British Shorthair cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is the pedigree form of the common cats of Britain. Its ancestors were house cats that interbred with the European wildcat on an island that kept them isolated. Selective breeding began in the nineteenth century, and the breed was shown at the first organised cat show, at the Crystal Palace in London in 1871, which Harrison Weir arranged. After the world wars, breeders crossed in Persians, Russian Blues, Burmese and Chartreux to restore numbers, and by the late 1970s the breed was accepted by all of the major registries.

The cat is a compact, powerfully built animal with a broad chest, thick legs and a big round head with full cheeks. The coat is very dense, plush and crisp rather than woolly, and it comes in many colours. The famous British Blue has a grey-blue coat and copper eyes. Eyes can also be green, blue or odd. The breed is strongly dimorphic, with males commonly reaching 9 to 17 pounds and females 7 to 12, and it reaches full size at about three years. Its smile is said to have inspired the Cheshire Cat of the story.

Temperament and living with one

The British Shorthair is calm, steady and good natured. It enjoys its family, but it is not clingy, and many prefer to sit near you rather than on you. Few are keen on being carried. It is quiet and rarely loud, and it is moderately playful, with short bursts of energy followed by long naps.

It generally accepts children who are gentle, and it gets along with dogs and other cats. It tolerates a working day alone better than many breeds, which suits flats and busy homes.

Care: coat, food and play

The dense coat needs a comb or brush once or twice a week, and more often in spring and autumn when it sheds heavily. Trim nails and check the ears and teeth.

The breed gains weight easily, so feed a complete diet in measured portions and avoid free feeding. Short play sessions, puzzle feeders and a sturdy scratching post help keep the weight down. A strong cat tree is wise for a heavy cat.

Health

The British Shorthair is generally hardy, but hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a concern, and studies show it is more common in males. Polycystic kidney disease is also considered a risk in the breed, and DNA tests exist for it. Responsible breeders screen their cats, so ask for results. A UK veterinary study found a shorter average lifespan than the overall figure for cats, while insurance data from Sweden gave a longer median, so published figures vary. Keep the cat lean, and ask your vet about heart checks and dental care.

Is it right for you?

Choose a British Shorthair if you want a calm, sturdy and easy-going companion that tolerates quiet days alone. Expect shedding and a cat that rarely behaves like a lap cat. For a longer coat, see the British Longhair. For a flatter face, compare the Exotic Shorthair. For a similar blue cat with a different build, look at the Chartreux or the Russian Blue.