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SHORT TRIP INTO HISTORY
The British Shorthair is thought to be the oldest standard-acknowledged cat breed in the world. The legend says that these beautiful felines are the direct offspring of the domestic cats in Antique Rome, brought to Briton by Caesar and his legions. Legend out of the dark of old history: After conquering the British lands and around 400 B.C., Romans started to cultivate the fields and then brought a great number of cats to keep the crops safe from rodents. The cats brought by Romans mated with wild cats, thus giving birth to a brand new species: robust and strong, thus able to endure the difficult weather of Briton. From the very beginning, these cats were very much appreciated for their resilience to effort and their striking agility. Soon in that age, they became famous for their hunting abilities. Nevertheless, along the years passing, due to their calm and loyal character, these cats have won the love of all humans around them.
At the end of the 19th century, the English writer Lewis Carroll (1865) describes the Cheshire cat in “Alice in Wonderland” as the classic tiger British Shorthair. At about the same time, Harrison Weir - father of all cat shows - started to select the most beautiful British cats from the common breed. These were called British Shorthair, in order to set them apart from the felines brought from other countries, like Orientals and long-haired cats (Angora).
In 1871, at Crystal al Palace in London took place the first feline show in the world. British Shorthair cats were the only cats to be shown as pedigreed. All others were simply shown as longhair or shorthair, divided by their various colors. The most important title of the exhibition was awarded by the jury to a tiger British Shorthair female with blue fur. Since that moment, the breed became the most popular of all breeds presented in feline shows at Crystal Palace.
After World War II, some British breeders eager to improve the physical aspect of British cats have crossed them with Persians. For that reason, British Shorthair felines started to be born in different colors, and their forms became rounder.
GENERAL ASPECT
The British Shorthair is a big-size cat. The medium weight of a cat is 7 kg (the males can reach 7-9 kg, while females are about 4-6 kg). Their body is very well-proportioned from all points of view. Their massive, cobby, robust and round forms remind everybody of a “plush teddy bear” (British Shorthair cats are usually called like that).
One of the most distinctive characteristics of British Shorthair cats is their smiling facial expression – the cat seems to be smiling all the time, to the amusement and admiration of all those who see her for the first time. Their head is perfectly round, the neck is short and thick, the chest is wide; shoulders are solid. Their legs have strong muscles, while they are thick and moderately long; the tail is usually short and round-tipped. The ears, medium to small, are wide at the bottom and placed at a distance from one another, being covered with fur. The cheeks are beautifully drawn; the nose is short and the chin is firmly constructed. The big round eyes are set pretty much apart, showing a strong but calm character at the same time. The color of the eyes should be clear, with golden to cooper tones. Exceptions are those of the white varieties, which have blue or golden eyes as well as those of the point varieties, with blue eyes. Some special cases are the silver cats (silver tabby, spotted, mackerel) and the shaded ones (silver-shaded and chinchilla) which have golden or green eyes.
Like in every other species in nature, British males are larger than females. Very puffy, though not soft, the short hair of these felines keeps its original characteristics – it is thick and plush-like, insuring that the cat is protected from the cold and wet climate of Great Britain. The British Shorthair coat is like no other; short, dense, like deep pile carpet. The coat needs minimal care yet has a luxurious feel.
The typical color of British Shorthair fur is blue, even if meanwhile some other colors have appeared: silver, red, cream, white, black, bi-colour, tortie. The last recognized colors are chocolate and lilac, the later having a grey-pinkish tinge. Another new variety is the silver tipped British Shorthair – the cats have white-silvery undercoat and the tips of the hairs have a different hue (black or blue). In other words, their fur looks like Chinchilla’s one.
The latest variety is the British Color point – her model and fur look like a Siamese.
Even if robust and gaining weight very fast, a British Shorthair kitten reaches full maturity no sooner than 3-5 years. Due to the fact that is becomes mature so late, British Shorthair cats keep their excellent form for a long time, while their life expectancy is far greater than of any other breed– by the amazing range of 20 years.
BEHAVIOUR
The British Shorthair cat has you at her feet from the first second with her warm and sharp look. Usually calm as an English lord, not aggressive at all, and never indifferent, British Shorthair is playful and involved, but without being destructive. It says that British Shorthair has the cuteness and the calm of the Persian cats and the intelligence of European cats. Proud and independent, the British Shorthair is a courageous cat, loyal and intelligent. British Shorthairs is very affectionate, quietly following you from room to room until can settle contentedly by your side. Gifted with lasting patience and confidence is especially good with children and other types of pets, adapting well to any size household.
The Brits cats meows pretty rare and discretely, only when they really wants something and when they finds the right moment to express herself (are hungry, or need attention or they feel an imminent danger). They don’t seem to be disturbed by stranger’s visitors, as long as they admire them from a distance and don’t try to touch them against their will. A British Shorthair will not hide under the bed if a visitor comes into the apartment; will continue the regular activities, treating the newcomer either kindly or coldly (but never with hostility).
The silver British varieties (silver tabby, silver-shaded and Chinchilla) have proven more temperamental and more fussy, while the diluted color varieties, like blue and beige, have a calmer and more affectionate temper.
All these cats have an excellent memory and are extremely intelligent. Once they have learnt to open a certain door, they will never forget how to do it again. These cats also like routines and will quickly adapt to the daily house rules.
British Shorthair cats are very obedient and easy to be trained. Over the years, many British cats appeared in Hollywood movies, in TV commercials (like for example the famous commercials for Sheba and Whiskas). Even though they are very attached to their owners, British Shorthair cats know to keep a distance when appropriate. They often have a reserved, aristocratic-like attitude that proves their British temper.
NUTRITION AND CARE
The robust and round aspect of the cats shows their passion for food. For that reason, you have to closely watch the quality and quantity of the food they gets. Otherwise, in short time they will become overweight. The food should be top quality.
Sterilized cats have tendencies to become fat. To help them maintain in good shape, you have to give them diet food; castrated males also need special food. Sterilized cats should have food only twice a day (in the morning and in the evening).
The British cat doesn’t require special care. A 2-3 times brushing every week is enough to remove all dead hairs. Cleaning of the ears is also necessary once every two weeks.
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