Breed of the Week: British Shorthair

This is not a breed I see frequently. In fact, I don't know that I've seen more than 2 or 3 in the course of 13 years.


There are 18 colors listed for them as "acceptable" for show purposes. 


Here's a description of their temperament from Pet Finder:

If you're looking for a cat that will loot your refrigerator and swing dizzily from your chandeliers, then the British Shorthair is not for you. Brits are quiet, even-tempered, undemanding cats with a bit of typical British reserve, particularly when they're first introduced. When they get over their initial shyness, however, they become extremely faithful companions. British Shorthairs tend to show their loyalty to the entire family rather than select one person with whom to bond. British Shorthair breeders describe Brits as cats that like to keep a low profile, sweet and affectionate but not clingy 'in-your-face' type cats. They tend to be independent and if left on their own can usually adapt quite well.

As far as appearance:

Like the American Shorthair, the British Shorthair is known for its health and vigor. The breed is cobby in design, compact and powerful with a round, massive face and head. This head design sets the breed apart from other breeds developed from domestic shorthairs. A very dense, short, resilient coat is important in the show British Shorthair. The fur feels solid to the touch, like sinking your fingers into firm, warm velvet. The coat is not double-coated or woolly, which makes up-keep easier; however, regular grooming is important. Although blue is the most common, the British Shorthair comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

There are no major health issues specific to this breed. 


I have this one patient that I think is adorable and everytime he comes in, I make a huge fuss over him. He is very sweet and a pleasure to see!


Interestingly, Wikipedia lists these cats as "famous" Brits:

• Smokey in Columbia Pictures' "Stuart Little" was a British Blue. However, In the film adaptation of the novel, Smokey is a Russian Blue.
• A British Shorthair silver tabby appears on many packages and adverts of Whiskas brand cat food, and a British Blue is the face of Sheba brand cat food.
• In Terry Pratchett's Humour/Fantasy series Discworld, the Lancre Witch Nanny Ogg's cat Greebo (also known as "The Terror of the Ramtops") is often depicted in art as resembling the British Blue.^{[citation needed]}
• Winston Churchill (Church) from Pet Sematary was a British Blue.
• Happycat (arguably known as the first "lolcat"), a meme started on the Something Awful forums. The original picture of a British Shorthair came from the front page of happycat.ru, a Russian cat food company.
• Toby, a fictional cat on the ABC prime time drama Desperate Housewives, is a British Shorthair.
• Arlene, a blueish grey British shorthair, as displayed in Garfield: The Movie
• Mick, from Kamen Rider W, is a British Shorthair who can turn into the Smilodon Dopant.
• Dex-star, of the Red Lantern Corps, is suggested to be a blue British Shorthair.
• The "I Can Has Cheezburger" cat is a British Shorthair.
• Cheshire Cat in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll is a British Shorthair.
• Ruby in the film adapdation of the memoir "Girl, Interrupted" by Susanna Kaysen was a British Blue.

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