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Exotic Shorthair vs Russian Blue
Two quiet, short-coated cats for small homes. The Russian Blue is reserved and independent; the Exotic is a plush, flat-faced lap cat.
Verdict
These two are close in temperament, and the main difference is face and health. The Exotic Shorthair is plush, round and flat-faced, affectionate and lap-loving, and its profile names breathing, kidney and eye problems. The Russian Blue is a quiet, intelligent, silver-blue cat that is shy with strangers, copes better alone, and has no named breed-specific health watch-list. The Exotic rates better with children and other pets. Choose the Exotic for a family lap cat, and the Russian Blue for a quiet home with a steady routine.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want an affectionate lap cat that rates well with children and other pets.
- You like a plush, round, flat-faced cat.
- You will clean the face and plan for vet checks.
- You keep a cool home.
Choose the Russian Blue if
- You want a gentle, reserved cat that copes with part of the day alone.
- You want a clever cat with a silver-tipped blue coat.
- You keep a regular routine.
- You do not need it to greet every guest.
Where they are alike
Both rate top marks for small homes and low marks for voice. Both are short-coated and low-demand for play, and both do well in calm households.
Side by side
| Exotic Shorthair | Russian Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United States | Arkhangelsk region, Russia |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger | About 5-12 lb (2.3-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body | Short, dense, plush double coat; the guard hairs have silver tips |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1967 | — |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 2 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 | 5 |
| 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. | — |
| Suits | A calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. | A quiet household or a single person who wants a gentle, loyal, clever cat and keeps to a regular routine. |
| 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 noisy house with many visitors, or anyone who wants a cat that greets every guest. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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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