British Shorthair

The ancestor of the British Shorthair was said to have been brought to Great Britain in antiquity by the Romans, who themselves found it in Egypt, to hunt rodents because this particularly resilient cat could survive sea voyages. It also adapted to the harshness of the British climate with its short but dense and almost waterproof fur. Initially appreciated for their prowess in the field of hunting, widely used in rodent control (they are even mentioned in legal texts from the 10th century), they gradually took their place in British homes and became highly sought after for their peaceful and gentle character. Selective breeding of the best examples of the type began in the 19th century, mainly with the development of the unusual blue variety called 'British Blue'. It was in 1870 that these cats were recognized as a breed. Some sources directly attribute the initial concept of British standardization to Harrison Weir. In 1871, English breeders, such as H. Weir, select the most beautiful stray cats for the first feline exhibition held at the Crystal Palace in London. It was a British Shorthair blue tabby female that won this very first feline exhibition.

British cats take time compared to many breeds to become mature. They have a calm and quiet temperament, quite gentle. They scratch or bite humans almost never, to whom they become very attached. They are affectionate, easy-going and enjoy caresses, but remain with their owners without being clingy. They can become depressed if left alone too long despite their independent behavior, and need to feel safe. They love to follow their owners from room to room, because they like their company or want to watch them. They are not known for being acrobats and can sometimes tend to be clumsy. They do not demand much attention, although they let their owner know if they feel like playing. They are greedy cats, which are not hyperactive, preferring to sit near their owners rather than on them. They love attention and enjoy being petted. Cats of this breed are not very talkative but will meow in their soft voice to communicate with their owners. Some do not mind being cuddled, but most prefer to keep all four paws on the ground and be stroked rather than picked up. These cats are sociable and adapt very well to the presence of children or other animals.

The different standards of feline associations are generally very close to describing the 'ideal British Shorthair', although the scale of points varies depending on the federations, some preferring to prioritize coat color over face shape.

The British Shorthair is an easy-to-maintain cat. It does not require a bath, although some of its representatives enjoy water, but requires moderate grooming, except during molting when its coat doubles and requires vigorous brushing. Its coat can be lustrated with a grooming glove or silk scarf. As it ages, the feline may have difficulty grooming itself; it must then be helped to take care of its coat. Eyes and ears should be cleaned if necessary with cotton. This cat tends to gain weight; its diet should therefore be monitored to avoid significant weight gain.