United Kingdom
British Shorthair
The original teddy bear of the cat world
Round-faced, plush-coated and wonderfully easygoing, the British Shorthair is a calm companion that likes to be near you rather than on you.
- Size
- Medium
- Coat
- Short
- Lifespan
- 12 to 20 years
- Weight
- 7 to 17 lb
Temperament at a glance
Personality
British Shorthairs are dignified, even-tempered cats that adapt well to apartments and family homes alike. They enjoy company and will follow you around, but most prefer sitting beside you to being carried. They stay playful well into adulthood, although their idea of a game is usually more stroll than sprint.
Care and grooming
The dense, plush coat needs a weekly brush, with extra sessions during seasonal shedding. This breed loves its food and is prone to weight gain, so measure meals and build short play sessions into every day.
Health
British Shorthairs can be prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and responsible breeders screen for both. Keeping them lean helps protect their joints and heart.
History
Descended from the street and farm cats of Britain, the breed was refined in the late 1800s and appeared at the first modern cat show in London in 1871. The solid blue coat, often called British Blue, is still the best known color, but the breed comes in many shades and patterns.
Did you know?
The British Shorthair is often said to have inspired the grinning Cheshire Cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
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