Orlovia
Little known until now, the Brazilian Shorthair is gradually conquering the hearts of cat lovers. Descended from Brazilian street cats, representatives of the breed present themselves as lovable contemporaries. We took a closer look at the relatively young cat breed for you and are sure that you too will not be able to resist the charm of the Brazilian Shorthair.
History and Origin of the Brazilian Shorthair
The origins of the Brazilian Shorthair lie literally in the streets of Brazil. Basically, breeding began with the experiment of crossing street cats with house cats. Street cats with certain characteristics were selected for the breeding experiment, and so a new breed gradually emerged, which is particularly popular in the USA. In our latitudes, the Brazilian Shorthair is still relatively unknown. To this day, breeds based on semi-wild street animals are controversial. This applies not only to the Brazilian Shorthair breed but also to the European Shorthair and the American Shorthair.
Even if the Brazilian Shorthair breed has little in common with the typical street cats, the medium-sized pedigree cats are still enjoying increasing popularity. Incidentally, the breed was recognized by the World Cat Federation, so clear breed standards must also be met when breeding.
Essence and Character
Cat lovers are enthusiastic about the cat of Brazilian origin, not least because of its nature and character traits. The fur noses are known for their attachment and loyalty. Even if they always appear friendly, it is important to build up trust first, because the pedigree cats approach “new” people with a certain amount of caution and prefer to observe what is happening first. But once the cat with Brazilian roots has gained confidence, it is the most loyal creature you can imagine.
As sociable companions, the lovable house cats are very well suited as family cats. They are playful, and cuddly and also get along well with children and animal roommates. But the lively cats also have a sensitive side and are extremely reluctant to be alone. They prefer to be surrounded by “their” people because this gives them security.
The Appearance of the Brazilian Shorthair
With their medium-length legs, harmonious proportions, and slender yet muscular build, the short-haired cats from Brazil are definitely eye-catchers. The short shiny fur is not lined with an undercoat and so it hugs the body closely. This ensures a smooth appearance, which is underlined by elegant-looking movements.
The wedge-shaped skull, which is characterized by a slightly curved profile, is also characteristic. A pronounced chin and a strong jaw are also among the breed characteristics. Above all, lovers of the Brazilian Shorthair cite the large round eyes that characterize the cat’s face. The look is completed by large, elongated ears.
All coat colors are allowed for breeding, with the exception of points. When breeding, care should also be taken to ensure that the color of the eyes matches the color of the fur, so that a harmonious overall picture is created.
Attitude and Care
When it comes to keeping and grooming, the Brazilian Shorthair is extremely uncomplicated. Representatives of the breed fit well into families, but also have no problem living in a single household as long as they do not have to be alone for too long. Since the Brazilian Shorthair is very sociable, it is ideal if a conspecific can be assigned to it.
Outdoor cat or indoor cat?
As is so often the case, the big question of whether the Brazilian Shorthair should be kept as an indoor cat or as an outdoor cat has not been clearly clarified. Basically, the descendants of the Brazilian street cats do very well as outdoor cats. Thanks to their attachment, which was encouraged by breeding, the Brazilian Shorthair can also be kept as an apartment cat without any problems. In this case, however, you should be able to provide a secure garden, balcony, or at least an outdoor space and ensure a varied environment.
How Much Activity Does the Brazilian Shorthair Need?
Brazilian Shorthair cats are active cats who just love to play. You don’t have to entertain the furry friends all day, but you should take the time for daily play sessions and don’t skip them. Intelligent animals love hunting games and develop impressive speed. But they are also open to clicker training. The willing and intelligent cats quickly learn little tricks.
Since there is still something of the Brazilian street cat in the breeding cats, the clingy cats can also be motivated with food. But you shouldn’t overdo it with this.
After extensive play units, the active cats also like to become cuddly tigers and enjoy being close to people. While they cuddle up to you, they like to be petted and enjoy loving attention.