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| European Shorthair | |
|---|---|
 Red blotchedtabby European Shorthair | |
| Other names | Celtic |
| Origin | Sweden[1][2][3] |
| Foundation bloodstock | European landrace population |
| Breed standards | |
| FIFe | standard |
| WCF | standard |
| LOOF | standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
TheEuropean Shorthair, also known as theEuropean[4] andCeltic/European Shorthair,[5] is apedigreed breed ofdomestic cat. The breed's name has also been erroneously used to describe the non-pedigreedlandrace domestic cat of Europe, causing confusion as the pedigreed cats of this breed also should resemble the typical domestic cats of Europe.
The role as the cat breed resembling the original domestic cats of Europe was held until the beginning of the 20th century by theBritish Shorthair, even though stockier than the majority of common European cats, until 1949 when the European Shorthair was recognised by theFédération internationale féline (FIFe). The oldest known European Shorthair registered in FIFe was born in 1940.[citation needed]
European Shorthair has its counterparts in Great Britain (British Shorthair) and the U.S. (American Shorthair), though these breeds have been bred for longer.TheBritish Shorthair, however, was crossed with thePersian and selectively bred to become a cobbier cat with a slightly shortened muzzle and thicker coat.[6]It was confusing for Scandinavian breeders that the British Shorthair was also called European Shorthair at that time, even though it looked different.Felinological associations recognised both types of cat as a single breed, meaning they were judged by the same standards duringcat shows, until 1982 when FIFe registered the Scandinavian type of European Shorthair as a separate breed with its own standard.[7]
As of 2023, the European (Shorthair) cat breed is recognised byACF,FIFe,LOOF,TICA (registration only), andWCF.[8][9]
The breed resembles adomestic shorthair and is of medium size with a muscular body. The face is well rounded with well developed cheekbones. The ears are of medium size and slightly rounded at the tip. Eyes are round and open. The eye can be any colour includingodd eyed. The neck is of medium length and muscular. The tail is of medium length, thick at the base with a rounded tip.[10]
The European Shorthair's coat is short, dense, and glossy.[10]
All natural colours are permitted, such as black, red, blue and cream, with or withouttabby,tortoiseshell, silver orwhite markings, though the combination of tabby with white and smoke with white is not allowed in FIFe.[10] Solid white is also permitted. The eye colour corresponds to the coat colour and may be yellow, green or orange. Blue orodd-eyed individuals are permitted if the coat colour is white.[10][11]
In a review of over 5,000 cases ofurate urolithiasis in the US the European Shorthair had the highest rate of the condition with 53 cats having the condition out of a population of 78.[12]
The breed has developed from the natural mouse hunters of Europe with the wish to strengthen the most desirable personality traits of the domestic cats. Most European Shorthairs are strong and active, and they are generally friendly towards people of all ages. They get on well with other cats and tolerate dogs well. European Shorthairs are intelligent and playful, and most of them are adept at keeping houses and gardens free of all types of rodents.[13]
The breed is mostly popular inScandinavia, but also inGermany, as there are still huge populations of similar-looking cats in Europe, and the European Shorthairs are for those appreciating a supple breed which has had a selection for a good temper. The European Shorthair is on the list of endangered breeds in Sweden and is the national cat ofFinland.[14][citation needed]
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