British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a domesticated cat that is said to
resemble a teddy bear. Its features make it a popular breed in
cat shows
Breed Description
British Shorthairs have very dense, plush coats that are often
described as crisp or cracking which refers to the way the coat
breaks over the cat's body contours. Eyes are large, round and
copper in colour.
Domesticated Shorthairs have round heads with full,
chubby cheeks. Most have a body that is rounded and sturdy. The
breed has a broad chest, shoulders and hips with short legs,
round paws and a plush but not fluffy tail.
The males of this breed are larger than the females, and the
size difference between them is more easily noticed compared to
other breeds.
The British Shorthair may be any colour or pattern including
all solid colours, dilutes, tabby patterns, bicolours and
colourpoints. For many years the more popular blue variant was
common enough to have a breed name of its own: the 'British
Blue'. However now a large variety of other colour and pattern
variations appear and are accepted in most breed registery
standards.
The typical lifespan of this breed is 9 to 15 years.
Origin
One claim of the British Shorthair's origin is that it was bred
for the first time in the 19th century in an attempt to create
a beautiful cat out of an alley cat and a domestic cat. The
result was a British Shorthair named "Brite", which was
presented to the public in 1871 with widespread approval.
Another claim indicates that the breed's ancestry traces back
to domestic cats in Egypt and Rome. Under this claim, it is
believed that the British Shorthair cats arrived to Britain
after the 2nd century AD when the Roman Empire spread to
Britain.
Temperament
The British Shorthair is an easygoing breed. It has a stable
character and can easily live in an apartment setting. It is
not terribly demanding of attention, although it will make its
desire for play known if its owner looks available. It is not
normally destructive or hyperactive, although it can be
playful.
It has become a favorite of animal trainers because of its
nature and intelligence, and in recent years these cats have
appeared in Hollywood films and television commercials.
Care
The British Shorthair does not require a lot of grooming
because the fur does not tangle or mat easily. However, it is
recommended that the coat be brushed now and again, especially
during seasonal shedding.
The British Shorthair is prone to obesity especially when
desexed or kept indoors. They are also known to have teeth and
gum issues, more so than the average cat, so keep their teeth
clean with raw bones, chicken wings and dental diets to help
control tartar.
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