Exotic Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison

Exotic Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed ComparisonBoth American Curl and Exotic Shorthair are originated from United States. Both American Curl and Exotic Shorthair are having almost same weight. Both American Curl and Exotic Shorthair has almost same life span. Both American Curl and Exotic Shorthair has same litter size. American Curl requires Moderate Maintenance. But Exotic Shorthair requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

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United States
United States
Weight Male:
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 15 Years
10 - 17 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
The Lazy Man's Persian
Colors Available:
apricot, black - many patterns or solid coat, Grey, white
Lots of colors and patterns - chinchilla silver, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell
Coat:
Long- and short hair, silky flat-lying coat
Shortish and plush
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american curlThe American Curl is well known for its unusual shaped ears and for being one of the youngest cat breeds.

It developed in California. The first of these cats appeared to have been strays that arrived in California in 1981. The black female’s name was Shulamith, and she gave birth to a litter with the same curled ears, and was the ancestor of the American Curls of today.

Appearing in a cat show in 1992 for the first time, the longhaired American Curl was then given championship status by TICA and it was also admitted to the Cat Fanciers Association’s championship class in the long- and shorthaired divisions.

exotic shorthairThe Exotic Shorthair cat is such a sweet-faced cat that it is often referred to as the ‘lazy man’s Persian. This is because the face is also flat and pushed in like the Persian cat.

The Exotic Shorthair was in fact developed as a short-haired version of the Persian. It was in the 1950s that the Persian was used to mate with other breeds such as the Burmese.

The crossbreed gained recognition but some American Shorthair breeders produced a new breed standard that would disqualify American Shorthairs that showed any signs of crossbreeding.

It was in 1966 that the Cat Fanciers Association recognized the cat as a new breed and under the name Exotic Shorthair.

Description

american curl kitten - descriptionThe American Curl is a medium-sized cat weighing roughly 2.3–4.5kg. Its a cat that stands between 21 and 27cm in height.

It’s also a cat that takes a fairly long time to mature, reaching maturity about 2 or 3 years of age. The most distinctive feature of this cat is its unusual ears that curl backward as opposed to standing up like most other cats. At birth the ears are straight but they gradually start curling back, staying in a tight bud position.

The American Curl's coat is soft and silky and doesn’t require too much grooming. The fur comes in colors such as grey, white, apricot, black, and the coat can be a solid color or in a host of different patterns such as bi-color, triple-color, tabby, ticking and others.

The head is round, the eyes of the cat are large, giving the cat an alert, friendly look. The eyes can be many different colors from blue to green, amber, copper, hazel, and yellow.

Temperament:

The American Curl Cat loves his human family and gets on well with children too. He is an adaptable cat, settling into different lifestyles. You’ve got to watch him around small children who might manhandle him and pull his sensitive ears.

Nonetheless, he is sociable and loving. He is an intelligent cat, being active and alert and will even follow you around to see what you’re doing that he can be involved in too. He isn’t a particularly talkative breed but he loves to play and can even learn to fetch a smallish ball.

exotic shorthair kitten - descriptionDeveloped through crosses between Persians and American Shorthairs as well as other cat breeds, the Exotic Shorthair looks like the Persian but he has a short coat.

The coat is found in the same colors as the Persian cat – patterns and solid colors, ranging from chinchilla silver to tabby, tortoiseshell, black and white and bicolor. The eyes are large and round, the ears small and round and the tail fairly short and thick.

Temperament:

The Exotic Shorthair is a sweet, gentle, calm cat but a bit livelier than the Persian. They’re lively, friendly, and playful, but are also cats that like to sit in your lap and be stroked.

They get on well with children and other pets, being a loyal friend to the entire family. He quietly communicates with his human family with a soft voice. He is also quite adaptable to living conditions so long as his human family provides him with lots of attention.

He won’t want to be left for long periods of time on his own so he won’t suit living in a home where he is left alone all day.

Characteristics

american curl cat - characteristicsYou’ll find your American Curl to be a friendly, loving cat that will easily bond with his human family. They’re adaptable cats and will happily adjust to your lifestyle.

Despite their affection, however, American Curls aren't the type of cats to want to be pampered and petted - they are quite happy just to sit next to their owner and relax, or play with their toys.

Because American Curls are highly adaptable, they're suitable for a number of different home types, and homes with other pets or children, making you a splendid feline pet and companion.

exotic shorthair cat - characteristicsYour Exotic Shorthair is a loving cat and for those who prefer, it is a cat that is livelier than the Persian. While the Exotic Shorthair also has a mellow personality, because of its shorthair ancestors, it's more active.

This Exotic cat can live to be 15, 16, or 17 if you care for him well and that means you have 15 years to share with a most wonderful feline companion.

Health Problems

american curl kittens - health problemsThis is a healthy breed of cat that with good care can reach 9 – 15 years of age.

You need to be careful with their ears – perhaps damaging the cartilage if you brush him too hard.

Like many cats, the Curl is susceptible to ear issues so always be sure to check and clean your cat’s ears weekly.

exotic shorthair kittens - health problemsWith the Exotic Shorthair, some of the diseases are genetic while others can be encouraged by poor diet and lifestyle.

Obesity for instance is a major disease of cats and it contributes to many serious illnesses in cats. Excess weight shortens your cat’s life and contributes to arthritis and diabetes. The extra weight puts a strain on the cat's joints. Shedding just a little bit of weight can result in improved mobility.

Dental disease is a common chronic problem in pets. Make sure to check inside your cat’s mouth from time to time as serious dental problems can cause pain and interfere with the health of your cat’s important organs such as heart and kidneys.

All kinds of parasites can invade your Exotic Shorthair's body, internally and externally – worms, fleas, and ticks - and cause your pet a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort.

Brachycephalic Syndrome is a respiratory distress syndrome and it mostly affects what is known as brachycephalic cats – those cat with snub faces like the Exotic Shorthair.

The flattened features of the face make it that there is less space for the tissue to grow. The soft area at the back of the roof of the mouth hangs into the airway, obstructing it, and they can’t breathe normally. Sometimes the cats will require surgery to allow for more regular breathing.

Caring The Pet

american curl cats - caringThe Curl’s coat can be either short or long, but with a gentle brushing, the coat can be well maintained. The shorthaired variety sheds a bit more during the year than the longhaired variety and this is why grooming and brushing becomes necessary.

You can brush your cat’s teeth to avoid periodontal disease.

Trim your cat’s nails every other week if they don’t wear down naturally.

Check inside- and outside the cat’s ears for parasites and dirt. The cat’s ears have a unique shape and they may well be born with narrowed ear canals that can trap dirt and wax and this results in ear infections.

Like all cats breeds, your lean, muscular American Curl can be susceptible to obesity and heart disease. Speak to your vet about a special cat food for your feline friend as cat food is specially formulated to deliver the exact level of natural vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants needed. Understand the amount of food your Curl requires by checking out the feeding instructions on the food labels. Always talk to your vet if you're not sure how much and what you should feed your cat.

Remember, that if you don’t want to do these grooming routines for your cat for fear of hurting him or not doing it properly, the vet or your local pet groomer will do it for you.

Make sure to provide your intelligent American Curl with toys and exercise. You can buy toys and games that will challenge his mental and physical abilities.

Diet:

exotic shorthair cats - caringIt is important to understand the type of foods available to your pet and how often and how much to feed him.

Most cats prefer to eat several small meals a day as opposed to a couple of large ones. Make feed times interesting and provide food puzzles to have your cat ‘prey’ for food.

Always read and understand the labels on the cat food packaging and be sure to always feed your Exotic Shorthair with the very best food there is and to follow the portion guides.

If you’re in any doubt or your cat doesn’t want to eat his food, try something else or speak to your vet about how to be sure your cat is getting fed the best food there is.

Make sure to have your kitten vaccinated as required. Also, when you take your kitten in to be vaccinated, the vet will also perform a check-up to make sure your kitten is healthy as these cats are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.

Your cat has a short, low maintenance coat. A brush once a week can get rid of loose hairs and you and your cat will both enjoy the therapeutic bonding between the two of you.

Check your cat’s inner ears for wax and debris as well as for signs of any infection, and if you don’t want to do that, professional cat groomers can do it for you.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Exotic Shorthair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Exotic Shorthair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Exotic Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Exotic Shorthair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Exotic Shorthair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Exotic Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Exotic Shorthair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Exotic Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Exotic Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Exotic Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Exotic Shorthair vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Exotic Shorthair vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Exotic Shorthair vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Exotic Shorthair vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Exotic Shorthair vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Exotic Shorthair vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Exotic Shorthair vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Exotic Shorthair vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Exotic Shorthair vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Exotic Shorthair vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Exotic Shorthair vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Exotic Shorthair vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Exotic Shorthair vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Exotic Shorthair vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. American Curl vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. American Curl vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. American Curl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Curl vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. American Curl vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. American Keuda vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. American Longhair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  33. American Polydactyl vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  34. American Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  42. Bengal vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  43. Bicolor vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison