| In the 1960s a Persian was crossed with a | | | | well with children and other pets but some |
| Domestic Shorthair in an attempt to create a | | | | children may not like their independent |
| Persian with only short hair. The result was | | | | nature. |
| today's Exotic, a breed that looks strikingly | | | | |
| similar to the Persian, but with less | | | | The Exotic does have some health concerns. |
| maintenance involved, hence the nickname, | | | | Since it was bred with a Persian, Exotics |
| 'the lazy man's Persian.' There are long- and | | | | have flat faces, making their tears prone to |
| shorthaired varieties of Exotic. The coat of | | | | overflowing and staining the face. They can |
| a Longhaired is very similar to a Persian. It | | | | also suffer from constricted nostrils |
| is very thick and dense, and requires daily | | | | (causing them to breathe loudly), dental |
| grooming, along with regular bathing. The | | | | malocclusions, seborrhea oleosa (itchy, dry |
| Shorthaired Exotic coat is, well, short. | | | | skin or hair loss), and polcystic kidney |
| However, that does not mean it does not | | | | disease. Exotics are also prone to ringworm. |
| require some maintenance from the owner. | | | | |
| | | | There is a website that has great information |
| Though Shorthaired Exotics tend to be able to | | | | on Exotic and most other breeds of cats. It |
| keep themselves clean via regular grooming, | | | | has details that pertain to a cat breeds |
| the occasional brushing is recommended to | | | | health, grooming, living conditions, best |
| lower the occurrence of fur balls. Both Long- | | | | food choices and more, the website is called: |
| and Shorthaired Exotics are seen in a wide | | | | Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this |
| array of colors and both will shed, though | | | | url: |
| not nearly as much as a Persian. Both tend to | | | | |
| be of an average size and weight and tend to | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| live around twelve years, though they are not | | | | |
| considered mature until approximately two | | | | Copyright © 2006 |
| years of age and enter puberty later than | | | | |
| other breeds. | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, |
| | | | newsletter on your web site as long as it is |
| Exotics, though loving towards their human | | | | reprinted in its entirety and without |
| families, tend to be aloof. They do not | | | | modification except for formatting needs or |
| demand much attention or interaction, but, | | | | grammar corrections. |
| from time to time, will want to enjoy their | | | | |
| company. This is accomplished not by tricks | | | | Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software |
| or antics but by sitting and waiting | | | | business on the internet for over 5 years, |
| patiently while staring to get their point | | | | and has been producing low-cost software for |
| across. This does not mean that Exotics are | | | | the past 25+ years. He first released |
| not playful. They do enjoy the occasional | | | | products on the AMIGA and C64 computer |
| romp around the house and do not like being | | | | systems in the late 1970's-80's. |
| left alone for long periods of time. They do | | | | |