The British Shorthair, an affectionate, tranquil, mild-tempered cat, is great for both families and homes without children. Its most well-known features are its large, round head, and plush coat. This cat is a low-maintenance cat that requires little attention, but still enjoys being around people. It is a hardy, long-living cat that is loved for its relaxed disposition and friendly nature.
Common Name(s)
British Shorthair, British Blue (former name, named for its original color), Chinchilla Shorthairs (former name for tipped colored varieties).
Background
The British Shorthair is a result of the selective breeding of house, alley, and farm cats in Britain. This purposeful breeding was begun by Harrison Weir, a man who saw the strength and beauty that these domestic cats possessed. It became apparent that many others shared his view when, in the late 1890's the British Shorthair became the most popular cat in British cat shows. Later, when the Persian was introduced to England, the British Shorthair lost popularity. It regained popularity in the 1930's, and again lost it during World War II, when cat shows altogether lost popularity. In the 1950's it was feared that this breed may die out completely, and around this time they were bred with Persians. Some believe that the Persian traits were later bred out of the British Shorthairs, while others believe some of this breed's defining features, such as its large round head, come from crossing it with the Persian. In the 1970's the British Shorthair arrived in the United States, where it acquired many enthusiasts.
This breed's origin is unknown, though it is possible that it was brought to Britain from Rome. Since the 1870's it has been shown in cat shows in Britain. Currently, it can be found in America, Europe, and Australia.
Description
The British Shorthair is a solid, well-built breed. It has a large, muscular, compact body with a broad chest. The large, rounded head that the breed is known for, sits on a short, thick neck. The eyes are large, round, and wide set, the ears are medium sized and also wide set, and the nose is medium sized. The legs and tail are short and the tail is rounded at the end. This breed weighs from 9 to 18 pounds. This is a hardy breed, whose lifespan is 15 or more years.
The British Shorthair has a short, dense, plush coat with a thick undercoat. The most popular British Shorthair color is blue, but this breed is acceptable in almost any color. The many color varieties are classified into 18 categories: Self Colors, Tabby, Silver Tabby, Tabby and White, Silver Tabby and White, Spotted, Silver Spotted, Tortie Tabby, Tortie, Tortie and White, Bi-color, Smoke, Smoke and White, Tipped, Self Pointed, Tortie Pointed, Tabby Pointed, and Tortie Tabby Pointed.
Care and Feeding
This breed's food intake should be monitored, since its low desire for activity puts it at risk for obesity. No special food is required, but you should be careful not to overfeed your cat.
Housing Your Cat
Due to its relaxed, inactive nature, the British Shorthair is a great apartment cat. It enjoys being indoors, and has little need for time outside. However, some British Shorthairs enjoy being outside, and can benefit from the opportunity to hunt and run around. Some British Shorthairs are not great climbers, so their food and water bowls should be kept on the ground.
Maintenance
British Shorthairs should be brushed weekly during most of the year. During shedding season, they need more frequent brushings, as often as once a day.
Social Behaviors
The British Shorthair is an independent cat that does not need constant social interaction, but still enjoys being around people and other animals. It is a friendly, affectionate cat that is loyal to its family and plays well with children.
Activities
As mentioned earlier, this breed is not an especially active cat. They usually enjoy sitting and sleeping more than playing or exercising.
Breeding/Reproduction
This breed fully matures at age two or three, later than the average cat.
Common Health Problems
British Shorthairs are hardy cats that suffer from no particular illnesses. However, they are susceptible to becoming overweight or obese, like the American Shorthair. To prevent this condition, simply control the amount of food the cat consumes and play with the cat to increase its activity level. You can also feed it a diet formulated for overweight or obese cats. If your cat is obese, it is important to bring it to a veterinarian for a check-up, to rule out any thyroid or metabolic conditions.
Availability
British Shorthairs are available on the internet and from local breeders. They can be found for as low as $50 for adult pets and for more than $1200 for show quality kittens.
Author: Ruth Bratcher
