Exotic Shorthair Cat

Exotic Shorthair Cat

Breed: Exotic Shorthair Cat
Temperament: affectionate and lively
Cost: $250 plus
Lifespan: 12 - 14 years
Recommended for: families and the elderly
Maintenance: low

Appearance

Exotic shorthairs have the body type and carriage of a Persian but with a dense coat which is thick and soft like a British Shorthair. The coat can grow up to 7.5cm (3") but should not be long enough to fall or flop. The Exotic Shorthair's face is flat like the Persian and the breed comes in all 96 colours of the Persian, these include black, white, cream, blue, himalayan and tortoiseshell with the appropriately matched eye colour.

Temperament

Exotic Shorthairs are happy, lively and outgoing cats. They are more athletic than the Persian and more sociable than the British Shorthair as well as being cuddly and affectionate.

History

The Exotic Shorthair was bred in the USA in the 1960's by crossing a Persian longhair with an American Shorthair. American Shorthair breeders were keen to broaden the breed's colour range. The first crosses resulted in a heavy boned densely furred cat. After many years this breed is now recognised in the US and Australia. In Australia the breed is being developed by crossing Persians with British rather than American Shorthairs.

Health and lifespan

The squashed face of the exotic Shorthair cat can lead to some eye problems. Blocked tear ducts and discharge from the eyes is common so keep the eyes clean with a tissue or wet washer. Exotic Shorthairs have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years.

Feeding

Exotic Shorthairs are not fussy eaters and need a balanced diet of canned and fresh meat. Calcium supplements are recommended for maturing cats.

Breeding and cost

It is recommended to breed Persian to Exotic or Exotic to Exotic to produce Exotic Shorthairs. Exotic Shorthairs make good mothers and do not have many problems kittening. Litters usually consist of four to five kittens. About 50% of the litter are Exotics, the other 50% have longhair and cannot be shown as Exotics. Kittens sell for about $250 plus depending on the quality of the animal.

Housepet Potential

Exotic Shorthairs are equally at home indoors or outdoors and they make a great family pet. If the cats are kept indoors they need a fresh supply of water and some grass grown in a pot on which they can chew. While their shorter hair is less obvious than a Persians, nonetheless they do shed heavily leading up to summer. Exotic Shorthair cats are great companion pets for the elderly as well as being suitable for a family.

Grooming

The short hair of the exotic makes them much easier to groom than a Persian. Brush or comb their coats once a week and run a damp hand down their coat to remove loose hairs.

Further Information:

ACT
Capital Cats Incorporated (for Kitten availability)
PO Box 404
Dickson, 2602
Leslie Roberts - Phone: (02) 6231 6538

NSW
NSW Cat Fanciers' Association (CCCA)
PO Box 485
Round Corner, 2158
Fiona Cooper - Phone: (02) 4587 8789
Waratah State Cat Alliance (ACF)
PO Box 2478 Taren Point Business Centre
Taren Point, 2229
Phone: (02) 9544 1910
Fax: (02) 9527 3695

QLD
Queensland Feline Association Inc.
Secretary - Mrs Valerie Harney
8 Cooper Rd
Northgate, 4013
Phone: (07) 3260 6575
Council of Federated Cat Clubs of Queensland
Secretary - Marie Mahoney
497 Oakey Flat Rd
Morayfield, 4506
Phone: (07) 5498 6078
Feline Control Council of Qld
Secretary - Jan Wylie
PO Box 211
Wilston, 4061
Phone: (07) 3857 2743

TAS
Cat Association of Tasmania (ACF)
39 Beach Rd
Linisfarne, 7015
Phone: (03) 6243 7521
Fax: (03) 6243 8660
Cat Control Council of Tasmania
Secretary - Ms T. Plumbridge
17 Cheltenham Way
Prospect Vale, 7250
Phone: (03) 6344 6464

Exotic Cat Association of Australasia
Mrs Theresa Imboden - Johnson
Phone: (02) 9899 4086
Website: http://www.geocities.com/ecaofa

SA
Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of SA
Secretary - Mrs Nell Evans
35 Bucknall Rd
Glanville, 5015
Phone: (08) 8449 5880
Feline Association of South Australia Inc
Secretary - Mrs B. August
PO Box 736
Murray Bridge, 5254
Phone: (08) 8532 3314

NT
Cat Association of the Northern Territory
PO Box 3870
Darwin, 0801
Phone: (08) 8932 3485
Fax: (08) 8931 0114

VIC
Feline Control Council of Victoria
Royal Showgrounds
Epsom Road,
Ascot Vale, 3032
Phone: (03) 9281 7404
Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Victoria
Secretary- Mrs D. Oates
4/170 Underwood Rd
Ferntree Gully, 3156
Phone: (03) 9752 4217
Cat Authority of Victoria Inc.
74 Summit Road
Lilydale, 3140
Phone/Fax: (03) 9735 2210

WA
Cat Owners' Association of WA Inc (CCCA)
PO Box 135
Claremont, 6010
Tony Farrell
Phone: (08) 9384 2500
Feline Control Council of WA
PO Box 915
Cannington, 6107
Phone/Fax: (08) 9493 5228

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