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British Shorthair Cat Behavior, Facts and Health Care Problem

2016/5/4 10:39:00

Upon first glance, the girth and features of a British Shorthair may give the impression that they are a slothful, laid back breed. On the contrary, as descendants of British farm cats, this breed is a highly skilled and a mighty hunter.

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 quickly became the only color recognized by cat associations for many years. 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. Additional colors from which to choose include orange eyed or blue eyed white, red or silver tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, bi-colors, and point.

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 - Referred to as the "four feet on the ground" cat, the British Shorthair is not one for constant offerings of 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.

The average blood type of a domestic cat is Type A Blood; however, the British Shorthair is known to possess the rare Type B Blood type. This problem can cause complications if surgery is ever required. It is important to have your Shorthair tested by a veterinarian and if the blood type is rare, have the veterinarian make a note of it in its records to avoid any complications that could arise in the future.

The grooming aspect of caring for your British Shorthair is quite simple. 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.

Moses Wright is a cat lover and likes to help new cat owners learn more about their cat breed. You can find more info on cat problems help, different category cat breeds list and a list of cat breed facts at his web site.