History of the British Shorthair This is the oldest breed in the United Kingdom. They were thought to have descended from the domestic cats brought from Egypt. They grew in popularity during the Victorian era. In the early 1900s, the British Shorthair was crossed with the Persian cat introducing more long-haired cats.
Fun facts: ● The two most famous British Shorthairs are Puss in boots and the Cheshire Cat. ● British shorthairs were once the only pedigreed cats in the early cat shows.
British Shorthair’s Appearance These cats are medium to large weighing between 9 to 18 pounds. Their coats are short, full and dense, they come in a variety of colors. Such as white, black, red, cream, smoke, silver, gold, and the most common blue. Because of this, they are sometimes referred to as British Blues. They are round all over with a broad chest and strong legs, their eye color depends on their coat, blues usually have gold eyes and others can range from gold to copper.
Grooming Your shorthair might have seasonal shedding in the spring and fall so brush them regularly in those periods to remove loose hair, the rest of the year a weekly brushing will do well.
Health This breed is free of most genetic diseases but they are susceptible to gingivitis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and hemophilia B as well as obesity. They have a long lifespan of 12-17 years.
The Personality of the British Shorthair This cat is very mellow which makes them great family companions. They love to be shown affection but won’t seek it out constantly. They will follow you around but at a small distance. They are fairly quiet and are undemanding. They love to sit next to their owners but dislike being carried. They will rarely break anything and they have manners that would make a governess proud.
Kids and Pets This well-mannered cat is great for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. They love attention from kids who treat them nicely and they are very forgiving with clumsy toddlers. Make sure young kids know how to pet a cat, and don’t have them hold them. Other cats won’t disturb them but make sure to introduce any pets slowly in a controlled setting.
Finding Your British Shorthair Before getting a British blue or any cat, do your homework and check the history of the breed, personalities, and appearance of the cat. Find a breeder who will raise kittens at home. Never by a kitten from a breeder who always has kittens available, or has the option to pay online with a card. It might be convenient but a reputable breeder never does this. Before buying, always check the humane societies in your area or families with new litters.
Sources
British Shorthair Cat Breed. (n.d.). Retrieved July 09, 2020, from https://www.purina.com/cats/cat-breeds/british-shorthair
British Shorthair Cat Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved July 09, 2020, from https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/british-shorthair-cats
Ask Them the Right Questions ● How is she around other animals? ● How does he react to visitors, kids, and new people? ● What’s her personality like? ● How old is he? ● Is she trained? ● Are there any known health issues?