| In the 1960s a Persian was crossed with a | | | | and waiting patiently while staring to get their |
| Domestic Shorthair in an attempt to create a | | | | point across. This does not mean that Exotics are |
| Persian with only short hair. The result was | | | | not playful. They do enjoy the occasional romp |
| today's Exotic, a breed that looks strikingly similar | | | | around the house and do not like being left alone |
| to the Persian, but with less maintenance involved, | | | | for long periods of time. They do well with |
| hence the nickname, 'the lazy man's Persian.' | | | | children and other pets but some children may |
| There are long- and shorthaired varieties of | | | | not like their independent nature. |
| Exotic. The coat of a Longhaired is very similar to | | | | The Exotic does have some health concerns. |
| a Persian. It is very thick and dense, and requires | | | | Since it was bred with a Persian, Exotics have flat |
| daily grooming, along with regular bathing. The | | | | faces, making their tears prone to overflowing |
| Shorthaired Exotic coat is, well, short. However, | | | | and staining the face. They can also suffer from |
| that does not mean it does not require some | | | | constricted nostrils (causing them to breathe |
| maintenance from the owner. | | | | loudly), dental malocclusions, seborrhea oleosa |
| Though Shorthaired Exotics tend to be able to | | | | (itchy, dry skin or hair loss), and polcystic kidney |
| keep themselves clean via regular grooming, the | | | | disease. Exotics are also prone to ringworm. |
| occasional brushing is recommended to lower the | | | | There is a website that has great information on |
| occurrence of fur balls. Both Long- and | | | | Exotic and most other breeds of cats. It has |
| Shorthaired Exotics are seen in a wide array of | | | | details that pertain to a cat breeds health, |
| colors and both will shed, though not nearly as | | | | grooming, living conditions, best food choices and |
| much as a Persian. Both tend to be of an average | | | | more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, |
| size and weight and tend to live around twelve | | | | and can be found at this url: |
| years, though they are not considered mature | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| until approximately two years of age and enter | | | | Copyright © 2006 |
| puberty later than other breeds. | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, |
| Exotics, though loving towards their human | | | | newsletter on your web site as long as it is |
| families, tend to be aloof. They do not demand | | | | reprinted in its entirety and without modification |
| much attention or interaction, but, from time to | | | | except for formatting needs or grammar |
| time, will want to enjoy their company. This is | | | | corrections. |
| accomplished not by tricks or antics but by sitting | | | | |