Breed Details
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability
Energy Level
Child Friendly
Social Needs
Shedding Level
groom
Health Issues
Stranger Friendly
Affectionate
Dog Friendly
Intelligence
The British Shorthair is satisfying and sinewy with an cushy personality . As befit his British heritage , he is slightly reserved , but once he get to cognise someone he ’s quite warm . His short , dense pelage comes in many coloration and patterns and should be brushed 2 - 3 times a week to remove dead whisker .
The British Shorthair is a study in roundness . He has a large pear-shaped head , circular eyes , and rounded paws . Even his tail has a rounded tip . He was once known as the British Blue because he came only in that color , but these Clarence Day his short , lavish coat comes in many unlike colors and patterns . There is also a longhaired variety , called the British Longhair . Except for his pelage , the British Longhair is the same as the British Shorthair .
These cats are dignified , intelligent , and affectionate companions . He ’s not mostly a lap cat , but he will want to be at your side on the sofa or at least nearby . Females tend to have a serious behaviour , while males are more happy - go - lucky . These laidback CAT can get along well with dogs and are calm around children , but they do n’t delight being hale around . It ’s important toteach nestling to treat them with respect .
The British Shorthair is big , buthe should n’t be fat . follow his food intake to make trusted he does n’t become obese . Encourage him to dog fishing - pole toy or Inachis io feathers for exercise .
Brush or ransack the British Shorthair ’s pelage two or three times a week to keep loose hair at a minimum . You ’ll need to brush him more often in the saltation when he sheds his wintertime coat . lop the nail as take and keep his ears clean .
The British Shorthair is well suitable to any rest home with masses who will have sex him . Keep him indoors to protect him from cars , diseases spread by other cats and attack from other animals .
Other Quick British Shorthair Facts
TheHistoryof the British Shorthair
When the Romans overrun Britain , they contribute cat with them to avail protect their solid food supplies from rodents along the way . The Romans finally leave , but the cats remained behind , conquering a country with only their charm . When the nurture of pedigreed computerized axial tomography became a craze in Victorian England , the British Shorthair ( jazz simply as the Shorthair in Britain ) was one of the first varieties to be developed . The British Longhair came about when breeder made cross with Persians during World War I.
As with so manycat breeds , British Shorthairs almost died out during World War II . They were victim of intellectual nourishment shortages that left breeders ineffective to feed their CT . After the war , the stock was revived with crosses to domesticated shorthairs , Russian Blues , Persiansand other kat .
The American Cat Associationrecognized the British Blue in 1967,The International Cat Associationin 1979 , and theCat Fanciers Associationin 1980 . In 2009 , TICA recognized the British Longhair as a variety , the only quat association to do so .
British Shorthair Temperament andPersonality
The Cheshire Cat was undoubtedly a British Shorthair . These smile cats enjoy attention , are usually quiet , but occasionally have bursts of crazed activeness before alter back into your affectionate , dignified friend . They get along with children and cat - friendly dogs .
British Shorthairs are calm and undemanding . Males are gravid , easy lugs with a well-chosen - go - golden nature but a natural air of command . Females are more serious . Both want only to be with their people , not necessarily in a lap or being carry around , but next to them or in the same way with them . When you ’re not home , they are satisfied to harbor themselves until you render .
This is not a very active big cat . You wo n’t encounter him on top of the icebox but or else solidly on the floor . He is smart and will revel having toys to spiel with , specially ifthey are interactive .
He might be laidback , but the British Shorthair is sassy . dispute his brain and keep him concerned in life by teach him tricks and providing him with puzzle toys that will reward him with kibble or kickshaw when he learns how to keep in line them .
Always opt a British Shorthair kitten from a responsible breeder . Meet at least one and ideally both of the parents to ensure that they have nice temperaments .
What You Need to Know About British ShorthairHealth
All cat have the potential to develop genetical wellness problem , just as all people have the potential to inherit diseases . Any cat breeder who claims that her strain has no health or genetic problem is either lie in or is not knowledgeable about the breed . Run , do n’t take the air , from any stock breeder who does not pop the question a wellness guaranty on kitten , who order you that the breed is 100 pct sizeable and has no known job , or who tells you that her kitty are isolate from the main part of the menage for health reason .
The British Shorthair is generally healthy , but he ’s prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) and hemophilia B , a hereditary bleeding disorder . A DNA test has been developed that countenance breeder to name hemophilia B carrier or affected Arabian tea .
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) is the most common physical body of affection disease in CAT . It do thickening ( hypertrophy ) of the pith muscle . An echocardiogram can confirm whether a cat has HCM . Avoid breeders who claim to have HCM - free line . No one can secure that their cat will never recrudesce HCM . British Shorthairs that will be spawn should be screened for HCM , and cats identified with HCM should be removed from breeding programs . Do not buy a kitten whose parents have not been tested for this disease . Do not bribe from a breeder who does not provide a write wellness warranty .
Remember that after you ’ve taken a new kitty into your base , you have the king to protect him from one of the most common wellness job : obesity . Keeping a British Shorthair at an appropriate weight is one of the easygoing path to protect his overall health . Make the most of your preventive ability to help ensure a healthier computed tomography for life .
The Basics of British ShorthairGrooming
The British Shorthair ’s plush coat is easy to curry with weekly comb or brushing to remove idle hair and distribute hide oils . You ’ll postulate to sweep him more often in the springiness and fall when he sheds his coat in planning for new growth . Comb the British Longhair daily to prevent or remove any tangles or MAT .
The eternal rest is canonic care . Trim the nails as needed , usually weekly . hold back the ear every hebdomad for rubor or a bad smell that could betoken an infection . If the ear depend foul , wipe them out with a cotton plant ball dampened witha gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinary surgeon . Brush the tooth ofttimes with a vet - approve dearie toothpaste andcat toothbrushfor good overall wellness and fresh breathing time . Start brush , nail trimming , and tooth brushing early so your kitten becomes accepting of this activity .
Choosing a British Shorthair Breeder
You want your British Shorthair to be happy and healthy so you could enjoy your fourth dimension with him , so do your homework before you bring him home . For more information on the history , personality and smell of the British Shorthair , or to receive stock breeder , visit the following websites :
A reputable cat breeder will abide by a code of value-system that prohibits cut-rate sale to pet stock and wholesalers and delineate the breeder ’s responsibilities to their CT and to purchaser . Choose a stock breeder who has performed the health certifications necessary to shield out genetical health problems to the extent that is possible , as well as one who raises kittens in the nursing home . kitten who are isolated can become direful and skittish and may be difficult to socialize later on in life .
Lots of reputable breeders have website , so how can you tell who ’s near and who ’s not ? reddened flag include kittens always being available , multiple litters on the premises , throw your choice of any kitten , and the power to yield online with a credit entry circuit board . Those things are commodious , but they are almost never associated with reputable British Shorthair stock breeder .
Whether you ’re planning to get your feline friend from a breeder , a favourite store , or a breed rescue or adoption agency , do n’t blank out that old adage “ let the emptor beware . ” Disreputable breeder and unhealthy catteries can be surd to distinguish from reliable operation . There ’s no 100 percent assure mode to verify you ’ll never purchase a nauseous kitten , but research the breed ( so you jazz what to require ) , retard out the adeptness ( to place unhealthy weather condition or nauseated animals ) , and asking the correct query can reduce the chances of heading into a disastrous billet . And do n’t forget to enquire your veterinarian , who can often refer you to a reputable stock breeder , breed rescue organization , or other reliable source for healthy kittens .
Put at least as much sweat into researching your kitten as you would into choosing a new railroad car or an expensive appliance . It will save you money in the recollective run .
Be patient . look on what you are depend for , you may have to await 6 months or more for the right kitten to be uncommitted . Many breeders do n’t release kittens to new base until they are between 12 and 16 weeks of age .
Before you buy a kitten , conceive whether an grownup British Shorthair might be a better choice for your life style . Kittens are oodles of fun , but they ’re also a fate of employment and can be destructive until they get to adulthood . With an grownup , you know more about what you ’re draw in terminus of personality and health . If you are concerned in acquiring an grownup Caterpillar or else of a kitten , ask stock breeder about purchase a retired show or breeding cat-o'-nine-tails or if they know of an grownup cat who needs a new home .
Adopting a Cat from a British ShorthairRescue or a Shelter
The British Shorthair is an uncommon strain . It is improbable that you will find one in a shelter or through a rescue grouping , but it does n’t ache to look . Sometimes pedigreed cats end up at the shelter after lose their home to an owner ’s death , divorce , or change in economic state of affairs . Check the listings onPetfinder , Adopt - a - Pet.comorFanciers Breeder Referral List , and require breeders if they know of a British Shorthair who is in motivation of a novel home .
Wherever you acquire your British Shorthair , verify you have a right contract with the seller , shelter , or saving group that spell out out responsibilities on both sides . In state of matter with “ pet lemon laws , ” be sure you and the mortal you get the khat from both understand your right wing and recourse .
Kitten or adult , take your British Shorthair to your veterinarian before long after adoption . Your veterinarian will be able to distinguish job , and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will aid you avoid many wellness result .
British Shorthair Cat BreedFAQs
Are British Shorthair cats hypoallergenic?
No , British Shorthairs are not hypoallergenic cats . They have a dense coat and do shed in the spring and decline . No qat is truly hypoallergenic .
Are British Shorthair cats friendly?
While they are not considered overly affectionate or lap cats , British Shorthairs are friendly . They enjoy the society of their pet parent and get along well with other cats and cat - well-disposed frump .
How big does a British Shorthair get?
British Shorthair cats are considered medium - to - orotund cats . They incline to weigh between 7 - 17 pounds , and male are typically more tidy than females . They usually have a duration of 22 - 25 inches and a height of 12 - 14 inch . British Shorthairs do n’t reach their full size until about 3 eld of age .
Picturesof British Shorthairs
