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 Cat Breeds - There are a variety of different cat breeds. Read about the many domestic cat breeds, including the Maine Coon and Siamese cats. And view the many cat breeds pictures to see how each breed differs dramatically in coat length and overall look.
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British Shorthair. Information on British Shorthair Cats which come in a variety of colours. Read all about this popular breed, the history of the British Shorthair and breed description.
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British Shorthair
This 'gentle giant' of a cat is loving and affectionate with a quiet
voice and does not continuously demand your attention.
British
Shorthairs are medium-sized to large cats with males being larger
than females; this is more obviously so than with other breeds.
They
have dense, short coats which do not require excessive grooming and
are bred in a great many colours and patterns.
History
The British Shorthair, probably the oldest English breed of cat,
traces its ancestry back to the domestic cat of Rome.
This breed was
first prized for its physical strength and hunting ability, but soon
became equally recognized and valued for its calm demeanor,
endurance and loyalty to man.
Description
The British Shorthair cat has a broad and massive body with strong legs,
round paws, and a thick, round-tipped tail.
The head is round with
pronounced whisker pads. The eyes are round and open, and the ears
are round and well set apart.
The overall look is a round, massive,
smiling, "teddy bear" cat.
The coat of the British Shorthair is short but very dense. Its texture
is not particularly soft, but is smooth and carpet-like.
Originally,
pedigreed British Shorthairs had blue coats - in fact, the breed was
once called the British Blue.
Today many colours and patterns are
acceptable, but most associations still do not recognize the British
Colourpoint Blue.
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The British Shorthair is gaining in
popularity every year as it is bred and exhibited by an increasing
number of enthusiastic fanciers.
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The many colours include Bicolours,
Colourpointed and the self which includes the Cream British Shorthair
the Blue British Shorthair, black, and the Orange-Eyed White British Shorthairs pictured below.
In addition there is also the Smoked British Shorthairs,
Tabby, including Tortie Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Tipped, including Golden Tipped (pictured below),
Tortie including Tortie and White, and Manx.
Characteristics and Temperament
Because of its easy-going nature
and intelligence, it has become a favorite of animal trainers, and
in recent years many examples of these cats have appeared in
Hollywood films and television commercials.
The British Shorthair is
easy to groom and is a playful but no-nonsense cat. He tends to be
reserved, in fact typically British by nature, but once he becomes a
part of the family he is a devoted cat and undemanding companion.
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