British cat: breed characteristics, that is, everything you need to know about it

The British Shorthair, commonly known as the “Brit,” is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. This is mainly due to its phenomenal looks, but also because of the prevailing opinion that these mousers are exceptionally friendly and low-maintenance. British Shorthairs are going through a popularity peak right now, and in Poland, the number of breeders and – unfortunately – pseudo-breeders of these wonderful animals is constantly increasing. Are you considering buying a “Brit?” Our guide will surely help you make a decision. Get to know the characteristics of this breed and find out if the British Shorthair is really for you.

A Brief History of the British Shorthair Cat

Let’s start with the fact that British Shorthairs are one of the oldest breeds of cats in the world. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Egypt. From there, “Brits” ended up in the Apennine Peninsula, where they were taken by Roman legionnaires. They noticed in these cats a great talent for catching rodents, which was very desirable during the weeks-long military marches (cats accompanied Roman units, protecting food from pests).

Cats, along with legionnaires, arrived in Britain in the 2nd century BC, which gave rise to the breed standard. Mruczki coped very well in the rainy climate, gradually changing their appearance. Their fur becomes noticeably thicker, the body structure is stronger. In Britain, cats from Egypt are mainly engaged in rodents and are so good at it that they quickly find themselves under the roofs – they become particularly popular in cities.

Ok, but where did the name of the breed come from if we’re supposed to be looking for its origins in ancient Egypt? It’s mostly about the fact that, after moving to England and other British Isles, these cats didn’t have the opportunity to freely crossbreed with other members of the feline species. This promoted the purity of the breed, which adapted to the British climate.

Pet Facts!

British cats were considered the cleanest known breed until World War II.

The British Shorthair breed of cats was first established in the 19th century. Harrison Weir, an English painter, is credited as the creator of the breed standard. He was also the first to organize a worldwide cat exhibition at The Crystal Palace in London.

The British Shorthair had to wait quite a while for official recognition. It wasn’t until 1929 that the breed was officially recognized. Interestingly, in Poland, “Brits” were largely unknown for many years. This began to change in the 1990s, and by the early 21st century, British Shorthairs had become one of the most popular cat breeds in our country.

How does a British Shorthair look?

British Shorthairs are classified as medium to large breed, something to remember when deciding to purchase a “British”. The weight of a British Shorthair can be a problem for older people or small children who are counting on a very close contact with their pet.

An adult, non-obese individual (male) can weigh over 8 kg – females are always smaller. What is typical for this breed is a very massive body structure, combined with dense fur, which can give the impression that the cat is … fat.

The typical features of a British cat’s body build are:

• Short, massive paws;
• The tail is thick at the base, rounded at the tip, making up 2/3 of the body length;
• Straight back;
• Strongly developed chest;
• Broad shoulders and hips;
• Short neck;
• Massive, round head;
• Large, round eyes that come in a variety of colors;
• “Plush” fur;
• Ears set wide apart;

Let’s stop for a moment and take a look at the eyes, because they’re definitely the biggest – next to the fur – aesthetic asset of this breed. The color of a British cat’s eyes is determined by their coat. The most desired by buyers are amber, which we mainly find on “Brits” with a steel fur color. There are copper, blue, green, and even two-toned irises.

There is a lot of emotion among those interested in purchasing a representative of this breed aroused by the colors of British cats. Although it is commonly associated with steel, blue coloration, it is worth knowing that the British mews occur in over 150 color variations. These are primarily:

• Blue
• Black
• ore
• White
• Chocolate
• Lilac
• Creamy

British Shorthairs also come in bi-color patterns with stripes, such as chinchilla, silver shaded, silver tabby, smoke, and colorpoint.

The British Shorthair’s coat length

British Shorthairs are commonly associated with fur that feels like a teddy bear. However, it’s worth knowing that for years they were also crossed with Persian and Russian cats. This allowed for the development of a separate variety: the British Longhair.

Important!

British longhair cats do not form a separate breed.

Representatives of the “British” family with long hair look very impressive, but they are a bit more troublesome in terms of care – for example, they require regular brushing of their fur. They are quite rare on our market, but this is slowly changing with the appearance of new farms specializing in breeding long-haired British cats.

What is the character of a British cat?

Personality traits are the second foundation of this breed’s popularity – right after their phenomenal looks. “Brits” are considered to be the perfect cats for stable, not too active people, who are looking for an uncomplicated pet for their family.

The character of a British cat can be summed up in one word: balanced. They are exceptionally calm creatures that easily adapt to new environments. They are not excessively emotional in expressing feelings, they value peace and independence, and they decide for themselves when it is a good time for cuddles and play. They don’t need to go outside at all, they are very intelligent and emotionally stable. They don’t cause trouble, they don’t spread around ferment, they get along well with other animals, and they very rarely show aggression.

Although they may not be overly active, British Shorthairs make good family pets and can tolerate children, though they may not appreciate being carried around and may react negatively to a child’s persistence.

How long does a British cat live?

British Shorthairs are not a long-lived breed. The average lifespan of a noble mouser in domestic conditions is 10-12 years, although of course there are cases of cats that lived to 17-20 years old. Much here depends on the owner, who should provide their pet with the best possible conditions – including regular access to veterinary care and a proper diet.

It is therefore impossible to unequivocally answer the question, how long does a British Shorthair live. Especially since representatives of this breed also suffer from several typical diseases for them.

British cat care

British Shorthairs are fortunately not particularly troublesome in terms of grooming. They take care of their hygiene on their own. They learn quickly, so they have no problem acquiring the skills to use the litter box. However, remember that the “Brit” is a clean creature and does not tolerate unpleasant odors coming from his toilet. So it must be emptied regularly.

The basic care of a British Shorthair is limited to combing the fur – in the case of a short-haired individual, it is enough to do it once a week (long-haired British Shorthairs require more frequent removal of dead hair). In addition, there is a need to regularly clean the ears and, if necessary, trim the nails.

How to Feed Your British Shorthair Cat

British Shorthairs aren’t particularly demanding when it comes to food. The most important thing to remember is their tendency to gain weight. So don’t overfeed them – be careful with snacks! In nutrition of British Shorthairs it is also important that the diet of the cat is high in protein. So it’s worth treating your pet to offal or dairy products from time to time. When doing so, we also control the frequency and amount of water consumed – this is particularly important in the case of cats fed dry food.

British cat breeding

There are many professional, registered breeders of British Shorthair cats in the world. We strongly recommend only using breeders that have good reviews and are members of a felinological association. This minimizes the risk of buying a cat that is carrying a genetic disease. Furthermore, by buying a British Shorthair from a so-called “pseudo-breeder”, you are knowingly or unknowingly supporting the inhumane practice of mass-producing kittens and forcing them to nearly constantly reproduce.

Purchasing a British Shorthair from a good breeder is low risk and guarantees that your new pet will meet the breed standard in both appearance and character.

British cat price

How much does a “British” cost? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by anyone interested in purchasing this breed of cat. The price of a British cat is dependent on several factors, primarily:

• Sex – males are always more expensive because they can act as a stud;
• Age – a small British cat looks sweet, therefore breeders usually charge the most for babies, freshly reared by their mother;
• Color and coat length – British longhair cats are more expensive, especially those with cream color. This is due to the fact that they are found much less frequently;
• Kennels – reputable, registered kennels have higher prices, but also ensure the origin of the cat. It is not uncommon for kittens to be descended from award-winning parents, which also has a big impact on the price;

Generally speaking, the price of a British cat ranges from about $600 to well over $1000.

Opinions on British Shorthair Cats

The vast majority of British Shorthair cat owners are pleased with their choice. Those who are less satisfied are usually the ones who did not research the breed’s characteristics beforehand and are disappointed that their kitty is not as cuddly as they thought. It is important to remember that independence is in their nature and they tend to keep their distance from their owners. Overall, however, opinions on British Shorthairs are very positive – owners emphasize that they are low-maintenance, easy to care for, and not very demanding.

Summary of the British cat

British Shorthairs are a wonderful breed, highly recommended to anyone looking for a loyal, intelligent, and calm companion. If you don’t expect them to be overly affectionate, you don’t plan on carrying them around, and you don’t want them to be a child’s live toy, then this noble cat will be a perfect choice.