History
British Shorthair cats were originally found in the alleys of 19th century British Cities. A man called Harrison Weir loved the British street cat so much that he selected some of the hardiest and strongest, bred them and almost single-handedly created the British Shorthair. The British Shorthair became an officially acknowledged breed by 1889 and went on to become one of the most popular breeds in cat shows at that time and still are today.
General Appearance
The British Shorthair cat is medium to large in size, well balanced and powerful, showing a good depth of body, a full broad chest, strong short legs, rounded paws, tail thick at base with a rounded tip. The head is round with good width between small ears, round cheeks, firm chin, large round, well-opened eyes and a short broad nose. The coat is short and dense.
Personality
British Shorthairs are placid, not demanding, tolerant, docile and respectful. They are not vocal cats and in fact are very quiet and can cope with being alone without fretting. They are not inclined to wander. They love children and get along extremely well with dogs.
Facts
British Shorthairs are the ideal choice as a house cat. The average life span of these cats is 15-20 years, although many live past that age. They are a very hardy cat. British Shorthairs can be bred in over 30 different colours, although some colours are not readily available. British Shorthair cats gravitate towards the comforts of home and hearth. It greatly enjoys snoozing and lounging around the house – and even when outdoors doesn’t usually wander far from home. This calm and collected cat quietly embraces family life, while making a decorative, dignified and much-loved member of the household. Home sweet home, in fact, is just up its alley. The British Shorthair cat breed, though slow to mature, will quickly win your heart.