Meet the British Shorthair Cat, One of the Oldest known Breeds What Makes This Breed So Popular All Over the World

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British Shorthair cat photo
Medium Breed Gingivitis Cardiomyopathy British Shorthair

IS THE BRITISH SHORTHAIR CAT RIGHT FOR YOU?

  • 1 The British Shorthair cat is a friendly and intelligent breed and often gets featured in films and advertisements.
  • 2 This easy going breed adapts well to any size household and makes the perfect companion to kids and other pets.
  • 3 British Shorthairs are loyal family cats and prefer companionship.

HISTORY

The eldest of all English pedigrees, the British Shorthair has genetic ties dating all the way back to the ancient domestic breeds of Rome. They were originally called the British Blue, due to their smokey blue coat, yet once the CFA started accepting other colorations of this breed, the name became a false moniker and required broadening. Hence the name British Shorthair. Today, the British Shorthair can be found all across the globe.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Medium, Large

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    Lifespan

    14 - 20 years

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    Hair Length

    Medium

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    Litter Size

    An average of 5 kittens

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    Male Weight

    9 - 17 pounds

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    Female Weight

    7 - 12 pounds

Personality

The British Shorthair is known the world over as being an exceptionally family-friendly breed. Intelligent, graceful, and loyal, this breed is especially easy to train, making them a natural first choice when Hollywood is looking for a new cat star. The British Shorthair loves to be a companion, following their family around everywhere. They get along well with children and other pets, and are easily adaptable to all types of living situations, and rarely become destructive. .

Color

Originally only found in a smokey bluish gray, the British Shorthair can now be found in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Health Concerns

Generally, British Shorthairs are healthy with an average life span of 14 - 20 years. In the British Shorthair, some of the most common health problems are:

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Appearance

The British Shorthair is a medium sized, well-built breed with a muscular, broad frame, and sturdy legs. Their round head and large whisker pads give them their trademark smile, along with their big, round eyes. Their face has become quite prominent in the media, being both the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat, as well as being the star of the popular โ€œI can has cheezburger?โ€ meme. Their coat is thick, smooth, easy to groom, and (obviously) short.

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