British Shorthair Cat Breed

Registration: GCCF, TICA, CFA, FIFe
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Hypoallergenic: No
Size: Medium
Coat: Short
Colours: Variety: blue, black, chocolate, white, and fawn
Temperament: Independent, Placid, Affectionate, Sociable, Playful, Gentle

History

During the Roman invasion, several cats were brought into the United Kingdom to aid in the control of pests. Over time, these cats mated with native wild cats and produced a native domestic breed. However, it wasn’t until 1870, that the modern British Shorthair we know and love today, was accepted as a breed

Unfortunately, the number of these cats dropped dramatically during World War I and World War II. Numbers dropped so low after the Second World War that the cat breed was virtually extinct. Fortunately, through the continuous effort and dedication of cat breed enthusiasts, the British Shorthair cat was saved. From this point, other breeds such as Russian Blues, Persians, and Burmese, were added to the British Shorthair mix.

These cats have grown in popularity since then. In 1874, a British Shorthair named Brynbuboo Little Monarch was the first male of this breed to achieve championship status by the GCCF. He went on to become one of the most popular stud cats which means that most British Shorthairs today can trace their lineage back to him.

Appearance

British Shorthairs are well-proportioned cats with kind and sincere expressions. They are famous for having a "teddy bear" look with their large, round, expressive eyes and compact, well-balanced bodies.

British Shorthair cats have round faces and full cheeks. Their noses are short, wide, and straight. They have firm and deep chins, with impeccably level bites.

The ears of British Shorthairs are small, well-rounded at the tip, and are set well apart on the head. The outside of the ear is covered with hair and there is a small amount of furnishing inside. Most British Shorthairs have stunning orange-amber eyes. However, cats with white coats can also have blue eyes. Interestingly, all British Shorthair cats are born with blue eyes. The adult colour usually develops at around seven weeks of age.

British Shorthair cats have strong, stocky bodies and short backs. Their strong legs are relatively short, with round, firm paws and close-fitting toes with five on their front feet, but only four on their back feet. Their tails are broad and relatively long, being thicker at the base and rounded at the tip.

The gorgeous coat of the British Shorthair breed is short, dense, and plush. The "flagship" of this cat breed is the British Blue colour, with nearly half of cat breed registrations being the 'self' colours (one solid colour). The classification of the colours and patterns are as follows:

British Self: These cats are all one solid colour which can range from lilac to black. All British Self cats should have orange or amber eyes.

British Colourpointed: Colourpointed cats resemble the coat pattern of the Siamese breed, with light coloured bodies and contrasting points which include the face, ears, tail, and paws. These cats have striking blue eyes.

British Tabby: These varieties come in a range of colours and are generally accepted in the following patterns; mackerel, spotted, ticked, and classic tabby.

British Tortoiseshell: These cats have a mixture of colours on their coats which can include white.

British Tipped: These cats have coats that are coloured at the tips and their eyes are usually green. The most common colour varieties you will find are Black (silver) Tipped, and Golden (non-silver) Tipped.

Personality

British Shorthair cats are well-known for their kind, calm, and affectionate natures. They enjoy being involved in everything that goes on in the house but they are prone to being a little lazy! These cats mature a little later than other breeds, which means they maintain their kitten-like playfulness well into adulthood. They are also recognised as being very calm, easy-going, and laid-back so they usually get on well with everyone, including dogs and other animals.

British Shorthairs are not particularly energetic cats. They can usually be found lounging around the house whenever they can. They are also not known to be particularly chatty but once they form a solid bond with a family, they will remain devoted throughout their lives. They adore discovering the great outdoors but you must be sure that the area is safe and secure before allowing your cat outside. British Shorthair cats adapt well to being indoor pets providing that you give them lots of attention and toys to play with.

British Shorthair cats are approachable and affectionate. They enjoy lots of attention but in an undemanding way. Most of the time, these cats are quiet and have very calm demeanours.

British Shorthair cats are very lenient with children and other dogs but keep in mind that they generally do not like to be carried around like babies. Instead, they prefer to keep their poise and dignity on the ground. Moreover, they like their independence and are content with their own company. For this reason, British Shorthairs are perfect for people who work long hours out of the house.

Because of their laidback natures, British Shorthair cats tend to put on weight very quickly. So, it is important that you keep a close eye on your cats’ waistline and provide plenty of opportunities to exercise. Remember, that these cats are very intelligent so they need ample stimulation to stop them from becoming lazy, couch potatoes.

Trainability

British Shorthair cats may be laidback, relaxed, and easy-going, but they are also very intelligent. So, challenge their intellect and keep them interested by teaching these cats new tricks and regularly offer puzzle toys to keep that waistline in check!

This cat breed is quick to learn new things but they are also lovers of a strict routine! Any changes to this routine can cause these cats to become stressed so it is best to feed them at the same time every day and keep to a routine as much as possible.

Coat & Care

British Shorthair cats should be groomed regularly to ensure their luscious coats and skin are kept in good condition. On top of this, cats must be fed high-quality food that meets all of their nutritional needs.

British Shorthair cats have short, close-lying coats which makes them low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Weekly brushing is all it takes to keep their beautiful coats in prime condition. Like other breeds, they will shed more profusely in the Spring and Autumn months. So, you may need to brush your cat more often during these times to keep on top of things.

You should also pay close attention to your British Shorthair cats’ dental hygiene by brushing his teeth weekly. This is important as it prevents gingivitis which is common in cats.

Lastly, you will need to make sure that you clean your British Shorthair cats' ears to avoid the risk of ear mites, as these can lead to painful ear infections.

Health

The average life expectancy of British Shorthair cats is 14 to 20 years, as long as they have been correctly cared for and provided with an appropriate, proper high-quality diet.

British Shorthair cats are known to suffer from a few genetic health conditions that you need to be aware of if you are planning on adopting one of these cats. The conditions that seem to affect this cat breed are:

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) – an inherited condition that causes multiple cysts to form in the kidneys. If not treated, it can lead to kidney failure.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease that causes a cat's heart's muscular walls to thicken.

Children & Other Pets

This good-natured cat breed is perfect for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. These cats love the attention they receive from children as long as they are treated with respect and compassion. They are fairly lenient with clumsy toddlers and prefer to move away rather than scratch when play starts to get a little too rough.

Always remember that it is best to supervise all interactions between children and cats to avoid the risk of mishaps and potential injuries.

British Shorthair cats also get on well with dogs, provided that they are properly socialized from an early age. It is best to oversee any interaction between your British Shorthair and other animals to ensure everything goes smoothly.