Exotic
The world of exotic cats is exciting and full of new development. There are several different breeds of exotic cats, each of which has several levels within the breed. This article will discuss a few different types of exotic cat breeds, their history and some important personality traits to look for if you're thinking of adopting one.
The Exotic Bengal
· The Bengal breed is a cross between an Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat. It has been in existence for over twenty years now.
· Modern day Bengals are a relatively new hybrid of cat developed to have a gentle and friendly temperament.
A marbled Bengal's coat is full of swirls.
· Bengal cats were first exhibited in shows in 1985 in the new breed and color division. The public reaction to these wild domesticated breeds was phenomenon. Crowds gathered from all over in awe of the beauty and magnificence of this cat breed.
· The first attempted hybrid records go back to the early 1970s indicating that a domestic shorthair was the original cross with the spotted leopard cat. The intention was to create a pet leopard.
· It wasn't until the 1970s that efforts were made to create the Bengal breed.
Personality traits
· Highly intelligent and affectionate.
· Mischievous and boisterous; they are active and ready to play.
· Are easily trained to use a leash and can teach them to fetch and play other games as well.
· Very vocal cats and can get along with children and other animals.
· They are very people-oriented cats
The Exotic Shorthair
· This exotic shorthair is an exotic version of the Persian cat breed.
· The exotic shorthair was recognized by most cat associations in the late 1960s. Other lines were developed using the British American Shorthair and even some Russian Blues.
· In the mid 1960s core breeders expanded their breeding program to include Burmese shorthair breeds and British shorthair breeds.
· In 1967 the CFA gave formal recognition to the Exotic Shorthair as a breed.
Personality Traits
· This breed is very friendly and people-oriented.
· They exhibit a tame personality and are very gentle, much like their Persian ancestors.
· Some modern Exotic shorthairs are very lively and more interactive than their Persian ancestors.
The Exotic Siberian
· The modern breeding for this cat started in Leningrad and Moscow in the 1960s. The breeding was very small in scale, but during the second Russian revolution it became larger.
· Siberians have been around for at least a thousand years. They were first mentioned in Weir's book "Our Cats and All About Them." This book included information on the earliest cat shows held in England in 1971.
· Exportation of these cats started at the end of the 1980s.
· The Siberian is a natural breed and is known as the national cat of Russia. They are found in St. Petersburg and Leningrad. They first entered the United States in 1990. For a long period of time it was against the law to own or even feed pets. The Siberian cat would run the streets of Russia and survived underground for the most parts. Many were found in monasteries.
Personality Traits
· Siberians are very loyal and friendly companions.
· They are sometimes referred to as a dog because they exhibit protective qualities.
· They are not vocal; they express themselves in a chirp rather than a meow.
· They are an extremely intelligent cat.
Exotic cats can be found around different parts of the world. They are a bit of the wild in domesticated cat life.
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