All About The British Shorthair

Due to its good character and its stuffed appearance, the British Shorthair is a cat that has won the sympathy of thousands of people who choose it as a pet.

Docile, affectionate and playful – but also majestic and intelligent – they are the ideal company for children and the elderly and have become the best known short-haired kittens in the world.

Origin of the British Shorthair

Everything suggests that the British Shorthair comes from the cross between the cats that the Roman legions brought to ancient Britain with the local cats.

And that they owe their unmistakable double, short and dense coat to the need to protect themselves from the rain and humidity that characterize the British climate.

Although another version also circulates, which locates its origin in Egypt and its arrival in what is today the United Kingdom in times as distant as those of Moses.

Recognition and evolution of the breed

• In 1871 the breed was recognized for the first time, during an exhibition held in London by artist Harrison Heir.
• Both World War I and World War II decimated the population of these animals. For its recovery, it had to be resorted to crosses with other races, especially the Persian .
• This led to the emergence of some long-haired specimens, the British Longhairs .

Physical characteristics of the breed

These cute chubby chubby men have the following physical characteristics:

• Size: medium to large.
• Weight: between 4 and 8 kilograms.
• Head: Broad and solid, with rounded contours.

• Forehead: Tends to be round, never flat.
• Nose: Broad and short, with open nostrils. In addition, you must have stop (nasofrontal depression).
• Chin: Strong and well developed. And in line with the nose.
• Ears: Medium in size. Wide at the base and rounded tip.
• Eyes: Large, expressive and round. Well separated from each other.
• Body: Chunky and broad-chested.
• Legs: Strong, wide, short and round in appearance.
• Tail: It is wide and thick at the base. Tapers towards the tip, which is rounded.
• Coat: Short, dense and smooth.
• Colors: The most appreciated is blue, but the British Shorthair is accepted in different shades: cream, lilac, white, red, chocolate, black, etc.

Other facts about the British Shorthair

They are animals that prefer the tranquility of home and human company. The adventurous spirit that characterizes other cats is not so evident in them, although, if the occasion arises, they are excellent hunters.

What’s more:

• They rarely scratch. If they are disturbed they choose to leave.
• Their patience, tolerance and balance make them ideal companions for children.
• They adapt easily to different spaces.
• They live well with other cats and dogs.
• They reach adulthood between two and three years.

British Shorthair health and care

The British Shorthair are cats usually have very good health. In any case, it is recommended:

• Watch the weight, especially if it is neutered animals, as they tend to gain weight.
• Comb and brush them regularly, especially in times of shedding, to prevent them from swallowing the hair and forming balls.

• Give them quality feed, preferably those that prevent the formation of the aforementioned hairballs.
• Deworm and vaccinate them according to the veterinarian’s instructions. It must be borne in mind that their dense coat favors the accommodation of fleas.

In addition, because of crossbreeds, they have a tendency to suffer from polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

A “wonderful” cat

When Lewis Carroll published his famous book Alice in Wonderland in 1865, he was unaware that it would help popularize the British Shorthair around the world .

Is that the Cheshire cat, one of the most famous characters in history – the one who had the ability to appear and disappear at will – is a stray English kitten, like the ancestors of the British Shorthair .

An ideal pet

So now you know, if you want a cat that does not yearn to go roaming and prefers to stay inside the house keeping you company but without invading you, you are in front of the ideal pet.

But even if it looks like a stuffed animal, make no mistake. It is not a toy. Take care of him and love him very much, he will know how to reward you handsomely.