The modern British Shorthair cat breed dates back to 1898, when the breed was registered with the English Cat Fanciers’ Club.
If traditional legends are to be believed, the history of the breed dates back only 2 000 years, when the ancestors of the modern British Shorthair cat arrived in their new homeland with the Roman conquerors. The Roman soldiers do not seem to have loved these cats so much that they went to war together. This is probably why they became the aboriginal cats of modern-day France.
After settling on British soil, these cats not only survived, but also adapted well to their new environment, living the life of permanent nomads. The nomadic lifestyle allowed these cats to develop into large, strong and hardy animals with well-developed musculature and warm, practical coats.
The modern British Shorthair is the result of careful and long breeding. In order to achieve the uniform colouring of this breed of cat, the breeding process hascats were crossed with Persian cats.
Description of the breed
One look at a British Shorthair and you’d think it was a huge cat. Yes, it is a large, squat cat with a broad chest and well-developed musculature. Cats can freely weigh 6 kilograms, while an adult British Shorthair can weigh 10-12 kilograms!
With this weight, adequate paws are needed to carry the animal easily. The paws of the British cat are short and large. Even the tail of this large cat is thick, with a slight curl at the end.
The British Shorthair cat is immediately recognisable by its massive round head with thick cheeks that make it look even bigger and rounder, and by its very expressive, large, bright orange eyes.
The short ears and the small, short muzzle make the British cat’s muzzle very cute.
The British cat has a lovely upturned lip for extra charm.
The British Shorthair is the only cat that has a large patch of skin around the neck (equivalent to a Persian cat with a luxuriant collar).
With its small body, short paws, large round head and skin on the neck, the British cat is very similar to the fat new rich man. However, with such an unsporting appearance at first sight, the British cat will easily run and jump wherever it needs to go.
The coat should be mentioned separately. The harsh living conditions of the British Aboriginal cat are reflected not only in the breed’s large, muscular body, but also in its excellent coat with a dense undercoat. The British Aboriginal cat’s coat has a plush appearance. British cats themselves are often called plush.
British cat fur is not only beautiful, it is also practical. They are very good at looking after their own fur; they don’t need to be brushed or washed (except in emergencies).
British Shorthair cats come in a wide range of coat shades. However, the most popular British cats are one-tone blue and lilac.