Characteristics of British Shorthair Cats

The British Shorthair was formerly known as the British Blue because of its original color. In the 1950s, a number of colors and patterns were incorporated under the name British Shorthair to make the breed as it is today. Although it's known worldwide, it's fairly rare in America. However, many great examples of British Shorthairs are introduced into the U.S. each year to keep the bloodlines fresh, and the breed is growing in popularity due to the enthusiasm of American breeders.

  1. History

    • The British Shorthair is one of the oldest breeds of cat from England. Its ancestry can actually be traced back 2,000 years to ancient Rome and the domestic cats that were kept as pets there. Initially, the breed was kept for its strength and talent for hunting and catching vermin, but before long, it was appreciated for being a calm and loyal animal. It's thought that the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll's book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" was based on a British Shorthair.

    Appearance

    • These are stocky, powerful large-sized cats. Males weigh from 12 to 18 pounds, whereas females are quite a bit smaller. This breed has a snub nose and full cheeks that give the cat a chubby look. Although the coat is short, it's still longer than that of other shorthairs, and has been likened to deep pile carpet in its deluxe feel. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, but blue is the most frequently seen.

    Temperament

    • This breed has a calm and quiet nature and is very affectionate and loving. Although it likes to be around humans, British Shorthairs don't constantly crave attention from their owners. They're also easy-going, and very tolerant toward children, dogs and other animals. Because of this, they can easily adapt to a household of any size. Due to their intelligence, alertness and agility, they're excellent hunters and are also very independent.

    More Facts

    • The British Shorthair is a healthy cat that's not high maintenance. Its coat has a dense and luxurious feel, but doesn't need a lot of grooming. A balanced diet is very important, however, as British Shorthairs can easily become overweight. This cat doesn't like being off the ground, so it's likely to struggle to be put down if it's picked up and carried for too long. Because of its intelligence and easy-going nature, it's popular with animal trainers for use in movies and TV commercials.