The British Shorthair Cat

The British Shorthair is a full-bodied, short-legged cat with a large head, full cheeks, and round forward-facing eyes.  It  has a somewhat sour expression, and true champions of the breed have a very pronounce and distinctive dished contour to the face. The coat is short, very dense and hard. The personality can be a bit serious and thoughtful and individuals tend to enjoy solitude and a less hectic pace to the household. If you are looking for a mellow, non-demanding, and dignified companion, this may be the cat for you. This breed may have a low activity level but proves to be very intelligent and has been widely used in film, television and stage acts.

 Cool Cat Facts...
The British  Shorthair was developed from cats brought to Britain from Rome 3000 years ago.
The modern breed is often reffered to as the "bulldog of cats" due to its stocky build and British history.                                                                      

Is A British Shorthair Right For You?

The British Shorthair cat is recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the world's largest cat organization. and is one of the most popular pure-bred or "pedigreed" domestic cat breeds. They have one of the first established breed standards, and individuals were exhibited in cat shows as early as 1870.  A good choice for a quiet lifestyle and a cat that does not require lots of fuss or attention. In fact, they are so laid-back that they are prone to obesity, so care must be taken with diet. Shedding may be high and regular grooming is desired. These are sturdy medium-sized cats that have perhaps a higher than average risk of kidney stones and urinary tract issues, but no other breed-related health issues. Because it is reletively sedate and enjoys moderate interaction the British Shorthair cat makes a fine pet for older folks, or apartment dwellers, and a nice family cat that can do well with older, considerate children. They do not seem to resent being left alone as much as some other breeds, so singles who put in long hours might consider this beautiful companion.

British Shorthair Cat Breed Standards

Head Shape: The head should be large, broad and well rounded with full, even "chubby" cheeks, a broad, well-formed muzzle with strong chin and, in show specimens, a flat or even "dished" quality from forehead to the middle of the nose. This gives a very unique and instantly recognizable profile to the breed. Expression is important and should be sincere and beautifully enhanced by the very large, round eyes. The eye color may be any, but their are some requirements with certain of the many coat colors available.
Body and Tail: The body is medium to large, not much longer than tall, with the most important factor being quality and width. A broad chest and hips with flattened top line, the cat should be wide when viewed from above, but muscular and well-kept. The neck should be short and with a bull-dog quality, especially evident in males. The legs are medium in length, well-boned, strongly muscled and with large round, well-knuckled feet. The tail is medium in length, wide with only a slight taper and carried at back level when relaxed.
Coat: The coat should be short and very dense.
Pattern: A large variety of colors and patterns are accepted with lengthy explanations of each colors desired appearance. Each individual Cat Breed Association has their own specific preferences.
Overall Appearance: This should be a medium to large size cat of great substance. Bone and muscle should be powerful, broad and high-quality. Thick, but not fat. Stocky but not soft. These are well-rounded, pleasant and intelligent cats.

Inside Cat or Outside Cat?

Wondering if you should allow your cat to go outside unsupervised? Well there are definitely some pure breeds that should never be outside cats. Hairless breeds like the Sphynx are extremely vulnerable and should always be supervised outdoors. Docile breeds like the Burmese may not be able to defend themselves. All cats allowed outdoors are exposed to diseases and parasites that they would not otherwise encounter. Fred Flintstone put his saber-tooth out every night, but the cat jumped right back in the window - and he was a saber-tooth! Still, most of us feel a little envy when we see our domestic companion out on some high perch, sniffing the breeze of liberty, and there is no doubt that cats love their freedom. So what do YOU think ....Inside Cat or Outside Cat? Comment Here...

            Back from British Shorthair Cat to Cat Breeds Encyclopedia.com