European

The exact history of all naturally occurring cat breeds will probably remain a mystery. It is widely believed these cats date back to ancient Rome, where they were kept as mousers and companions. There was some confusion regarding the European because some registries used the names “European Shorthair” and “British Shorthair” interchangeably, even though the two breeds were bred to completely different standards. The modern-day European Shorthair (European) was “fine-tuned” in Sweden. The kittens produced there were playful, gentle, and reasonably active. To this day, these cats are extremely popular in Scandinavia, and they even achieved the status of the national cat of Finland.

The European Shorthair is what most of us think when we hear the expression “domesticated cat.” These adorable cats have fantastic characteristics that make them very popular across Europe. Here are the most important ones we will focus on.

Coat

The first thing we need to look at is the European Shorthair’s coat. As their name suggests, these cats have short coats. Their coats are also glossy and “springy,” which means the hairs that were roughed up will immediately get back in their original position.

Coat color

The second thing we should look at is the various coat colors these cats come in. These cats may come in a variety of different patterns and colors, but the most common ones are brown, black, tan, and gray. They also have a distinctive tabby pattern.

Size

The European, or European Shorthair, is a medium-to-large-sized cat. Most of these cats weigh 12 - 18 pounds.

Temperament

The best thing about the European Shorthair is its temperament. This is a cat breed that combines great looks with a fantastic personality. They are playful, intelligent, curious, and amazing with kids and family members. These cats form strong bonds with their family and are one of the most loyal cat breeds in the world. That is what makes them so desirable as a companion. However, the European can be very territorial, so make sure you take the necessary steps to keep your cat safe when they hit that stage in their lives.

Health

The European Shorthair is one of the healthiest cat breeds in the world. They have a vast gene pool, so vets and researchers say there aren’t any breed-specific health issues we should be worried about. However, other health problems seem to be pretty common in this breed. Those problems are;

• Polycystic kidney disease - Kidney disease that causes kidneys to grow cysts all over themselves.
• Brachycephalic syndrome - This happens to cats that were deliberately bred to have a flatter face.
• Respiratory issues - This health concern is mainly connected to flat-faced cats. Their shorter airways can cause respiratory problems.

World Cat Finder Team