The Exotic Shorthair was developed in the United States from long-haired Persian and short-haired American Shorthair stock.
Breeders initially crossed American Shorthairs with Persians to introduce a broader range of coat colors and patterns into the American Shorthair. The resulting kittens had Persian-like bodies and faces but short, plush coats. Breeders then worked to establish those traits consistently as a separate breed.
The Exotic Shorthair is sometimes called the “shorthaired Persian” because its head, body, and gentle temperament strongly resemble the Persian. Its coat, however, is dense and plush rather than long and flowing, so it generally requires less grooming than a Persian.
Other short-haired breeds may have round faces or compact bodies, but the Exotic Shorthair’s defining history is its close Persian connection combined with a short coat. It is recognized as a distinct breed rather than merely a Persian variety.