As spectators at the show walk by the cage they look quizzically at the cat and say, “It looks like a Persian but it has short hair. The sign says Exotic. Exotic what?!”
With today’s busy lifestyles the cat has become a popular pet. Cats are best kept indoors and do well in an apartment or a house. The popularity of the Persian has been evident for many years. The Persian represents the largest class in shows and boasts the largest number of cats registered each year in CFA. However, Persians require daily grooming to maintain their beautiful coat. For busy people who like the look of a Persian but don’t have time for the daily grooming demands, the Exotics are the best kept secret of the cat fancy.
They are bred to meet the Persian standard in every way with one very special exception: the coat has a thick, dense, plush, short coat. The Exotic coat is unique to the breed and gives them a soft, rounded, teddy bear look. Their wonderful coat requires much less combing than a Persian’s and will not mat or tangle. Because of the ease of grooming for this special breed, Exotics are sometimes affectionately referred to as the lazy man’s Persian.
What is it like living with an Exotic? Are they like Persians, or do they resemble their shorthaired ancestors? Over the years, as the type and coat have changed, so has the personality of the Exotic. As the Exotic’s line of Persian ancestors became longer and longer, their temperament has become more and more Persian like. Indeed, there is no longer much difference in the temperament of the two breeds. Exotics have a quiet, endearing nature. Their voices are seldom heard.
The Exotic is an ideal breed that produces a quiet, sweet, peaceful and loyal companion. They are easy going and not much seems to disturb them. In general, they are extremely affectionate. They quietly beg for your attention by just sitting in front of you with an irresistible look focused on your eyes. They will jump in your lap to curl up for a nap or push their wet nose right into your face. Some like to sit on your shoulder and hug you when you pet them. They may or may not sleep with you as some prefer cooler places like the bricks on the hearth or the tiled floor. An Exotic is very comfortable to have in your home. They give you privacy and are not constantly demanding attention. They will, They are just as playful and fun loving as other breeds. They will jump until exhausted trying to catch a toy on a stick, or they will sit and carefully study how to get the toy down from the top of the bookcase where it was placed when you stopped playing with them.
When people call for a pet kitten, they almost always ask for a female, thinking that a girl will be sweeter and more loving. Many also believe that males will be more aggressive and prone to spray. However, neither assumption is correct. Male Exotics are, in general, more affectionate than females. Females can be somewhat more aloof. They always seem to have more important things to do than cuddle with their owner. Exotics mature later than most other breeds, and since all pets should be neutered and spayed at an early age, problems related to spraying and other adult urges need never be a concern.
Exotic kittens exhibit the same level of activity as do Persian kittens. Some breeders say that the Exotic kittens do everything first: open their eyes, climb out of the box, start eating, etc. Adult Exotics enjoy simple pleasures, like watching water drip from a faucet or chasing paper balls around the house.
The easy going nature of the Exotic allows it to fit into your home at any age. Exotics stay playful as adults and bring pleasure for many years. All things considered, the Exotic is a wonderful addition to any family. Adorable to look at, peaceful and clean, what more could you ask for the perfect pet. The Exotic is really the “best of two worlds.”
Pricing on Exotics usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National Regional winning parentage (NW or RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/ premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
The Exotic Shorthair has a gentle and calm personality reminiscent of the Persian, but it is livelier than his longhaired ancestor. Curious and playful, it is friendly to other cats and dogs. It rarely meows. It doesn’t like being left alone, and needs the presence of its owner (or of voices or smells reminiscent of its master-such as a radio kept on). They tend to show more affection and loyalty than most breeds and make excellent lap cats. Their calm and steady nature makes them ideal apartment cats for city dwellers. Nonetheless, Exotics retain some of the energetic spark of their American Shorthair forebears and they are often capable mouse hunters.
Health
Feline polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Exotic shorthairs as is the case of Persians and other Persian derived cats have a high chance of inheriting PKD, a disease that can lead to kidney failure. Several studies using ultrasound scan screening have shown that the prevalence of PKD in exotics is between 40 and 50% in developed nations.[2] DNA screening for PKD is recommended for all Exotic shorthair cats used in breeding programs, to reduce the incidence of kidney disease, by spaying and neutering PKD positive cats.
CFA EXOTIC POINT SCORE
30 .. HEAD(including size and shape of eyes, ear shape and set)
20 .. BODY TYPE(including shape, size, bone, and length of tail)
10 .. COAT
5 .. BALANCE
5 .. REFINEMENT
20 .. COLOR
10 .. EYE COLO
For cats in the tabby division, the 20 points for color are tobe divided 10 for markings and 10 for color.
For cats in the bi-color division, the 20 points for color are to be divided 10 for "with white" pattern and 10 for color.
GENERAL: the ideal Exotic should present an impression of a heavily boned, well balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. The large, round eyes set wide apart in a large round head contribute to the overall look and expression. The thick, plush coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in appearance.
HEAD: round and massive, with great breadth of skull. Round face with round underlying bone structure. Well set on a short, thick neck.
NOSE:short, snub, and broad, with "break" centered between the eyes.
CHEEKS:full.
JAWS:broad and powerful.
CHIN:full, well-developed, and firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite.
EARS: small, round tipped, tilted forward, and not unduly open at the base. Set far apart, and low on the head, fitting into (without distorting) the rounded contour of the head.
EYES: brilliant in color, large, round, and full. Set level and far apart, giving a sweet expression to the face.
BODY:of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a well-rounded midsection and level back. Good muscle tone, with no evidence of obesity. Large or medium in size. Quality the determining consideration rather than size.
LEGS: short, thick, and strong. Forelegs straight. Hind legs are straight when viewed from behind.
PAWS:large, round, and firm. Toes carried close, five in front and four behind .
TAIL: short, but in proportion to body length. Carried without a curve and at an angle lower than the back.
COAT:dense, plush, soft and full of life. Standing out from the body due to a rich, thick undercoat. Medium in length. Acceptable length depends on proper undercoat. Cats with a ruff or tail-feathers (long hair on the tail) shall be transferred to the AOV class.
DISQUALIFY:locket or button. Kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect number of toes. Any apparent weakness in the hind quarters. Any apparent deformity of the spine. Deformity of the skull resulting in an asymmetrical face and/or head. Crossed eyes. For pointed cats, disqualify for white toes, eye color other than blue.*
*The above listed disqualifications apply to all Exotic cats. Additional disqualifications are listed under "Colors."
HIMALAYAN (POINT) PATTERN:Body: clear color is preferred with subtle shading allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color in older cats but there must be a definite contrast between body color and point color. The points, consisting of ears, legs, feet, tail, and mask show the basic color of the cat. The ideal mask extends from above the eyes down through the chin and stretches beyond the eyes from side to side.
CHOCOLATE POINT:body ivory. Points milk-chocolate color, warm in tone. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
SEAL POINT:body even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading gradually into lighter color on the stomach and chest. Points deep seal brown. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
LILAC POINT:body glacial white. Points frosty grey with pinkish tone. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
BLUE POINT: body bluish white, cold in tone, shading gradually to white on stomach and chest. Points blue. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
FLAME (Red) POINT:body creamy white. Points deep orange flame to deep red. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
CREAM POINT: body creamy white. Points buff cream. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
TORTIE POINT: body creamy white or pale fawn. Points seal with unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
BLUE-CREAM POINT:body bluish white or creamy white, shading gradually to white on the stomach and chest. Points blue with patches of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
CHOCOLATE-TORTIE POINT:body ivory. Points chocolate with unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
LILAC-CREAM POINT:body glacial white. Points lilac with patches of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
HIMALAYAN LYNX (POINT) PATTERN:Mask must be clearly lined with dark stripes, vertical and forming the classic "M" on the forehead; horizontal on the cheeks. The mask contains light rings around the eyes and dark spots on light whisker pads, clearly outlined in dark color edges. Inner ear light with ticking on outer ear. Markings dense, clearly defined and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets. Tail barred with lighter underside. No striping or mottling on body.
SEAL LYNX POINT: points beige-brown ticked with darker brown tabby markings. Body color pale cream to fawn, warm in tone. Nose leather: seal brown or brick red. Paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
BLUE LYNX POINT:points light, silvery blue, ticked with darker blue tabby markings. Body color bluish white, cold in tone. Nose leather: blue or old rose. Paw pads: blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
FLAME (Red) LYNX POINT: points deep orange flame ticked with deep red tabby markings. Body color creamy white. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
CREAM LYNX POINT:points pale cream ticked with dark cream tabby markings. Body color creamy white, significantly lighter in tone than the points. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
TORTIE LYNX POINT: points beige-brown with dark brown tabby markings and patches of red. Body color creamy white or pale fawn. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown, brick red and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
BLUE-CREAM LYNX POINT:points blue with darker blue tabby markings and patches of cream. Body color bluish white, cold in tone. Nose leather and paw pads: blue, old rose and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
CHOCOLATE LYNX POINT:points milk-chocolate ticked with darker chocolate tabby markings. Body color ivory. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
LILAC LYNX POINT:points pale frosty grey with pinkish tone ticked with darker lilac tabby markings. Body color glacial white. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
CHOCOLATE-TORTIE LYNX POINT:points milk-chocolate ticked with darker chocolate tabby markings and patches of red. Body color ivory. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
LILAC-CREAM LYNX POINT: points pale frosty grey with pinkish tone ticked with darker lilac tabby markings and patches of cream. Body color glacial white. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.
