In this article
The British Shorthair is the teddy-bear-faced cat with the calm stare. This profile draws on the CFA breed page and standard.
Origin
The CFA presents the breed as a modern version of ancient Roman cats. British Shorthairs appeared at the first turn-of-the-century cat shows at London’s Crystal Palace.
Both World Wars devastated the breed, and breeders rebuilt it with Persians and random-bred domestic shorthairs. In the 1950s a blue male named Brynbuboo Little Monarch became the first Grand Champion of any breed in the U.K.’s GCCF, and most British Shorthairs today trace back to him. FIFe recognizes the breed in category 3, in both short and long coats.
Size and weight
| Trait | According to the CFA |
|---|---|
| Males | Up to about 17 pounds |
| Females | Somewhat smaller |
| Maturity | Slow: around 3 years (the standard says 3 to 5) |
Coat and colors
The coat is short, dense and resilient; the CFA says it has more hairs per square inch than any other breed. It is not woolly, and the standard penalizes a coat that is overly long, fluffy or soft.
Blue is the classic, but there are solids (white, black, red, cream, chocolate, lilac), shaded and chinchilla, smoke, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor and calico.
Temperament
In the CFA’s words: calm and quiet; enjoy people. They are affectionate with everyone in the house rather than one person, like to watch from a distance and wait to be invited. They are intelligent, learn household routines and adapt to dogs and other pets, sometimes becoming the boss. They are patient with children but may withdraw from loud play, and they generally do not like being carried.
Grooming and care
- Comb or brush once a week; some shedding is normal.
- Clip claws regularly and clean ears occasionally.
- Watch the waistline: a calm house cat burns little energy, and the standard wants a sturdy cat, not an overweight one.
Health
The CFA states there are no breed-specific health issues of concern, crediting the breed’s diverse genetic background. The one breed detail is blood type: many lines carry type B, which is less common in cats, so knowing your cat’s type can save time if a transfusion is ever needed.
No typical breed problem does not mean no checkups. This content is informational and does not replace a veterinarian.
Who the breed suits
People who want a calm, independent, low-maintenance cat and do not need a lap cat. Compare breeds in the cat breeds guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are British Shorthairs always blue-gray?
No. Blue is the most popular color, and the breed first reached the U.S. registered as "British Blues," but the CFA recognizes many colors: solids (white, black, red, cream, chocolate, lilac), shaded and chinchilla, smoke, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor and calico.
Are British Shorthairs lap cats?
They like people on their own terms. The CFA describes a cat that is affectionate with the whole household, tends to watch from a distance, waits to be invited onto a couch or lap and generally dislikes being carried.
Why does blood type matter in this breed?
Cats have blood types A and B. Type A predominates, but many British lines carry type B. The CFA advises owners to know their cat's blood type in case a transfusion is ever needed.
How much does a British Shorthair weigh?
The CFA says males can weigh up to about 17 pounds and females are somewhat smaller. The breed matures slowly, reaching full size around three years of age; the standard says three to five years.