British Shorthair: all about the cat breed

30/04/2023 — Breed information — Cat

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Breed in the spotlight: British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is a popular cat breed known for its plush appearance and calm, friendly nature. British Shorthairs have a plush, dense coat that is often silvery or blue in colour, although they can also come in other colours. They have a broad, round head with large, round eyes and a short, firm snout. The body is compact and muscular, with short legs and a thick tail.

The animals are known for their calm and balanced nature. They are usually not as active as some other breeds, but they are playful and get along well with children and other pets. They are also generally quite independent and appreciate some alone time. Which makes it friendly and easy-to-care-for pets.

Personality

Energy level: 4/5
Tendency to bite: 2/5
Tendency to meow: 2/5
Tendency to scratch: 1/5
Can be left alone: 5/5
Kid-friendly: 5/5
Dog-friendly: 5/5
Trainability/suitable for first-time owners: 5/5

History

The history of the British Shorthair dates back to ancient Rome, where cats were imported from Egypt and used to control the rat population. They were later introduced to Britain by the Romans, where they adapted to the cold, wet environment and eventually formed the British Shorthair breed.

In the 19th century, the British Shorthair became popular as a pet and breeders began to focus on improving the breed's characteristics, such as coat colour and body size. During this period, other cat breeds, such as the Persian cat, were also crossed with the British Shorthair to create new colour variations.

After World War II, the breed became almost extinct and had to be bred again with other breeds, including the Siamese cat, to restore its population. In the 1970s, the breed regained popularity and was recognised by many cat associations around the world.

Today, the British Shorthair is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world and is appreciated for its friendly and calm nature as well as its plush appearance.

Health

The British Shorthair has an average life expectancy of 12-17 years. The breed has a short, dense coat that requires little grooming. By brushing their coat weekly to remove loose hairs, you can easily keep them healthy and shiny.

There are, as with any breed, some health problems that can occur in the breed, such as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and obesity. British Shorthairs tend to be prone to obesity quickly if they don't get the right amount of exercise and nutrition. It's important to limit their diet and get them regular exercise! Furthermore, serious hereditary disorders such as heart failure and knee and hip disorders are common.

The British Shorthair has a somewhat flat face and shorter muzzle than some other cat breeds, but they don't have the extremely flat face of some other short-snouted breeds such as the Persian cat. The flat snout quite often causes tightness of breath, watery eyes and abnormal position of the teeth, resulting in pain. Make sure your British Shorthair at least has properly open nostrils for breathing purposes.

It's important to know that cats with shorter muzzles may face respiratory and other health problems, so take this into account when choosing a pet.

Upbringing & behaviour

The British Shorthair is known for its friendly and calm nature. They are generally calm and relaxed cats who like to cuddle and get attention from their owner, but they can also be independent and entertain themselves if they want to. They are often tolerant and patient with children and other pets, making them a great choice for families.

Although British Shorthairs are generally not particularly active cats, they still need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and avoid boredom. It’s important to give them enough time and toys to play with and, if possible, a scratching post to keep their claws sharp and to prevent them from damaging furniture or carpets.

Raising a British Shorthair is generally easy because of their gentle nature. They can also be sensitive to changes in their environment, so it's important to provide them with a calm and stable environment and to disrupt their routines as little as possible.

Famous owners of British Shorthair cats

There are several famous people who have or had a British Shorthair as a pet.

Taylor Swift has a British Shorthair called Olivia Benson.
Ed Sheeran has two British Shorthairs named Calipo and Dorito.
Grace Kelly, the former actress and princess of Monaco, had a British Shorthair called Romeo.
Ernest Hemingway had a British Shorthair called Snow White.
Isaac Newton, the famous scientist, also had a British Shorthair called Hodge.

Clearly, this breed is popular with ordinary people and celebrities alike because of their friendly and affectionate nature and cute looks.

Flamingo British Shorthair cats

We at Flamingo also like this cat breed very much. Get to know the British Shorthair cats of our employees!

Felix

Raya

Everything your British Shorthair needs

In our Flamingo cat shop you'll find the finest products for your kitten or cat. A large scratching tree, a drinking fountain for your British Shorthair or a cat brush to take care of your fluffy friend's coat. The range of items for house cats is huge!

Kitten on the way?

Are you about to welcome a new kitten and are you looking for the right kitten stuff? With this checklist for cats you’ll find everything you need!

Go to the kitten-checklist

In a nutshell

Overall, the British Shorthair is a beautiful and loving cat breed that suits families looking for a friendly and easy-to-care-for pet.

British Shorthairs tend to be prone to obesity quickly if they don't get the right amount of exercise and nutrition. It's important to limit their diet and get them regular exercise!

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