Variety:
European Shorthair Cat
Country of origin:
Scandinavia
Colours:
Very varied: red, cream, white, blue, pink, etc. Chocolate or lilac colours are not accepted, nor are marks of such colours.
Character:
Intelligent, friendly. The character of individuals of the same breed may vary considerably from one breed to another
Weight:
4-7 kg
Longevity:
15-20 years
Other names:
European shorthair cat
Litter size:
From 1-12 kittens
Hypoallergenic:
No
The European Shorthair Cat – a relatively young cat breed for which the standard was not defined until the 1980s. European Shorthairs are very similar in appearance to ordinary domestic cats, with specific appearance traits, but character traits can vary greatly. Each European Shorthair cat has a unique character, and the two breeds can differ in temperament like night and day. These cats are generally playful and appreciative of their owners, but there are also some that are rather withdrawn and do not like too much attention.
History of the breed
The European Shorthair originated in northern Europe, although attempts have also been made to breed these cats in Great Britain. The European Shorthair was developed by crossbreeding domestic cats with the best qualities of character and appearance. The hope was to create a breed of cat with short hair and a charming round muzzle. Scandinavian felinologists had a slightly different aim from the British, who crossed domestic cats with Persians. Northern European felinologists took a more difficult route and crossed only a selection of domestic cats. For a while, the British and Scandinavian-bred cats were called by the same name, but as they got further away, the desire to distinguish between the two cats became stronger (the cats’ appearances were very different). In 1980, the Scandinavians petitioned for their cat breed to be separated from the British Shorthair. Two years later, European shorthair cats were being judged according to a standard developed in Scandinavia. Currently, most European Shorthairs live in Finland, but the breed is popular throughout Europe. In Lithuania, the breed has not attracted much interest. This is probably due to the fact that there are many cats in shelters that look very similar to European Shorthairs. Thus, it is often thought that it is better to adopt a cat from a shelter than to pay money for it – after all, pedigree cats are not cheap.
European Shorthair Cat: appearance
The European Shorthair is a medium-sized cat, usually weighing between 4 and 7 kilograms. It has a massive and muscular body, a well-developed chest and a slightly rounded head. Compared with British Shorthairs, the European Shorthair has a less rounded head. The ears are small, more or less equal in length and width, with rounded tips. The eyes are round, rather large, and can be of different colours, but the colours usually match the coat. The limbs are of medium length, very strong and the feet are rounded. Tail rather thin, tapering further towards the rear. The coat is short, fine, shiny, and the colours can be very varied: red, cream, white, blue, pink, etc. Chocolate or lilac colours are not accepted, nor are marks of such colours.
European Shorthair Cat: character
In the development of the European Shorthair cat breed, cats of different temperaments were crossed, and to this day it is quite difficult to describe the character of the European Shorthair. Some are very affectionate and affectionate, while others can be very independent and rather withdrawn. These cats are not aggressive, are generally friendly with people of all ages and are willing to interact with children. They are also tolerant of domestic animals – can be very friendly with other cats and can be very friendly with other cats.