most of them are expert at keeping houses and gardens free of all types of rodents. They tend to handle changes and an active home very well, making them suitable for families with children. Physical characteristics In terms of appearance the European Shorthair is a very harmonious and supple cat, which should give the overall appearance of medium with no single feature being enlarged or reduced when compared to the original domestic shorthaired cats of Europe. The European Shorthair is a muscular, medium-sized to large cat, with a broad, well-muscled chest. The strong legs are average length and the paws are round. The tail is fairly thick at the base, tapering to a rounded tip. The head is rounded and should be longer than it is wide, making it not as round as the head of the British Shorthair. The ears are medium-sized; the width of the ear corresponds to the height of the ears, which has a slightly rounded tip. They are quite wide-set and upright. The eyes are rounded and may be of any colour. The European Shorthair's dense coat is short, glossy and springy; meaning it should lie down again after having been ruffled by a hand going against the hairs. The European Shorthair should only be shorthaired. All natural colours are permitted, such as black, red, blue and cream, with or without tabby, silver or white markings, though the combination of tabby with white and smoke with white is not allowed in FIFe. Pure white is also permitted. The eye colour corresponds to the coat colour and may be yellow, green or orange. Blue or odd-eyed individuals are permitted if the coat colour is white. Breed description Head: Fairly broad with rounded contours but a bit longer than it is wide. Slightly rounded skull and forehead. Well-developed cheeks, especially in males. Straight, moderately long and broad nose with a gentle curve between the eyes. A stop is not allowed. Rounded, firm chin. Ears: Medium in size, slightly rounded at the tips and may be tufted. The height of the ears corresponds to the width of the base. Eyes: Large, round, widely separated, set at a slight slant. Colour must be clear and pure and correspond to that of the coat. Neck: Moderately long and muscular. Body: Fairly long, not stout. Stocky, strong, muscular. Broad, well-developed chest. Members: Strong and sturdy, medium in length and narrowing steadily