British Shorthair breed guide

The British Shorthair spreads attention across the whole family instead of choosing one key person. It waits for an invitation before joining you on the couch. Confident and easygoing, it adjusts to a dog or other pet but may become top cat.

CFA calls it extremely patient with children while noting that loud activity may send it into hiding and that being carried around is not its preference.

The breed learns your daily routine, follows you from room to room as you complete it and protests with a gentle paw if something changes significantly.

It comments on your doings now and then but rarely holds a lengthy conversation.

Despite the density of the coat, CFA finds grooming easy because the hair is short and resilient: a quick weekly combing or brushing covers shedding. Regular claw clipping and an occasional ear cleaning complete the routine.

CFA sees no breed-specific health issues of concern and credits a diverse genetic background. Cats have two well-known blood types, A and B and many British Shorthair lines carry type B, so owners should know their cat's type in case of a transfusion.

CFA calls the British Shorthair the modern embodiment of ancient Roman cats, first seen at turn-of-the-century shows at London's Crystal Palace. Both World Wars damaged the gene pool and forced crosses to Persians and random-bred domestic shorthairs.

By the 1950s a blue male named Brynbuboo Little Monarch became the first Grand Champion of any breed in the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and most British Shorthairs today trace back to him. Early US imports were registered as British Blues.