Compare breeds
Birman vs Exotic Shorthair
Birman
Long
Exotic Shorthair
Short
Choose the Birman if you want…
- a family with children
- a dog or cat that learns quickly
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if you want…
- less time spent grooming
- a quieter companion
Side by side
| Trait | Birman | Exotic Shorthair |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 3–7 kg (7–15 lb) | 3–6 kg (7–13 lb) |
| Height | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) | 25–30 cm (10–12 in) |
| Life span | 12–16 years | 12–15 years |
| Origin | Burma (developed in France) | United States |
| Energy | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Trainability | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good with children | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good with other pets | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Suits a flat | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Shedding | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Grooming needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Barking / vocal | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Quick answers
Which lives longer, the Birman or the Exotic Shorthair?
Their typical life spans are about the same. Birman: 12–16 years; Exotic Shorthair: 12–15 years.
Is the Birman or the Exotic Shorthair better with children?
The Birman scores higher in our profiles (4 vs 3 out of 5). Always supervise young children with any pet.
Other comparisons
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