The Pet Atlas

Breed Cats Distinctive Feature

Exotic Shorthair

Persian-type head with a plush short coat

At a glance

Basic requirements and commitment level

Daily requirements

Activity
Low
Vocality
Low
Health sensitivity
High
Grooming
Medium
Shedding
High
Temperature sensitivity
High

Context & compatibility

Size
Medium
Lifespan
12–18 years
Coat type
Double
Coat length
Short

Is this right for you?

Common scenarios where this breed tends to fit well or less well

A good match

  • Want a Persian-type head/face but prefer a shorter coat format

Not ideal

  • Prefer to avoid breeds where head structure raises the health-consideration baseline

Social & behavior

Temperament and interaction style

Personality & activity

Commonly low-key and comfort-oriented—more lounge-and-observe than chase-and-climb.

Handling & social style

Usually does best with calm, predictable contact; many prefer steady petting over energetic grabbing.

Care & health

Setup, routines, and health considerations

Care overview

Short coat, but Persian-type head/face—so day-to-day care can include more face/eye-area attention than most shorthairs.

Environment & space

Calm, indoor-controlled environments tend to suit flat-face types; avoid heat-heavy or chaotic setups when possible.

Daily routine

Coat is easy compared to Persian; the more common routine is checking/cleaning the face area as needed for the individual.

Health sensitivities

Flat-face structure can raise baseline considerations; prioritize breeders who are transparent about what they see and how they breed for comfort, not just appearance.

Background

Origins and how that history shapes what you see today

Origin region

United States

Background

Created to keep Persian-type head and build in a short-coat format. It’s essentially Persian “type” expressed with shorter fur—developed for the look rather than a working role.