Exotically Speaking....by Pamela Hill of Echo Hill
Amankila Shaded Silver Exotic |
Exotics are a "man made breed". During the 1950-60's, Persians were bred with other breeds to incorporate the rounder head shape and Persian coat qualities into other breeds of cats. Some of these hybrid offspring were from silver American Shorthairs and silver Persians. These cats were so appealing, that they became the foundation for a new breed. The standard described a shorthaired Persian cat. By the time the Cat Fanciers Association approved Exotics for championship status in 1967, they were allowed in all colors, not just silver. However, the silvers were the beginning of the breed, and the first grand Champion Exotic was a shaded silver.
CH Echohill Nubi D'Or Shaded Golden Exotic Dam:Echohill Topaz Sire: CH Dazzle M Classic Rock Breeder/Owner: Pamela Hill |
What makes them so special? It is the coat, described as: "dense, plush, soft and full of life, standing out from the body due to a dense undercoat. Put a mink coat on that cute chubby body, and you have what is often described as a "teddy bear" cat. Put a chinchilla pelt on that cobby cat, and you have a silver Exotic. Their hair shaft is white, with a touch of black at the tip. The green eyes, lips and nose are outlined in black, and the paw pads are also black. The contrast is very dramatic.
CH Kittikamir Crewcut of Dazzle M Shaded Silver Exotic Dam:CH Petjoy Petula of Kittikamir Sire: CH Shadedknoll Malachi of Kittikamir Breeder: Gail Persinger Owner: Ardell Sims |
Exotics also come in Golden, another lovely color. The hair shaft is a pale honey to bright apricot color with black tipping. Exotics require less grooming than Persians, so they are easier to maintain. Two Exotics bred together can produce longhaired kittens. These long hair babies are identical to Persians, except that their registration numbers are Exotic, not Persian. Genetically they are the same as Persians. They are usually sold as pets. Short or longhaired, they make wonderful companions, and are playful and affectionate.
Please visit our Exotic Breed Standard page for more information about Exotics .
GP Kittikamir Minnie the Mouseketeer Shaded Silver Exotic Dam:CH Garypaws Mesmerize Sire: CH Missionhill Karma of Kittikamir Breeder/Owner: Gail Persinger |
Longhair Exotics that meet Persian color descriptions are eligible to compete in Persian color classes. Refer to the Persian section for a complete list of colors. These cats are identified by a registration prefix of 7798-7799, 7698-7699 and 7598-7599. A longhair division for Exotics will be created for scoring purposes only and National/Regional points accumulated by longhair Exotics shown in Persian color classes will count towards longhair Exotic breed and color class wins, not towards Persian wins.
IMPORTANT: Effective with Exotic litters born after April 15, 2009, only shorthair Exotic to shorthair Exotic, shorthair Exotic to longhair Exotic and shorthair Exotic to Persian will be permitted. Longhair Exotic to longhair Exotic and longhair Exotic to Persian matings will not be registerable for litters born after April 15, 2009.
Exotic allowable outcross breeds: Persian.
Links to additional information about Exotics:
CFA Exotic Standard;
CFA Breed Profile;
CFA Breed Article;
Exotic Breed Council.
Exotics By Barbara Sims.
 Litter of Jade River Exotic Kittens Shaded Silver Exotics Dam: Sire: Breeder/Owner: Elise Scafani |
 Escorial E-Marble Faun (Felix) Shaded Silver ExoticExotic Breeder/Owner: Dorothy Nottebaum |
 Brettachtal Leyna of Echo Hill Shaded Silver Exotic Breeder: Karin Sinn Owner: Pamela Hill |
 GC Echo Hill Carmen Chinchilla Exotic Breeder/Owner: Pamela Hill |
 GC Echo Hill Oracle Shaded Silver Exotic Breeder/Owner: Pamela Hill |
 Echo Hill Bon Bon Shaded Silver Exotic Kitten Breeder/Owner: Pamela Hill |
 GC Echo Hill Chico and GC, GP Echo Hill Carmen Shaded and Chinchilla Silver Exotic Kittens Breeder/Owner: Pamela Hill |
 GC Echo Hill Psyche Shaded Silver Exotic Breeder/Owner: Pamela Hill |
