Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair (New Big Analysis)


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If you are thinking of getting a shorthaired cat, you may have come across the Exotic Shorthair and the American shorthair; understanding what sets them apart could help you decide which one to go for. This is a fascinating comparison since the Exotic Shorthair was created through a crossbreed of the Persian and…wait for it…the American Shorthair!

This article tackles things such as their physical appearance, lifespan, intelligence level, and temperament.  So, in the battle of the best shorthairs, the Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair, which feline is superior?

When considering Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair, the Exotic Shorthair wins this comparison.  While both cat breeds have a big fan base, the Exotic Shorthair sheds little, loves to cuddle, and has a beautiful personality. 

Cat Product Note:  I will talk about and recommend some cat products in this article, which will hopefully provide your cat with a more enriching life.  These are Amazon affiliate links, so I receive a commission from Amazon, with no added cost to you.  These are my honest recommendations, so if you are interested in checking them out, please click below!

For Exotic Shorthair Cats:

  • I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Exotic Shorthair cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link):  Click Here.
  • The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Exotic Shorthair catsClick Here.  This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Exotic Shorthair cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.

For American Shorthair Cats:

  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link):  Click Here
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link):Click Here
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the American Shorthair cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link):  Click Here.

We go into more detail about the different considerations in deciding between the Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair below!

Exotic Shorthair Appearance vs American Shorthair Appearance

Let’s start by discussing the appearances of Exotic Shorthair cats and American Shorthair cats.

Exotic Shorthair Cat Appearance

Exotic Shorthair

The Persian cat inspired the Exotic Shorthair. If you are too lazy to care for a Persian, then the Exotic Shorthair is a good substitute. Its body type closely resembles that of the Persian.

Its size is medium to large, with the average female weighing between 6-10 pounds and the average male weighing between 7-12 pounds.

The eyes come in blue, hazel, copper, or an odd-eyed color. It is heavily boned with a large, round, flat-looking face and large, round eyes. Its ears are small, and its legs are thick.

Exotic Shorthair Colors

In terms of appearance, the exotic shorthair has a short, thick coat and comes in some of the following beautiful colors:

  • Black
  • Red
  • White
  • Chocolate
  • Silver
  • Cream
  • Lilac
  • Cameo
  • Calico
  • Blue
  • Blue Cream
  • Tortoiseshell

Its patterns include smoke, solid, bicolor, tricolor, Tortoiseshell, and shaded.

American Shorthair Appearance

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair cat has a short, thick, dense coat and comes in numerous colors, patterns, and shades.

The eyes can be blue, hazel, copper, gold, green, or odd-eyed. It has a medium-size build, with the female weighing 8-12 pounds on average and the male weighing over 12 pounds.

The American Shorthair is heavily boned with a broad chest and strong jaws. Its legs are thick and robust and it has a round face with short well-spaced ears. The ear tips are rounded.

American Shorthair Colors

The American Shorthair can be found in these colors:

  • White
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Red
  • Cream
  • Blue Cream
  • Chinchilla
  • Tortoiseshell
  • Came
  • Brown
  • Golden
  • Silver

As for the patterns, it can be found in Tabby, Bicolor, Tortoiseshell, Solid color, Tricolor, and Shaded.

Exotic Shorthair Hypoallergenic vs American Shorthair Hypoallergenic

Are Exotic Shorthair Cats Hypoallergenic?

Exotic shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. Since Exotic Shorthairs are a Persian cat crossbreed, they create the same amount of irritating proteins that Persians do.

Do Exotic Shorthair Cats Shed?

Exotic Shorthair cats do not shed much. However, although they don’t shed much, they can still affect your allergies.

This means that you will be able to enjoy petting the thick coat of the Exotic Shorthair cat without all the loose cat hair that you might find on the average feline.  The Exotic Shorthair is a reliable choice if you are looking for a lower shedding cat. 

Our article discussing cats that don’t shed much talks more about the Exotic Shorthair and other lower shedding breeds:  Click Here.

Are American Shorthair Cats Hypoallergenic?

American Shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. You should expect that this cat breed will affect your cat allergies if you have them.

Do American Shorthair Cats Shed?

American Shorthair cats are moderate shedders.  These cats have short but dense hair, and you should expect them to shed moderately throughout the year.  This means that if you plan to own an American Shorthair cat you will want to be ready for the shedding hair. 

Our article discussing cats that shed a lot includes vital information on the American Shorthair and other higher shedding cat breeds:  Click Here.

Maintaining an Exotic Shorthair’s Fur Coat

The Exotic Shorthair requires regular grooming to keep its fur beautiful and shiny and free from loose/dead fur and dirt, lest the coat clumps together. Brush its fur and make use of a soft cloth to clean under its eyes and between folds, and it is good to go!

Maintaining an American Shorthair’s Fur Coat

American Shorthair

The American Shorthair cat’s fur is dense and relatively easy to maintain. All it needs is to be brushed once or twice a week to get rid of any loose fur.

It is unnecessary to bathe this breed too often, although sometimes bathing a cat will help control shedding fur. Ideally, you should get the cat used to the bath from a young age, so they become comfortable.

Exotic Shorthair Personality vs American Shorthair Cat Personality

Even though the Exotic Shorthair and the American Shorthair are related, they have personality differences worth reading about.

Exotic Shorthair Personality

Video: Exotic Shorthair Personality

The Exotic Shorthair cat is playful and friendly. It is a sweet and affectionate cat that doesn’t mind cuddling. It loves being around people and will find no problem following you around the house until you give it attention. They are easy-going yet full of life and great around a family with children.

Exotic Shorthairs share many characteristics with their Persian cousins, which makes them gentle and calm beings. However, they’re also known to also have a bit of liveliness that comes from the American shorthair – they’re curious, playful, and friendly. It’s known that Exotic Shorthair cats don’t always like to be left alone and enjoy being in the presence of their humans.

Exotic Shorthair Lap Cat

Exotic Shorthair cats make excellent lap cats, and their calm demeanor can make them ideal candidates for urban living. However, they can also be excellent mousers and would be at home in a barn environment. It has been known that they are quiet cats, very rarely making noise.

Exotic Shorthairs might sometimes leave their owners alone to go curl up in a corner and nap.

American Shorthair Personality

Video: American Shorthair Personality

The American Shorthair is easy going and gets along with people. It doesn’t crave too much attention, although it wouldn’t mind if it is given the same.

The American Shorthair cat is on the quiet side with its meows. It is easy to keep this breed amused; whether it is with a paper ball or a multi-colored string, it will find a reason to get amused!

American Shorthair Left Alone

The American Shorthair cat is comfortable being left alone or brought around different people in the family.  Since they are comfortable being left alone, this makes them an excellent option for single people, spend a decent part of the day away from the house or just only want one cat!

Exotic Shorthair Intelligence

The exotic shorthair is smart. You can test its intelligence by presenting it with a toy and putting it away. It will find the means of getting to it! They will have no trouble tackling most games thrown at them.

While these cats are known to be quite smart, showing this feline intelligence might depend on their mood. If Exotic Shorthair cats are not in the mood to play or learn a new trick, they might ignore you. Don’t take this as a sign that your cat isn’t smart, though – Exotic Shorthairs have been known to be incredibly curious and able to learn all sorts of tricks.

Are American Shorthair Cats Smart?

The American Shorthair is not known to have high feline intelligence. There does seem to be some debate about the full intelligence of this cat breed; however, from my point of view it looks like this cat is one of the less intelligent breeds.  It is possible some people feel this way due to the American Shorthair being easy going.

We mention the American Shorthair and other cat breeds with lower intelligence in our article on the subject:  Click Here.

The American Shorthair loves being challenged with new games. Give it new puzzles or introduce it to interactive toys and it will significantly enjoy itself!

It enjoys showcasing its hunting skills. This is no surprise since initially, it was bred for keeping away vermin and rodents from food stores!

Exotic Shorthair Lifespan vs American Shorthair Lifespan

There are significant differences in the feline lifespan of each of these cat breeds. 

Exotic Shorthair Lifespan

Exotic Shorthairs will usually live between 8-11 years, and the breed has many health issues associated with it that could possibly shorten their life if you don’t take care of them properly. We’ll discuss these issues a bit later.

American Shorthair Lifespan

The average American Shorthair Lifespan is 15 to 20 years. This is a pretty healthy lifespan, and you should have many quality years with your American Shorthair.

Enriching Your Cat’s Life

Merely owning an Exotic Shorthair or American Shorthair cat is not enough.  As a good cat owner, you will likely want your cat to live their best life possible.

Let’s explore some ways to enrich your cat’s life:

Give your Cat Affection

Being affectionate and giving your feline friend a little more love is crucial. A loved cat is a happy cat. Cats might not show their love back like some other animals, but it certainly doesn’t mean they don’t need it. Felines just express themselves in different ways.

An excellent example of this is my cat, a domestic shorthair cat named Charlotte, who was rubbing up against my legs.  She wanted to be pet for a while, which actually surprised me a little because it was after she had eaten, and she is usually a little ornery after she eats.  I spent some time giving her affection, and she was purring a lot.

Cats can benefit from your love and affection so much. If you choose to ignore your kitten, it will gradually develop disinterest and may not feel lively. Most people don’t even consider this aspect at all. But the simplest form of affection might make your cat a happier feline!

Taking your Cat Outside

It is NOT recommended for house cats to roam outside by themselves freely; however, there are plenty of ways to take your cat outside with you. If your cat is curious about the outdoors, you might want to take them outside with a harness and a leash.

It’s essential to find a harness that perfectly fits your pet and makes sure that they feel comfortable wearing it before they venture outside. We take a closer look at cat harnesses and if they are safe in our article:  Click Here.

If your feline is more of the observer type, then a unique cat backpack or cat stroller might be more their speed. Don’t be fooled, though; these forms of going outside can be just as beneficial as walking on a leash. Your cat gets to enjoy new scenery, new smells, and fresh air.

For more information on whether your cat might like a cat stroller, take a look at our article on the subject:  Click Here.

  • I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Exotic Shorthair cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link):  Click Here.
  • The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link):  Click Here

Cats Enjoy Cat Condos

Cat condos or cat trees are a must for felines because they tend to live in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. Having a high spot to hang out in helps with your cat’s sense of security; they have the high ground, after all.

A cat condo is also a good spot for entertainment, especially if it has integrated toys or scratching posts. Make sure that your cat tree has areas that are big and sturdy enough to hold your cat.

Our article on if cats really do like cat condos / cat trees:  Click Here.

My cat, Charlotte, uses her cat condo multiple times a day.  I frequently find her perched on the top platform, in the cat house, or scratching on the scratch posts – which is precisely where I want her to scratch (not my furniture!).

I recommend this cat condo / cat tree for both the Exotic Shorthair cat and the American Shorthair cat (see links below).

  • The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Exotic Shorthair catsClick Here.  This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
  • The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for American Shorthair Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here

Catios

If you have access to a backyard, you might want to buy a cat enclosure (Catio) or build one with chicken wire and wood. Here are some key considerations when looking for (and using) a good Catio:

  1. This space should have a strong cover, and the wire should be partially buried to prevent predator attacks.
  2. Your cat should never be out in extreme weather conditions, and you should be nearby to watch them.
  3. The space should include a variety of toys and perches. If you look to purchase a Catio, you will often see places for a cat to perch or lay.
  4. Make sure it is easy for you to keep clean.
  5. Make sure your feline always has access to fresh water. Lots of people underestimate how much water a cat needs to drinkIf you take your cat outside, bring water.
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Exotic Shorthair cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.
  • This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the American Shorthair cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link):  Click Here.

Using Cat Grass

Most felines love chewing on grass, so cat grass is a good choice.  Cat Grass consists of a grass mixture such as wheat, oats, or rye and is different from outdoor grass you have on your lawn.

Cat Grass contains vitamins and minerals, which are quite beneficial to the digestive system of felines. It’s a tasty, healthful snack that also provides happiness for your cat. 

Our article that analyses the importance of cat grass:  Click Here.

Exotic Shorthair Health Issues vs American Shorthair Health Issues

Let’s talk about the different health problems that these two cat breeds generally have to face. This is typically an essential topic since a cat owner will want to know about, and be prepared for, the future health prospects of their Exotic Shorthair or American Shorthair.

Exotic Shorthair Health Problems

Thanks to its short, flat face, the exotic shorthair is susceptible to dental diseases thanks to jaw deformities. It may suffer from breathing problems thanks to its small nostrils and its eyes will require frequent cleaning since they tend to run constantly. As a result, this breed is also susceptible to eye diseases.

It would be best if you watched for these health problems associated with the Exotic Shorthair cat:

  • Brachycephalic Airway Obstructive Syndrome: issues with the upper airways associated with the cat’s facial structure. This can cause inflammation and strain on the heart. There are multiple treatments for this condition; please consult your vet.
  • Bladder and Kidney Stones
  • Dystocia: issues during labor due to the kittens’ large skulls.
  • Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): a genetic condition that can lead to kidney failure. DNA screening is suggested.

American Shorthair Health Issues

The American shorthair is generally healthy; however, it may be susceptible to some diseases. You have to watch its weight carefully as it may get obese and catch diseases such as diabetes and arthritis as a result.

You will want to watch for these conditions associated with the American Shorthair:

  • Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that may result in an American Shorthair becoming less mobile, and as a result, you could see some weight loss.  You will want to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your feline has hip dysplasia.
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM):  This is a common heart disease found in felines that is hereditary.  A veterinary cardiologist would be an essential person to consult in determining if your cat has HCM.

Exotic Shorthair Price vs American Shorthair Price

The prices for these two cat breeds can both get pretty high depending on demand and the quality of the feline.  If you are looking for a high-quality Exotic Shorthair kitten for sale or a high-quality American Shorthair kitten for sale, you will likely be paying thousands of dollars.

Exotic Shorthair Price

I was able to find some websites for Exotic Shorthair breeders and looked up the Exotic Shorthair price information.  Unfortunately, I only saw cost information on one of the Exotic Shorthair breeder websites.  I sent out correspondence to the others and will update this article after I receive that information.

Khloe’s Kittens

At Khloe’s Kittens, you should expect to spend $1500-$2500 on an Exotic Shorthair kitten for sale.  Deposits are $300; however, if you want to move yourself up on the wait list, they have a special option to be on the priority waiting list, which comes with a guarantee that you will receive a kitten from a future litter for $3000. 

They do offer delivery options, but I did not see cost information on their website.  They will deliver up to 3 hours away from their Essex County, New Jersey, USA location.

They do put out a disclaimer on their website that if you see breeders offering these types of kittens for $800 or less that you should investigate thoroughly to ensure they are not a scam.  

American Shorthair Price

I did some research and found some information on the price for American Shorthair kittens for sale.  There are quite a few American Shorthair cattery websites online and I looked over 7 of them trying to find their pricing information for American Shorthair cats, however, not all of them had cat price information on their websites.

It appears the range of pricing for American Shorthair kittens for sale is $500-$5000, with the sweet spot around $1000. 

Silver Shorthairs

At Silver Shorthairs, you can expect to spend $1250 on pet quality American Shorthair kittens.  Breeder American Shorthair kittens will run you $1800.

Deposits at Silver Shorthairs are pretty low at $50.  This deposit is refundable up until you purchase your American Shorthair cat for sale.

Silver Shorthairs will transport kittens to their new owner.  They state the usual rate for transport is about $200 but can vary depending on the airline used.  Sometimes, they may utilize a VIP transport option, if that is necessary.  Your cat will arrive in an airline-approved carrier that you are welcome to ship back to them for a $30 refund.

Silver Shorthairs accepts different payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and check.

Cacao Cattery

Cacao Cattery generally charges between $600-$1000 per American Shorthair kitten for sale.  If you are looking for a breeder and show cat, you can expect those prices to start at $1200 and higher.

Kelloggs Cattery

At Kelloggs Cattery, you can expect to pay around $1000 for pet quality American Shorthair kittens for sale.  They sell show quality American Shorthair kittens starting at $1500.  If you choose to buy two American Shorthair kittens, you can expect to receive a discount of $100.

Deposits will run you $100 for your American Shorthair kitten.  You should not expect a guarantee of receiving a cat if you do not give them a deposit.

At Kelloggs Cattery, you can expect to receive the following with the purchase of your American Shorthair kitten:

  • Spay or Neuter
  • Current Vaccinations
  • Registration Papers
  • Health Certificate

Fenton Farm

Fenton Farm will charge you the following prices for American Shorthair cats for sale:

SexQualityPrice
Male KittenPet or Breeder$500-$1000
Female KittenPet or Breeder$500-$1500
Male KittenShow Potential Quality$1000-$3000
Female KittenShow Potential Quality$1500-$3000
Male or Female Young AdultPet or Retired Breeder$400
American Shorthair Costs

At Fenton Farm, you can expect to receive the following with your purchase of an American Shorthair cat:

  • Vaccination
  • Deworming
  • Litter-Registration
  • 30-day Complete Health Guarantee
  • Lifetime Replacement Guarantee Against Genetic or Congenital Defects

Exotic Shorthair Breeders vs American Shorthair Cat Breeders

I found more information while researching cat breeders on American Shorthair cats than I did on Exotic Shorthair cats, but I found enough to compare the catteries.

Exotic Shorthair Breeders

I did not find a ton of information on quality Exotic Shorthair catteries.  However, I found information on Khloe’s Kittens, a quality cattery worth looking into.

Khloe’s Kittens Cattery

Khloe’s Kittens Cattery is based out of Essex County, New Jersey, and breeding Exotic Shorthair cats is something they love.  At Khloe’s, they raise their Exotic Shorthair kittens like they are family members.  This cattery is a cageless facility. This breeder also breeds other cat breeds and the Exotic Shorthair, such as the Persian and Himalayan cat breeds.

The Exotic Shorthair kittens at Khloe’s Kittens are raised around dogs and children, which is great because it means that these cats should not be surprised to encounter either of them in their new residence.  Khloe’s cares deeply about providing good, quality homes for the cats that they raise.

American Shorthair Cat Breeders

I found several American Shorthair cat breeder websites available, but the ones that I am going to highlight here are the ones that I thought included the best information on their websites. 

Silver Shorthairs

Silver Shorthairs is in Walla Walla, Washington, USA.  Brent and Thyra received their first American Shorthair in 2004 and fell in love with the cat breed. They acquired a male American Shorthair cat and started breeding and raising these beautiful cats. Their original cattery was Talariah Cattery, which was born in an agricultural area inside Washington State wine country.

They were able to combine programs with another cattery, Silver Shorthairs.

This cattery has some great information on their website about what to expect on arrival day for your new American Shorthair cat. 

Cacao Cattery

Cacao Cattery originated in 1971 and appears to sit in the Dallas / Fort Worth metropolitan area of Texas, USA.

Cacao Cattery not only breeds American Shorthair cats but also breeds American Wirehairs and has a Persian and Himalayan cat breeding program.  This cattery has some impressive accolades, having become a cattery of distinction through Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).    They have produced over 200 CFA Grand Champions and Grand Premiers.

This cattery has a mission to improve the cat breeds they work with and want all their cats to go to loving homes.  This cattery will even try to place their retired adults in wonderful homes as well.

The American Shorthair breeding program started in 2003.  These American Shorthairs were Silver Tabbies.  The American Wirehair cat program was started at Cacao Cattery in 2010.  Due to the smaller gene pool of the American Wirehair cat, Cacao Cattery is able to breed them (outcross them) to pedigreed American Shorthair cats to widen the genetic diversity.

Kelloggs Cattery

Kelloggs Cattery is in Maple Valley, Washington, USA.  The cattery is run by Heinrich and Carly Kellogg and sits on 5.5 acres of land.

Kelloggs Cattery has a passion for felines since they are such special creatures.  This cattery was a Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) Breed Council Member in 2010.  This is prestigious because it means they were advisors on breed standards to the Executive Board of the CFA.

Fenton Farm

Fenton Farm is in Warrenton, VA, USA.  Fenton Farm has a deep history of working with animals since they started as a thoroughbred horse farm with not one but two catteries.

You can tell Fenton Farm loves their American Shorthair cats, and they specifically call out the traits that they love about this cat, such as their hunting instinct, health, and intelligence.

Fenton Farm raises their American Shorthair kittens for sale in bedrooms inside the house so that they get familiarization with the sounds and activities of home life.  Their cattery is climate controlled (A/C and heat) and is disinfected continuously to keep it clean.

Exotic Shorthair Adoption vs American Shorthair Adoption

Exotic Shorthair Adoption

Adopting an Exotic Shorthair kitten or cat is a spectacular way to give a cat a loving home.  I did research and did not see any cat rescues devoted to the Exotic Shorthair cat specifically.  That does not mean that there won’t be opportunities to adopt an Exotic Shorthair cat, though. 

Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue

This group has been working to find loving homes for abandoned or surrendered purebred cats for 21 years!  That is quite a long time to be doing this.  Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR) gives you the ability to search available purebred cats on their website. 

They state that the approximate adoption fee for a purebred mix cat (if you don’t mind if your cat is mixed) is $75-$175.  The adoption fee for purebred cats are $100-$400.  The adoption fee for rare breed purebred cats is $250-$600.

These adoption fees include:

  • Spay or Neuter
  • Feline Leukemia/FIV Testing
  • Distemper Vaccination
  • Microchipping
  • Deworming
  • A Flea Free Cat
  • Grooming
  • Temperament Testing
  • Dental Cleanings
  • Blood Panels for Older Cats (If Necessary)

American Shorthair Cat Adoption

Adopting an American Shorthair kitten or American Shorthair cat is a great way to give an American Shorthair cat a loving home.  It looks like the two best websites to review if you are looking to adopt an American Shorthair cat are Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR), which we cover in the above section, and Rescue Me!

Rescue Me!

Rescue Me is an animal rescue network that looks for homes for many cat breeds, including American Shorthairs.  One of the nice things about the American Shorthair Rescue through Rescue Me is that they show you a map of the USA and the available American Shorthair cats in each state.   There appear to be a lot of American Shorthair cats currently available.

Exotic Shorthair Sounds vs American Shorthair Sounds

Exotic Shorthair Sounds

You are going to hear sweet noises from an Exotic Shorthair cat.  To prove this, see the below video of an Exotic Shorthair meow.

Video: Exotic Shorthair Meowing

American Shorthair Sounds

Video: American Shorthair Meowing

American Shorthair cats known to be less vocal than other cat breeds.  This doesn’t mean they don’t meow, but you will probably hear them meow less than other cats. 

Exotic Shorthair History vs American Shorthair History

Exotic Shorthair History

The Exotic Shorthair cat is a product of experimentation in the 1950’s when Persian cats were bred with American shorthair cats. 

Some experimentation with other breeds took place, but the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) acknowledged the Persian / American Shorthair crossbreed as the Exotic Shorthair in 1966. 

The Persian is now the only acceptable outcross breed with the Exotic Shorthair.  Sometimes, Exotics will get long hair due to a recessive gene inherited on the Persian cat side of their genetics.  Depending on the cat organization, they may accept these longhaired Exotic cats as Persians. 

The American Cat Fanciers Association calls them the Exotic Longhair, and it looks like The International Cat Association considers these cats to be Persians. 

American Shorthair Cat History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bedmWQEniOw
Video: American Shorthair Facts (Including History)

The American Shorthair cat is thought to have originated in Europe and migrated to America along with European settlers.  The first American Shorthair cats were probably valued as mousers, meaning they likely had some solid hunting skills.

The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognized a cat that was meant to represent the North American working breeds in 1906.  This cat was initially named the Domestic Shorthair but is known as the American Shorthair now.  The breed was renamed to American Shorthair in 1966.

Since then, breeders have tried to breed quality American Shorthair cats by selectively breeding to control the characteristics of today’s American Shorthair cat.

Conclusion

Video: Exotic Shorthair Pros and Cons

Both the Exotic Shorthair cat and the American Shorthair cat are special cats with remarkable feline histories.  If you are lucky enough to have either one of these wonderful cats, I think you will be delighted. 

Personally, after researching this article, I think the Exotic Shorthair cat narrowly defeats the American Shorthair cat.  You will need to judge for yourself, though, because you might weigh different characteristics differently than I do.

If you are thinking of purchasing an Exotic Shorthair or a American Shorthair kitten, it makes a lot of sense for you to do further research on breeders or catteries and ensure that you get the kitten you want. 

If you enjoyed this article, check out a couple of other head-to-head analysis of cats:

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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