European Shorthair
The European Shorthair, also known as the European and Celtic/European Shorthair, is a pedigreed breed of domestic cat. The breed's name has also been erroneously used to describe the non-pedigreed landrace domestic cat of Europe, causing confusion as the pedigreed cats of this breed also should resemble the typical domestic cats of Europe. The role as the cat breed resembling the original domestic cats of Europe was held until the beginning of the 20th century by the British Shorthair, even though stockier than the majority of common European cats, until 1949 when the European Shorthair was recognised by the Fédération internationale féline (FIFe). The oldest known European Shorthair registered in FIFe was born in 1940.
| Life Span | 12-18 years |
| Weight | 3-6 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an European Shorthair
Finding a responsible European Shorthair breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells cats commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the European Shorthair. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding European Shorthairs appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for an European Shorthair breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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