 In the late 1950s, the Persian was used as an outcross by some American Shorthair breeders.This was done in secret in order to improve their body type, and crosses were also made with the Russian Blue and the Burmese.The crossbreed look gained recognition in the show ring, but unhappy American Shorthair breeders successfully produced a new breed standard that would disqualify American Shorthairs that showed signs of crossbreeding.