British Shorthair
Also known as: British Blue
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Weight
- 4–8 kg (9–17 lb) and females 3–5 kg
- Life span
- the breed at >12
- Other names
- British Blue
About the British Shorthair
Originating from the United Kingdom, the British Shorthair is a sturdy cat breed known for its broad face and short, easy-to-maintain coat. This breed is often described as calm and affectionate.
Overview
The British Shorthair is the pedigree version of the landrace of British domestic cat , with a distinctively stocky body, thick coat , and broad face. The most familiar colour variant is the "British Blue", with a solid grey-blue coat, copper-coloured eyes, and a medium-sized tail. The breed has also been bred in a wide range of other colours and patterns, including tabby and colourpoint . It ranks among the oldest known cat landraces . This ancient British landrace was selectively bred into one of the first pedigreed cat breeds at the end of the 19th century, and today holds full recognition status in all major cat registries . It remains the most popular pedigreed breed in its native country, as registered by the UK''s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). Half of all kittens registered with the GCCF each year are British Shorthairs, making it the most popular pedigree cat in the UK. The breed''s relatively calm temperament makes it a frequent media star, notably as the inspiration for John Tenniel ''s famous illustration of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland . The Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) profile reads: "When gracelessness is observed, the British Shorthair is duly embarrassed, quickly recovering with a ''Cheshire cat smile''."
Health
A UK study looking at veterinary records found a life expectancy of 9.58 years for the British Shorthair and British Longhair compared to 11.74 years overall. Swedish insurance data puts the median lifespan of the breed at >12.5 years. 82% of British Shorthairs lived to 10 years or more, and 54% lived to 12.5 years or more. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be a problem in the breed. A Danish prevalence study with more than 329 cats showed that 20.4% of males and 2.1% of the females had HCM, with an additional 6.4% of males and 3.5% of females judged to be equivocal. HCM testing of males used for breeding is now mandatory for breeders organised under the Danish FIFe member, Felis Danica. The breed is thought to be at high risk of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). A study of over 190,000 patient records in England found the British Shorthair to be less than half as likely to acquire diabetes mellitus as either moggies or the overall cat population; 0.24% of British Shorthairs were diagnosed with the condition compared to 0.58% for both non-pedigree cats and the overall prevalence.
History
It is not known how these cats first reached the British Isles. In many other parts of Europe, cats became common while the Roman Empire spread. However, it appears that housecats reached the British Isles before the Roman invasion. These cats then interbred with the local European wildcat population. Over the centuries, their naturally isolated descendants developed into distinctively large, robust cats with a short but very thick coat, to better withstand conditions on their native islands. Based on artists'' representations, the modern British Shorthair is unchanged from this initial type. Selective breeding of the best examples of the type began in the nineteenth century, with emphasis on developing the unusual blue-grey variant called the "British Blue" or "English type" (to distinguish it from the more fine-boned " Russian type "). Some sources directly credit UK artist and pioneering cat fancier Harrison Weir with the initial concept of standardising the breed. Others suggest a group of breeders may have been involved. The new British Shorthair was featured at the first-ever cat show, organised by Weir and held at the Crystal Palace in London in 1871, and enjoyed great initial popularity.
Cat shows
First introduced to Britain by the Romans, the British Shorthair was one of the domestic cats originally bred for its hunting prowess. In the last 150 years, breeding has emphasised physical qualities. The British Shorthair breed debuted – along with a wide range of other selectively bred felines – in the first organised cat show arranged by Harrison Weir at London''s Crystal Palace in 1871. British Shorthairs remained the premiere pedigree at cat shows up until 1895. Shortly after the British Shorthair exhibit in the Crystal Palace show, the popularity of British Shorthair increased. The public began searching for breeders of British Shorthairs with various character and colour traits, all in the pursuit of "exoticness". From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, certain British Shorthairs would occasionally earn fame or decorated titles in Cat Competitions.
Appearance
The British Shorthair is a large, powerful-looking cat with a broad chest, sturdy, thick-set legs, and rounded paws. The body is muscular and well boned, supported by medium to short legs and finished with round, medium-to-large feet. The tail is medium in length, thick at the base and tapering to a rounded tip, measuring roughly two-thirds of the body length. The head is large and distinctly rounded, with a short muzzle, full cheeks—especially pronounced in mature males—and a short nose with a gentle profile. The chin and muzzle complement the circular head shape, while the neck blends into the cheeks, creating the impression of little or no visible neck. The ears are small to medium in size, broad at the base and set widely apart. The eyes are large, round, and level-set; eye shape is considered more important than colour. In the British Blue they are typically deep copper-orange, while other coat varieties may show different eye colours. British Shorthairs mature relatively slowly, reaching full physical development at around three years of age. Unusually among domestic cats, they are a noticeably sexually dimorphic breed, with males averaging 4–8 kg (9–17 lb) and females 3–5 kg (7–12 lb) .
Popularity
The British Shorthair publicity from 19th and 20th century cat shows helped British Shorthairs become one of the most popular pet cat breeds today. For example, in the 1980s, the British Shorthair was featured in competition by the CFA, which led to an increased demand for British Shorthairs as household pets. As of 2023, the British Shorthair ranks as the 6th most popular cat breed in the United States. According to the GCCF''s 2024 registry data, it is once again the most popular pedigreed breed in its native country, accounting for about half of the annually registered kittens. And it has held the title of the UK''s most popular cat breed for decades. In the 2024 statistics of FIFe , one of the major global cat registries , the breed ranked at position 2 out of 54 breeds in popularity, comprising 16.9% of their total registered kittens that year, which translates to 16.278 cats.
Commemoration
In 2022, the British Shorthair was one of eight cats featured on a series of UK postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail .
British Longhair
The British Longhair, also known as the Highlander or Highland Straight, is a longhaired variant of the British Shorthair. Some registries such as TICA recognise it as a distinct breed, others such as the GCCF treat it as a variant of the British Shorthair, which may be referred to as simply ''British''. The breed is identical to the British Shorthair aside from its longer and denser coat.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the British Shorthair?
The British Shorthair is a sturdy breed with a stocky body, short coat, and broad face. They have a medium-sized tail and come in a wide range of colours and patterns, including solid, tabby, and colourpoint. Their eyes are typically copper-coloured. They are known for their calm and affectionate nature.
Is the British Shorthair a good family cat?
British Shorthairs are generally good with children, especially if socialized from an early age. They are calm and laid-back, making them a great fit for families with kids. However, as with any breed, it's essential to supervise interactions and teach children how to handle cats gently.
What health problems do British Shorthairs have?
British Shorthairs are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition. They can also be susceptible to obesity, which increases the risk of other health issues. Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet can help prevent or manage these conditions. Lifespan varies, but studies suggest a median of over 12.5 years.
How much does a British Shorthair kitten cost?
The cost of a British Shorthair kitten can vary depending on location, breeder reputation, and bloodline. On average, you can expect to pay between £600 to £1,200 (approximately $750-$1,500 USD) for a pet-quality kitten. Show-quality kittens may be more expensive, up to £2,000 or more.