Introduction to British Shorthair Cats
The British Shorthair cats have the distinction of being one of the first pedigree cats of Britain with at least a hundred year old history. In UK this cat is one of the most popular breeds. The specialty of these cats is its chubby face with cheeks like a chipmunk and an overall happy smiling face. This sturdy bear like cat has a nice plush coat with a nice disposition, which makes these cats a wonderful family pet. These cats have an ancestry that traces back to Rome where these cats were one of the oldest English cat breeds.
The British shorthair were once guards of the Barnyard, but now these chubby looking cats are great domestic cats ideal for a family. They prefer to sleep in the comforts of a house and play with a toy instead of toiling in the barn and chasing rats. These cats are referred to as the Winston Churchill of the cat world since they move around the house on all four feet firmly grounded on the floor. Shorthairs are loyal, dependable, and affectionate companions.
History of British Shorthair Cats
The British shorthair cats were imported from Egypt and entered Britain along with the Romans when they invaded Britain. These are one of the most admired cat breeds and have been able to successfully retain its originality over the decades. Crossbreeding with the Persian in the 1915 and 1918 brought about the longhair gene. The Persian breeding program included the longhair cats and the shorthaired were a part of the British shorthair. Initially, the blue shorthair consisted of two varieties, one with a strong and compact round headed British and the other tall cat had a triangular head was called Russian. These two types were interbred and competed against each other before they were separated as two unique breeds.
The British shorthair cats were featured in various cat shows in England, but the first cat show at the crystal palace in London made this breed very popular in England.
After the world war ll, the Governing Council of Cat Fancy declared that only the third generation offspring of the British shorthair or the Persian crosses could only be shown. The war situation also affected the breeding program and after the war the lineage of the British shorthair almost got completely lost and the breeders had to use different breeds of cats like the Persian and the Russian Blues. The shorthairs have since then grown in popularity and have got recognition from the The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1979.
There were instances where some longhaired kittens were also born, but these were set aside or got lost in the breed. The breed is now being accepted by the The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and the International Cat Association. Among all the recognized cat breeds of CFA, the British Shorthairs have ranked as the 14th most popular breed.
British Shorthair Cats Traits
The British Shorthair cats is Cobby shaped and well-muscled cat breed with a good broad chest, straight back and strong shoulders. These cats have strong, but short legs and nice rounded tail. The head is also large and proportionate to the body structure; the neck is small and thick. They have small rounded ears with a blunt tip that are set well apart on the head. The eyes resemble two huge buttons and come in many colors like deep blue, and green or orange depending on the color of their coat.
The round heads have very short nose, a prominent whisker pad and chubby cheeks. The classic blue is the most popular color in these cats, but however, these cats come in many different colors and patterns. Silver Tabby and blue are most popular colors. Since the coat is not very long, they require very little grooming.
British Shorthair Cats Personality
The cuddly cute bear like looks is one of the main attractions that garner any cat lover’s attention towards these cats making them very popular. He is placid, affectionate, caring and a great family cat. They love the company of humans and their adaptable and laid-back nature makes them a perfect companion. They are known as the gentle giants of the cat world and do not demand constant attention from their owners. Since they are not very curious by nature they do not fall into any serious trouble if left outdoors. They are happy to stay indoors.
British Shorthair Cats Healthcare
These are a robust and healthy cat breeds and do not suffer from any severe health issues. Regular checkups and dental hygiene can prevent any serious ailments in cats. These cat breeds need very little grooming since they shed very little hair. Weekly once brushing is enough to remove dead skin and hair from their bodies.
Behavior
The shorthairs are trusting and sweet natured breeds that are ideally suited for indoors. They are intelligent, loyal and funny. Their funny and comical nature will add good entertainment factor to the households. Since these cats are intelligent they will learn tricks quickly and even learn to play fetch and enjoy some tricks. They have a calm demeanor and do not interfere in the work of their owners. Though not very active they can still display some playful moments like chasing toys, or acting like a clown.
British Shorthair Cats with Children and Pets
They are patient with children and do not like to be carried around. They prefer to stay put and do not enjoy any interference. They are happy in their own space and get along well with dogs too. Due to their calm nature they do not love to be in the company of naughty and energetic children.
Weight and Height
The British Shorthair cats is a Cobby shaped muscular cat breed. These huge cats weigh 12 to 17 pounds.
Age Expectancy
The average lifespan of these cats is 15 to 20 years.
Price Range
The British shorthair kittens can come in the range $800-$1200 depending on the breeder.
Feeding the Cat
These cats take time to mature; they will take a minimum of five years to attain full maturity. Since they are docile and live a sedentary lifestyle, they tend to put on a lot of weight. As a cat owner you need to take care about his eating habits to make sure he eats healthy. These cats will need approximately 70kcal of food daily and these can be gained by feeding them good quality dry and wet cat food.
In conclusion, British Shorthair cats are a unique and loveable breed that is known for their chubby and bear-like features. They are a friendly, loyal and loving breed that is perfect for families with children. British Shorthair cats are also quite low maintenance and easy to care for, making them perfect for those who are new to pet ownership. Their beautiful coats come in a variety of colors and patterns and can be groomed to look as good as they feel.
All in all, British Shorthair cats are an amazing breed that will bring joy and love to any home. There is no doubt that these chubby, bear-like cats will become an important member of any family. With their sweet and gentle personalities, British Shorthair cats are sure to win the hearts of everyone they meet. British Shorthair cats truly are a breed apart and anyone looking for a loyal, loving and chubby companion should consider a British Shorthair.
