Animalia Life

The Breed History
Exotic breed cats are essentially shorthaired Persians in type. The origins of the Exotics were from crosses of British Shorthairs with Persians. In America, breeders also crossed these cats with Burmese and American Shorthair cats in the 1960s. Though termed Exotic Shorthair in many places, in America they are usually referred to by the name Exotic. The CFA registry recognized the Exotic in 1967 and today, only Persian outcrosses are accepted.

Physical Characteristics
Weight: 8-14 lb (3.5-6.5 kg)
Coat: All Himalayan and Persian colors are allowed. The very soft dense plush double coat is a bit longer than the usual shorthair coat; almost a medium length.
Eyes: Large eyes are prominent and round. Color of eyes is in sync with color of the coat.
Points of Conformation: The conformation specifications for Exotics mirror those for the Persian. These are medium sized cobby cats, with a compact build, short heavy legs, and large round paws. The Exotic possesses a massive round head with full cheeks, and small rounded ears set far apart and low, with rounded tips. A distinct stop between the eyes is present. A short snub nose is also characteristic. Tail is short and thick with a rounded tip.
Grooming: Coat care consists of a brief daily grooming session. There is a much reduced matting tendency when compared with Persians. May need to cleanse away tears/debris at the medial canthus on an "as need" basis.

Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Reported breed characteristics include: Playful, friendly, curious, quiet and affectionate. Excellent compatibility with children and other pets. These cats are a bit livelier than the typical Persian cats, but share the small voice of the Persian. Many enjoy being lap cats. Not demanding of attention.

Normal Breed Variations
Tend to gain weight easily so there is an increased risk of obesity Blood Type B: Prevalence of 27% type B was reported.

Drug Sensitivities
None reported in the literature

Inherited Diseases
See Persian chapter for more information about shared traits. (An example of a condition shared by Exotic and Persian):
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): PKD is most common in Persian breed, and those breeds having out-crossed to Persians in their breeding programs. According to one study in France, prevalence of PKD was 39% in Exotic Shorthairs, in a healthy population screened for cysts in the kidney by ultrasonographic evaluation. Another study in Australia determined that in the population of healthy owned cats, 50% of the Exotics were positive for PKD. In another study group of 17 Exotics there was a 41% positive rate. In screening programs carried out at University of California at Davis in 2002, Exotics were assessed in three separate study groups (40%, 33% and 41% positive) by ultrasound screening of healthy cattery cats.
Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (NI): All B type cats have circulating anti-A antibodies and even primiparous queens can carry these. Type B queens bred to type A toms can result in fatal red cell lysis in A blood type offspring with undetected NI. Kittens with NI can be distinguished from other fading kittens because of pigmenturia; anemia and icterus will also be present; not all kittens at risk for NI will develop overt clinical symptoms.

Disease Predispositions
See Persian chapter for details regarding the many shared predispositions (e.g., Brachycephalic-can be associated with sinus problems, breathing difficulties, corneal ulceration secondary to drying, epiphora.
Jaw and teeth anatomical abnormalities: (asymmetric jaw, crowded teeth)
Dystocia: Increased dystocia due to large domed skulls.
Transfusion Reactions: Due to high prevalence of blood type B, natural allo-antibodies markedly increase the risk of transfusion reactions so donors and recipients should be blood typed).
Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis: In a case control study outlining risk of development of uroliths, Exotics were found to be at increased risk of forming calcium oxalate uroliths.
Hereditary Deafness: Is associated with the dominant gene for white cat (W); may be found in white cats of this breed.

Genetic Tests
Blood type cats before mating or transfusions recommended

Miscellaneous
- Breed name synonyms: Shorthaired Persian, Zot
- Registries: FIFР№ (Exotic), TICA (Exotic Shorthair), CCA, NZCF (Exotic) CFA, ACFA (Exotic Shorthair), CFF, WCF (Exotic Shorthair), ACF (Exotic Shorthair), GCCF (Exotic)
- Breed resources: Exotic Cat Club (GCCF): http://www.exotic-cat-club.org/
Exotic Shorthair Cat Society (U.K): http://www.exoticcatsociety.co.uk/
Exotic CFA Breed Council: http://www.exoticbc.org/
United Silver and Golden Fanciers Online (Silver/golden Persians and exotics): http://www.unitedsilverandgoldenfanciers.com/