British Shorthair Cat | Breed Information, Personality, and Care Guide

The most familiar and famous of all he domestic cats the British Shorthair cat today well known in different parts of the world its round muffs, thick basic fur coat and the charming personality of this breed is regarded as the most attractive fact. The British Shorthair has a robust body, thick fur, and rounded facial shapes with big round gorgeous eyes making them look like pure cuddle perfect pets.

Their laid back friendly demeanor makes them a popular choice for families, one person households, and for anyone wishing to own an open, loving pet who is not a constant demand for attention on its owner. Now let’s learn more about this breed, its background, its categorization and some important tips on how to look after this breed.

History of British Shorthair Cat

British Shorthair cat originated from Ancient Rome and were imported into Britain from Roman soldiers brought along with them. It was bred with the local wildcats which gave this early ancestors the strength and flexibility of the breed. British Shorthairs were adapted for hunting, and during centuries, these cats gained the reputation of good-natured and affectionate pets. The development of the breed continued throughout the 19th century and it was finally accepted into all major cat associations, including The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in the late 20th century.

Though the British Blue, the most famous British Shorthair, has a splendid solid blue-gray fur, the breed is actually available in a number of colors and patterns.

Classification of British Shorthair Cat

The British Shorthair is regarded as a short haired, medium to big type of cat with strong muscular body. Round body with a close-set and fatty belly, large chest, and well-developed thighs – these features are unique to them. A rather chubby face is framed by rather large, widely spaced eyes which give an air of intelligence and curiosity.

Despite the fact they are stout cats, British Shorthairs are fairly active and can actually be quite playful. Also, the breed boasts of a dense coat, which provides them with a super soft fur that feels like touching silk.

By Purpose

Originally bred as working cats due to the breed’s great hunting prowess, the British Shorthair. People appreciated them more for the ability to hunt rodents in farms and homes. But then as time went on, they were just pets as they are noted to be friendly and easy going dogs. Today, British Shorthairs are loved for friendly character, intelligence and rather self-sufficient nature, so it is ideal for families with no desire to deal with active and playful kittens.

By Size

British Shorthair is a medium to large breed: males weight about 9 to 17 pounds and females – about 7 to 12 pounds. British Shorthairs are rather big, but they can be very mobile, their muscles are rather strong which also adds up to their grace. They have round heads, short legs and the body is thick and stocky and this makes them be referred to as teddy bear cats.

Most Popular British Shorthair Cat

British Shorthair comes in many colors or patterns on its coat. The most known sub-variant is the British Blue which is a plain blue-gray color. However, British Shorthairs come in a variety of other colors, including:

Solid Colors: The most common ones are black, white, cream and chocolate.

Tabby Patterns: These cats have specific forms of colorations on the body especially on the fur.

Bicolor and Van Patterns: This pattern in British Shorthairs is a combination of two colours which include white.

The British Blue is still the most common and is the breed’s standard, but the other colours and patterns are just as appreciated for their grace and beauty.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a British Shorthair

Temperament: The British Shorthair cats are moderately active, assertive and sociable. Though they likes to stay with their family members they are not as playful as other breeds and don’t need much attention. If you like your cat to cuddle but at the same time have its independence, then British Shorthair cat breed is for you.

Grooming: Even though the British Shorthair has a short hair coat, they are dense so you have to groom frequently to maintain the health of the coat. Daily brushing is not necessary, but weekly brushing maybe insufficient especially during the shedding seasons when the hair of the cat is most likely to tangle and shed.

Health: British Shorthairs are healthy cats but they may be affected by some genetic diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – heart disease. They are good animals and need regular vet check-ups and a good diet to keep them that way.

Space: Though British Shorthairs are not very sensitive to environment changes, they require some space to roam and to play. They are no more playful as some of the other breeds but they do like having a comfortable place to lie down and watch the world go by.

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For Sale

If you want to adopt a British Shorthair cat, then there are many agencies that will be able to provide you with a list of cats for sale including Petfinder. Through this site, people who want to adopt or buy a pet are directed to breeders and humane societies that deal in British Shorthair cats. To view listings, available kittens or adults, and more about the breed, kindly visit Petfinder. Always ensure you verify the breeder’s reputation and ensure there is a health guarantee before making the purchase.

Tips for Responsible British Shorthair Ownership

Regular Vet Check-ups: British Shorthairs are quite healthy but they can be affected by heart diseases including HCM. These vet visits will help with their health and help avoid certain problems before they happen.

Adequate Diet: It is recommended that your British Shorthair receive a diet of good quality and that should be well balanced to cater for the muscularity of the cat. They do not get obese but moderate feeding should be encouraged in order to avoid over feeding the young ones.

Mental and Physical Stimulation: british shorthair cats are therefore very active, but are very lazy and slow moving cats, and they are always ready to engage in play and other activities that need to use their brain. Give them playthings, toys, scratching post or climbing posts to keep them busy.

Affection and Attention: British Shorthairs like company but this is not in the form of excessive attention. Let them have their privacy while hugging them when they want to be cuddled.

Fun Facts About British Shorthair Cats

The British Shorthair is described to be round and chubby but this is misleading because cats of this breed are actually muscular and rather sturdy cats.

The breed possesses chubby face and large, round eyes which gives it a look of a kitten even if it has grown up.

Generally, British Shorthairs are not loud animals and will watch instead of announcing themselves. But, yes, they can be quite chatty in their fashion and, instead of speaking, use their eyes and body to make their messages clear.

This breed is commonly described as the ‘gentle giants’ because despite the large body build the dogs are friendly and may even be playful.

FAQs About British Shorthair Cats

Conclusion

The British Shorthair cat is a wonderful breed that is round in form, friendly but at the same time rather individual. Regardless of whether you want a cat that will be content to have its head in your lap or one that wants to be left alone for a while, the British Shorthair will be the cat for you. This is such a lovable breed of dog and with good care, time, and visits to the vet this breed will do well in any home and add beauty and company to your life.