love to sleep, often sleeping
with their owners, but they can suddenly get up and leave. This is due to
overheating of the body and the need for cooling, which is why exotic cats can
sleep on cold tile or concrete floors. They get along well with children
(although this is not the best breed for children), are moderately intelligent, and
can live with other pets.
Common diseases
Although they are unusual and beautiful, Exotic Shorthair
cats are prone to a range of health problems, many of which are related to
their muzzle structure. This applies to both purebreds and mixed breeds.
- thermal sensitivity;
- polycystic kidney disease (predisposition can be identified through a genetic test);
- predisposition to ringworm;
- oily seborrhea is a condition of the skin that causes itching, redness, and hair loss;
- difficult or too noisy breathing - occurs due to the structure of the muzzle and compressed nostrils;
- incomplete dental bite;
- eye inflammation and suppuration.
Care
Caring for this cat breed can sometimes be inconvenient due
to their predisposition to the disease. You will have to clean the eyes more
often and more thoroughly from the secretions, as well as periodically pay
attention to your pet's breathing.
Otherwise, everything happens the same way as with other
shorthair cats. You need to comb out the coat at least once a week, and
preferably twice to keep it in the best condition, and remove dead hairs and
lumps. Like other cats, the Exotic Shorthair does not like bathing, but it
is necessary to spend it at least once a month. Although, it is better to
bathe the cat once a week. Also, once a week it is necessary to trim the
claws and clean the ears.