An exciting, fun cat, the Exotic does not mind changes in routine and is generally friendly with anyone and everyone.
The Exotic is an extreme looking breed with short legs, a short tail, large round eyes and an exotic coat.
Weight range:
Male: large: >12 lbs.
Female: medium: 8-12 lbs.
Eye color:
Blue, Copper, Hazel, Odd-eyed
Expectations:
Longevity Range: 8-10 yrs.
Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
Tendency to Shed: High
Coat:
Length: Medium, Long
Characteristics: Straight
Colors: White, Red, Cream, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Silver, Golden Cameo, Tortoiseshell, Bluecream, Brown, Lilac Cream, Calico
Pattern: Solid color, Tortoiseshell, Bicolor, Tricolor/Calico, Tabby, Smoke, Shaded, Points
Less Allergenic: No
Overall Grooming Needs: High
Club recognition:
Cat Association Recognition:
CFA, ACFA , FIFe, TICA
Prevalence: Common
The Exotic is usually a medium-sized cat, although she is massive and heavily boned. She has a broad chest and can appear larger than she really is.
The Exotic is an extreme looking breed. The body is short but very thick with thick legs and a short, thick neck. The boning is heavy but the tail is short and the ears are small. The head is round with large, round eyes. When viewed in profile, the face is flat and the nose changes direction so that mostly nose leather is seen.
The coat on an Exotic is thick and plush. The coat appears rather puffy because the undercoat is so thick.
Personality:
The Exotic is a placid cat that exhibits bursts of kitten-like activity. She will be sleeping in the sun when she suddenly explodes, running around the room and rolling around.
The Exotic will stretch out next to you, sleep in your bed, and even sit on your lap when she is in the mood. She does not mind changes in routine and is generally friendly with anyone and everyone.
Living With:
The Exotic needs to have her nutrition controlled if she is to stay in good condition. Since the breed is not known for a high degree of exercise, attention must be paid to both her nutrition and exercise.
The Exotic needs to be affirmatively exercised to keep her in top condition. Exotics like to play with their parent and will play with interactive toys, chase balls and attack catnip mice, but you might have to keep after them to exercise on a daily basis.
The Exotic coat, on both the shorthair and longhair, requires attention on a daily basis. She must be brushed and combed in order to keep the coat loose and to remove the undercoat. If daily grooming is ignored, the coat will soon begin to clump together and become difficult to comb. In addition, the flat face must be carefully cleaned as tear stains can be deposited on the face.
History:
The beauty of the Persian has long entranced people, but the care of the longhaired Persian can be very intimidating as well as time consuming. So many people desired to have a shorthaired version of the Persian that would be easier to care for while still retaining the extreme look of the popular Persian.
To this end, a breeding program began in the United States in the 1960s. To achieve this, the Persian was crossed with American Shorthair cats and, occasionally, Burmese. The outcome of this breeding program was the Exotic, which was just what the original breeders envisioned.
The Exotic also has a longhaired version, but the coat is not generally as long as the Persian coat.
The Exotic may be known as the Exotic Shorthair or the Longhaired Exotic, depending on where she is registered.
