What Is British Shorthair?
Origin & History
British Shorthair cats came from England. Romans brought cats with them when they invaded Britain way back in like 43 AD or something. The cats were for catching rats on ships and in camps. After the Romans left the cats just stayed and bred with whatever local cats were around.
Fast forward to after World War I and the breed almost died out. A lot of catteries closed down during the war. By the 1950s breeders were scrambling to save the breed. They crossed British Shorthairs with Persians which is why modern British Shorthairs have rounder faces than the old ones did. Some people don't like that breeders did this but honestly it saved the breed so I think it was worth it.
Key Milestones
- 43 AD Romans brought cats for catching rats on ships.
- 1918+ Breed almost died out after World War I.
- 1950s Breed saved by crossing with Persians.
What They Look Like
Physical ProfileSize & Build
British Shorthairs are chunky. There's no polite way to say it. Males get huge, like 15-18 pounds. I had one that was 19 pounds and the vet said he wasn't even overweight, just massive. Females are smaller, usually 9-12 pounds.
The Coat
The coat is incredibly thick. When you pet them it feels like petting a plush toy. That blue-grey color is what everyone thinks of but they actually come in tons of colors. I've seen cream ones, black ones, tabby patterns, even colorpoint like a Siamese. The blue ones are most popular though.
Face & Eyes
Their face is super round with these big cheeks. The eyes are huge and round. Eye color has to match the coat color for show cats which seems picky but that's cat shows for you. Blue British Shorthairs need copper or gold eyes. One breeder told me green eyes is an automatic disqualification at shows.
They don't look athletic at all. Short thick legs, thick tail, everything is round and solid looking. When they walk it's kind of a waddle. My sister calls them "the corgis of the cat world" which is pretty accurate.
Personality
Here's where people get disappointed sometimes. British Shorthairs are NOT lap cats when they're young. Kittens are playful sure but they don't want to cuddle. They'll sit next to you on the couch but not on you. This really upsets people who buy a kitten expecting a cuddly cat.
They get more affectionate around age 4-5. My boy didn't become a lap cat until he was 6 years old. Now he's super cuddly but it took forever. Some British Shorthairs never become lap cats at all. If you need a cuddly cat right away get a Ragdoll instead.
They're good with kids if the kids are calm. Rough toddlers will stress them out. But a 7-8 year old who knows how to be gentle, they're great. They don't scratch much. If they're annoyed they just leave.
Health Stuff
Okay so British Shorthairs have some genetic problems you need to know about.
PKD (polycystic kidney disease)
PKD (polycystic kidney disease) is a big one. Something like 30-40% of British Shorthairs carry it. It's genetic. Cysts grow on the kidneys and eventually the kidneys fail. Good breeders test for this before breeding. The DNA test costs around $50-$100. If a breeder won't show you test results, walk away.
Heart disease (HCM)
Heart disease is the other major issue. HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) where the heart muscle gets too thick. I'm not super knowledgeable on this one but I know it's serious. Cats need echocardiograms which are expensive, like $300-$500. Some cats show no symptoms until they just suddenly die which is terrifying.
Daily Maintenance Issue: Obesity
The biggest day-to-day problem is obesity honestly. British Shorthairs get fat SO easily. After age 5 their metabolism just crashes. I feed mine 1/3 cup of food twice a day and he still gains weight. The vet said I need to feed even less. It's really hard because he acts like he's starving all the time.
They usually live 12-17 years. I've heard of some living to 20 but that's rare. Annual vet visits run me about $400 with vaccinations and everything. More if they need dental work or blood tests.
British Shorthair vs American Shorthair
People mix these up constantly. They're completely different breeds.
| Comparison | British Shorthair | American Shorthair |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Way rounder. Rounder face, rounder body, everything. Coat is thick and plush. | More athletic looking with longer bodies. Fur lies flatter. |
| Personality | Lazy. Mine is 7 years old and sleeps 18 hours a day. Plays for maybe 10 mins. | Stay playful their whole lives. |
| Price | $1,500-$2,500 from good breeders. (Fewer breeders in US, imported foundation cats). | $600-$1,000. |
Buying a Kitten
Finding a breeder takes forever. I was on wait lists for 8 months before I got my kitten. There just aren't that many British Shorthair breeders compared to like Maine Coons or Persians.
When you talk to breeders ask to see health test results for both parents. PKD and HCM testing at minimum. If they say "my lines are clean, I don't need to test" that's a red flag. All lines carry something.
Kittens should stay with mom until 12 weeks minimum. Some breeders let them go at 8 weeks but that's too young. There was this whole study that showed kittens separated early have behavior problems. I can't remember the exact numbers but it was significant.
You'll get vaccination records and a pedigree certificate. The pedigree shows the family tree basically. Most breeders give a health guarantee too usually for 1-2 years covering genetic diseases. Read the contract super carefully because some guarantees require you to return the kitten if it gets sick which is insane. Who's going to give back their cat?
Cost Tier List
- Pet kittens: Cheapest.
- Show kittens: Cost more.
- Breeding rights: Most expensive ($2,000+ more).
I got a pet kitten because I don't want to breed or show. He has a tiny white spot on his chest that disqualifies him from shows but I don't care, he's perfect to me.
Adopting Adult Cats
Sometimes British Shorthairs end up in rescues. Usually because someone bought a kitten expecting a cuddly cat and got mad when the cat wasn't affectionate. Or because the owner died or went into a nursing home.
Adoption fees are way cheaper, like $100-$200. The good thing about adopting an adult is you know exactly what personality you're getting. With kittens it's a gamble.
I don't know much about breed specific rescues. I've never used one. Check Petfinder I guess?
Grooming and Care
British Shorthairs need brushing once a week normally. During spring shedding you need to brush daily. The amount of fur that comes out is INSANE. I could make a whole new cat from the fur I brush out in spring. It lasts about 6-8 weeks.
Use a metal comb, not a brush. The undercoat is so dense that brushes don't really work. You need a comb to get through it.
They don't need baths usually. I've given my cat maybe 3 baths in 7 years. British Shorthairs are good at keeping themselves clean.
Nail trimming every 2-3 weeks. My cat hates it. I have to burrito him in a towel and do one paw at a time. It takes forever.
Dental care is important. British Shorthairs are prone to dental problems. My vet wants me to brush his teeth daily but I only manage a few times a week. He hates it almost as much as nail trimming.
Breeding British Shorthairs
I don't breed so I don't know a ton about this part.
Female cats shouldn't breed until they're almost 2 years old. Males can breed at 18 months. Breeding too young is bad for the mom and the kittens apparently.
Litters are usually 3-5 kittens. Sometimes less, sometimes more. Pregnancy is about 9 weeks, maybe a bit more.
A breeder friend told me newborn kittens are A LOT of work. You have to feed them, socialize them, take them to the vet multiple times. She said she spends basically her entire day with kittens for the first 3 months.
Registration costs money, I think like $15-$20 per kitten. You have to do it within 6 months.
The costs add up fast. Vet visits, vaccinations, food, microchips. My friend said she barely breaks even on litters. Most of what she charges for kittens goes right back into vet bills and supplies. She's been breeding for 10 years and still doesn't make a profit. She just loves the breed.
Cat shows are expensive too. Entry fees are like $100-$150 per show. Then you have to pay for hotels and gas if the show isn't local. My friend goes to maybe 6-8 shows a year. She says showing is important for proving her cats are quality but it costs thousands of dollars a year.
Should You Get a British Shorthair?
British Shorthairs are great if you want a calm, quiet, low-maintenance cat. They're perfect for apartments. They don't need a ton of space or exercise.
They're NOT good if you want a playful or cuddly cat. Get a different breed if that's what you want. Seriously, I see so many people complain about British Shorthairs not being affectionate and it's like, did you do any research?
The health problems are concerning. Make sure you buy from a breeder who tests their cats. And budget for potential vet bills down the line. Heart disease and kidney disease are expensive to treat.
They're expensive to buy initially. But the ongoing costs aren't too bad. Food, litter, annual vet visits, that's pretty standard for any cat.
I love my British Shorthair. He's lazy and independent which works great for my lifestyle. But he's definitely not for everyone.
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