This was done in secret in order to improve their body type, and crosses were also made with the Russian Blue and the Burmese.

The crossbreed look gained recognition in the show ring, but unhappy American Shorthair breeders successfully produced a new breed standard that would disqualify American Shorthairs that showed signs of crossbreeding.

[3][4] Because of the regular use of Persian as outcrosses, some Exotics may carry a copy of the recessive longhair gene.

Like the Persian the Exotic Shorthair is a brachycephalic breed, meaning that it has problems as a result of having the nose and eyes in close proximity to each other, giving the appearance of a pushed-in face.

[12] The Exotic has steadily gained popularity among cat fanciers with the help of the devoted advocates of the breed who saw the value in a Persian and Shorthair crossbreed.