Pet Advisor Blog

European Shorthair Cat – Cat Breed Guide


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Introduction

The European Shorthair is a domesticated cat breed that is very similar to the British Shorthair breed but tends to be less cobby inbuilt. These cats are also distinguishable from British Shorthairs for having tougher coats, adapting to the harsher climate and environment of Northern Europe where these cats were first bred. These domestic shorthairs of Europe are the progenitor of other cat breeds that includes the Chartreux and the Norwegian Forest.

Today, the European Shorthair is only officially recognized as pure cat breed in Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Among the major feline registries that are affiliated with the World Cat Congress, only the Australian Cat Federation Inc. or ACF and the Fédération Internationale Féline or FIFe recognizes this shorthaired breed under the name European Shorthair or simply as the European cat. The International Cat Association or TICA has this breed on its Registration Only status. The World Cat Federation or WCF recognizes this type of cat under the name Celtic Shorthair.

The European Shorthair that is the alternative name for British Shorthairs is a different breed. The two European Shorthair breeds are considered a single breed group by various feline associations, but each with its own set of standards. The British Shorthairs that are called European Shorthairs are recognized as the Scandinavian type or lineage.

Official Name

European Shorthair

The World Cat Federation or WCF recognizes a similar-looking cat breed under the official name of Celtic Shorthair. The Fédération Internationale Féline or FIFe calls this breed simply as the European.

Origin

The European Shorthair and all its 58 recognized color variants can trace their roots in Europe during the time of the Roman Empire. It is believed that the ancestors of the modern European cats were brought in the Northern European region by the Roman Legion and Roman settlers. This shorthaired breed can also trace their genetic ancestry directly to the native European Wildcat that bred with the Roman brought felines.

The modern European Shorthair originates in parts of Italy and Sweden. It was just recently recognized to preserve the native and generic domestic shorthairs of Europe, much like how the British Shorthair and American Shorthair were recognized as distinct breeds.

Quick FAQs

Size: European Shorthairs may come in large or medium-large sizes, but typically medium-sized.

Coat Type: European Shorthairs have short-length coats that are dense and sleek, soft to the touch and glossy in appearance.

Body Type: European Shorthairs have strong and muscular bodies but not cobby in type.

Grooming Requirement: European Shorthairs will require very little grooming attention and will be easy to manage. These cats will only need to be brushed once every week.

Vocal Tendency: There is no general temperament description of the European Shorthair cat breed; it is hard to predict if a cat of this type will be vocal, quiet or very talkative.

Energy Levels: There is no general temperament description of the European Shorthair cat breed; some cats can be tranquil or laid-back while some can be extremely lively and playful.

Time Alone: There is no general temperament description of the European Shorthair cat breed; but typically, these cats require 4 to 8 hours of alone time.

Care: These cats are typically easy to handle and will require average to minimal attention.

Recognized By

Fédération Internationale Féline
Australian Cat Federation Inc.
The International Cat Federation
Livre Officiel des Origines Félines

History

The ancestors of the modern-day European Shorthair can be traced to the ancient Roman times. It is believed that during the time when the Roman conquered and settled the European continent, they brought their shorthaired feline pets that are prevalent in Italy.

The modern-day European Shorthair was first developed in Sweden to re-create the Roman brought cats. The pioneer breeders crossed fit and attractive but “un-pedigreed” shorthair cats together to produce a similar appearance of the cats introduced by the ancient Romans.

Personality

The European Shorthair cat breeds are known to display various temperaments and cats of this breed may have different personalities. Some European Shorthairs will be very quiet and considered laid-back in disposition, while some are known “talkers” and will be lively, playful and very active.

Standards

Appearance
European Shorthair cats are medium to large-sized domesticated felines that have a muscular and compact body.

General
European Shorthair cats are well-balanced and powerful felines with compact bodies. These cats are not too large in appearance as well as not too massive in body weight.

Body
European Shorthairs are fairly long, stocky and muscularly built. These cats have a prominent chest that is deep and broad in appearance.

Head, Ears and Eyes
European Shorthair cats have fairly broadheads that have rounded contours. These cats’ heads are somewhat longer than they are wide. These cats have a medium-sized set of ears that are broad at the base and with rounded tips. Their ears are set far from each other but fitting perfectly into the rounded contours of their big round heads. The eyes of these cats are large and round in shape and also widely spaced with a slight slant. Eye colors will depend on the color of the cat’s coat but clear and pure.

Coat and Tail
European Shorthair cats have tails that are medium in length with a thick base tapering to a tip that is rounded. These cats have coats that are short and firm but very dense and thick with a resilient, crisp, firm and plush texture. The fur is straight looking very much like a woolen carpet. There is a thick undercoat that appears to offer natural protection from the elements.

Color
European Shorthair comes in any color or pattern.

Health

European Shorthairs are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia, with the males being more at high risk to acquire these medical conditions. It may develop polycystic kidney disease which the breed inherited from the Persian lines. Although flat-chested kitten syndrome is not common to the breed, it does occur on rare occasions.

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