British Shorthair
British Shorthair History
- As its name implies, it originated in Great Britain, but earlier reports indicate they were descendents of domestic cats with wild native cats during the days of ancient Rome.
- In 1871, a 14-year-old British Shorthair captured Best in Show at the first formal cat show held at the Crystal Palace in London.
- First arrived in the United States at the turn of the 20th Century.
- The breed's popularity waned during World War I, but has steadily regained is appeal ever since.
- Accepted by both the Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association. Achieved championship status by the CFA in 1980.
British Shorthair Behavior Concerns
- Affectionate in a dignified manner.
- Love to leap on laps, but tend to leave because their thick coats combined with your body heat makes them get overheated
- Smart, loyal and a bit reserved.
- Exhibits quiet confidence.
- Not noted for its speed or agility, but delights people with its comical nature.
- Well-behaved and easy going, ideally suited for apartment living.
- Best suited for indoor living. Supervise them when outdoors because their docile nature makes them ill-suited against fights from raccoons, coyotes or other predators.
Look of British Shorthairs
- Trademark color is blue with a tinge of gray but also comes in more than 30 different colors and patterns.
- The coat breaks over the body's contours, often described as crisp or cracking.
- Muscular, well portioned in medium to large frames.
- Round is the key word to describe this breed as it sports round faces, eyes and ears.
- Thick necks, broad chests, medium-sized legs and rounded paws with a tail thick at the base.
- Takes up to five years to reach physical maturity.
Grooming British Shorthair Cats
- Thick, plush coat feels surprisingly velvet to the touch.
- Run a comb through its coat at least weekly to keep it mat-free and looking healthy.
- Fares best when you use basic metal or curry combs.
- Be sure to brush the coat especially during seasonal shedding times.
Suggested Nutritional Needs for British Shorthair
- Not prone to any diet-related medical condition.
- Due to its size and relative moderate activity level, measure food portions to prevent this breed from becoming overweight.
Fun Facts of British Shorthairs
- Author Lewis Carroll immortalized the British Shorthair's "Cheshire-cat like smile" in his classic, Alice in Wonderland.
- Reported to have more fur per square inch than any other cat breed.
