Encyclopedia of Cats

European Shorthair 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.

European Shorthair Behavior/Personality

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.

These breeds, if given the slightest opportunities, will reproduce more frequently than any other breeds. They will also produce much larger litters.

European Shorthair Breed Standard/Physical Description

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.

European Shorthair History

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.

Exotic Shorthair Cat

The Exotic Shorthair cat breed, also simply known as the Exotic cat breed, is an offshoot of the Persian cat breed. The first Exotic Shorthairs were the result of interbreeding between Persians and American Shorthairs. With the denser, shorter coat, the Exotic Shorthair breed is less of a grooming challenge than the Persian, hence the nickname, "Persians for lazy people."

Exotic Shorthair Behavior/Personality

Source: Wikipedia

The Exotic Shorthair breed is generally known for a gentle and calm personality. Known as quiet cats who rarely meow, Exotic Shorthairs tend to show more affection than most breeds. They are also known to make excellent lap cats.

Exotic Shorthair Breed Standard/Physical Description

Here are some facts on the Exotic Shorthair breed based on the Cat Fanciers Association's breed standard.

Head: round, large
Ears: small, round tipped, set far apart
Eyes: large, round
Body: Large or medium in size
Legs: short, thick, and strong
Paws: large, round
Tail: short, proportion in length
Coat: dense, soft, medium in length

Exotic Shorthair History

Source: Wikipedia

In around 1960, breeders crossed the American Shorthair with the Persian in the United States, creating shorthaired Persians. The new breed of shorthair Persians was called the Exotic Shorthair breed and recognized by the C.F.A in 1966. Since 1987, the only allowable outcross breed has been the Persian. The F.I.Fe. recognized the Exotic Shorthair in 1986. Because they have nearly identical bodies to the Persians, but a thick, dense short coat, they have come to be known as "Persian cats for lazy people"--i.e., people who don't want quite the grooming challenge of the traditional Persian cat's coat.

Havana Brown Cat

While many cat breeds are as precious as they can be, some cat breeds are more like the workhorses of the cat fancy. The Havana Brown breed not only has a simple brown coat; these cats are so eager to please they are almost dog-like-in a nice, thoroughly cat-like way, of course.

Havana Brown Behavior/Personality

Source: "The Havana Brown: The Cat in a Not So Plain Brown Wrapper," by Norma Placchi

The Havana Brown breed is thought of as being very intelligent. That is, they are generally more easily trained to fetch than other cats and respond well to praise. Most Havana Browns make excellent show cats.

Havana Brown Breed Standard/Physical Description

Here are some facts on the Havana Brown breed based on the Cat Fanciers Association's breed standard.

Head: head is longer than it is wide when viewed from above, narrow muzzle
Ears: large, round-tipped
Eyes: oval in shape, medium sized, set wide apart
Body: medium in length, firm and muscular
Legs: straight, high
Paws: oval, Toes: five in front and four behind
Tail: medium in length and in proportion to the body
Coat: short to medium in length, smooth

Havana Brown History