TICA again expanded the acceptable Exotic colors in 1989 when it accepted cats in the intermediate color categories (sepia and mink).īelow are examples of the many colors you can find in exotic shorthairs: Today ACFA and CFA recognize pointed Exotics as well.

The only colors recognized were traditional Persian or American Shorthair colors until 1980 when TICA was formed and recognized the Exotic Shorthair in pointed colors. Type(including shape, size, bone and length of tail).20Ĭoat.10īalance.5 Point Counts in CFA: Head (including size and shape of eyes ear shape and set).

The thick plush coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness….” The large, round eyes set wide apart in a large round head contribute to the overall look and expression… “The ideal Exotic should present an impression of a heavily boned, well balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines… Another early pioneer was New Dawn Cattery, owned by ACFA judge Carolyn Bussey, who used Burmese as her shorthair outcross. Among the early pioneers was Lion House Cattery, where top silvers and silver tabbies were produced from American Shorthair outcrosses. In 1967 CFA gave formal recognition to the Exotic Shorthair as a breed. In the mid-1960s, the core breeders expanded the program to include other shorthair breeds such as Burmese and British Shorthairs. 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. 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.

This caused quite a furor between American Shorthair and Persian breeders in CFA. However, the resulting kittens were unique and had a decidedly different appearance than they were looking for. In the early 1960s, American Shorthair breeders began using Persians as outcrosses in an attempt to strengthen their type. But today, the only acceptable outcross is to the Persian. Other lines were developed using the British and American Shorthair, even Russian Blues were used by some. Some lines were developed using the Burmese to introduce the short coat. Recognized by most cat associations in the late 1960s, the Exotic Shorthair comes in all colors. There are no great chops to be shaped to embellish a head that is too small or not round enough. No flowing coat to disguise those cats standing too tall or cowhocked. No massive ruff to hide a neck that is too long. There is no long coat to be trimmed to hide ears that are too large, or set too high on the head. The Exotic must meet the Persian standard with regard to nose, eye, ear, chin, and build. Showing the Exotic Shorthair has been called a “Persian wet tee-shirt contest.” It is like showing a Persian in its underwear or sopping wet.

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. Very responsive to humans and human emotions, this breed has inherited their very tame personality and gentle ways from their Persian ancestry. They have the flat faces of the Persian but a short plush teddy-bear look, and the usual small squeaky Persian voices. Mary Lou Mills (Tacoma Wash)/Colleen Power Caliope Exotics,Įmail: © 1995 Patti Dailey, Claire Farmer and Colleen Power, All Rights Reserved.Įxotic Shorthairs are wonderful shorthaired versions of the Persian. Patti Dailey, Daisen, Eugene Oregon, email: Farmer, Revvilee Persians and Exotics, Spokane Washington This FAQ has been compiled by the following exhibitors: GRC Caliope April Showers 1993 CFA National Best Blue Cream

Exotic shorthair tabby pure white