European Short Hair

The European Shorthair is a pedigree cat developed in Scandinavia from the ordinary farm and house cats of northern Europe. Breeders set out to keep the natural look of those cats: a medium-sized, muscular body, a round but not flat face and a short, dense coat in the colours found in European street cats. It is sometimes called the Celtic Shorthair.

The breed is recognised by FIFe and is most common in Sweden, Finland and Germany. It is not recognised by the GCCF, so pedigree European Shorthairs are rare in the UK and most kittens offered here under the name are non-pedigree domestic shorthairs. Both make easy-going pets for families, first-time owners and homes with other animals.

Cats came to northern Europe with the Romans and spread with farming and trade, where they kept barns, granaries and ships free of rats and mice. Over centuries they became a sturdy, short-coated type that coped with cold winters and lived alongside people without any planned breeding.

In the mid-20th century, cat clubs judged these cats under the same standard as the British Shorthair, and both were often called European Shorthair. British breeders had crossed their cats with Persians, which gave the British Shorthair a rounder head, shorter nose and thicker coat. Scandinavian breeders wanted to keep the original, less exaggerated type, so in 1982 FIFe gave the European Shorthair its own standard and separated it from the British Shorthair.

The breed has stayed small in numbers. Its standard allows no outcrosses to other pedigree breeds, although a FIFe member club can approve a suitable domestic shorthair for a breeding programme, which helps keep the gene pool wide.

The European Shorthair is a medium to large cat with a strong, muscular body, a broad chest and sturdy legs of medium length. Males weigh about 4 to 7 kg and females about 3.5 to 5.5 kg, and males are clearly bigger and heavier in the cheeks.

The head is rounded and slightly longer than it is wide, with full cheeks and a straight nose of medium length. This is the main difference from the British Shorthair, which has a broader, rounder head and a shorter nose. The ears are medium-sized, set well apart and slightly rounded at the tips. The eyes are round, set wide and match the coat colour: green, yellow or orange. White cats can also have blue or odd-coloured eyes.

The coat is short, dense and glossy and lies close to the body. Accepted colours are white, black, blue, red, cream and black or blue tortoiseshell. Tabby and smoke versions are allowed in those colours, and solid and tortoiseshell cats can also have white patches. Colours outside this list, such as chocolate or lilac, and colourpoint (Siamese-style) or ticked tabby coats are not accepted, so a kitten with one of these is not a pedigree European Shorthair.

European Shorthairs are calm and friendly without being demanding. Most like to stay close to their owners and will follow them from room to room, but they are also happy to entertain themselves and do not usually mind a few hours alone during the day.

The breed comes from working mousers and many still have a strong hunting drive. Outdoor cats often bring back mice and birds, and indoor cats stalk toys, insects and anything that moves under a blanket. They are curious, quick to learn the routines of a household and settle well after a move.

They tend to be quiet cats, communicating with soft chirps rather than loud calls. Most get on with other cats and accept a calm dog, especially if they meet as a kitten.

European Shorthairs are clever and food-motivated, which makes them easy to litter train and quick to learn their name and simple cues. Short sessions with treats and a clicker can teach a cat to come when called, sit or use a cat flap.

A scratching post placed near where the cat sleeps is the easiest way to protect furniture. Puzzle feeders and fishing-rod toys give their hunting instinct an outlet and help prevent boredom in indoor cats.

The breed is a good choice for families. European Shorthairs are sturdy, patient and tolerant of normal household noise, and many enjoy playing with children who know how to use a wand toy.

Young children should be shown how to stroke a cat gently and let it walk away when it has had enough. Like any cat, a European Shorthair should have a high shelf or quiet room it can retreat to.

The European Shorthair is generally a healthy breed with a life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years, and many live longer. It has no exaggerated features, and no health tests are required by the breed standard.

A US study of urate bladder stones found the European Shorthair among the breeds most often affected by urate stones. Signs include straining in the litter tray, blood in the urine and frequent visits to the tray. A diet with enough moisture and regular vet checks help with early detection.

Other problems seen in the breed are the same as in most cats:

• Dental disease
• Obesity, especially in neutered indoor cats
• Hyperthyroidism in older cats
• Kidney disease in older cats

Kittens should be vaccinated, microchipped and checked by a vet before they go to a new home.

European Shorthairs are low-maintenance cats. They need vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and a yearly health check, and they should be neutered once they are old enough. Microchipping is a legal requirement for pet cats in England.

Outdoor access suits the breed, but indoor cats do well if they have climbing space, window perches and daily play.

The short, dense coat needs little care. Brushing once a week with a rubber brush or grooming glove removes loose hair, and twice a week helps during the spring and autumn moult. Check the teeth, ears and claws at the same time, and get your cat used to tooth brushing from kittenhood.

This is an active breed that needs at least two play sessions of 10 to 15 minutes a day. Wand toys, balls and treat puzzles let it hunt, chase and pounce, and climbing trees give it height to watch from. Cats with outdoor access usually take care of their own exercise.

Feed a complete, good-quality diet suited to your cat's age, with a mix of wet and dry food. Wet food adds moisture, which supports urinary health. Kittens usually have four small meals a day, falling to two meals for adults.

European Shorthairs gain weight easily once neutered, so weigh portions, count treats as part of the daily allowance and check your cat's waistline every few weeks. Fresh water should always be available.

Kittens listed as European on Pets4Homes usually sell for £50 to £130. Most of these are non-pedigree domestic shorthairs. A pedigree European Shorthair registered with a FIFe club usually has to be imported from Scandinavia or Germany and costs considerably more.

Running costs include food, cat litter, flea and worm treatment, vaccinations, neutering and pet insurance. Insurance premiums depend on your cat's age, where you live and the level of cover you choose.

Most kittens advertised as European in the UK are non-pedigree. They make good pets, but you should not pay a pedigree price without a pedigree certificate from a FIFe-affiliated club.

When buying a kitten:

• See the kitten with its mother in the home where it was raised.
• Do not take a kitten home before 8 weeks of age; 12 to 13 weeks is better.
• Ask for vaccination records and proof that the kitten has been microchipped and wormed.
• For a pedigree kitten, ask for the pedigree and registration papers before paying a deposit.
• Never pay for a kitten you have not seen.

A kitten imported from Europe must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before it travels, and needs a pet passport or health certificate, so it will be at least 15 weeks old when it arrives.