British Shorthairs are round cats. Their faces are round with chubby cheeks and short noses, their eyes are round, and their paws and tail tips are round. They have plush, dense, short coats, although a longhair version exists, called the British Longhair. British Shorthairs have compact, medium to large frames. Blue is the classic color, and the breed was originally called British Blue. Though this remains the most popular color, cat associations recognize a number of colors and patterns, including white, black, cream, tabby, tortoiseshell, and calico. Eye color varies with coat color between gold, copper, blue, and green.
While they have playful moods, they prefer relaxing and supervising the goings-on in their home.
These cats are dignified, reserved, and quiet observers. While they have playful moods, they prefer relaxing and supervising the goings-on in their home. They don't spend much time in laps, but they're usually not far from their human companions. They generally get along with other animals and children, but are likely to hide from hyper individuals.
The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland is said to have gotten its famous grin from a British Shorthair's expression.
British Shorthairs are even-tempered and reserved. While they display occasional bouts of energetic play, they usually prefer to take it easy and watch what's happening around them. Females are more serious than males, who have a somewhat more happy-go-lucky attitude.
These cats enjoy being amongst company, although they have no real need to directly engage with it. They are affectionate and appreciate attention, but in a laid-back rather than clingy or persistent way. They are well suited to people who appreciate having a cat in the immediate vicinity, but not in the lap or aggressively seeking attention.
This highly adaptable breed generally does well around children and other animals, but it isn't inclined to be around those that are hyperactive or noisy. However, British Shorthairs usually bond with everyone in their home, rather than singling out one family member for a close relationship as many other breeds do.
British Shorthairs take up to 5 years to achieve physical maturity. They are generally healthy but prone to becoming overweight. Excess pounds shorten the lifespan, reduce quality of life, and greatly increase the risk of a number of serious diseases. Careful control of the breed's dietary intake and consulting a veterinarian about appropriate caloric intake and nutritional needs will help maintain a healthy weight. Treats should be offered sparingly and active play should be encouraged for exercise.
This breed has a genetic predisposition to the most common cause of feline heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The condition is detectable with an echocardiogram. No breeder can claim any cat has an HCM-free genetic makeup, but breeders should provide a written guarantee that the cat and its parents were screened for the condition.
British Shorthairs also have a genetic predisposition to hemophilia B, a hereditary bleeding disorder. A DNA test can identify carriers and individuals affected by the condition. Again, acquiring from a reputable dealer that offers a written guarantee of screening and good health is the best way to get a healthy cat.
British Shorthairs begin life on the shy side. They need time to adjust to new environments and faces and must be allowed to investigate on their own terms without being pushed into interaction or contact. Bonding is promoted by offering affection when it's sought and giving the occasional treat to foster trust. Once these cats get past initial caution, they quickly bond and become loyal companions.
These are not cats given to acrobatics, lots of energetic play, or climbing. They stay close to the ground and keep it low-key most of the time. Human companions should play games with the British Shorthair when the breed allows it and provide puzzle toys for additional stimulation. Without adequate mental and physical stimulation, these intelligent and curious cats become bored and may develop behavioral problems.
The British Shorthair is poorly suited to time outside. This breed is too sweet and trusting, which makes for poor survival instincts, and these cats have a relaxed demeanor and relatively slow speed that make life outside the house dangerous.
The plush, soft coat of the British Shorthair reputedly has more hairs per square inch than any other breed. Because of this, it requires consistent but easy maintenance. The coat should be combed twice weekly to prevent matting. British Longhairs require daily combing to prevent tangles and matting.
These cats shed a good deal, especially in the spring and fall. There is no way to stop shedding, but the spread of hair can be managed with small but consistent efforts. More frequent combings or bushings are the best way to control cat hair in the home. Lint rollers or sticky pads work well to pick up hairs, and regular vacuuming is a good idea.
Periodontal disease is a concern in this breed. Regular teeth brushing with a veterinarian-approved toothpaste is an important part of basic care. The nails need trimming every one to two weeks, and the ears must be checked weekly for signs of infection, such as redness, bad odor, or discharge. If the ears appear dirty, they should be wiped out with a cotton ball dampened with a feline ear cleanser.
The British Shorthair is one of the oldest English cat breeds, with ancestry tracing back to domestic cats of ancient Rome. Early on, these strong, patient cats were prized hunters, though they have fallen into a more laid-back lifestyle over the generations. When the ancient Romans invaded Britain, they brought these cats to protect food supplies from rodents. After the Romans left, the cats stayed behind.
Cat breeding became a fad in Victorian England. British Shorthairs (known as "Shorthairs" in their native land) were one of the first breeds developed. British Longhairs (or "Longhairs" in England) were first bred during World War I by introducing Persians into the gene pool. Like many other breeds in England, British Shorthairs and Longhairs almost became extinct during World War II, when food became scarce. Fortunately, revival efforts following the war were successful.
British Shorthairs are somewhat rare in the US, but are continuously gaining popularity and have climbed to 14th in popularity among the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognized breeds. These cats were recognized by the CFA in 1980, one year after acceptance by The International Cat Association (TICA). In 2009, TICA became the first organization to recognize the British Longhair as a separate breed.
