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Exotic Shorthair vs Siberian
A medium, calm, flat-faced lap cat against a large, playful longhair with a thick triple coat and top marks with children and pets.
Verdict
Size, energy and coat differ. The Exotic Shorthair is medium and plush, scores low for energy, rates top marks for small homes and settles on a lap, though its flat face brings breathing and eye problems. The Siberian is Large at 8 to 18 lb, scores high for energy and play, has a thick triple coat that needs combing, and rates top marks with children and other pets. Choose the Exotic for a quiet lap cat in a smaller home, and the Siberian for a playful family cat with room to climb.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want a quiet, placid cat.
- You live in a small home.
- You prefer a coat that needs less combing.
- You will clean the face and plan for vet checks.
Choose the Siberian if
- You want a sturdy, playful cat for a busy family.
- You have children or other pets.
- You will comb a thick coat and accept heavy shedding.
- You will ask about heart disease and polycystic kidney disease.
Where they are alike
Both can carry polycystic kidney disease, so ask the breeder about testing. Both are CFA championship breeds, Common, and affectionate with their people.
Side by side
| Exotic Shorthair | Siberian | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United States | Russia |
| Size | Medium | Large |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 11-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body | Dense, water-resistant triple coat, thicker in cold months |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1967 | Championship breed since 2007 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 2 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 4 |
| Shedding | 3 | 4 |
| Good with children | 4 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability | 3 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 3 |
| 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. Some owners report fewer symptoms with Siberians, but there is no good evidence for it and individual cats vary. |
| Suits | A calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. | A family or a household with other pets that wants a sturdy, playful, sociable cat and will comb a thick coat. |
| 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 small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who cannot spend time grooming and playing. |
| 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