The Exotic Shorthair:
GRC Caliope April Showers 1993 CFA National Best Blue Cream
Description
Exotic Shorthairs are wonderful shorthaired versions of the Persian. They have the flat faces of the Persian but a short plush teddy-bear look, and the usual small squeaky Persian voices. Very responsive to humans and human emotions, this breed has inherited their very tame personality and gentle ways from their Persian ancestry. However, twenty years ago, several shorthaired breeds were used as outcrosses to bring in the short coated gene, and as a result, Exotics are generally livelier and more inquisitive than Persians.
For busy people who like the look of a Persian but don't have time for the daily grooming demands, the Exotics are the best kept secret of the cat fancy. They are bred to meet the Persian standard in every way with one very special exception: The coat has a thick, dense, plush, short coat. The Exotic coat is unique to the breed and gives them a soft, rounded, teddy bear look. Their wonderful coat requires much less combing than a Persian's and will not mat or tangle. Because of the ease of grooming for this special breed, Exotics are sometimes affectionately referred to as the "Lazy Man's Persian".
History
Recognized by most cat associations in the late 1960s, the Exotic Shorthair comes in all colors. Some lines were developed using the Burmese to introduce the short coat. Other lines were developed using the British and American Shorthair, even Russian Blues were used by some. But today, the only acceptable outcross is to the Persian.
In the early 1960s, American Shorthair breeders began using Persians as outcrosses in an attempt to strengthen their type. However, the resulting kittens were unique and had a decidedly different appearance than they were looking for. This caused quite a furor between American Shorthair and Persian breeders in CFA. Finally, because the look was appealing, the breeders working with the hybrid lines decided to work on a new breed to be called the Exotic Shorthair. American Shorthair breeders were given a choice of registering the kittens as Americans or Exotics, but once registered as Exotics they could not return to American. In the mid-1960s, the core breeders expanded the program to include other shorthair breeds such as Burmese and British Shorthairs. In 1967 CFA gave formal recognition to the Exotic Shorthair as a breed. Among the early pioneers was Lion House Cattery, where top silvers and silver tabbies were produced from American Shorthair outcrosses. Another early pioneer was New Dawn Cattery, owned by ACFA judge Carolyn Bussey, who used Burmese as her shorthair outcross.
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Price Range of Exotics
One of the unfortunate aspects of outcrossing to Persians means that fifty percent of the kittens may be longhaired, and indistinguishable in appearance from Persian kittens! Most associations recognize these longhaired versions as Persians and as a New Breed Class all to its own as "Exotic Longhairs", and many have gained Grand Champion status in these associations. These kittens generally are priced the same as Persian kittens in your area ($1200-$1800).
Exotic Shorthair Persian Kittens range in price from ($1600-$2500) for an altered kitten purchased as a "Pet" going to a Pet Home. Breeding (with breeding rights) or Show kittens range in price from $2500-$7000+, depending upon the bloodlines and show expectations.
Free Exotic Downloads, Articles & Letters
• 1985 CFA Yearbook : "We've Only Just Begun" - Part I by Johanna D. Leibfarth
• 1985 CFA Yearbook : "We've Only Just Begun" - Part II by Johanna D. Leibfarth
• 1985 CFA Yearbook : "We've Only Just Begun" - Part III by Johanna D. Leibfarth
• 1985 CFA Yearbook : "We've Only Just Begun" - Part IV by Johanna D. Leibfarth
