British Shorthair

British Shorthair Cat Personality

Laidback and easy-going, the intelligent British Shorthair enjoys attention from its owners but is not known to be needy. Although they enjoy the company of humans, they are not lap cats. Instead, they prefer to sit beside their owners and follow them around the home.

British Shorthairs reach maturity later than many other cats. This means they will act like a kitten well into adulthood. Eventually, older British Shorthairs become more sedate, although males are typically more boisterous than the quieter females.

British Shorthair Appearance

The British Shorthair cat is large and powerful, with thick legs, rounded paws, and a blunt tail. Its head is large and round with broad cheeks and a short muzzle. In many respects, it resembles the Scottish Fold. However, the British Shorthair’s ears are pointed and triangular rather than folded. The nose can be black or red.

British Shorthair kittens reach maturity at the age of three. Adult males weigh between 9 and 17 pounds and females weigh between 7 and 12 pounds. The distinctive coat is dense and plush. There is no undercoat.

Accepted British Shorthair colors include:

• Blue
• Black
• Red
• White
• Cream
• Silver
• Golden
• Fawn
• Cinnamon

Possible British Shorthair coat patterns include:

• Solid
• Colorpoint
• Bicolor
• Tabby (including mackerel, spotted, ticked, and classic)
• Tortoiseshell

British Shorthair History

It is believed that the British Shorthair cat is one of the world’s oldest identifiable breeds, dating back to the first century AD. Imported by the Romans, they were used for chasing mice and snakes away from camps. Once they settled in Britain, the cats bred with local wildcats. Over time, their descendants grew larger and developed short thick coats to withstand the British winters.

Breeders in the 19th century focused on creating the best examples of the breed, developing a blue-gray variant known as the “English Type” or “British Blue.” Artist and cat fancier Harrison Weir is largely credited with standardizing the breed. In 1871, he held the first cat show at the Crystal Palace in London where the new British Shorthair was featured.

As Persians and other long-haired cats started becoming popular in Britain in the early 1900s, the British Shorthair’s popularity waned. By World War I, the breeding stock numbers shrunk, and outcrossing with Persians started to occur. This resulted in the establishment of the British Longhair. Outcrossing with Russian Blue also occurred around the same time.

Following the war, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy began to only allow third-generation British Shorthair and Persian crosses to maintain standardization. By World War II, there was another breeding stock shortage. Once again, Russian Blues and Persians were used to bolster numbers.

To rebuild the breed after the war, the French Chartreux was also used. This ancient breed was unrelated genetically to the British Blue. However, it did have a similar appearance.

By the 1970s, the Cat Fanciers’ Association and the International Cat Association had formally recognized the distinctive British Shorthair. According to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, by 2013 the breed had returned to its position as the most popular breed in the United Kingdom.

British Shorthair Health Issues

Although typically a healthy breed with few genetic concerns, owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of some problems affecting the British Shorthair, including obesity, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and Hemophilia B.

• Obesity. It is not uncommon to find an obese British Shorthair cat. Prone to overeating and less active than many other breeds, it is important to seek advice from a veterinarian before providing these felines with a suitable weight management diet.
• Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic concern that causes cysts to form on the kidneys. Although initially very small, these cysts will be present from birth. Over time, the cysts will grow considerably, and symptoms will not be evident until later in life—often when the cat reaches the age of 7. Once the cysts have grown, they will affect the function of the kidney and may cause renal failure. Genetic testing (along with blood and urine tests) will be used by a veterinarian to diagnose the condition. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PKD, although medication and fluid therapy can minimize the symptoms.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that affects the walls of a cat’s heart and causes the muscles in the walls to thicken, making it harder for the heart to pump oxygenated blood to all the other vital organs. This abnormal thickening usually occurs in the left ventricle. The severity of the condition varies, and most cats will not show symptoms until they are middle-aged.

HCM symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Lethargy
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Intracardiac pressure
• Congestive heart failure
• Collapsing
• Sudden death

A veterinarian will diagnose HCM using the following methods.

• Blood pressure monitoring
• Blood test
• X-ray
• Electrocardiogram

The aim of any treatment is to slow the heart and prevent clot formation. Medications, oxygen therapy, and diuretics may be used to improve heartbeat efficiency.

Hemophilia B

Hemophilia is a rare blood disorder that prevents clotting from occurring. This can lead to excessive bleeding following injury or surgery. It is caused by a deficiency of the protein “factor IX,” which is responsible for blood clotting.

Symptoms of hemophilia include:

• Swelling or bruising under the skin
• Lameness
• Anemia
• Nose bleeds
• Difficulty breathing
• Blood in vomit or stools
• Vaginal or rectal bleeding
• Loss of life

The condition has no cure. Owners will need to take preventative steps to reduce the risk of injury and should regularly clean the cat’s teeth to prevent bleeding gums. Antifibrinolytic agents may be administered during surgical procedures to stem the flow of blood.

Adopt a British Shorthair

Although there is no shortage of British Shorthair breeders, it is always best to adopt a cat rather than buy one. Not only are there financial benefits to doing this, but so many cats end up in rescue centers and need a good home. Given their popularity, it is not hard to find British Shorthair cats for adoption. Find a no-kill shelter to adopt from as they will not euthanize a healthy cat.