History:

Possibly the oldest cat breed in Great Britain, the British Shorthair began as a shorthair street cat, with breeders standardising and refining the cats, mixing them with Russian Blues and Persians, until they resembled the British Shorthair known today. In 1871, the breed was exhibited at a cat show in England. At that time, it was known as the British Blue as it was initially a popular colour in the breed. In the early 1900s, the breed was first brought to America, and they were popular as domestic shorthairs. Formally authorised by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1980, today this breed can be easily found all over the world.

Height: 30-35 cm

Weight:  3-7 kg

Size: Medium to large-sized cat 

Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years

Breed Appearance:

The British shorthair is a well-known feline breed, having a well-structured, compact, and strong body. Female felines are comparatively smaller than male ones. These felines are beloved for their dense, thick coats, available in various patterns and colours. Often known as British blues, blue-grey cats are often the leading choice of British shorthair lovers. 

Their broad chest, thick legs, chubby cheeks, and round heads make cats easy to identify. While blue coat variations come with bold orange-amber eyes, other British Shorthairs may have copper, green, blue eyes, or amber coats.

Health & Care:

Considered a striking, healthy feline breed, the British shorthair is most often affected by hereditary disease. They are most susceptible to health issues, particularly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which may further cause loss of appetite, lethargy, and breathing difficulty. And, like other breeds, these cats can have kidney and urinary tract issues. So, it's essential to book a veterinarian appointment at least twice a year for a complete examination. 

Besides consistent health check-ups, exercise keeps your cat healthy and happy. Since they aren’t very active compared to other breeds, they can easily gain excessive weight. For this reason, be sure to increase the movement of the British. Balls, interactive toys, lasers, fishing wands, and climbing outlines like cat shelves and cat trees all help keep your cat trimmed and fit, both mentally and physically.

Living Conditions:

British Shorthairs thrive indoors with adequate entertainment or outdoors with a cat-safe yard. These cats prefer small amounts of exercise and taking long naps in between, rather than exercising for long periods.

Since the British Shorthair is a large cat breed, be sure to purchase at least two large-sized litter boxes to adequately accommodate your cat when she is fully grown.

Grooming:

As the feline name implies, the British shorthair possesses a short coat requiring only minimal grooming. Brush with a soft slicker brush at least twice a week to eliminate loose hair before it spreads throughout the house, and more often during seasonal shedding periods.

In addition to brushing, cutting your cat's nails and cleaning ears weekly at least every two to three weeks, is recommended. Instead of using cotton swabs to clean his ears, use cotton swabs or pet ear cleaner. If your pet's ear is excessively dirty or looks red, book an appointment with a veterinarian to have your pet examined.

Advantages:

• Calm and gentle temperament, making them well-suited for families, singles, and seniors.

• Dense, plush coat that is relatively low-maintenance compared to long-haired breeds.

• Generally healthy and robust, with few breed-specific health concerns when responsibly bred.

• Adaptable to both indoor living and moderate outdoor access, provided they are safe.

• Not overly vocal, offering companionship without demanding constant attention.

Disadvantages:

• Prone to weight gain if not given adequate exercise and portion-controlled feeding.

• May be reserved or aloof with strangers, taking time to warm up to new people.

• A thick coat can shed heavily during seasonal changes, requiring more frequent grooming at those times.

• Less active than some breeds, which may not suit owners looking for a highly energetic or playful cat.

• Can be sensitive to extreme heat due to their dense coat, needing a cool environment in summer.