The Persian cat was bred with the American Shorthair to create the Exotic Shorthair breed.
This mix gave the new breed a sweet look and easy-care coat.
In the 1950s, West Coast Persian breeders began crossing Persian cats with American Shorthairs.
- Bred in the 1950s–60s – Crossed Persians with American Shorthairs for a short-haired Persian.
- Easy grooming – Short, plush coat without the Persian’s high-maintenance fur.
- Other breeds added – Burmese and Russian Blue for the short coat gene.
- CFA recognition – Officially recognized in 1967.
- Family-friendly – Calm, loving, and playful, perfect for homes of all sizes.
- Low grooming – Needs just weekly brushing.
- Health – Shares Persian issues but is generally healthier than the Persian.
- Not about color – Focus was on body type, not “Sterling” look.
- Breed history matters – Understanding origins aids care and health choices.
Their goal was to create a shorthaired version of the Persian that kept its charming traits—like rounded heads, round eyes, and cobby bodies—but had short hair for easier grooming.
This crossbreed was more than just cute. It had a soft coat, a calm personality, and a lovely silver shine.
Over time, these kittens became known as a new breed: the Exotic Shorthair.
Today, they are loved for their expressive eyes and sweet nature—just like the Persians, but with the low-maintenance coat of a shorthaired cat.
Introduction to the Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is a sweet and gentle cat breed known for its round face, short nose, and plush, easy-to-groom coat.
This affectionate and friendly companion is perfect for families, individuals, and busy owners who want a low-maintenance, loving pet.
The Exotic Shorthair is a unique cat breed that combines the beauty of a Persian with a simpler coat.
It has a compact, rounded body and a soft, dense coat that needs only minimal grooming.
A quick weekly brush keeps their fur in great condition.
This breed was developed in the 1950s for people who wanted a Persian-like look without the heavy grooming needs.
That’s why it’s lovingly called the “lazy person’s Persian.”
Its adorable appearance, with a flat nose, large expressive eyes, and a broad head, gives it a warm, charming style.
Exotic Shorthairs are known for their affectionate, calm, and friendly personality.
They form strong bonds with their owners, love being around kids, and get along with other pets.
They are playful and enjoy toys like feather teasers, making them great companions for both quiet time and fun.
These cats are very adaptable. They do well in many living situations, from small homes to large spaces.
Whether you’re part of a big family or living alone, their sweet temperament fits all lifestyles.
Even allergy sufferers may find them easier to live with, as they shed less than long-haired relatives.
Trusted sources like PetMD, Spruce Pets, and WebMD recommend Exotic Shorthairs as a top choice for people looking for a gentle, loving, and low-maintenance companion.
The American Shorthair: A Foundational Breed
The American Shorthair is a highly popular and beloved domestic cat breed in the United States, known for its friendly nature and history.
It originated from European shorthair cats brought to North America by early settlers for rodent control on ships and in homes.
This breed evolved into a recognized breed by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in 1906 and is admired for its easygoing nature, adaptability, and intelligence.
The American Shorthair is one of the most enduring and charming domestic cat breeds.
Originating from European shorthair cats, it was brought to North America by early settlers, who relied on these cats for rodent control during their long voyages.
They were kept on ships and in homes to manage rodent populations, making them highly valuable to the pioneers.
Over time, these cats became more than just companions—they developed unique characteristics, including their calm demeanor and playful nature.
By 1906, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) officially recognized the American Shorthair as one of the first five breeds.
As the breed continued to grow in popularity, it earned its reputation for being a great family pet, known for its affectionate nature and ease of living with others.
The American Shorthair is known for being a sedate, yet playful, cat.
They enjoy interactive play, often engaging in fun games with feather toys, wands, or strings.
Despite their playful side, they are also independent enough to entertain themselves when needed.
This breed is intelligent and trainable, capable of learning behaviors like staying off counters, using scratching posts, and even retrieving toys.
Their calm and affectionate personality makes them excellent companions for families, including those with children or other pets.
The Persian Cat: The Other Parent Breed
The Persian cat is a key parent breed used in the development of the Exotic Shorthair.
This crossbreed resulted from the intentional pairing of the Persian and the American Shorthair (ASH) in the late 1950s to combine desirable traits like the Persian’s calm temperament and unique conformation.
The Exotic Shorthair became its own distinct breed and was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in 1966.
The Persian cat has been admired for centuries, tracing its origins to Persia (modern-day Iran).
Known for their luxurious fur, round faces, and large eyes, Persians have been cherished by royalty and the aristocracy throughout history.
Their gentle and quiet nature makes them the perfect companions for families, enjoying lounging and spending quality time together.
Persians were first introduced to Europe in the 1600s, where they quickly became symbols of luxury and sophistication.
Over time, their presence spread across North America and other parts of the world.
Their popularity continued to grow, especially after Queen Victoria took a special interest in them in the 1800s, which helped increase their fame.
In the late 1950s, breeders crossed the Persian with the American Shorthair to create the Exotic Shorthair, aiming to combine the best features of both breeds.
The result was a new breed with the Persian’s calm and affectionate nature, along with the American Shorthair’s sturdy body.
The Exotic Shorthair became a beloved breed, recognized for its affectionate and adaptable temperament, much like the Persian itself.
The Creation of the Exotic Shorthair
The Creation of the Exotic Shorthair began in the 1950s and 1960s when American Shorthair breeders aimed to create a Persian-like cat with a shorter, manageable coat.
They successfully crossed American Shorthairs with Persians, resulting in cats with the Persian appearance and a more practical, short coat.
In 1967, the Exotic Shorthair was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
In the 1950s and 1960s, breeders set out to create a new breed that combined the beauty of the Persian with the ease of a shorter coat.
They successfully crossed the American Shorthair with Persians, resulting in a breed with the classic Persian appearance, including round heads, large eyes, and flat noses, while keeping the coat more manageable and easier to care for.
To enhance the coat’s qualities, breeders also used outcrossing with other breeds like Burmese and Russian Blue.
This helped bring in the short hair gene and further improved the breed’s coat.
Over time, the kittens were bred back to Persians to refine the Exotic Shorthair’s characteristics.
The process was a careful balance of selecting for the right traits, such as the cobby body and plush coat.
In 1967, after years of careful breeding, the Exotic Shorthair received official recognition from the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
Today, the breed standards for the Exotic Shorthair are very similar to those of the Persian, with the primary difference being the shorter coat.
The Exotic Shorthair is now cherished for its loving nature and easy-to-care-for coat, making it a popular choice among cat lovers worldwide.
How the Exotic Shorthair Differs from Its Parent Breeds?
The Exotic Shorthair is a unique cat breed that blends the best traits of its parent breeds, the Persian and American Shorthair.
It has a short, dense, and plush coat, which is much easier to maintain compared to the long, luxurious coat of the Persian.
Exotic Shorthairs also share a round face, short legs, and small ears with Persians, but their body is more compact compared to the slender, athletic build of the American Shorthair.
Key Differences in Appearance and Traits
The Exotic Shorthair has a round and compact body shape, unlike the slender and more athletic American Shorthair.
It shares a similar round face and short legs with the Persian, making it look like a Persian but with a more manageable short coat.
The American Shorthair has a smooth coat, while the Exotic Shorthair has a dense, plush one that’s much easier to care for.
Temperament and Personality
Both the Exotic Shorthair and its parent breeds are known for their gentle, affectionate, and playful personalities.
While the Persian and Exotic Shorthair share a calm demeanor, the American Shorthair tends to be a bit more active and curious.
However, all three breeds enjoy spending time with their owners and are suited for families, as they are affectionate and enjoy social interactions.
Grooming and Care
The Exotic Shorthair is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming.
It requires only weekly brushing with a steel comb or slicker brush to keep its plush coat healthy.
Regular care helps prevent matting and reduces shedding.
Unlike the Persian, which needs more frequent grooming due to its long fur, the Exotic Shorthair is much easier to maintain.
They also require tear stain cleaning due to their flat-faced structure and occasional nail trimming.
Health Considerations
While both the Exotic Shorthair and Persian share some common health concerns due to their brachycephalic features, such as breathing difficulties, they are generally a healthy breed.
Regular care and attention to their health, including checking for eye and dental issues, will ensure they remain in good shape.
The American Shorthair is known for its strong overall health and is generally less prone to health problems than the Exotic Shorthair.
Common Misconceptions About the Exotic Shorthair’s Origins
Exotic Shorthairs are often misunderstood.
Many believe they were primarily bred from American Shorthairs and Persians to create a specific Sterling Shorthair with a silver coat and green eyes.
In reality, the goal was to introduce the shorthair gene into the Persian body type, not to focus on color.
Burmese and Russian Blues were also part of the breeding to ensure the shorthair trait became established.
Understanding the Real Purpose Behind the Breeding
Exotic Shorthairs were bred with a clear purpose—to create a cat with the same body type as a Persian, but with a shorthair coat.
The initial crosses between American Shorthairs and Persians helped introduce the shorthair gene, but the main goal was always about the body type.
While some early offspring had a silver coat, this wasn’t the primary focus.
Other Breeds Used in the Mix
In addition to American Shorthairs and Persians, other breeds like Burmese and Russian Blues were brought into the mix.
These breeds helped ensure that the shorthair trait became firmly established in the Exotic Shorthair breed.
Over time, these cats were bred back to Persians, helping secure the unique traits of the breed.
No “Sterling” Name Intentionality
Despite some early crosses resulting in silver-colored cats, the Exotic Shorthair was never intentionally named “Sterling.” This name was a misconception.
The real goal was always to maintain the Persian body type while introducing a shorthair coat, with no particular emphasis on a specific coat color.
Why Understanding Breed Origins Matters?
Understanding cats’ breed origins helps you appreciate their unique traits, care for their health better, and make informed choices in breeding and pet ownership.
Knowing where a cat breed comes from helps you see how their unique characteristics were shaped by evolutionary processes and domestication.
Some felines were selectively bred in certain regions for their looks, temperaments, or to survive in tough environments.
For example, Siberian and Norwegian Forest Cats have long, dense coats.
These were developed to protect them from harsh winters.
Their origins tell us why they have these specific traits.
It shows how diverse and special each breed truly is.
Breed history also helps with managing potential health concerns. It gives clues about their genetic makeup.
This is helpful for breeders and pet owners. It supports responsible practices, like genetic testing, and helps in selecting healthy breeding stock.
When we learn about cat origins, we gain knowledge to support better care, avoid inbreeding, and improve longevity.
It also deepens our appreciation of their story, their bond with humans, and their journey from wild ancestors to loving pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breeds make Exotic Shorthair?
Exotic Shorthair cats are the result of breeding Persian cats with American Shorthairs. Other breeds like Burmese and Russian Blue were also used to enhance the short coat gene.
What is the origin of the Exotic Shorthair cat?
Exotic Shorthair cats were created in the 1950s by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs to produce a short-haired Persian with a more manageable coat. They were officially recognized in 1967.
What did American Shorthair cats evolve from?
American Shorthair cats evolved from European shorthair cats that were brought to North America by early settlers for rodent control.
What is a cat produced from breeding cats of different breeds?
A cat produced from breeding cats of different breeds is called a crossbreed. The Exotic Shorthair is an example of a crossbreed, combining traits from the Persian and American Shorthair.
Conclusion
The Exotic Shorthair offers the charm of a Persian with the ease of grooming typical of short-haired cats.
Its affectionate personality and manageable coat make it the perfect pet for a variety of households.
Disclaimer
The information on this blog is for general purposes only. While I share personal insights, I am not a veterinarian. Always consult a qualified professional for pet-related advice. The views expressed are my own and do not reflect those of Catohouse.com