European Cats

Persians and American Shorthairs mix well together and the result is the Exotic Shorthair. They were first introduced in the United States in the 1960s and recognised as a breed some years later.

The Exotic Shorthair spread to Europe in the 1980s. Not surprisingly, the Exotic Shorthair looks like a Persian but with medium to short ham From one side of its ancestry it gets its nonchalance, from the other its taste for hunting rodents, and from both its gentle, affectionate, sociable character. It has qualities peculiar to the breed, too, liking to spend periods in quiet contemplation, and not much enjoying being played with.

It has an independence of spirit which might have led to its becoming a wanderer had it not chosen to live a home life, even if that means being an apartment cat. When it moves, the Exotic Shorthair can show a surprising turn of speed, even though it normally walks slowly as befits a part Persian. It can suddenly liven up -the American side showing!

The Exotic Shorthair, while being fond of its owner, is above all a family cat. It feels safe in the confines of the home and, since it regards friends of its family as being its friends, too, it will permit strangers to stroke it, while remaining rather reserved. The medium long coat is easy to brush and comb out. The diet should be varied and carefully weighed to prevent overeating, as it has a tendency to obesity.

General:

Solid and stocky but elegant. Sturdy legs and a straight tail in proportion to the length of the body. Muscular shoulders and back and large, round feet.

Head:

Round, massive and well balanced. Wide skull. Very short nose. Small, wide apart eyes, slightly inclined outward. Eye colours should be in harmony with the coat and blue or amber are the most sought after.

Coat:

The medium long hair is evenly cropped. fine textured and glossy. May be any of the colours permitted for Persians. Except golden or the colour of the Pekingese-faced red.