The British Shorthair cat is a medium to large-sized breed, with short, dense fur and a distinctly round head and face that make them look like a teddy bear.
These cats tend to be sweet and affectionate without being needy or clingy. The British Shorthair originated in the United Kingdom, where it developed naturally and was the original domestic short-haired cat of the region.
Initially, many were of blue color (a shade of gray), but today’s British Shorthair comes in a true variety of colors and patterns, including solid, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, and much more. Discover all about the popular British Shorthair cat breed.
Other names: British Blue
Personality: Affectionate, relaxed, and calm
Weight: About 6.6 to 17.6 pounds, with males slightly larger
Length: About 22 to 25 inches
Coat length: Short and very dense. Not double-coated or woolly
Coat color: Many solid and patterned colors, including white, black, blue, red, cream, smoke, silver, gold, cameo, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, and bicolor
Eye color: Varies depending on coat color and pattern but can be blue, gold, copper, green, blue-green, hazel, or heterochromatic (eyes of different colors)
Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Hypoallergenic: No
Origin: United Kingdom
Characteristics of the British Shorthair Cat
Characteristics of the British Shorthair Cat
The British Shorthair is a large cat—not massive like the Maine Coon or Siberian cat—but some males can weigh up to about 17 pounds (females generally reach a maximum of 12 pounds or less).
They make wonderful family cats—the breed has a laid-back personality and generally gets along with everyone, including children and other animals living in the house.
British Shorthairs are active without being hyperactive, tend to be quiet, and can live happily in almost any size of home, including apartments.
Level of Affection: High
Friendliness: Average
Child-Friendly: High
Pet-Friendly: High
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Playfulness: Medium
Energy Level: Medium
Intelligence: High
Tendency to Vocalize: Low
Amount of Shedding: Moderate
The History of the British Shorthair Cat
The British Shorthair is possibly the oldest cat breed in Britain.
The most accepted theory about the development of this breed is that British Shorthairs started as short-haired street cats.
Breeders refined and standardized the cats, likely by crossing them with Persians and Russian Blues, until they resembled the British Shorthair we know and love today. British Shorthairs were among the breeds exhibited at the first cat show organized in England in 1871.
At that time, the breed was called British Blue because blue (gray) was a very common color in the breed from the beginning.
Although Blue British Shorthairs are still popular today, they come in many different colors and patterns. The breed was first brought to the United States in the early 1900s but were called domestic shorthair cats.
The British Shorthair was formally recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1980. Today, this popular breed can be found worldwide.
Appearance
The British Shorthair is a medium to large-sized cat with a compact, well-balanced, and powerful body. Females are slightly smaller than males.
One of the distinctive features of the breed is its round head with rounded cheeks, firm chin, medium-sized ears, and large round eyes. The British Shorthair has short, dense, and unique fur, without an undercoat. Although blue British Shorthairs are common, the breed can come in many different colors and patterns.
Care for the British Shorthair Cat
As the breed’s name suggests, the British Shorthair has short fur that requires only minimal care. Brush about once a week using a soft brush, and more frequently during seasonal shedding periods to remove loose fur before it spreads around the house.
Trim the nails every two to three weeks and check inside the ears weekly.
If you see any residue in the ears, use an animal ear cleaner and cotton balls to clean the ears (never use cotton swabs). If your British Shorthair’s ears look red or excessively dirty, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
British Shorthairs are playful into adulthood but are not hyperactive or excessively active. They can get plenty of exercise by exploring the house and playing with you a few times a day.
Engage your British Shorthair with feather wands, toy mice, and other favorite toys. Make sure your cat has plenty of things to climb and perch on, such as cat trees, cat-friendly bookshelves, and cat condos. Cats can also get exercise and enrichment through scratching.
Set up several acceptable scratching places in the house, including vertical scratchers (such as tall posts or cat trees) and horizontal scratchers (such as cardboard or sisal scratchers that lie flat on the ground).
Common Health Problems
British Shorthairs are remarkably healthy and are rarely affected by genetic diseases. Among genetic diseases, they are more prone to heart diseases—specifically hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Of course, any cat can get sick, injured, or develop a health condition.
For this reason, it’s important to visit your veterinarian at least once a year for a physical exam to ensure your cat is healthy and to stay on top of any developing health concerns.
Diet and Nutrition
British Shorthairs are well-built, but it’s best to keep them at a healthy, lean weight to avoid weight-related health issues such as diabetes and heart disease, which can affect any cat but can be exacerbated by excess weight.
Feed your adult British Shorthair measured meals twice a day (three times a day for young kittens), but don’t leave food out all day, as this can lead to overeating and weight gain. Talk to your veterinarian for advice on the best diet for your cat.
Where to Adopt or Buy a British Shorthair Cat
The British Shorthair is a relatively popular cat breed. The International Cat Association lists active British Shorthair breeders on its website.
A fun way to meet British Shorthair breeders and see cats of many different breeds is to attend a local cat show. Novices are very welcome at cat shows, and breeders enjoy educating people about their breed.
British Shorthairs rarely end up in animal shelters, but you can ask local British Shorthair breeders if they know of any adult British Shorthairs in need of a new home.
Breed Overview
The British Shorthair is slow to mature, both physically and mentally. These cats typically don’t reach their full size and weight until around 3 to 5 years of age. British Shorthairs may continue to display kitten-like energy and playfulness until they reach maturity, but once fully mature, this breed is calm and well-behaved.
They are affectionate without being needy and are accepting of strangers, though they may be a bit aloof until they get to know you better. British Shorthairs make wonderful companions for gentle, considerate children and tend to get along well with other friendly household pets.
- Calm and relaxed
- Affectionate but not needy
- Gets along well with children and other pets
- Short hair sheds moderately
- Doesn't like being held or carried much
- Should not be left alone for many hours a day