The British Shorthair cat
Origin
The British Shorthair is probably the oldest English breed of cat. This breed was first prized for its physical strength and hunting ability, but soon became equally recognised and valued for its calm demeanour, endurance and loyalty to man.
The British Shorthair is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat in the UK, with their shape, appearance and demeanour giving the impression of a cuddly, smiling 'teddy bear' cat!
The British Shorthair is the descendant of cats brought to Britain by the Romans and then interbred with the indigenous European cats.
The breed was defined in the 19th century and British Shorthairs were shown at the 1871 Crystal Palace cat show. However, the popularity of the breed declined by the 1940s and the breed had almost died out by the 1950s, probably because of the introduction of so many new breeds during the first half of the twentieth century.
The breed was originally known as the British Blue as that was the first colour to emerge at the end of the nineteenth century, but as the breed has developed it is now available in lots of different permutations of coat colour and pattern.
Breed description
British Shorthairs have dense, plush coats that are often described as crisp or cracking, referring to the way the coat breaks over the contours of the cat's body. Eyes are large, round and widely set and can be a variety of colours, though the copper or gold eyes of the British blue are the best known. Their heads are round with full, chubby cheeks. Their bodies are large, sturdy and muscular, and are described as having a “cobby” build. The breed has a broad chest, shoulders and hips with short legs, round paws and a plush but not fluffy tail that ends in a round or blunt tip.
The males of this breed are larger than the females, and the size difference between them is more easily noticed compared to other breeds. The males' average weight is 5-10 kilograms, whereas a female would weigh up to 5-7 kg. As with many breeds, the adult males may also develop prominent cheek jowls that distinguish them from their female counterparts.
British Shorthairs usually live into their early teens but it has been known for them to live much longer (14 to 20 years) but generally 15 years is an average life span.
Physical characteristics
The British Shorthair is one of the largest breeds of cat. It is chunky and substantial and very muscular, with a "square" body shape and thick legs. Because of its bulk and muscle, it is nicknamed the bulldog of the cat world.
The British Shorthair is described by the GCCF as being a 'powerful, compact cat' with its sturdy, rather cobby, body and legs, fairly short tail and round head with small widely-spaced ears, large round eyes and a short straight nose.
The face is round with full cheeks. They have pert snub noses and slightly rounded chins that help emphasise the breed's powerful jaw and round head. The chin is deep and strong. The ears are relatively small with rounded tips and set so as to blend with the round contour of the head. Their eyes stand out and tend to be large and round. The head is set on a short thick neck. The body is cobby with a short level back. The chest is deep and the shoulders are strong. The legs are short, thick and strong with round paws. The tail is thick and of short / medium length.
The short plush coat has firm guard hairs that give it a distinctive 'crisp' feel and the protective undercoat helps to keep the cat warm on those chilly British days. The coat colour and range of patterns is one of the most expansive of any breed, and includes black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, tortie and even the newer colours of cinnamon and fawn. With the addition of white, there are now bicoloured and tricoloured British Shorthairs in all colours, and a wide array of variations based on tabby, colour-pointed and tipped patterns.
Temperament
British Shorthairs are an easy-going breed of cat; they are very safe around children as they will tolerate a fair amount of physical interaction. They have a stable character and take well to being kept as indoor-only cats, making them ideal for apartment living. They are not terribly demanding of attention, though they will let their owner know if they feel like playing. They enjoy mouse type or stick style toys. They are not hyperactive cats, preferring to sit close to their owners rather than on them. They might supervise household activities from a comfortable perch or perhaps the floor.
British Shorthairs are wonderful cats for people who work, as they are very happy to simply laze around the house while their owner is out. They do not get destructive nor need other animals for company, though they do enjoy having another British Shorthair or a cat with similar temperament around.
They like attention and enjoy being petted. They are not a very vocal breed but will meow to communicate with their owners, for example when they are hungry and their food is being prepared. They may also meow at their favourite toy as they play with it. British Shorthairs have a tendency to follow people from room to room, as they may want to be with their owner and see what is going on.
The breed has become a favourite of animal trainers because of its nature and intelligence, and in recent years these cats have appeared in Hollywood films and television commercials. They can learn small tricks spontaneously.
Care
British Shorthairs do not require a lot of grooming as their fur does not tangle or mat easily. However, it is recommended that the coat be brushed occasionally, especially during seasonal shedding, since they may develop hairballs at this time. The British Shorthair is a large cat and will require approximately 70 Kcals per kg of bodyweight per day of food. However, British Shorthairs can be prone to obesity, particularly neuters, if kept indoors, so care should be taken with their diet.
Health
On the whole, British Shorthairs are very healthy and long-lived. You can expect a British to live from 14 to 20 years.
Genetic problems generally only affect a tiny minority of the breed as a whole, but since they can be eradicated by careful screening, most reputable breeders try to track such problems, both in their breeding stock and the kittens they produce. By working with a responsible breeder who will speak openly about health issues, you are encouraging sound breeding practices.
In the British Shorthair, the most common inherited health problems are gingivitis (red inflamed gums), which will cause an affected cat to require careful dental care, and cardiomyopathy, which can cause anything from a minor heart murmur to severe heart trouble. Again, neither of these problems is specific to the breed.
British Shorthairs usually have between three and five kittens in a litter, though they can successfully rear more. Generally British Shorthair queens make good mothers, being placid by nature, they are very content with their brood.
Other
The British Shorthair is an immensely popular show cat and with the huge combination of coat colour and pattern available it is one of the biggest breed sections at major cat shows. They are relatively easy to prepare for shows because of their short coat and their easy temperament means that most cats enjoy a trip to a show. The competition is always tough and the standard is high. Prizes are withheld for long or fluffy coats, unlevel bite, incorrect coat colour or pattern, incorrect eye colour as well as other faults as stated in the breed standard.