Exotic Shorthair
Short-haired version of the Persian, developed from American Shorthair and Persian crosses.
via Wikipedia: Exotic Shorthair · see source
The Exotic Shorthair was created as a short-coated version of the Persian, sharing the Persian’s overall look but with a dense, plush coat. It is a medium-to-large cat with a round, broad head, full cheeks, and large, round eyes. Its ears are small, rounded at the tips, and set low, while the tail is short for its body size. Like the British Shorthair and Persian, the breed appears in many colors.
The breed’s history began in the late 1950s when some American Shorthair breeders secretly used Persians, along with Russian Blues and Burmese, to improve body type. The resulting crossbred look gained show-ring recognition, but unhappy American Shorthair breeders pushed through a standard disqualifying any American Shorthair showing crossbreeding. One breeder who saw potential in the Persian–American Shorthair cross convinced Cat Fanciers’ Association judge Jane Martinke to recognize the new breed in 1966 as the Exotic Shorthair. By 1987, the CFA closed the breed to shorthair outcrosses, leaving only the Persian as an allowable outcross.
Because Persians are regularly used as outcrosses, some Exotics carry a recessive longhair gene. When two such cats mate, each offspring has a 1-in-4 chance of being longhaired. The CFA does not consider longhaired Exotics to be Persians, but The International Cat Association accepts them as Persians. Other associations, like the American Cat Fanciers Association, register them as a separate Exotic Longhair breed.
Like the Persian, the Exotic Shorthair is brachycephalic, with a pushed-in face that can cause health issues. These include brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (which can lead to airway resistance, inflammation, and heart strain, treated with weight loss, surgery, or avoiding heat and humidity), corneal sequestrum (corneal necrosis of unknown cause), dystocia (difficult labor due to large skulls), and feline polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Studies show PKD prevalence in Exotics is 40–50% in developed nations; DNA screening is recommended for breeding cats to reduce the disease by spaying or neutering positive animals. In a review of over 5,000 cases of urate urolithiasis, only one Exotic Shorthair was recorded, making the breed significantly under-represented.
The breed gained popularity through dedicated advocates. The CFA accepted it for championship status in 1967, and the first Grand Champion Exotic appeared in 1971. The Fédération Internationale Féline recognized the breed in 1986. In 1991, an Exotic was CFA Cat of the Year, and in 1992, a CFA Best Kitten was an Exotic.
- origin
- United States
- breed group
- Short-haired Persian-derived
- recognition year
- 1966 (Cat Fanciers' Association)
- championship status
- 1967 (CFA)
- known for
- Short dense coat, brachycephalic face, Persian-like appearance
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In the late 1950s, the Persian was used as an outcross by some American Shorthair breeders. This was done in secret in order to improve their body type, and crosses were also made with the Russian Blue and the Burmese. The crossbreed look gained recognition in the show ring, but unhappy American Shorthair breeders successfully produced a new breed standard that would disqualify American Shorthairs that showed signs of crossbreeding. One American Shorthair breeder who saw the potential of the Persian/American Shorthair cross proposed and eventually got the Cat Fanciers' Association judge and American Shorthair breeder Jane Martinke to recognize them as a new breed in 1966, under the name Exotic Shorthair. In 1987, the Cat Fanciers' Association closed the Exotic to shorthair outcrosses, leaving Persian as the only allowable outcross breed.
Reader's Guide
The Exotic Shorthair's significance lies in its creation as a short-haired alternative to the Persian, preserving the Persian's characteristic appearance while offering a lower-maintenance coat. The breed's development resolved a conflict among American Shorthair breeders, and its recognition in 1966 established a new lineage. Over time, the Exotic gained popularity, achieving CFA Championship status in 1967, Grand Champion status in 1971, and CFA Cat of the Year in 1991. The breed's health concerns mirror those of the Persian, including brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome, corneal sequestrum, dystocia, and a high prevalence (40–50%) of polycystic kidney disease. The CFA closed the Exotic to shorthair outcrosses in 1987, allowing only Persian outcrosses. Longhaired Exotics are not considered Persians by the CFA, though TICA accepts them as Persians, and other associations register them as a separate Exotic Longhair breed.
Did You Know?
- The Exotic Shorthair was recognized as a new breed in 1966 by the Cat Fanciers' Association, thanks to judge Jane Martinke.
- In 1987, the Cat Fanciers' Association closed the Exotic to shorthair outcrosses, leaving Persian as the only allowable outcross breed.
- The prevalence of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in Exotic Shorthairs is between 40 and 50% in developed nations.
- Longhaired Exotics are not considered Persians by the Cat Fanciers' Association, but The International Cat Association accepts them as Persians.
- In 1991, an Exotic was the Cat Fanciers' Association's Cat of the Year.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
Some people believe the Exotic Shorthair is a naturally ancient breed, but it was actually developed in the late 1950s and only recognized as a new breed in 1966. Another common misconception is that longhaired Exotics are considered Persians by all cat associations; while The International Cat Association accepts them as Persians, the Cat Fanciers' Association does not.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
The Exotic Shorthair endures because it offers the beloved round-faced, placid temperament of the Persian in a low-maintenance coat, making it a popular choice for owners who want the Persian look without daily grooming. However, its brachycephalic face, inherited from the Persian, comes with significant health risks—such as a 40 to 50 percent prevalence of polycystic kidney disease in developed nations—reminding us that aesthetic breeding choices often carry ethical responsibilities.
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