British Shorthair

British Shorthair Cat Breed Profile

Weight	6.6-15.4 lbs (3-7 kg)
Origin	England
Color	Black, brown, gray; multi-colored
Fur	Short, thick
Lifespan	12-18 years
Personality	Quiet, undemanding, calm, patient
Energy
Playful
Independent
Meowing
Shedding

British Shorthair Photo: FotoMirta/Shutterstock

Breed Characteristics

The British Shorthair is quiet, easy-going and even-tempered. A real “couch potato”. Playful? Not at all. While other cats will climb everywhere and explore everything (like the Bengal, Siamese and Abyssinian), the British Shorthair is more down to earth. It might be less active and playful but it does radiate coziness, relaxation, dependability and stability.

British Shorthair Photo: HNDideen/Shutterstock

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Personality and Temperament

It’s said that the British Shorthair cat is just as reserved with strangers as the British themselves. Of course, that’s just a cliché and should be taken in the best possible way. These cats don’t storm around pouncing on things, rather know how to behave politely and respect the personal space of anyone they don’t know so well.

As soon as these cats warm up to you, they open up a big heart and become incredibly loving and attached to their humans. They love following their owners around and taking a seat next to them.

British Shorthair Photo: FotoMirta/Shutterstock

Keeping Them Happy

Unlike other cats, the British Shorthair doesn’t need too much attention and is happy with its own company. They just need their space and especially appreciate humans that don’t constantly play with them or stroke them. British Shorthairs also don’t like being carried.

British Shorthair Photo: PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek/Shutterstock

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Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy going personality
Calm and quiet
Even-tempered
Independent
Can deal with any kind of situation

Cons

Not very playful

British Shorthair Photo: Chendongshan/Shutterstock

Appearance

The British Shorthair is a large cat with a round head, round paws and round eyes. Even the tips of their tails are round. They used to be called British Blues because their fur was always blue-gray. But you can now find them with black, blue (blue-gray), white, red, cream (beige), silver (gray), golden (yellow), cinnamon (brown) and fawn (light brown) fur.

History

The British Shorthair originally came to Great Britain with the Romans, where it helped to protect food from mice and other pests. During the Second World War, the breed was almost lost. It was rescued by mixing in Persians, Russian Blues and other cat breeds.