European Shorthair Cat Characteristics

The adjective that best describes the European is “robust”. This quality gives him a majestic aspect, somewhat distant, although in reality he is a great animal for company.

On the other hand, its apparent fortitude doesn’t deceive us. With a history of survival in all kind of climatic conditions and of life, the race  has inherited fortitude, resistance and an adaptation ability that is exceptional.

The European of cat is of a medium or big size, with a rectangular body (different from the typical cobby constitution of the British)

Of broad back, muscular and strong, with an ample chest, strong legs and leveled loin, its feet have a clean outline and they are rounded and firmed. The tail is not excessively long; it’s wide at the base and ends in a rounded tip. The head is broad and rounded, although a bit more longer than wide, and the neck is short and robust, especially in the lames.

The nose is straight, short and broad, without any stop; the cheekbones are well developed. The ears are small and rounded at the tips, and are situated on the head in a way that the lower part of the inner ear is a line with the out of the corner of the eye.

The eyes are big, rounded and they offer an awaken and expressive sight.

Colors
Opposite to that of the British, with a more “oriental” look, the European has more similar appearance to that of a domestic cat, and its cloak must be shiny and dense.

In both races, the solid colors must be well uniformed, without any attains or tabby marks.

As for the rest of varieties, the standards are usually very precise in what forms of the marks and possible color combinations should be.

The acknowledged colors are very ample on the European, on the European, but even more on the British (for example, the International Feline Federation accepts the colors of chocolate and lilac, and all its tones varieties for the British, but not for the European) due to its long trajectory as an exhibition cat.

In this case we will analyze the most common accepted colors, although they can vary according to the different countries, specially having in mind that in many countries the European & the British are considered of the same race.

Solid Colors
The black European is almost as spectacular and popular as is the blue.

It must have neither a shiny jet-black hair, without any kind of stains nor white hairs.

Some whelps in the first months present a brick like tone, that disappears in the cloak when adults.

The nose and sales must be black and the eyes, of a shiny copper or orange or of an intense golden color.

The green eyes constitute a common defect on specimens not apt for exhibitions.

The white-cloaked European can have blue, orange or mismatched color eyes. The white Europeans of blue or mismatched eyes are usually deafer and must never be used for breeding.

The hair must be pure white, without any yellow tones, and the nose and soles, pink.

The cream cloak is of a clear uniformed tone, without any tabby marks or white hairs. The truffle and the soles are pink, and the eyes, of a shiny copper or orange.

The standard cloak is especially difficult to obtain due that many whelps maintain their tabby pattern or are too dark. In Europe it is also admitted the varieties of the color red.

2CheckOut.com Inc. (Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Kitty Cat Houses .com