European Shorthair- Noble Cat with Understatement

European Shorthair- Noble cat with understatement

If you are looking for a robust and balanced cat, then the European Shorthair is definitely the cat for you. The cat is very happy to be on its own due to its headstrong character. Visually the European Shorthair looks like a field forest meadow cat which is why cat owners in the past have often been told they have a purebreed European shorthair when in fact they didn't.

Character of the European Shorthair

Due to the crossing with Persian cats, the nature of European Shorthair is normally a lot calmer than a domestic cat. They are normally considered to be more balanced and down to earth than other pedigree cats and do not normally have such a strong desire for independence, but do tend to defend their territory against intruders. The character of the European Shorthair is as individual as the animals themselves, some are cuddly while others are more nuanced. As a rule of thumb, they need free access to a garden or space for them to roam.

Care for the European Shorthair 

The short, dense coat of the European Shorthair doesn't require any special care. With regular brushing, however, you’ll help your feline friend to change their coat in spring and counteract the swallowing of hairballs. Many cats also enjoy fur care as a treat. It is also advisable for working people to keep at least two cats. Even if your English Shorthair is supposed to live as a house cat, they tend to be better cats if they have a playmate. When it comes to diseases, the European Shorthair is robust and not very susceptible. If your cat loves to play outside, it must be checked regularly for parasites.

European Shorthair Colours

The European Shorthair is, therefore, the "noble variant" of the well-known domestic cat and its appearance is less spectacular than other pedigree cats. The great similarity to the domestic cat is one reason why English Shorthair breeding is still a marginal phenomenon in England. As with domestic cats, the colour spectrum of the European Shorthair is almost inexhaustible, all naturally occurring fur colours and patterns are allowed and there are no restrictions on eye colours. The eye colour of the European shorthair is often clearer than that of domestic cats, and about 30 colour changes are systematically bred, a total of 70 different colours and variants are known.

History of the European Shorthair

The European Shorthair and their sibling breeds have their roots in Egypt. There, the cats received divine veneration because, as nimble hunters, they kept the mice in check in the granaries. Through the Romans, the descendants of the African fallow cats spread all over the world and adapted to the respective climatic conditions, so different breed types emerged. Around the year 1000 there were cats all over Europe and scientists assume that the imported cats mingled with the native wild cats. In the Middle Ages, however, the image of the cat became a symbol of evil. From the witches' companion to the most popular pet in the 20th century, it was a long, hard road for the often misunderstood cat. In the 1980s, breeders, primarily in Scandinavian countries, tried to establish a standard and to refine the breed. This is how the European Shorthair was born.

Special Features of the European Shorthair

Certain colour variations such as Point or Chocolate can indicate that a non-European shorthair was involved in the breeding. The colour disqualifies the animal for the breed standard. However, this does not diminish the endearing character of the cuddly tiger.

Profile

Breed - European Shorthair

Origin - Europe 

Size - Medium to Large 80-100cm head to tail length 

Weight - Female 4-6kg. Male 5-7kg

Anatomy - Strong, muscular, broad chest 

Head Shape - Head more rounded than that of a domestic cat, large face, rounded ears

Eyes - Round and widely spaced, all eye colours are allowed but should harmonise with the coat colour

Fur and Colour - Short dense fur with shiny top coat in all colours 

Grooming - No special measures required