European Shorthair Cat Breed: The Modern Age’s Classic Mouser

Although the breed’s origin is almost entirely shrouded in mystery, experts believe they may have descended from ancient Egyptian cats. The breed evolved from mousers living in Europe; the primary goal in refining the breed was to strengthen and preserve the most desirable personality traits of domestic cats.

The European Shorthair, also known as the European (and as Celtic Shorthair by the World Cat Federation), is officially recognized with championship status only by FIFe, one of the three major cat registries (TICA, CFA, FIFe).

History of the European Shorthair

Up until the 20th century, the British Shorthair was the breed most similar to European domestic cats, despite being stockier than most ordinary European cats. It confused breeders that the British Shorthair was sometimes called the European Shorthair, even though they had distinct appearances. FIFe recognized the European Shorthair in 1949, but it wasn’t until 1981 that the Scandinavian-type European was officially considered a separate breed with its own standard. The American Shorthair also bears some resemblance to the breed.

A lack of information about its development and the fact that the term “European” is often used to refer to common domestic cats may cause some confusion. It’s important to note that the European Shorthair is a standardized breed and not just an “ordinary” house cat.

The breed is most popular in Scandinavia, but there are also significant numbers in Germany. It is listed as an endangered breed in Sweden, and Finland recognizes it as its national cat.

Breed Standard of the European shorthair

The breed is robust yet proportionate, with an anatomy that does not differ from European domestic cats. The ideal European Shorthair is considered to be free of any crossbreeding with other breeds. Its head is large, with well-developed cheeks and a slightly rounded forehead. Its eyes are large, round, and set slightly slanted, with colors ranging from amber to green or blue, and heterochromia is also accepted. Its ears are medium-sized with rounded tips. The coat is short, dense, and resilient to the touch. It is recognized in a wide range of colors, except for those that derive from other breeds, such as chocolate, lilac, or colorpoint.

The Character of the European Shorthair

Since the breed was developed from natural mousers, most European Shorthairs are strong, active, and generally friendly with adults, children, and seniors. They get along well with other cats and tolerate dogs if properly socialized. The European Shorthair is intelligent and playful, and most are excellent at keeping rodents out of both the garden and the house.

The ideal environment for European Shorthair

They adapt well to changes and lively home environments, making them ideal for families with children. However, it’s important to provide this active and clever cat with enough mental and physical stimulation to ensure a balanced, happy life.

Caring for the European Shorthair

Caring for a European Shorthair does not require much effort or time. Its short coat should be brushed weekly, and bathing is only necessary when needed.

As with any cat, its eyes and ears should be regularly cleaned, and brushing its teeth daily or every other day is recommended. Always feed your cat the highest-quality, high-protein food you can afford, suitable for its age and condition. Also, make sure fresh water is always available, and clean the litter box daily.

Common Health Problems of the European Shorthair

Though generally a healthy breed, a U.S. study examining over 5,000 cases of bladder stones found the highest incidence among European Shorthairs. Of 78 cats, 53 were diagnosed with this condition.