European Shorthair Breed Information
Learn all about European Shorthair cats, read about the European Shorthair breed information,
find out about the European Shorthair Breed Standard, European Shorthair behavior and more.
The common house cat for millions of Europeans over many generations, the
European Shorthair probably descended from the African Wild cat brought north by
the Romans some 2,000 years ago, or by the native European Wild Cat. The
widespread breed goes by many localized names, including Cyprus Cat, Marbled
Cat, and Tiger Cat.
It is the purest of all breeds, replicating its characteristics naturally
without any help from breeders. Each color is recognized as its own breed
because of the different genes that go into producing each. The European
Shorthair gave us the term "tabby," in a round-about fashion. Weavers in Iraq
duplicated the colors and patterns of the cat's coat in the silks they exported
to Europe, dubbing the fabrics with the name.
With such a natural, direct ancestry and with a large proportion of all European
Shorthairs being born outside of controlled breeding situations, individual cats
vary widely in temperament. However, the breed is generally territorial and
combative toward other cats, but affectionate with owners that show it respect
and care. Females, particularly, attach to the whole family. All individuals
seem to genuinely enjoy new people. It's an extremely active cat, with a
definite need to roam large, open spaces. It is also an able mouser, with an
almost manic desire for the activity.
There are many breeds of the European Shorthair: Black, which is extremely
widespread and has a glossy black coat with yellow, orange, or copper eyes;
White, with snow white coat with yellow or copper eyes; Albino, with white coat
with light blue eyes and pupils that reflect red; Cream, which is extremely rare
and has a uniform cream coat with copper or hazel eyes.
Red, with red-brown coat with orange eyes; Gray, with gray coat with orange or
copper eyes; Tabby, tiger-striped; Marbled, see Classic Tabby pattern under
American Shorthair; Tortie, with black, red, and cream coat with copper, orange,
or hazel eyes; Tortie-with-White, with black, red, and cream coat with white on
face and chest, and orange, amber, or copper eyes; Blue-Cream, with blue and
cream coat with orange, yellow, or copper eyes; Black-and-White Bicolor;
White-and-Blue Bicolor; Orange-and-White Bicolor; and Cream-and-White Bicolor.
The fur is short, thick, fine textured, and sometimes bristly. The body is
extremely muscular and sturdy, with similar legs and medium, round paws. The
head is round with a short nose, fully developed cheeks, large, round eyes, and
relatively small, pointed ears. Regular brushing and stroking with a gloved hand
will maintain the coat. It is a very long-lived cat.
These breeds, if given the slightest opportunities, will reproduce more
frequently than any other breeds. They will also produce much larger litters.
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