British Shorthair

What is a British Shorthair?

A medium-large, cobby cat of 4-8kg with a dense plush coat and a round face. It is the most registered pedigree cat in the UK by a wide margin, and it is popular for a straightforward reason: it is one of the least demanding cats you can own.

History and origins

Developed from ordinary British working cats in the late nineteenth century by Harrison Weir, who organised the first cat show at Crystal Palace in 1871. The population collapsed during the world wars and was rebuilt with Persian outcrosses, which is where the round head and dense coat come from - and also where the PKD risk entered the breed.

Appearance and size

30-35cm at the shoulder, powerfully built, with short thick legs and a broad chest. The coat is short, dense and crisp, standing away from the body rather than lying flat. British Blue - solid grey-blue with copper eyes - is the classic, but the breed comes in many colours: lilac, chocolate, cream, black, white, colourpoint, tabby, bicolour and tortoiseshell.

Males are noticeably larger than females and can reach 8kg legitimately.

Temperament and personality

Placid, self-possessed and quietly affectionate. They follow you from room to room and sit nearby, but most dislike being carried and few are lap cats. They are not vocal, not destructive and not prone to the frantic energy of the oriental breeds. This is a cat that suits a busy household and a working owner.

Intelligence and trainability

Sensible rather than showy. They learn routines quickly, use puzzle feeders happily and can be clicker-trained, though they will not perform for the sake of it. Their low activity level means enrichment matters - a bored British Shorthair eats.

Children and other pets

One of the best pedigree cats for families. They are patient, hard to provoke and sturdy enough to cope with children. They live well with dogs and other cats.

Health problems

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - the most significant risk. There is no British Shorthair specific DNA test, so ask for annual echocardiogram screening of the breeding cats by a cardiologist.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) - inherited from the Persian outcrosses. There is a definitive DNA test; both parents should be clear.
• Blood type B is common in the breed, which causes neonatal isoerythrolysis if a type B queen is mated to a type A tom. Responsible breeders blood-type.
• Obesity - the most common actual problem. The coat conceals it completely.
• Also: hip dysplasia at a low rate, and dental disease in later life.

Daily care routine

Interactive play twice a day - ten minutes each - and a puzzle feeder rather than a bowl. Weigh monthly; do not judge condition by looking. Litter tray kept scrupulously clean; they are fussy.

Grooming and coat care

Brush once or twice a week, more during the spring moult, when the dense undercoat comes out in quantity. The coat should not be clipped. Claws need checking; they are not enthusiastic scratchers.

Exercise needs

Low, which is the risk. Structured play is not optional in an indoor British Shorthair - it is the substitute for the hunting they are not doing.

Feeding and diet

Measured meals rather than free feeding, £20-£35 a month. Wet food helps with hydration and satiety. They will eat what is in front of them; portion control is entirely on you.

Price

£600-£1,500 from a registered breeder with PKD clear and echo-screened parents. Colourpoint and rarer colours sit higher. Setup £200-£350; ongoing £35-£70 a month with insurance.

Buying advice

Ask for the PKD DNA certificate and the date and result of the parents' last echocardiogram. Ask about blood typing. Kittens should not leave before 13 weeks under GCCF rules, fully vaccinated - a breeder offering an eight-week kitten is not following the breed body's guidance.