There is a particular breed of cat called “exotic”, and at first impression you will be dumbfounded at the cat’s appearance.  It looks Persian but it has a short, dense, plush coat.  For those who dream of owning a Persian but are too busy to attend to the daily grooming that Persian breeds require, the exotic cat breeders would be happy to show you their version.

History of exotic cat breeders

Exotic cats are not a very old breed.  They may in fact be considered post-World War II babies.  It was only in the 1950’s that American Shorthair breeders, influenced by the popularity of the Persians at that time, secretly cross-bred Persians into the American shorthair descendants. 

This experiment brought about a conformation of the American shorthair (this time carrying the bloodline of the Persian).  The result was a cat which was heavier, a rounder head, a shorter snout, and a denser coat.  Although it was still without a name, the would-be exotic cat received high regards in shows back then. 

It wasn’t an easy route for the exotic cat breeders, though, because many American shorthair breeders became appalled at the result of the hybridization.  Many Persian and American shorthair breeders resisted in allowing their cats to be used for the breed.  Thus, exotic cat breeders had to use Russian Blues and Burmese breeds just to preserve the shorthair gene into the line.

The breed finally obtained acceptance in the feline world in 1967 following efforts of the internationally-recognized organization of cat breeders, the CFA, to include exotics in the ranks of the championship.  Many advocates felt a cat, with a Persian blood, can be an excellent addition to the feline world.

What kind of cat is exotic?

Exotic cat breeders intentionally bred the exotic cat from the Persian line of ancestry so you can expect a lot of similarity between the two cats.  And, as the line of ancestry has become increasingly longer, so has the exotic’s personality.  It has developed a Persian-like temperament, and an endearing nature. 

Exotic cats are often referred to as the lazy man’s Persian largely because they require little care except for the usual cat care regimen.  Because of their short hair, the exotic breed’s hair is easy to manage since it doesn’t tangle.  However, it’s soft enough to be as cuddly as the Persian due in part to its thick coat resembling that of a teddy bear.  This makes them great presents to little children since they are rarely aggressive, unless maybe when charged, and also very affectionate.

Exotic cat breeders can tell you that this cat longs for your companionship and would be fond of curling on your lap, lazily.  However, they may not like to sleep with you since most of them prefer cooler areas in your house such as bricks on the hearth or a tiled kitchen floor.

Male exotic cats have generally the same temperament and personality as the female cats, as opposed to common notion that they might be prone to aggressiveness and spraying. 

Exotic cats today are among the most sought-after cats for their adorable features and meek personality.  But besides that, many pet owners prefer them for their non-aggressiveness and playfulness towards children.  This “teddy-bear” cat is not much of a headache and you’ll barely notice its presence.  There would be times when it will follow you from room to room or gently drive its nose towards your face.

If it wasn’t for the pursuant exotic cat breeders, we wouldn’t be seeing even a shadow of this breed making the cat walk in shows, and there wouldn’t be a teddy cat into the mainstream.

Should you need more information, exotic cat breeders in your area would definitely be more than happy to share with more information and short tales about the exotic cat.