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British Shorthair vs Ragdoll
Both are calm, quiet and good with children; the Ragdoll is a larger, more affectionate longhair, the British Shorthair a shorter-coated cat that copes alone.
Verdict
Both are calm and quiet. The one thing that decides it is how much contact you want. The Ragdoll is a large, placid cat that rates 5 for affection, children and other pets, and wants someone around. Its semi-long coat needs combing about twice a week. The British Shorthair rates 3 for affection and 4 for independence, tolerates quiet days alone, and rarely behaves like a lap cat. Choose the Ragdoll for a gentle lap companion and the British Shorthair for a steadier, more self-reliant one.
Choose the British Shorthair if
- You are out for part of the day, since independence is 4.
- You want a short coat that needs less grooming, rated 2 against 3.
- You live in a small home, with apartment living at 5 against 4.
- You do not need a lap cat that wants to be carried.
Choose the Ragdoll if
- You want a large, gentle cat, with males typically 12 to 20 lb.
- You want the most affectionate of the two, rated 5 against 3.
- Your household has children or other pets, since it scores 5 for both.
- You will comb a semi-long coat about twice a week.
Where they are alike
Both cats are very common or common breeds that sit comfortably in an indoor home. Each lists hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for the vet to watch, so ask any breeder about heart screening.
Side by side
| British Shorthair | Ragdoll | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United Kingdom | Riverside, California, United States |
| Size | Medium | Large |
| Typical weight | 7-17 lb (3-8 kg); males are heavier | Females 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males 12-20 lb (5.4-9.1 kg) or more |
| Lifespan | — | Recent UK data put the median near 12 to 13 years |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Very dense, plush, even coat with a crisp texture | Soft, silky, semi-long coat made mostly of guard hairs, with little undercoat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 2000 |
| How common | Common | Very common |
| Affection | 3 | 5 |
| Energy | 2 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 3 |
| Shedding | 4 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 4 | 2 |
| Trainability | 3 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds heavily in season, and people who react to cats are likely to react to this breed. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Ragdoll's coat has little undercoat and sheds moderately, but people who react to cats usually react to this breed too. |
| Suits | A quiet household or apartment that wants a calm, undemanding, easygoing cat. | A family or a household with other pets that wants a large, placid, affectionate indoor cat and will comb the coat twice a week. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a lap cat that wants to be carried, or a very active and playful companion. | Anyone who wants an active, climbing cat, a cat that copes with long hours alone, or a breed with no known heart risk. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026