GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BRITISH SHORTHAIR CATS.

The chubby-faced British Shorthair kittens with its chipmunk cheeks and happy smile are famous as the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. This sturdy teddy bear has a smile and a plush coat combined with a wonderful disposition that makes them great family pets. British Shorthair cats traces its ancestry back to the cats of Rome and is one of the oldest breeds of English cats. Once a hunter and protector of the barns, the British Shorthair cats now embraces family life, preferring to snooze in comfort by the fire and to exchange hunting for playing with toy mice. It is a dignified, affectionate cat, sometimes referred to as the Winston Churchill of the cat world, roaming its household dominion with all four feet on the floor. The British Longhair takes the recipe for the British Shorthair and adds a longer coat resulting in an imposing longhaired cat with all the same characteristics that have made the British Shorthair cats such a loyal companion.

PERSONALITY

These genial British Shorthair cats are friendly and affectionate, enjoying attention in an undemanding manner. Living with a British Shorthair is great fun, they are gentle, intelligent, docile and extremely endearing! The happy-go-lucky British Shorthair males command respect but welcome attention from everyone while the more serious females are true British ladies expecting proper form and etiquette from those whose attentions they accept. These loyal and devoted companions are not lap cats but want to be where you are, snuggling up beside you on the sofa. While not very active British Shorthair cats, they do have their mad moments to chase around acting the clown like kittens. These intelligent cats are quiet and unobtrusive ruling their indoor kingdoms with a calm demeanor. British Shorthair cats definitely look before they leap and do not engage in high-flying acrobatics. They are tolerant with children and dogs but do not like to be carried around, preferring to maintain their dignity with their feet firmly on the floor. They are quite content with their own company, quietly amusing themselves in your absence and waiting patiently for your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

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"How big do British Shorthairs get?"

At maturity, a typical British Shorthair male will be about 12 to 18 pounds, with the females somewhat smaller. This does vary -- some families run smaller, some larger. It does take this breed a long time to mature. Both sexes will continue to fill out and thicken up until 4 years of age.
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"Do the British Shorthair females or the British Shorthair males make better pets?"

Each sex of British Shorthair has its own set of characteristics. Males tend to be more happy go lucky, and are less picky about who they receive attention from. Females are very loyal to a smaller number of people and are a bit more serious. Females are quicker and I think they are smarter then the males.

"Do British Shorthairs like to sit on your lap?"

No, not too much. Some of this may be breed personality. Some may be that with their dense coat, they get over-heated sitting on us warm humans. A coaxed British Shorthair will make itself comfortable for a while; a forced British Shorthair will flat out refuse.

"Since British Shorthairs are so big and sturdy are they safe outside?"

No. There is no domestic cat big enough that can fight off an urban coyote, large raccoon, automobile or a disease like feline leukemia. Keeping your British Shorthair inside will also limit its exposure to fleas and intestinal parasites.

"Do British Shorthairs meow a lot?"

No, British Shorthairs rarely meow. They are very quiet unpretentious cats.

"How active are British Shorthairs?"

British Shorthair have an expected kitten activity level up until they are about a year old. They start to slow down after a year. By the age of 4 to 6 yrs. they are very sedentary; "couch potatoes".

BRITLAND CATTERY breeder of british shorthair and longhair kittens

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BRITISH SHORTHAIR CATS.

PERSONALITY

Frequently Asked Questions