About
My name is Tracy Wilson, breeder of British shorthair and longhair kittens, level 1 scan technician and qualified microchip technician. Along with my husband, we believe in rearing kittens surrounded by enrichment activities, love and typical household noises, producing confident, affectionate and healthy examples of the breed. We care for each and every kitten as our own until they find their forever home and if this doesn't happen we happily hold onto them as our own pets.
Heavily muscled with heavy boning, they have rounded, thick appearance and as a powerful cat, all components of this breed should be well developed.
The British shorthair has a broad chest, muscular neck, strong jaws and a well developed muzzle. Legs are thick and strong and the breed looks how they were originally; a cat to keep rodents out of the barn and the house.
The coat of the British shorthair is thick and dense and it becomes much longer and thicker during the winter. The texture of the coat is relatively hard, as it is meant for protection and always remember, when you pick up a British shorthair, you should always support the back end.
About The Breed
At A Glance
Daily brushing of the British shorthair is important, especially during seasonal changes when the coat is thickening or thinning.
Weight range:
Male: large: >5 kg.
Female: large: >5 kg.
Eye colour:
Blue, Copper, Gold, Odd-eyed.
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Expectations:
Life Expectancy: 7-12 yrs.
Tendency to Shed: Moderate
Coat:
Length: Short, Medium
Characteristics: Straight
Colours: White, Blue, Black, Cream, Red, Brown, Silver, Cameo, Bluecream, Tortoiseshell, Torbie, Smoke, Shaded
Pattern: Solid colour, Tortoiseshell, Bicolour, Tricolour/Calico, Tabby, Smoke, Shaded
Less Allergenic: No
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate
Personality
The British shorthair is a very pleasant cat to have as a companion as they are easy going and placid. They are fiercely loyal, loving and will attach themselves to all family members.
While the British shorthair loves to play, they don't need hourly attention. If in the mood to play, they will find someone and bring a toy to that person. They will also play well by themselves, so are a good companion for single people.
Living with
The British shorthair is a thick, muscular cat so nutrition must be carefully controlled. Despite heavy boning and musculature, you want to make certain they keep an appropriate weight. They must get adequate exercise and interactive play may be necessary to keep them in good shape.
The British shorthair will play when they want to play and will find a toy or create one out of anything they find if a cat toy is not available.
Daily brushing is important, especially during seasonal changes when the coat is thickening or thinning. They can get knots in their coat if not brushed regularly.
The British shorthair tolerates being left alone. They are affectionate but also spend time just sleeping in the sun. The British shorthair is an easy cat to care for and makes a wonderful, quiet companion.
History
The British shorthair is considered to be the first cat of the cat fancy and originally came from the farms and streets of Britain. Harrison Wier is known in cat fancy history as the father of the cat fancy and considered the first professional cat breeder. He also determined the rules for the first cat show, which was held in Britain in 1871 and took the humble street cat of Britain through an intensive breeding programme, transforming it to the pedigree breed that he named the British. The British people fell in love with their new now-pedigreed breed and when the Persian breed was introduced into Britain, it nudged out the British shorthair for the most popular breed but only temporarily.
In the First & Second World Wars, the British shorthair breed was decimated, but it always re-emerged into the top ranks of popularity. Today, the British shorthair is accepted in cat registries worldwide. At one time, it was known as the British blue, but since it comes in a variety of colours, it is called either the British or the British shorthair.