Besides being treasured for their easygoing attitude about life, British shorthairs are beloved for their thick, dense coats that come in almost any color or pattern. Blue-gray cats, often called British blues, are probably the most popular color choice of British shorthair fanciers.
But aside from their common blue coat, this breed is easy to recognize because of their thick legs, broad chests, rounded heads, and chubby cheeks that are totally pinchable. British shorthairs with blue coats have bold orange-amber eyes, but individuals with other coat colors can have green, copper, amber, or blue eyes.
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These gorgeous cats only , with males potentially tipping the scales at 17 pounds.
Temperament
When it comes to temperament, British shorthairs are hard to beat: They’re active without being boisterous, they’re affectionate without being cloying, and they’re smart but don’t feel the need to show off by figuring out how to open your refrigerator. British shorthair cats are easygoing and will treat everyone in the family and other cats) like a good friend, especially if socialized as kittens.
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This happy breed loves a good romp as much as a night stretched out in front of the television. British shorthairs are ambiverts: They thrive on attention, but also value personal space and may turn up their noses at being held or hugged too much.
Marilyn Krieger, a in San Francisco, gives top marks to this cat breed. “They are sweet, laid back, and are loyal companions,” she says.
Living Needs
Like most cats, British shorthairs aren’t too fussy about where they live—as long as they have loving owners who take the time to interact with them. British shorthairs are a happy medium between playful and just wanting to snooze in the sun all day. This means he’s always up for a game of chase-the-mouse-toy, but you won’t have to worry about him getting into trouble while you’re at work (especially if you give him plenty of toys for entertainment).
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Because British shorthairs are a larger cat breed, make sure to buy at least two oversized litter pans to comfortably accommodate your pet when he’s fully grown. A good rule to follow when choosing a litter box: It should be as wide as your cat is from his nose to the base of his tail and about half as long.
in comfort.
Care
Unlike , British shorthairs don’t need to be fussed over to look good. Their short, soft, dense coat only requires weekly brushing to remove dead hair and skin cells. But for the most part, they do a good job keeping themselves clean and tidy.
Like other breeds, British shorthairs need so they don’t turn their nose up at it.
Health
British shorthairs are a large, healthy breed that can live up to 20 years. However, they are susceptible to certain health problems, as all breeds are.
These kitties can be prone to a condition called which is a thickening of the muscular walls of the cat’s heart; this causes difficulty breathing, lethargy, and loss of appetite in older animals. And, similar to other breeds, British shorthairs can develop
To help prevent health problems from developing, start by getting your British shorthair kitten from a reputable breeder who uses healthy adults. And always take your cat to your vet once a year for a check-up.
In addition to regular health check-ups, exercise should play an important role in your British shorthair’s life. These cats have energy but aren’t that active, so they can will all help keep your British shorthair fit and trim, physically and mentally.
History
An ancient breed, British shorthairs are believed to be the direct descendants of the cats brought to England by the invading Romans, according to They were used for vermin control and quickly spread throughout the country as street and farm cats. Soon, their calm and confident personalities prompted people to welcome them into their homes (and onto their laps). Over the years, according to , they developed round faces with short, thick coats of all colors.
In the late 1800s, a determined cat breeder named Harrison Weir began developing the British shorthair officially by crossing different individual felines. At the first organized cat show, held at London’s Crystal Palace in 1871, a blue tabby British shorthair owned by Weir won Best in Show.
After World War I, the British shorthair we know today was finessed by adding and domestic shorthair cats into the mix. Eventually, in the 1970s, the British shorthair was given formal recognition around the globe.
Fun Facts
British shorthairs have a special place in literature, too. Probably the most famous British shorthair is the Cheshire Cat in No one really knows exactly where Lewis Carroll got his inspiration for the Cheshire Cat’s smiling countenance—some believe it was from an illustration on a label of Cheshire Cheese; others believe he was inspired by a church sculpture. But whatever it was, the Cheshire Cat looks a lot like a contented British shorthair.
With his chubby cheeks and big green eyes is generally considered to be a British sho
