When breeders started experimenting with a cross between the American Shorthair and the Persian, the goal was to get something that looked like a Persian but with much shorter hair. The kittens of these crosses did look like Persians, but they lacked the truly short coat of the American Shorthair. The hair was shorter than the Persian, but not quite short enough.
Still, there was potential in these kittens, and a woman by the name of Jane Martinke saw it. She called the silver-colored kittens Sterlings, proposing that this be the name of the new breed that would eventually be developed. The idea was still to keep crossbreeding in the hopes of attaining a short and plush coat. After consulting with several other breeders, the name was changed to Exotic Shorthair, opening the door for other colors and crossbreeds.
Time passed and different breeders used different crosses to get the look they desired. Some used the Russian Blue, others the Burmese, but all kittens were bred back to Persians in an attempt to keep the Persian body type. Because Persian breeders themselves didn't want to get involved in the development of the Exotic Shorthair, the breed came along slowly. It wasn't until 1979 that The International Cat Association (TICA) decided to grant the Exotic Shorthair championship status.
The Appearance of the Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair has a dense bone structure, making them heavier than they appear. The head is broad, the ears low set, and the face short and round, leading to a sweet expression that contributes to the popularity of this breed. The body should be short, almost square, with thick legs and a thick tail that is shorter than the average breed.
The coat is thick and plush, but not as long as the Persian. They come in all colors and patterns, all of which look like little plush toys owning to the shape of the head and body. This breed does need to be groomed regularly, but grooming is not as difficult as with the Persian. A quick brush once a week and a wiping of the eyes (to prevent buildup that can lead to irritation) is generally all that is required.
The Personality of the Exotic Shorthair
A quiet breed, the Exotic Shorthair is gentle and affectionate. This is a cat that will jump into your lap for a cuddle as soon as you sit down. This cat inherited the easy-going nature of its American Shorthair ancestors, making it the perfect companion for children and other pets.
This cat loves to play and can amuse itself for hours if provided with a few toys and something to climb on. This means the Exotic Shorthair can be easily left at home while you go off at work. Your cat will be excited to see you when you get home, but he won't be totally lonely if he has a few interesting cat toys.
Known Health Issues of the Exotic Shorthair
Unfortunately, the Exotic Shorthair inherited a few health problems from its Persian ancestors. Inherited polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which can cause cysts in the kidneys, is common. The cysts are present at birth, but enlarge and cause severe problems once the cat reaches adulthood. The first signs of this disorder usually appear between three and four years of age. The cat may initially lack an appetite and be very thirsty, but irreversible kidney failure is the ultimate result. Breeders can screen their cats for this disease, but it's expensive. Expect to pay more for a kitten that is guaranteed to be free of PKD.
Other health problems can be traced to the brachycephalic face. The broad and short skull can cause eye and breathing problems. There may be chronic sinus difficulties and even kinked tear ducts, so good and regular vet care is important for the Exotic Shorthair.
The Exotic Shorthair is sweet and loving. If you're looking for a cat who will fit right into your family like he's been there for years, this adorable breed might be for you.
Mau is the Egyptian word for cat, so the Egyptian Mau is really the Egyptian Cat. Genetic testing has proven conclusively that the Egyptian Mau really did originate in Egypt. In fact, ancient artwork in the region depicts cats that are very similar in appearance to the modern Mau. Unfortunately, the Mau had a hard time in the early part of the 20th century, almost going extinct during WWII.
In 1956, that began to change. Three cats were imported to the United States from Italy. Two of these were female, one was male, and all were Egyptian Maus. The gene pool was limited, but with precise crossbreeding, inbreeding, and the importing of suitable cats, the breed stabilized and was accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1979. Today, most cat associations recognize the Egyptian Mau as a championship breed.
The Appearance of the Egyptian Mau
This muscular breed is elegant and has a regal bearing. Its coat is medium in length; its texture varies with the color of the Mau. Smoke colored cats have a fine and silky coat, but silver and bronze cats sport a dense and soft fur that is a pleasure to touch. All cats have gooseberry green eyes shaped like medium-sized almonds. The eyes slant towards the ears, giving the cat a slightly worried look. The ears are large and broad, giving the Mau an inquisitive appearance. These ears are very keen, making the Mau especially sensitive to sounds.
The most distinctive quality of the Egyptian Mau is the brilliant coat. Maus are the only naturally spotted domestic cat breed; all other spotted breeds were bred with wildcats to achieve the spotted effect. There is a marked difference between the coat color and the spot color, so the spots stand out in sharp contrast. The size and shape of these spots is mostly random.
All Egyptian Maus have a mark in the shape of an "M" on the forehead. This is often called the Mark of the Scarab. A dorsal stripe runs the length of the spine, covering the back and the tail all the way to the tip. The neck, upper chest, tail, and legs are all striped with the shoulders showing a transition between spots and stripes.
The Personality of the Egyptian Mau
This breed is shy and incredibly sensitive. They don't like loud noises and they despise anything that disrupts their daily routine. They do best in a quiet household free of too much noise. The Egyptian Mau is not the kind of cat that likes to live with a party animal and they tend to do better in homes without young children.
But the Egyptian Mau will bond to a sensitive and quiet individual. Once this cat is bonded, it will remain intensely loyal and loving towards its person. If a Mau truly bonds to you, you'll find yourself on the receiving end of more affection than you'll know what do to with. The cat will want to be with you always and will make little chirping sounds when happy. Expect the Egyptian Mau to be involved in everything you do because it's hard to avoid them when they want to be the center of attention.
Known Health Issues of the Egyptian Mau
For the most part, the Egyptian Mau is a stable and robust breed. They have very few inherited health problems, but some lines are prone to luxating patella (slipping kneecaps). Ask your breeder about this problem and consider getting a cat from a line that has not exhibited this condition.
The Egyptian Mau is a sweet and loving cat who needs a quiet space to be happy. If you are the type of person who likes to sit and read a book late on a Friday night, this loyal breed might be for you.
Some breeds fall somewhere between hybrid and purebred. This is the case with the Donskoy. Currently, the Donskoy cat is assigned to the Preliminary New Breed Category. This means that the cats can be shown in The International Cat Association (TICA) but they cannot earn titles. Eventually, if it becomes stable, this cat breed is expected to attain championship status and will be eligible for titles.
The Donskoy breed is the result of a spontaneous mutation. In 1987, a woman by the name of Elena Kovaleva rescued an abused kitten in Russia. The cat had been sealed inside a bag and used as a soccer ball by several young local boys. This kitten survived its ordeal but was so stressed that its hair began falling out. Eventually, the kitten, a female Kovaleva named Varvara, was completely bald. The hair never grew back despite being treated by several veterinarians.
As an adult, the hairless cat gave birth to a litter of kittens. These kittens were born with hair, but shortly after birth their hair began falling out and never grew back. This led some people to believe they were unhealthy and Kovaleva was encouraged to get rid of them. Luckily, a local breeder by the name of Irina Nemikina rescued one of the kittens. It took several years and a dedicated breeding program, but Nemikina eventually created what she called the Don Sphynx (Varvara was originally found beside the river Don and the hairless nature of the coat made the cats look like the Sphinx). When the breed was registered with TICA, it was given the name Donskoy.
The Appearance of the Donskoy
The most important trait of the Donskoy is the coat. There are actually four acceptable coat types, all but one of which results in hairlessness. The four coat types are Brush, Flocked, Rubber Bald, and Velour. Brushed kittens are covered in a wiry, soft, and wave coat. Shortly after birth some hair will fall out, resulting in bald spots on the head, upper neck, and back. Flocked kittens appear hairless at birth but are really covered in a thin soft chamois. This usually falls out and you get a bald cat. Rubber Bald kittens are born bald and stay that way. Velour kittens have a wool-like coat with a bald spot on the top of the head. The coat disappears in the first year, sometimes leaving some hair on the face, legs, and tail. The Donskoy is unique among cats in that it can grow a winter coat. This coat falls out again as the weather warms. They don't have a lot of hair (none in many cases), making them easy to groom and cutting down on shedding.
The skin of the Donskoy should feel velvety and hot to the touch. There should be pronounced wrinkles caused by the incredible elasticity of the skin. These wrinkles should be most noticeable on the cheeks, jowls, and under the chin. Vertical wrinkles should separate the ears and run straight down the forehead. There should also be significant wrinkles on the neck, chest, legs, underbelly, and the base of the tail. The skin itself is like human skin, meaning cats can get tanned and even turned by too much sun exposure. A natural sunblock is recommended for cats who spend a great deal of time outside.
The Donskoy is more than just its coat and skin. It is a strong and sturdy cat with powerful hind legs. These cats are medium in size with males typically being larger than females. The Donskoy breed is not a delicate one. They are hardy cats that can give as good as they take.
The Personality of the Donskoy
Intelligent and inquisitive, the Donskoy is a joy to have around. This cat is a social butterfly and loves to be the center of attention. They will play with both children and other pets and generally adapt to changes well. Active and athletic, they don't mind a good romp, but they also make perfect lap cats, especially with their warm bodies. Cuddling this cat is relaxing, and the cat enjoys just as much as the person.
These cats take a keen interest in their surroundings. They will constantly use whatever is around them to make up new games. They're not all that destructive, but they are almost too social. Everyone who comes through the door will be greeted by the Donskoy, who will usually assume the visitor is there for the cat's amusement alone.
The Donskoy is more than just social; the breed is also highly intelligent and responsive to humans. This means you can train your cat to respond to voice or hand commands. If there's a way to be involved, the Donskoy will take it, even if it means following rules.
If there's one downside to these cats, it's that they cannot be left alone. Not all. Not for a few days while you're way. Not for twelve hours while you work. Not for a couple hours while you run to the supermarket. They need companionship or they'll pine and sometimes become unhealthy. The Donskoy is a good pet for someone who works at home, but even these people will sometimes have to go out. Consider getting two, or even getting a dog. This way your cat will not be truly alone.
The Donskoy is a fun-loving and passionate cat breed well suited to most living situations. Though they are a little on the expensive side and can be difficult to find, they fit into most families and bring smiles to everyone who encounters them.
The origin of the Devon Rex cat can be traced to Buckfastleigh, Devon in 1960. There was a feral tom living in an abandoned mine there, one with a curly coat. A woman named Beryl Cox adopted a stray tortie and white female. These two cats inevitably mated, and one of the kittens, a male, had a curly coat just like his father's. This kitten was named Kirlee.
At first it was thought his traits could contribute to the emerging Cornish Rex, but Kirlee's genes were just different enough. Kirlee's whiskers, for example, were stubby, sometimes entirely missing. The Cornish Rex exhibited curled whiskers. Kirlee's hair was tightly curled and not at all uniform. The Cornish Rex had a uniform coat. Kirlee had large eyes, a short nose, and low-set ears. The Cornish Rex did not.
Clearly the genes controlling the two mutations were different. To distinguish them, the Cornish gene was labeled Gene 1 while the Devon gene was labeled Gene 2. Every Devon Rex that has appeared since 1960 carries Gene 2 and can trace its lineage back to Kirlee.
The Appearance of the Devon Rex Cat
At first glance the Devon Rex can seem a little strange. This breed is on the smaller side, generally weighing no more than nine pounds. Like most breeds, females are smaller than males. They are all athletic and have strong muscles. The hind legs are a little longer than the forelegs, giving the cat a slightly lopsided appearance. The ears are huge and the face is shaped like a wedge. In the right light, the Devon Rex almost looks like a rogue pixie. The whiskers and eyebrows of this cat are short and curly, or even missing entirely.
Though the preferred coat is as even as possible and full of loose curls, coats actually vary greatly. Some cats have thick coats, others have sparse coats, and some even have bald patches all over their bodies. This doesn't indicate illness of any kind. It is simply the way Gene 2 expresses itself in different cats.
The coat also changes appearance over the course of the lifetime of each individual cat. Devon Rex cats molt occasionally, causing the coat to break off. They can appear to have a short coat with no curls, or even no coat at all, until the curly coat grows back. Molting is not a fault; it is simply the way these cats are.
When compared to most cats, the body of the Devon Rex is extremely hot to the touch. Some people think this is indicative of illness at first, but it's entirely natural. The coat is so short that it does nothing to keep the body heat next to the body. Because of this trait, these cats get cold easily. They often search for warm places to sleep and can be found stretched out on a radiator or curled up in the sunniest spot in the house.
Grooming the Devon Rex is quite simple since this cat breed doesn't shed much. A quick brush with a grooming mitt once a week is usually all that is required. Because of the short coat, an actual brush is not recommended. The oversized ears can collect grease and dust, so they should be cleaned with a soft cotton ball dipped in baby oil.
The Personality of the Devon Rex Cat
The Devon Rex is playful, intelligent, and loving. This is a highly active breed that likes to climb and run. They have a powerful need to be with people and don't like being left alone. In fact, this cat breed can be destructive when left alone for long periods of time. If you tend to be away for more than four or five hours at a time, a companion cat is a good idea. With a friend, your Devon Rex may be less inclined to destruction and more content to wait for you to arrive home.
This cat is good with children, other pets, and random visitors who might drop in for tea. In fact, the busier your household is, the happier your Devon Rex will be. They love to be the center of attention, so expect your cat to be around whenever there's a crowd. They're not as talkative as the Siamese, but they do make soft chirping sounds if they feel they're being ignored.
Known Health Issues of the Devon Rex
Like many specialty breeds, the Devon Rex suffered from inbreeding in its early years. This has led to some common health problems including coagulopathy (a clotting disorder), luxating patella (slipping kneecaps), and inherited spasticity (spasms). Genetic testing and limited outcrossing are both being used to help reduce the occurrences of these problems.
If you're looking for a cat who has a sweet nature and a slightly different appearance, the Devon Rex might be for you.
