British Shorthair Cat ( History, Appearance, Personality, Health, & Care) and 10+ Constructive facts

TABLE OF CONTENTS

British Shorthair Cat characteristics

British Shorthair Cat Attributes

History of British Shorthair Cat

British Shorthair Cat Appearance

British Shorthair Cat Personality

British Shorthair Cat Health

British Shorthair Cat Care

British Shorthair Cat Food and Diet

Pros and Cons adopting British Shorthair Cat

10 Interesting facts about British Shorthair Cat

British Shorthair Cat characteristics

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	United Kingdom
WEIGHT	7 to 17 pounds; males are typically larger than females
LENGTH	22 to 25 inches
FUR	Short and dense
FUR COLOR	Colors include solid white, black, red, cream, and blue (most common), also bi-color, tabby, calico, smoke, and shaded varieties.
EYE COLOR	Copper, green, gold, blue, odd-eyed
LONGEVITY	12 to 16 years

British Shorthair Cat Attributes

History of British Shorthair Cat

Expand Material from culture

Similarly, as the American Shorthair is native to America, the British Shorthair is native to Great Britain; it was shipped there from somewhere else long ago. Nevertheless, the progenitor of the Brit, as it is affectionately named, is undoubtedly the oldest natural breed of cat in Great Britain, and for decades it roamed throughout Great Britain until its cousin migrated to the Modern World.

The British Shorthair’s battle for acceptance, in many aspects, parallels the American Shorthair’s in North America. Both started as working cats and have not been known for several years as rare breeds. Formerly named the European Shorthair, the British Shorthair derived from a local street animal. About 2,000 years ago, this breed, whose look is quite distinct from the British that you’ll see today, came to Great Britain because of the Roman Empire. The Romans took cats and them to defend their homes from rats while they invaded and colonized other territories. These cats were collected from the Egyptians, who, like their treasured felines, were very tight-pawed. Eventually, though, they were shipped by Phoenician caravans through trading roads, and they were smuggled out of Egypt by Roman armies and taken away to several lands. Though the Phoenicians first brought cats to England, when Rome conquered the British Isles, the Romans were most certainly responsible for their widespread establishment. The Romans were finally forced out from the Isles, but the cats they had carried with them persisted.

The cats left behind didn’t sound like the British Shorthair of today. These cats were sandy brown or yellow-gray, lithe with large, elegant bones, with ticked coats like the Abyssinian and tabby markings on their face, legs, and tail. They were possibly descendants of the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, the progenitor of all domestic cats, or loosely linked to them. However, they mingled with the European wildcat, Felis silvestris silvestris, a native wildcat subspecies inhabiting much of Europe, until settling in Europe. As the European wildcat has a large head, little wide-set paws, a robust, muscular body, and short, dense hair, this created a change in both coat and body type.

Individual European wildcats wear the mackerel tabby pattern; this famous tabby pattern seen today in too many breeds and mixed-breed cats may have evolved from the European wildcat. In Europe, cats grew stocky, muscular body shapes and heavier, water-repelling coats favorable to the atmosphere because of the colder and wetter weather. For hundreds of years, in the barns, granaries, alleys, parks, and Great Britain households, these cats gained their lives defending them from rodents. The British Shorthair evolved out of these working cats into a stalwart, substantial breed. Residents began appreciating these hardy alley cats in the 1800s for their appearance, strength, temperament, and their importance as companions.

Pet enthusiast Harrison Weir’s favorites were Blue British Shorthairs, originally clearly called “Shorthairs.” In having the British Shorthair accepted as a breed in its own right, Mr. Weir was influential. Although they became famous for some time afterward, longhaired exotics captured people’s attention just before the turn of the century, and British Shorthairs decreased in popularity. However, before World War II’s anarchy decimated the breed, British Shorthairs kept their own, along with several other European species as well. Efforts were committed to maintaining the British Shorthair breed during the war. It took several years to carry the breed back to its former glory, but they finally succeeded.

Up until the 1960s, Americans took no note of the British Shorthair. In 1970, ACFA recognized the championship breed in just one color, intense blue, and under the now-forgotten term “British Blue.” Blue was and still is, both here and in Great Britain, the most prevalent color. The breed steadily attracted followers, and British Shorthairs were formally recognized in all the species’ several colors between 1970 and 1980. The British Shorthair has an active fanbase nowadays. The breed still has many fans in Great Britain.

British Shorthair Cat Appearance

British Shorthair Cat Personality

Expand Material on Personality

The British Shorthair is not for you if you’re searching for a pet that will rob your freezer and hang dizzily from your chandeliers. If you want an undemanding breed, not always underfoot or in your ears, others suggest the British Shorthair is the ideal household companion. They are affectionate but not clingy, playful, but not overactive; British Shorthairs like to maintain a low profile. They are calm, even-tempered, and undemanding with a touch of traditional British reluctance, mainly when they’re first introduced.

However, after they get past their initial reserve, they become intensely obedient companions. If they want to become the faithful, caring friends they should be, British Shorthair deserves love and care; the more consideration and affection you offer them, the more they can repay you in kind. British Shorthair is calm and committed as they get to know and trust you and love trailing you from space to space to keep an eye on your activities. They are quiet, peaceful friends, without seeking your complete attention, appreciating quality time.

British Shorthair, without becoming hyper or harmful, will make perfect apartment cats, being responsive and playful. Instead of choosing one person to bond with, British Shorthairs demonstrate their allegiance to the whole family. They seem to be more competitive than certain breeds and respond well to most conditions in general. British Shorthairs do not appear to be articulate cats; rather than meows, they create brief squeaking noises, which is rather funny coming from those burly frames. Some of the loudest purrings you’ve ever experienced make up for it; British Shorthairs are also renowned for their purrs of the motorboat variety.

However, one thing Brits are not is lap cats. They’d rather lie by your side or curl up at your feet than just cuddling on your lap. British Shorthairs do not want to be picked up and embrace it with stiffly extended legs to drive you down. They still detest being kissed, but head presses are appropriate, and with great excitement and mighty purrs of affection, they welcome petting. As long as the necessary introductions are made, they get along with other household animals, including pets. British Shorthairs are kids at their absolute best, and kids enjoy these laughing, fluffy mates.

British Shorthair Cat Health

The British Shorthair is a right breed that is not remembered for being afflicted by many hereditary disorders due to a robust genetic pool. They can, however, be at risk for Hemophilia B, which is an acquired bleeding condition. A straightforward DNA test helps breeders check their cats for the disease to see whether they are a vector.

Protect against making obesity become British Shorthair. Although these cats are resilient and heavy, they’re not meant to get pudgy. Encouraging them to exercise with engaging toys and hands-on playtime could be significant.

British Shorthair Cat Care

These cats are simple keepers while being pleasant and friendly. When it comes to hygiene or attention, the British Shorthair is not too demanding, and they’re not an incredibly articulate breed.

With more fur per square inch than most another cat breed, the breed boasts thick, plush short hair. To minimize loose skin and dander while minimizing hairballs, your cat can benefit from brushing multiple days a week. These cats may lose more hair in spring when they remove their winter coat, so you will need to brush them more regularly during this period.

Most individuals find that the British Shorthair matures into a dignified and pleasant adult animal, from a lively kitten. Don’t expect them to expand instantly to full-size, however. The British Shorthair is reluctant to develop; at around the age of three, on average, these cats achieve full-size, although others do not want entirely mature before the age of five. These cats are not inclined to spring onto your lap and do not especially like to be hugged or transported, but they often love the company of members of their human family and often spend time in the same room playing or napping.

British Shorthairs have shallow energy requirements and have little notoriety for climbing on counters or other elevated perches. They are considered to be vertically disabled. In reality, this movement towards inactivity suggests that it is a smart idea to involve your cat in play daily for his wellbeing and mental stimulation. However, their capacity to be happy on their own often suggests that, without suffering from separation anxiety, they will handle being left home alone for a prolonged amount of time.

These cats are likely to be accommodating and welcoming, whether you have kids or other pets in the house, as long as they can have their private room. Teach kids not to keep or bear your cat forcibly, and don’t let other pets bother this dignified cat.

It’s important to remember that Alice in Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat was based on the British Shorthair. Trademarks of this breed are the signature smile and wise manner of the character.

British Shorthair Cat Food and Diet

The British Shorthair, like all cats, profits from a healthy diet of premium ingredients. Feed a quantity proportionate to its age, behavior, and energy levels to your pet.

Although these cats usually are not vocal beggars and do not necessarily exert the energy needed to climb on counters or tables, feeding them food from your plate at mealtimes, it is better to stop teaching them bad habits.

Pros and Cons adopting British Shorthair Cat

10 Interesting facts about British Shorthair Cat

The British Shorthair pet, as its name implies, is as conventionally English as tea and scones. Here are nine details about the stocky feline, whose chubby face, easy-going personality, and short, fluffy fur made it the fifth most famous 2014 pedigree cat in America.

1. They have come down from the CATS of ancient Rome.

The British Shorthair holds the proud distinction that it is one of the country’s oldest cat varieties. The feline is derived from cats brought from ancient Egypt to Rome, scholars say. They took the cats with them when the Romans invaded Great Britain in 43 CE.

2. LOVED BRITISH SHORTHAIRS ‘THE FATHER OF Pet FANCY.’

Before Harrison Weir, a 19th-century animal lover regarded as “the father of pet fancy,” started breeding outstanding specimens of the native cats, British Shorthairs lived as street cats and barn mousers. In an occurrence known by many to be the world’s first pet exhibition, he exhibited the breed at London’s Crystal Palace in 1871. The show, including Persians and Siamese-like cats, was filled with exotic imported cats. Weir preferred the native species of his country, however. “My first affection for the shorthaired domestic cat will still be,” Weir wrote in his novel, Our Cats and All About Them (1889), about different cat types.

3. BRITISH SHORTHAIR WENT EXTINCT NEARLY.

By the early 20th century, in common, longhaired dogs had eclipsed the British Shorthair. Adding damage to insult, between World Wars I and II, cat fanciers avoided raising the British Shorthair, and it almost went extinct. British Shorthair aficionados crossbreed their cats with Persians and other felines to guarantee the breed’s longevity. The British Shorthair remained on, and in 1980, the kitten was recognized by the Pet Fanciers’ Association (CFA) as an approved breed in America.

4. THE BRITISH SHORTHAIR MAY HAVE Influenced THE CHESHIRE CAT OF LEWIS CARROLL.

Public Domain Wikimedia Commons/

Historians think that in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll may have focused his Cheshire Cat drawings on a tabby British Shorthair.

5. A BRITISH SHORTHAIR HELPED SPAWN THE EMPIRE, ‘I Should have CHEEZBURGER?’

The first “I Can Have Cheezburger?” starred a British Shorthair. ‘The meme. The viral internet phenomenon can be traced back to 2007 when an image of a happy-looking British Shorthair was seen on an online message board by a Hawaiian blogger named Eric Nakagawa. “It was captioned with the now-famous” Cheezburger I Should Have? “line, inspiring Nakagawa to register and share the picture with a website with the same name. Nakagawa started posting more cat photos and ultimately turned his blog into a monetized website. In 2007, it was acquired for $2 million and became the basis for a network of social humor websites, the Cheezburger Network.

6. Not all UK SHORTHAIR is Grey.

About iStock

Speaking of “I Will Has Cheezburger?” some people believe that all British Shorthairs are silver grey with copper eyes, like the cat in the meme. The British Blue is considered a specific sort of cat. Although the British Blue is a common variety of the breed, it’s not the only one. Among other fur colors, British Shorthair cats come in white, black, red, gold, and silver. You’ll even see British fur colors.

7. They’re willing to get Chunky.

About iStock

Mature British Shorthairs appear to weigh 9 to 17 pounds and average 7 to 12 pounds for adult females. Though the solid-framed breed has a susceptibility to obesity and can quickly tip the scales at a higher weight: PetMD recently identified the British Shorthair as one of its “top 10 obese cats.” British Shorthair owners are encouraged to give good food and lots of activity to their kitties, since o.

8. MAGNETS FOR Strange NEWS ARE UK SHORTHAIRS.

In some strange foreign news reports, British Shorthair cats also emerged. In the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, state debt collectors attempted to compel a man to pay 12,000 rubles in unpaid taxes in late 2014. Because the debtor did not own any valuable material possessions, the collectors wanted to confiscate his British Shorthair cat and its three kittens.

In Russia, by appearing in photo spreads, TV productions, and an advert for a Russian telephone operator, a quickly educated British shorthair cat called Dusya skyrocketed to popularity and riches. As of March 2015, according to AOL Money, Dusya had gained about £2,000, more than what most Russians make in a year.

Maggie, a 1-year-old British Shorthair who resided in a London mansion with her wealthy family, was catnapped by an Eastern European gang in 2015. The robbers requested a £ 5000 ransom. The owners of Maggie decided to pay out the cash, and they engaged in an auction to bring their precious cat back in a public park.

9. ONCE THE WORLD ‘S LOUDEST PURR HAD BRITISH SHORTHAIR.

A 12-year-old British shorthair cat called Smokey was declared to have the world’s loudest purr in 2011. His auditory rumblings weighed 67.7 decibels and were allegedly as noisy as a lawnmower. Unfortunately, in 2014, Smokey died from kidney failure. Until another cat, Merlin, surpassed his ear-splitting record with a 67.8-decibel purr in 2015, he was immortalized in the Guinness World Records.

References

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/77881/9-proper-facts-about-british-shorthairs

https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/british-shorthair/

https://www.thesprucepets.com/learn-all-about-the-british-shorthair-cat-4705418

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Shorthair