Compare
Exotic Shorthair vs Persian
The Exotic is the short-haired Persian. Same calm temper and flat-face health risks; the Persian's long coat needs daily combing and sheds heavily.
Verdict
The Exotic Shorthair is essentially a short-haired Persian, so the coat is the main difference. The Persian has a long, dense coat that needs combing every day and scores top marks for shedding. The Exotic has a plush short coat that scores middling for grooming and shedding. The flat face brings the same breathing, eye and kidney risks to both, and both are calm, quiet indoor cats. The Persian scores lower for energy and play. Choose the Exotic for the lighter grooming routine, and the Persian if you will comb daily.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want the flat-faced Persian look with a short coat.
- You prefer a lighter grooming routine.
- You want a cat with a slightly higher play score.
- You will plan for airway, kidney, eye and breeding-related checks.
Choose the Persian if
- You want the classic long coat and will comb it every day.
- You accept heavy shedding.
- You want the calmest, most placid cat of the two.
- You will plan for kidney, breathing, eye and heart checks.
Where they are alike
Both rate top marks for small homes and low marks for voice. Both are Common CFA championship breeds, and both do best in a cool, quiet indoor home.
Side by side
| Exotic Shorthair | Persian | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United States | Named for Persia (Iran); developed in Europe |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger | About 7-12 lb (3.2-5.4 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | Studies put the median near 11 to 12.5 years |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body | Long, dense, fine coat standing off the body, with a full ruff and brush tail |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1967 | Championship breed since 1906 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 2 | 1 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 2 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 5 |
| Shedding | 3 | 5 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability | 3 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Persian's long coat sheds heavily and holds dander, and people who react to cats often react to this breed. |
| Suits | A calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. | A quiet indoor home where someone has the time to comb a long coat every day and wants a gentle, undemanding companion. |
| Less suited to | A hot or humid home, a household with no time for face cleaning, or anyone worried about flat-faced cat welfare. | A busy or noisy house, a home that cannot afford regular grooming and vet care, or anyone who wants an athletic, climbing cat. |
| Registries that recognise it |
|
|
| Health conditions to watch |
|
|
Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026