Image by Thomas Wolter via Pixabay
The British shorthair is one, if not the most common cat breed in the UK. They’re also quite common in the US.
History
It is believed that Roman soldiers brought cats to England to protect their food from rodents during their invasion in 43 AD.
In the late 1800s, a man named Harrison Wier began domesticating the cats that roamed the streets of England, and through selective breeding, he started the development of the breed we know and love today; the British shorthair
The breed almost went extinct along with a few other breeds during WWII. They were bred with Russian blues, Persians, and the Chartreux to persevere the breed.
A British shorthair was shown at the first cat show in Crystal Palace in 1871.
The British shorthair was recognized by TICA in 1979, and then by the CFA in 1980.
Appearance & Physical Traits
The British shorthair is a stocky, muscular, heavyset cat with a rounded features, and a short muzzle.
They come in a large variety of colors and patterns, but the most common is solid blue.
The breed has a thick, dense single coat of fur.
Longhaired versions are considered British longhairs, but only a handful of cat registries fully recognize them as a separate breed.
They are a medium sized breed, weighing between 7-17 pounds.
Behavior & Personality Traits
They are affectionate on their own terms. The breed is usually found sitting next to their owners.
British shorthairs are calm, and easygoing.
They’re one of the less active/energetic breeds.
Health & Care
The British shorthair is a generally healthy breed, although just like every other cat, they are more susceptible to certain diseases and illnesses such as hyperthyroidism, cardiomyopathy, polytheistic kidney disease, and cystitis.
They are a life expectancy of 14-20 years.
The breed is prone to obesity so it’s important to keep them moderately active.
British shorthairs only require minimum grooming. One grooming session a week, if even that!
Just like any other cat, their teeth should be brushed daily.
An occasional bath is beneficial to keeping your cat clean.
4 Fun Facts about British Shorthairs
1. The Cheshire cat from Alice and Wonderland is a British shorthair
2. Blue British shorthairs are commonly referred to as “British blues”
3. The British shorthair is one of the cat breeds
4. The cat named Puss in boots from the short story written by Giovanni Straparola is also a British shorthair
Similar/Related Breeds
1. Scottish Fold
2. Russian Blue
3. Chartreux
4. Persian
Works Cited
British Shorthair Cat,” The Great Cat,
Puisis Erica, “British Shorthair–Full Profile, History, and Care,” The Spruce Pets, 30 July 2019,
“British Shorthair,” Wikipedia,
Vocelle LA, “Origins of The Story of Puss in Boots,” The Great Cat, 27 September 2013,
W Emily, “British Shorthair Cat Facts,” ASPCA,
I bet they can't smile like the Cheshire