U.K. - Exotic Cat Society

What is an Exotic?

One of the Exotic Shorthair's nicknames is the 'Easycare Persian' because Exotics look like Persians but have short coats which are very soft and plush, and so thick that they stand away from the body due to their sheer density. Although the coat needs grooming it is a much less arduous task than caring for a Persian coat.

The Exotics also share the same kind of temperament as the Persian in that they are usually confident, friendly and affectionate, and as a consequence they make wonderful pets.

Clark's Ch Suzerain Minerva

At shows Exotic Shorthairs are exhibited in the Longhair section. They are included here because they have been bred as a short-coated version of the Persian.

The Show Standard for the type (look) of an Exotic Shorthair is the same as for the Persian: short, broad, cobby body with a deep chest and short, stocky legs with round paws. The heads are large and round with a short nose which has a distinct 'break'. Eyes are large, round, bold and set wide apart on the head. The tail is short and thick with a rounded tip.
Exotic Shorthairs can be in any of the many recognised Persian or British Shorthair colours, with over 140 colours having been allocated breed numbers by the G.C.C.F..

A Brief History

Mr & Mrs McEwen's Ch Brylou Desperate Dan

The Exotic Shorthair was first produced approximately 40 years ago by crossing two different breeds of cat, the Persian Longhair and the British Shorthair.
This resulted in kittens that had Persian looks but much shorter coats, coats much denser and softer than the British Shorthairs.

Kittens that showed the best Persian type were then selected for further breeding. Initially, to get an Exotic you always mated a British Shorthair to a Persian Longhair, but now, through extensive breeding over the years, there is a big enough gene pool to mate Exotic to Exotic, or, Exotic to Persian.

Mr & Mrs Walker's
Ch Victorious Springstein

Breeders will, however, sometimes go back to the original type matings to produce a 'new' colour to add to the hundred and forty or so colours already recognised by our governing body, G.C.C.F..

Exotic Shorthairs as Pets

Exotic Shorthairs make ideal pets for owners who want a gentle affectionate lap cat. There are still only a few hundred of them being born every year, so a wait may be necessary to find the right one, especially if you would prefer one of the more unusual colours or coat patterns.
Good quality Exotic Shorthair kittens are big and sturdy, and very well advanced at twelve weeks old.
Contact the Society to find breeders of fine, healthy kittens.
For further information look at Buying a Kitten

Jerry Munroe with his home bred Erriseask Pilkington

The Exotic Shorthair Show Cat

Mr & Mrs. Walker's
Gr Ch Moonwalkers Regardez Moi

When they gained Championship Status in 1995 all the Exotic colours competed together in Open classes at shows. Now they compete in three Open Classes at shows, SELF colours, Tabby or Tabby & White and Any Other Colour (A.O.C) NON-SELF.
In side classes they usually compete against Persian cats.
Judges expect the Exotics to be well-grown, stocky cats of very good Persian type. They look for the same faults/defects as in the longhairs, and like to see thick, dense, short coats.
A cat which is to be shown should comply with the Show Standard laid down by the G.C.C.F..

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