British shorthair
The British shorthair is Britain's oldest recognised breed, developed from working street and farm cats in the late 1800s and given a boost after both world wars by outcrossing to Persians — which is where the round face and the dense coat come from.
It is a heavy, cobby cat with a broad round head, big round eyes and a famously plush coat that stands slightly away from the body. Blue is the classic colour but the breed comes in many. The temperament is calm and undemonstrative: British shorthairs are affectionate but not lap cats, and are known for disliking being picked up.
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Size
- 4–8 kg; males markedly larger
- Lifespan
- 14–20 years
- Coat
- Short, very dense and plush, no undercoat as such
- Temperament
- Calm, dignified, affectionate on their own terms
- Grooming
- Twice weekly
Related: Persian · British longhair
3 british shorthair photos, newest first
Living with a british shorthair
The coat is dense enough that a weekly comb is not quite enough — twice a week, more during the spring moult, which is substantial.
They are placid and prone to obesity, especially neutered males, and the breed's build hides weight gain well. Measured feeding and active play matter.
This is a slow-maturing cat, often not full-grown until three. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the significant inherited risk and there is a DNA test for one causal mutation; polycystic kidney disease appears in lines with Persian ancestry and is also testable.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual cats vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.
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