Official ICCF Breed Standard
Brief Historical Overview
The Exotic Cat was developed in the United States in the mid-20th century as a result of crossing Persian cats with American Shorthairs. The breeders’ goal was to create a breed that retained the distinctive look of the Persian but required less grooming due to its short, plush coat. In the 1960s, the breed was officially recognized and quickly gained worldwide popularity for its appealing appearance and calm temperament. The Exotic inherited the expressive face, short nose, large eyes, and sturdy body of its Persian ancestors, but with a coat that is much easier to care for. Today, the breed is officially recognized by most international feline organizations, including the ICCF, and is highly valued in show breeding for its combination of elegance, convenience in maintenance, and gentle nature.
General Appearance
The Exotic Cat is a medium-to-large animal with a solid, muscular body and soft, rounded lines. The build is compact, with a broad chest, strong bone structure, and well-developed muscles. The head is large and rounded, with a characteristic short nose and broad skull. Eyes are large, round, and expressive, giving the face a charmingly soft expression. Ears are small, rounded, and set low. Legs are short and strong, with round, firm paws. The tail is short and thick, harmonizing with the overall proportions. The coat is dense, soft, and plush, giving the impression of a “toy-like” texture. The overall appearance should demonstrate the balance of substance, roundness, and proportion as defined by the ICCF standard.
Important Proportions
The proportions of the Exotic Cat follow the rule of harmony and roundness. The head is large and round, with a broad forehead and full cheeks. The nose is short and wide, with a clearly defined stop. The chin is firm and in line with the nose. The eyes are large, round, and occupy a significant portion of the face, giving the breed its characteristic expression. The ears are small and widely set apart, enhancing the round contour of the head. The body is compact with evenly developed musculature; legs are short and sturdy with rounded paws. The tail is short, thick, and slightly rounded at the tip. There should be no angularity or harsh lines—the entire outline must convey an impression of harmonious roundness, as strictly defined by the ICCF.
Behavior and Temperament
The Exotic Cat is calm, balanced, affectionate, and friendly. Loyal to its owner, it enjoys attention but is never intrusive. These cats coexist well with children and other pets, possessing a gentle disposition and rarely showing aggression. Naturally less active than many other breeds, Exotics prefer a quiet lifestyle yet remain playful and curious. They adapt easily to new environments and appreciate comfort and a warm home atmosphere. Their voice is soft and melodious, used sparingly. The Exotic Cat is a tender, composed companion with a stable temperament, making it highly valued in the ICCF system as an ideal family-oriented breed.
Head
The head of the Exotic Cat is large and round, with soft contours. The skull is broad, with well-developed cheekbones and full cheeks. The forehead is slightly domed, merging smoothly into a short, broad nose with a clearly marked stop. The muzzle is short but not excessively flat, maintaining harmony with the rounded shape of the head. The chin is firm, broad, and aligned with the nose. The overall head shape must be as round as possible, with no angularity. All facial and cranial elements should form a unified, harmonious whole, creating an impression of softness and compactness in accordance with ICCF standards.
Facial Part
The facial area is distinctly rounded. The cheeks are full, giving the face a soft and kind expression. The nose is broad and very short, with a deep stop between the eyes. The chin is strong, even, and well developed, emphasizing a balanced profile. The muzzle is short but proportionate, not overly compressed. Lips are neat and clearly defined; the mouth is small and well shaped. The facial expression should be open and gentle. A narrow or elongated muzzle, weak chin, or lack of facial harmony are considered faults. The facial part is a key feature in the ICCF standard defining the breed type of the Exotic Cat.
Eyes
The eyes are large, round, and widely set apart. They must be bright, expressive, and impart a soft and affectionate look. Eye color depends on coat color: copper or orange for solid and tabby varieties, green for silvers and smokes, blue for color-points. The gaze should always appear open, friendly, and attentive. Small, oval, or dull eyes detract from the desired harmonious appearance. In the ICCF system, special emphasis is placed on eye clarity and round shape, as they create the distinctive “doll-like” expression unique to the breed.
Ears
The ears are small, low set, and widely spaced, with rounded tips. They should appear neat and integrate smoothly into the rounded shape of the head. The inner ear is well furnished, but the ears appear minimal due to placement and head roundness. Oversized, high-set, or narrowly spaced ears break the balance of type. Ears must not stand out; they should enhance the soft, harmonious look of the breed. Correct ear shape and placement are key indicators of purebred quality in the ICCF system.
Neck
The neck is short, thick, and muscular, connecting the large head with the solid body in perfect harmony. It must convey strength and stability while remaining proportional to the overall outline. The short neck enhances the compact and rounded impression. Excessively long or thin necks disrupt the breed balance. Males have a stronger and broader neck; females are finer but always in proportion. In the ICCF system, proper neck structure emphasizes the breed’s substance and compact type.
Body
The body of the Exotic Cat is medium to large, compact, with heavy bone and strong muscles. The chest is broad and deep; the back is straight and powerful. Shoulders and hips are strong and evenly proportioned. The abdomen is rounded but firm, never sagging. The overall form must be cobby and balanced, without elongation or leanness. The ICCF standard requires that the Exotic maintain a compact, massive body structure, as it defines the breed’s recognizable silhouette.
Tail
The tail is short, thick at the base, tapering gently to a rounded tip. It should be proportionate to the compact body, harmoniously completing the silhouette. In motion, the tail is carried low and relaxed, without kinks or deformities. Overly long or malformed tails are unacceptable. The tail should emphasize the breed’s roundness and compact form. Under ICCF evaluation, the tail is a key exterior element completing the breed’s balanced outline.
Forelegs
Forelegs are short, straight, and strong, with heavy bone. Paws are large, round, and firm, with well-developed pads. Limbs must support the massive body while preserving proportion and balance. Excessively long or fine legs are faults, as they disrupt the compact type. Correct forelegs underline the breed’s stability and substance. ICCF judges assess leg thickness and roundness as essential indicators of the Exotic’s standard.
Hind Legs
Hind legs are short and strong, with powerful thighs. They must be proportional to the forelegs, maintaining the body’s overall balance. Paws are large, round, and firm. The hindquarters ensure stability and strength of movement, without appearing elongated. Weak joints, deformities, or disproportions are faults. Harmony between front and hind legs is essential, as it defines the compact, balanced body type of the Exotic Cat. According to ICCF, the hind legs must appear strong and stocky, emphasizing substance and balance.
Gait and Movement
The Exotic Cat moves with calm, soft, and smooth motion. Movements are confident, steady, and slightly restricted in stride due to short limbs. When running, the steps are short but strong, maintaining smoothness and stability. The gait should highlight body balance without stiffness or awkwardness. Lameness, wobbling, or excessive lightness are undesirable. Under ICCF evaluation, movement reflects correct structure and proportion, giving an impression of grace combined with solidity.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, soft, and plush, with a rich undercoat. It should be long enough to give a soft, toy-like texture, though not as long as the Persian’s. The coat lies close to the body, creating an even and harmonious covering. Coarse, sparse, or overly short coats are faults. Correct coat texture is one of the breed’s hallmarks, distinguishing it from its Persian relatives. Within the ICCF system, the coat is regarded as a defining element of breed type.
Acceptable Colors
All colors recognized in the Persian breed are accepted in the Exotic. These include solid, tabby, bicolor, harlequin, color-point, smoke, and shaded varieties. Eye color must correspond to coat color: copper or orange for solids and tabbies, green for silvers, blue for color-points. Deep, vivid hues are preferred, emphasizing the breed’s softness and rounded appearance. In ICCF evaluation, color is judged by its purity, evenness, and harmony with the cat’s overall look.
Size
The Exotic Cat is a medium-to-large breed. Males are heavier, weighing 4–6 kg; females are lighter, 3–5 kg. The breed must maintain compactness and harmony, without signs of excessive thinness or heaviness. Height at the withers is moderate, with short, proportionate limbs. Proper proportions and size highlight the impression of a massive yet balanced cat. In ICCF classification, correct size and proportion are essential indicators of type and health.
Faults
Faults include: narrow or elongated head; lack of cranial roundness; nose too long or with insufficient stop; weak chin; elongated muzzle; small, oval, or dull eyes; large or high-set ears; body too long, thin, or overly heavy without compactness; legs too long, thin, or crooked; tail too long or deformed; coat too short, sparse, or coarse; dull or uneven color. Behavioral faults include excessive aggression or timidity. Any feature disturbing the breed’s harmony, roundness, or compactness is considered a serious fault.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying defects include cranial deformities, malocclusion, strabismus, total or partial deafness, tail deformities (kinks, curvature, excessive length), serious limb deformities (curvature, joint weakness, lameness), small or asymmetrical eyes, rough or missing coat, non-standard or artificially altered colors, visible disease, infection, parasites, or surgical modifications. Extreme aggression or fear preventing examination, or signs of crossbreeding, also lead to disqualification. Any major deviation from the harmonious, compact type disqualifies the cat under ICCF standards.
Important Notes
In breeding Exotic Cats, special attention must be given to maintaining harmony and roundness of type. Breeders must exclude animals showing signs of extreme facial flattening, which can affect respiratory health. Coat quality must be monitored to preserve density and plush texture. ICCF emphasizes the combination of beauty and health: the breed must retain its characteristic appearance while remaining robust and healthy. Temperament is equally important—only balanced, friendly cats should be used for breeding. These notes reaffirm the responsibility of breeders to maintain the breed’s quality and welfare.
Conclusion
The Exotic Cat is a unique breed that combines the finest qualities of the Persian line with easier care suited to modern life. Distinguished by its rounded head, large expressive eyes, short nose, compact body, and dense plush coat, it embodies elegance and affection. Under ICCF standards, every trait is precisely defined, leaving no room for deviation. Only cats with official ICCF documentation verifying lineage and conformity are eligible for exhibition and breeding. This ensures preservation of breed purity and quality control. The Exotic Cat unites grace, softness, and friendliness—standing among the most harmonious and beloved representatives of the modern feline world.
