Brazilian Shorthair

The Brazilian Shorthair is a medium-sized, athletic cat breed from Brazil, known for its sleek coat, high intelligence, and affectionate, active temperament. It is Brazil's first internationally recognized cat breed and suits families who want a sociable, playful companion rather than a low-interaction, independent cat.

Origins and Recognition

The Brazilian Shorthair (Pelo Curto Brasileiro) developed from Brazil's street cats, themselves descended from European cats brought by Portuguese colonizers centuries ago. It was standardized in the 1980s and officially recognized as a purebred by the World Cat Federation in 1998, becoming the first Brazilian cat breed with international status.

Size and Appearance

Brazilian Shorthairs are medium, muscular, and slightly longer than they are tall, with a leaner, more elegant look than American or British Shorthairs. They have slightly longer-than-wide heads with high cheekbones, large expressive eyes matching or complementing the coat color, and a short, glossy, close-lying coat that comes in almost any color or pattern.

Temperament and Behavior

This breed is active, intelligent, and curious, often described as playful, confident, and people-oriented. Brazilian Shorthairs typically enjoy interaction, may be quite vocal, and usually get along well with children, other cats, and even dogs when properly socialized.

Care, Health, and Lifestyle

Their very short, single coat sheds moderately and usually needs only occasional brushing, making grooming easy. They are generally healthy and long-lived, with reported lifespans commonly in the mid-teens and up to around 20 years, but they can be sensitive to cold and do best with warm, indoor living and regular veterinary care.

At-a-Glance Traits

Aspect	Brazilian Shorthair Overview
Origin	Native Brazilian street cats; standardized in 1980s; WCF recognition in 1998
Size	Medium, muscular, longer than tall; roughly 10–12+ lb typical adult range
Coat	Very short, glossy, close-lying single coat; almost any color/pattern
Temperament	Affectionate, highly social, playful, intelligent, fairly vocal
Grooming Needs	Low; light to moderate shedding, occasional brushing usually enough
Lifespan	Commonly 14–20 years in good health
Best For	Active families or individuals who can provide play, enrichment, and daily interaction

Summary Table

Trait	Description
Origin	Brazil (from street cats)
Recognition	World Cat Federation (1998)
Size	Medium, muscular, athletic
Weight	10-12+ lbs
Coat	Short, glossy, single coat
Colors	Almost any color or pattern
Temperament	Affectionate, playful, intelligent, social
Activity Level	High - very active and playful
Grooming	Low maintenance - occasional brushing
Lifespan	14-20 years

The Brazilian Shorthair is an ideal companion for active families seeking an intelligent, affectionate, and athletic cat that embodies Brazil's vibrant spirit and natural heritage.

References

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