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Aegean vs European Shorthair
The Aegean is a rare, mostly white island cat with a medium coat; the European Shorthair is a hardy, independent short-coated barn-cat type.
Verdict
Both are medium-sized, lively, intelligent cats from Europe's older cat populations, and both are rare. The Aegean is the more affectionate and the more talkative. It has a close-lying medium-length coat that wants a little more brushing, and it comes from the Cycladic Islands of Greece. The European Shorthair has a short, dense, glossy coat, a higher independence score and a quiet voice. It copes better with time alone. Choose the Aegean for a warmer, chattier cat and the European Shorthair for a hardy, undemanding one.
Choose the Aegean if
- You want the more affectionate cat of the two.
- You like a mostly white coat with colour patches.
- You enjoy a cat with a moderate voice.
- You accept that it is very rare and little documented.
Choose the European Shorthair if
- You want the most independent cat of the two.
- You want a short coat that needs almost no grooming.
- You prefer a quiet cat.
- You want a hardy, natural-looking cat in black, blue, red, cream or white with or without markings.
Where they are alike
Both are lively, playful and bright, and both are good with children and other pets. Neither is recognised by the CFA.
Side by side
| Aegean | European Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Cycladic Islands, Greece | Continental Europe |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | — | 7-15 lb (3.2-6.8 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Medium | Short |
| Coat | Medium to semi-long, close-lying coat, longer in winter | Short, dense, glossy coat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Very rare | Rare |
| Affection | 4 | 3 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 1 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 4 |
| Trainability | 4 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 3 |
| Allergies | — | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat sheds moderately, and people who react to cats usually react to this breed. |
| Suits | A curious household that wants a sociable, medium-sized cat and does not need a pedigreed registry paper trail. | A household that wants a hardy, easy-going, natural-looking cat with an independent streak. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a cat with a long, documented health record, or who needs to find a breeder outside Greece. | Anyone who wants a very cuddly lap cat or a breed that is easy to find in North America. |
| Registries that recognise it | — |
|
| Health conditions to watch | — |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026