The short-haired cat breeds are justifiably very popular as
pets, with their care being no more demanding in most cases than that of an
ordinary non-pedigree cat. However, regular grooming with a bristle brush will
help to remove loose hairs and keep the coat in top condition. Other good
reasons for grooming are that the procedure is enjoyed and appreciated by many
cats – particularly if they have been accustomed to it from their kittenhood –
and it can also be a very good time to cement the bond between cat and owner.
British shorthair
This cat is compact and powerful, with a deep body and full
chest. It has short, strong legs and rounded paws, and a short, thick tail. The
head is massive and round, with a firm chin and a straight nose, and the eyes
are round and set well apart. The British shorthair is rather similar to the
ordinary non-pedigree cat from which it was originally developed in Victorian
times, but it has evolved into a stockier, heavier cat. The fur is short, dense
and crisp to the touch, and its texture highlights the darker markings in
particular. The coat colours are as varied as those of the Persian.
The European shorthair is almost identical to the British
variety.
American shorthair
The American shorthair tends to have a slightly more
slender, athletic form than its British counterpart. Again, there is a dazzling
range of colours and patterns. There is also an American wirehair variety,
which has a curled coat rather like that of a lamb.
Manx
The Manx cat is popularly known as the cat with no tail, and
for exhibition purposes it must have no trace of a tail. This variety is known
as a Rumpy Manx. However, some Manx cats do have tails of varying length, and
these are known as the ‘Rumpy-riser’, ‘Stumpy’ (or ‘Stubby’) or ‘Longy’,
depending on the tail length. The shape of the Manx – a round head, and a
curved back with a rump higher than the shoulders – is characteristic of the
breed, and the cat lopes like a rabbit on its long legs. Some kittens of this
breed suffer from birth deformities such as spina bifida because of their
appearance. Despite this, the Manx is known for its ability to jump, climb
trees and hunt just as well as if it had a tail for balance. It is an
intelligent cat, and tends to be long-lived.
Rex
There are two well-known breeds of rex, both originating
from the south-west of England, which stand out from the other short-haired
breeds because of their wavy coats. Neither is especially hardy, as the coats
are relatively thin.
Cornish rex: This has a curly coat with a fairly full, plush
texture. It is bred to a slightly oriental body type and is a lithe, athletic
cat.
Devon rex: This has a shorter coat and appears more
hairless. Its head has a decidedly ‘pixie-ish’ look.
Japanese bobtail
Outside its homeland, this breed is more commonly seen in
the USA than in Europe. Its tail is only a few inches long, and it has bushy
fur like that of a rabbit.
Scottish fold
The short-haired version of this breed is currently the
best-known variety. The Scottish fold is instantly recognizable by its ears,
which are folded over at the tips and point forwards. It is a healthy and
robust cat, and the unusual structure of the ears does not appear to cause any
hearing problems.
Abyssinian
This is an old breed. It often has pointed ear tufts and
head stripes, always with large ears and a very alert, lynx-like appearance.
The traditional coloration of the Abyssinian – which is known as the ‘usual’ –
is like that of a wild rabbit. Other new colours have also been developed; these
include blue and lilac. Although this breed looks in some ways like a wild cat,
it is gentle and can be highly affectionate. A long-haired form of the
Abyssinian is called the Somali.
Russian blue
The colour described as ‘blue’ in cats is really a dilute
form of black. The Russian blue is a finely built cat with a wedge-shaped head,
and a soft, very silky coat with a marvellous silver sheen. It has an even
temperament and makes an affectionate and undemanding pet.
Korat
This breed has been kept pure, and looks exactly as it did
600 years ago to judge from ancient manuscripts preserved in its Thai homeland.
It has a silver-blue coat and a heart-shaped face, and is a playful cat.
Burmese
The traditional colour of the Burmese is brown, although it
is now bred in a range of colours including patterned varieties such as the
lilac tortie. In the UK the Burmese closely resembles the Siamese in terms of
its type, but in the USA the breed is more like the American shorthair. This
cat is full of energy and always likes to be involved in whatever is going on.
Siamese
This cat almost certainly originated in Siam (now Thailand).
It is one of the best known of all the pedigree breeds, with its distinctive
eyes of clear blue. The main body colour is always paler than the ‘points’ on
the feet, tail, ears and facial area. The most common point colours are seal
(brown), blue, chocolate (dark brown), lilac, red, tabby and tortoiseshell.
Many people admire the Siamese cat for its lithe body and
svelte movements. Indeed, breeders in the USA like its lankiness and toughness
so much that they have deliberately exaggerated these characteristics in their
cats. This is a lively, noisy and affectionate breed, demanding more attention
than other types of cat and often almost dog-like, happily retrieving objects
and going for walks on a lead. Some people find the Siamese personality a
little too overwhelming and prefer a more placid breed as a companion, but for
many owners they make very rewarding pets.
Oriental shorthair
As well as the cat we know as the Siamese, cat lovers in
ancient Siam used to keep cats that had the same body type (known as
‘oriental’) but without the pointed colour pattern. In the West these cousins
of the Siamese were unfashionable in the early years of this century, but they
are now more popular once again.
The Oriental shorthair is available in a wide – and still
expanding – range of colours. These include pure black, white, brown, blue or
red, bi-coloured (white plus one colour), or patterned (with tortoiseshell or
tabby markings). There are four established tabby variants: spotted, ticked
(when each hair in the coat is marked with two or three dark bands), mackerel
(fishbone-like stripes run down the body) and classic (dark stripes with a
prominent black blotch on each flank), along with other types such as smoke.
The eyes are normally green rather than blue.
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