Brazilian Shorthair

The Brazilian Shorthair, or Pelo Curto Brasileiro, is a natural domestic cat breed standardized from Brazil's urban and household cats. It represents a selected version of a local population rather than a breed built from recent planned crosses. These cats are generally medium sized, agile, and lightly muscular, with a slightly elongated body, large ears, expressive eyes, and a short coat that lies close to the skin. Many colors and patterns are accepted, reflecting the varied background of the street and companion cats from which the breed was developed.

At home, Brazilian Shorthairs are typically adaptable, alert cats that appreciate play, climbing, and safe observation of household activity. Their coat is low maintenance, but routine parasite control, vaccination, and neutering are especially relevant in regions where related cats also live in free-roaming colonies. The breed remains uncommon outside Brazil, and not every shorthaired cat from Brazil is a Brazilian Shorthair in the pedigree sense. Breeders and rescues both play a part in its future: one by maintaining a healthy, recognizable type, the other by improving welfare for the broader local cat population.