British Shorthair Cat Breed

Body Size - Medium
Coat Length - Short
Life Span - 15 Years

British Shorthair Description

The British Shorthair has a more rounded face, slightly shorter nose, and slightly smaller body than the American Shorthair. The coat is short and plush. Many coat colors and patterns are accepted.

British Shorthair History

This breed originally was known as the British Blue, due to the breed's original color. It is considered to be the oldest breed of English cat and its probable ancestor is the domestic cat of Rome. Various coat colors and patterns have been incorporated into this breed in England since the 1950's.

British Shorthair Traits

Easy-going and intelligent, British Shorthairs are good family pets that also can earn their keep by hunting rodents.

British Shorthair Health

No British Shorthair cat breed specific health problems have been reported.

British Shorthair Summary

The plush coat does not mat and is easy to groom. The British Shorthair is compact, well-balanced and powerful, showing good depth of body, a full broad chest, short to medium strong legs, rounded paws, tail thick at base with a rounded tip. The head is round with good width between the ears, round cheeks, firm chin, medium ears, large round and well-opened eyes, and a medium broad nose. The coat is short and very dense. Females are less massive in all respects with males having larger jowls. This breed is slow to mature.