British Shorthair Breed Information

The British Shorthair is the descendant of cats brought to Britain by the Romans and then interbred with wild native cats. They were later crossbred with Persian cats to improve the thickness of their coat. The breed was defined in the 19th century and British Shorthairs were shown at the 1871 Crystal Palace cat show. The popularity of the breed declined by the 1940s, but since the end of World War II, breeding programmers have intensified and the breed's popularity is high once again.

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. These are the characteristics listed in most governing bodies breeds standards to which show cats must conform.

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. The typical lifespan of this breed is 14 to 20 years.

Physical characteristics

The British Shorthair is a very strong cat, with a body shape which people refer to as "square". The legs on the British Shorthair are quite thick to hold up their heavily muscled body. Due to its bulk and muscle, this type of cat is often referred to as the bulldog of the cat world.

British Shorthairs have large, broad heads. Their eyes stand out and tend to be large and round. Their relatively small ears with rounded tips are set far apart, making the head look domed. They have pert snub noses and slightly rounded chins which help emphasise the breed's powerful jaw and round head.

Temperament
British Shorthairs are an easygoing breed of cat. They have a stable character and take well to being kept as indoor-only cats, making them ideal for apartment living. They adjust fast and easy to all home environments. 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 very loving cats and never fare away from their loved ones. 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, using this time to live up to their lazy cat perception.  They do not get destructive or need other animals for company, though they do enjoy having another British Shorthair or a cat with similar temperament around to snuggle or play with.
They like attention and enjoy being petted and love a big cuddle. 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. 

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. They have a very calm personality and make great family pets for all ages.
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, for example the chubby smiling cat out of "Alice in Wonderland" is based on a British shorthair 'Tabby' and the whiskas adds we all love on TV are filmed using the stunning Black Silver Tabby British Shorthairs.   They can learn small tricks spontaneously, and love to please their owners by doing so.

Care
British Shorthairs do not require a lot of grooming as their fur does not tangle or mat.  However, it is recommended that the coat be brushed occasionally, especially during seasonal shedding, since they may develop hairballs at this time.

 ·  Playfulness - Medium-High
 ·  Intelligence - High
 ·  Independence - High
 ·  Attention Seeking - Low
 ·  Affectionate - Medium-High
 ·  Activeness - Medium
 ·  Friendliness to Children - Very High
 ·  Friendliness to other Pets - High

British Shorthair Lifespan - 14 - 20 years