The British Shorthair – The Teddy Bear Mouser with the Perpetual Poker Face

Quick Overview

• Name: British Shorthair (Brit to friends)
• Size: 12-14 inches tall
• Weight: 9-17 pounds
• Body type Cobby
• Grooming: Weekly brushing (mostly manageable)
• Training: Intelligent but selective about participation
• Exercise: 15-30 minutes daily (they’re not marathon runners)
• Temperament: Calm, dignified, quietly affectionate
• Origins: Britain
• Lifespan: 12-20 years
• Typical Cost: £400-1,200 for a kitten, £30-50 monthly for food

History of this Plush British Aristocrat

The British Shorthair developed from the working cats brought to Britain by the Romans, where they needed to be tough enough to handle barn life and independent enough to catch mice without supervision. They’re basically the feline equivalent of a British butler – quietly competent and unflappably dignified.

The breed nearly disappeared during WWII but was saved by dedicated breeders who crossed them with Persian cats to rebuild the gene pool. Every British Shorthair today carries a bit of that Persian influence, which explains their wonderfully plush coats and slightly grumpy expressions.

What’s Daily Life Actually Like?

Living with a British Shorthair is like sharing your home with a dignified, slightly aloof flatmate who occasionally graces you with their presence. They’re friendly but not clingy, affectionate but not needy. They’d probably offer a burglar a cup of tea and politely ask them to wipe their feet.

The Personality Reality: You’ll find yourself apologising to your cat for disturbing their nap, their meal, or their contemplation of the garden. It’s like living with a small, furry judge who finds you mildly amusing but ultimately acceptable.

Training: The Selective Participant

British Shorthairs are intelligent and perfectly capable of learning, but they’re also independent thinkers who’ll decide whether your requests are worth their time. They’ll learn their name quickly but might choose to ignore it when it’s inconvenient.

Training Tips:

• Start socialisation early (they’re naturally reserved but benefit from exposure)
• Use positive reinforcement (they have delicate sensibilities)
• Keep expectations realistic (they’re cats, not dogs)
• Accept that they’ll always maintain their dignity

Exercise: The Gentleman’s Workout

These cats were bred to catch mice efficiently, not run marathons. They prefer short bursts of activity followed by lengthy recovery periods. A tired British Shorthair is a contented one; a bored one will find dignified ways to entertain themselves (usually involving knocking things off shelves with scientific precision).

Exercise Requirements:

• 15-30 minutes of play daily
• Mental stimulation through puzzle feeders and interactive toys
• Climbing opportunities (cat trees are essential)
• They excel at finding quiet cubby holes and napping, but we are too sure the napping part counts as exercise.

Grooming: Your Pleasant Weekly Ritual

That beautiful plush coat requires weekly maintenance, increasing to daily during shedding seasons. Miss a week, and you’ll be dealing with tumbleweeds of fur rolling across your floors. The good news is that most British Shorthairs tolerate grooming with resigned dignity.

Grooming Schedule:

• Weekly brushing (15-20 minutes)
• Daily brushing during shedding seasons
• Monthly nail trims and ear cleaning
• Occasional baths (if they’ll forgive you afterwards)

First-Time Owner Consideration

Excellent choice for first-time cat owners. They’re forgiving, predictable, and relatively low-maintenance. The biggest challenge is accepting that you’ll never quite achieve the level of sophistication your cat expects from you.

Common Behavioural Challenges

• Selective hearing – they’ll ignore you when it suits them
• Furniture ownership – they believe all furniture belongs to them
• Feeding schedule enforcement – they have very specific ideas about mealtimes
• Stranger wariness – they need time to approve of new people

Climate Considerations

Built for British weather, so they thrive in moderate climates. That dense coat makes them comfortable in cooler temperatures but can cause overheating in very hot weather. They’ll need access to cool areas and fresh water in summer. They’re happiest when you’re reaching for a cardigan.

With Other Pets and Children

Generally excellent with both, though they prefer calm, respectful interactions. They’re patient with children who understand boundaries and can coexist peacefully with other pets once properly introduced. Their dignified nature makes them excellent therapy cats but terrible guard cats.

Health Considerations: The Price of Perfection

British Shorthairs are generally healthy but prone to a few specific issues. They’re the canaries in the coal mine for feline obesity – their laid-back lifestyle and love of food can lead to weight problems faster than you can say “second breakfast.”

Common Health Issues:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) – a heart condition that responsible breeders screen for
• Polycystic kidney disease – a genetic condition, also screened by good breeders
• Obesity – their biggest enemy, and entirely preventable with a proper diet
• Dental issues – regular teeth cleaning helps prevent problems

The Rainbow of British Shorthairs

While the classic blue-grey British Shorthair (think of the Cheshire Cat) is most famous, they come in more colours than a paint shop explosion. There are over 30 recognised colour variations, from classic silver tabbies to exotic chocolate points.

Popular Colours:

• Blue – the classic grey that made them famous
• Black, white, and cream – the sophisticated basics
• Silver and golden tabbies – the flashy show-offs
• Colourpoint varieties – the Persian influence showing through

Feeding: The Delicate Balance

British Shorthairs approach food with the same enthusiasm most cats reserve for catnip. They’re food-motivated, which makes training easier but weight management harder. Think of them as the friend who always finishes everyone else’s meals.

Feeding Guidelines:

• Measured portions – free-feeding is asking for trouble
• High-quality protein – they need good fuel for their muscular build
• Age-appropriate food – they mature slowly, needing kitten food until 12-18 months
• Puzzle feeders – make them work for their meals

Choosing Your Breeder: Red Flags and Green Lights

Green Lights:

• Health testing for HCM and PKD
• Kittens raised in the home, not in cages
• Parents are available to meet (the cats, not the breeder 🙂
• Asks YOU questions about your lifestyle

Red Flags:

• Multiple litters available year-round
• Won’t let you see where kittens are raised
• No health testing certificates
• Sells kittens under 12 weeks old

The Bottom Line

These cats aren’t for everyone, but for the right owners, they’re absolutely wonderful. Just remember: research thoroughly, buy from reputable breeders, and prepare for a lifetime of being quietly judged by your new four-legged aristocrat. And maybe invest in a good lint roller – you’re going to need it!

Still shopping for the perfect breed? Check out our complete cat directory at Five Minutes Spare, where we’ve got more cat breeds than you can shake a feather wand at (though we don’t recommend shaking feather wands at most of them without permission).