The European shorthair has its origins in Rome. When the emperors ruled the country, they spread their culture throughout the continent. The beloved shorthair cat traveled with the emperors, breeding new litters on the way. Breeders in Sweden began to purposely breed attractive cats in an attempt to recreate the look of these original shorthairs. The resultant breed is the European shorthair. Although not recognized by cat clubs in the United States, the breed is accepted by the Federation International Feline.
The European shorthair is a strong, sleek cat but incredibly muscular with a broad chest. The European shorthair is an athletic cat that looks anything but dainty. The breed is known to have a medium to large body. You find European shorthairs with a variety of coat colors and patterns. The eyes of the cat can be blue, amber, green or odd eyed.
Personality
Because European shorthairs are rare in America, their personality is difficult to judge. People familiar with the breed have described them as having big personalities. Don’t expect to live your life alone when you welcome one of these cats into your home. You may discover that you have a permanent shadow in the European shorthair. Fans of the breed do warn that it may not be the right cat for the inexperienced owner.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 13 - 15 years |
| Nicknames: | Celtic shorthair |
European Shorthair Build Information
The European shorthair is a strong, sleek cat but incredibly muscular with a broad chest. The European shorthair is an athletic cat that looks anything but dainty. The breed is known to have a medium to large body. You find European shorthairs with a variety of coat colors and patterns. The eyes of the cat can be blue, amber, green or odd eyed.
| Size: | Medium - Large |
Behaviour and Personality
Because European shorthairs are rare in America, their personality is difficult to judge. People familiar with the breed have described them as having big personalities. Don’t expect to live your life alone when you welcome one of these cats into your home. You may discover that you have a permanent shadow in the European shorthair. Fans of the breed do warn that it may not be the right cat for the inexperienced owner.
| Activity Level: | High |
| Affection Level: | High |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
Because the European shorthair has a tight, short coat, grooming is fairly easy. The breed only needs brushed once a week to remove loose hair and prevent hairballs. The fur rarely mats, making it easy to keep up with. Most European shorthairs will not appreciate a bath, and claws should be trimmed regularly.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Little |
European Shorthair Common Health Conditions
There are no health issues known to be specific to the European shorthair breed, possibly thanks to its mixed ancestry. Like all cats, this breed is prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Any breed of cat may suffer with asthma, feline leukemia or upper respiratory conditions. Once-yearly trips to the veterinarian can help you keep your European shorthair healthy.
European Shorthair Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The European shorthair has a tail that is thick at the base with a tapered point. This breed of cat is not for you if you are looking for a cat that will be happy sitting in your lap. You find the European shorthair in black, blue, cream, red, tabby or tortoiseshell. Unlike some other cats, shedding is minimal with this breed. The breeds most similar to the European shorthairs of today are the British shorthair and the American shorthair.