To many, the British Shorthair is a the epitome of a lazy feline, one who loves to relax. This misrepresentation owes itself to the plump body of the British Shorthair. In actual fact, the British Shorthair is actually a cat that was common in farms and is acknowledged for its skill in trapping and hunting mice and other small rodents.
History - Created in the nineteenth century, the British Shorthair became a very popular cat to own, that is until the mid twentieth century, when other unique breeds began to emerge. Not wanting this beautiful, historical cat to become extinct, a couple of dedicated cat lover's worked perilously to ensure its survival. It wasn't until the late twentieth century, that these wonderful cats were introduced in the United States, where cat fanciers became enthralled with their unusual personality and size.
Appearance - Offering many different selections of color, one color in particular was so in demand; it was the only shade and color credited by cat associations for years to come. British Blue was the name of the color of choice, but after World War II, this distinct color of British Shorthairs almost became nonexistent.
In order to preserve this gorgeous shade of blue, dedicated cat lover's bred the remaining blue shorthairs with Blue Persians. This created an increase in the gene pool and literally saved the specific shade from utter elimination. There are different colors to choose from which consist of white, bi-colors, smoke, totoiseshell, point colors with orange or blue eyes.
Unique features of British Shorthair are a circular shaped head with broad cheeks and a tail that appears short and thick. The British Shorthair, also known for its stockiness, is a large specimen of cat weighing in at a substantial nine to eighteen pounds.
British Shorthair Cat Behavior and Characteristics - It is not a cat that demands incessant attention and affection. This breed behavior is highly content to go about its day doing its own thing. So, if you're looking for a cat that is affectionate and sociable and will curl up in your lap for a lazy afternoon, the British Shorthair is definitely not for you. This breed is truly happy when the food bowl is filled and his activities are his to control. No play time or cuddle time is required to keep this self-contained cat happy.
Since this breed does not demand much of an owner's time, it is the perfect addition to the family of someone who doesn't have a lot of time to spend at home.
British Shorthair Cat Health Problems - With the British Shorthair having so many ancestors contributing to the gene pool, this large breed is very healthy overall, with only one flaw that requires consideration.
Type A Blood is the common blood type of domestic cats; but, the British Shorthair might have a rare blood type, Type B blood. This problem can cause complications if surgery is ever required. You should have your local vet check you British Shorthair's blood type to ascertain if it is a rare blood type, to decrease the chances of confusion late on.
It is easy to care for and groom your British Shorthair. With the texture of their coat being rough and thick, a once a week combing should be sufficient to remove loose hairs and particles of dirt.
If your short on time, but still want a cat, the unassuming, self contained personality of a British Shorthair is definitely worth looking in to. It's sure to be a perfect fit.
