Brazilian shorthair
The Brazilian Shorthair was the first cat breed from Brazil to receive international recognition, accepted by the World Cat Federation in 1998.
It was developed from the street cats of Brazilian cities — animals descended from cats brought by Portuguese settlers and shaped by four centuries of living independently.
It weighs 3.5 to 5.5 kilograms, is medium and athletic with a short, close-lying coat in any colour, and has a light, agile build rather than the cobby shape of the American or British Shorthair. Because it comes from a large, naturally selected population rather than a handful of founders, it has an unusually healthy genetic profile and no breed-specific inherited disease.
- Origin
- Brazil, from street cats; recognised 1998
- Size
- 3.5–5.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 14–20 years
- Coat
- Short and close-lying, in any colour
- Build
- Light and athletic rather than cobby
- Health
- Broad gene pool; no known inherited conditions
Related: British shorthair
2 brazilian shorthair photos, newest first
Living with a brazilian shorthair
One of the genuinely low-maintenance pedigree cats. Weekly brushing is enough for the short coat, and there is no breed-specific health testing to ask for.
They are active and sociable, having descended from cats that had to fend for themselves, and they want interaction and play rather than a quiet corner. They tend to bond closely with one person.
They are good with children and other animals as a rule, which is part of why the breed was developed.
Ordinary preventive care covers it: neuter, vaccinate, microchip, dental attention, annual checks becoming twice yearly past about ten.
Outside Brazil the breed is uncommon, so verify a breeder's registration rather than accepting a description.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual cats vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.
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