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British Shorthair Information

and Personality Traits
British Shorthair Cat Breed Facts …

! Pet Care Center

A playful, affectionate cat, the British Shorthair is fiercely

loyal and a good companion for single people.

British Shorthair At a glance

Daily brushing of the British

Shorthair is important, especially
during seasonal changes when the
coat is thickening or thinning.

Weight range:

Male: large: >12 lbs.

Female: large: >12 lbs.

Eye color:

Blue, Copper, Gold, Odd-eyed

Expectations:

Longevity Range: 7-12 yrs.

Tendency to Shed: Moderate

Coat:

Length: Short, Medium

Characteristics: Straight
Colors: White, Blue, Black, Cream, Red,
Brown, Silver, Cameo, Bluecream,
Tortoiseshell, Torbie, Smoke, Shaded
Pattern: Solid color, Tortoiseshell,
Bicolor, Tricolor/Calico, Tabby, Smoke,
Shaded
Less Allergenic: No
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate,
High

Club recognition:

Cat Association Recognition:

CFA, ACFA , FIFe, TICA
Prevalence: So-so

The British Shorthair is a medium-sized to large cat

and she is a very powerful one. She is heavily muscled
and has heavy boning. She has a rounded, thick
appearance.

As a powerful cat, all components of this breed should be

well developed. The British Shorthair has a broad chest,
muscular neck, strong jaws and a well developed muzzle.
The legs are thick and strong. The breed looks like
what she originally was, a cat that was to keep rodents out
of the barn and the house.

The coat of the British is thick and dense. It becomes much

longer and thicker during the winter. The texture of the
coat is relatively hard, as it is meant as protection for the
cat.

When you pick up a British, you should always support her

back end. British should not have their hind end drag
down their abdomen, as this can make them
uncomfortable and insecure.

Personality:
The British Shorthair is a very pleasant cat to have as a
companion. She is easy going and placid. The British is a
fiercely loyal, loving cat and will attach herself to every
one of her family members.

While the British loves to play, she doesn't need hourly

attention. If she is in the mood to play, she will find
someone and bring a toy to that person. The British also
plays well by herself, and thus is a good companion for
single people.

Living With:
The British Shorthair is a thick, muscular cat so her
nutrition must be carefully controlled. Despite her heavy
boning and musculature, you want to make certain she
keeps a proper weight and does not get out of condition.
She must get adequate exercise. Interactive play may be
necessary to keep the breed in good shape.

The British will play when she wants to play and will find a
toy or create one out of anything she finds if a cat toy is
not available.

A daily brushing is important, especially during seasonal

changes when the coat is thickening or thinning. Even this
Shorthair cat can get knots in her coat if she isn't brushed
regularly.

The British tolerates being left alone. She is affectionate

but also spends time just sleeping in the sun. The British is
an easy cat to care for and makes a wonderful, quiet
companion.

History:
The British Shorthair, while originally coming from the
farms and streets of Britain, is also considered to be the
first cat of the cat fancy. The "father" of this breed is
Harrison Wier, who is thought of as the first professional
cat breeder. He is known in cat fancy history as the
"Father of the Cat Fancy." Not only was he the first
professional breeder, but he also determined the rules for
the first cat show, which was held in Britain in 1871.

As if this were not enough, Harrison took the humble

street cat of Britain and, through an intensive breeding
program, transformed it to the pedigreed breed that he
named the British. The British fell in love with their new
now-pedigreed breed. When the Persian was introduced
into Britain, it nudged out the British for the most popular
breed temporarily. During the Second World War, as in
the First World War, the British Shorthair breed was
decimated, but it always reemerged into the top ranks of
popularity. Today, the British shorthair is accepted in cat
registries worldwide. At one time, it was known as the
British Blue, but since it comes in a variety of colors, it is
called either the British or the British Shorthair.

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