Page 29 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

SHOR THAIRS 27

SHORTHAIRS

A short coat keeps
a cat warm without
Most cats have short hair, whether they are large or small, overheating
wild or domestic. This is an evolutionary development that
makes sense for a natural predator relying on stealth and
the occasional burst of speed. A hunting cat is more efficient
in a short coat because it can glide unhampered through dense
terrain and move freely for a rapid pounce in a tight corner.

Developing the shorthair away from the body; and the a shorthaired cat does not guarantee
The first cats to be domesticated, Exotic Shorthair, which combines hair-free carpets and sofas. Some
possibly over 4,000 years ago, had unmistakably Persian looks with breeds shed quite heavily, especially
short hair, and their sleek-coated look a shorter, more manageable coat. during seasonal loss of thick
has been popular ever since. In a short Short hair is taken to extremes in undercoats, and even single-coated
coat, colors and patterns are clearly several hairless breeds, including the varieties such as the Orientals always
defined and the feline form appears to Sphynx and the Peterbald. These cats lose a certain amount of hair.
full advantage. Dozens of shorthaired are usually not totally hairless—most
breeds have been developed, but have a fine covering of body
ASIAN SOLID
there are three main groups: British, hair with the feel of suede. The Asian group of shorthairs
American, and Oriental Shorthairs. Another variety of short hair are moderate in build, being
neither stocky nor as ultra
The first two are essentially ordinary is seen in rexed cats, which
slim as the Orientals.
domestic cats refined by decades of have wavy or crimped coats.
breeding programs. They are sturdy, Among the best known of
round-headed cats, with short, dense, these are the Devon Rex
double-layered coats. The strikingly and the Cornish Rex.
different Oriental group have little
to do with the East, being created Easy maintenance
in Europe through crosses with the A great advantage for owners
Siamese. They have short, close-lying, of shorthaired breeds is that
fine coats with no woolly undercoat. the coat requires little
Other well-loved shorthaired cats grooming to keep it in good
include: the Burmese; the plush-furred condition, while parasites
Russian Blue, which has a very short and injuries are easy to see
undercoat that lifts the top guard hairs and treat. However, keeping

SIAMESE
The short, fine coat of
the Siamese accentuates
the elegant lines of this
graceful, blue-eyed cat.
Many different point
colors have been
developed, but the
classic seal point
remains a favorite.