|
|
British Shorthair |
| BREED PROFILE | |
 |
The British Shorthair is believed to be descended from cats taken to Britain by the Romans in the first century AD.
These cats mated with the native wild cats to produce domestic cats more amenable to human society and greatly prized
for their mousing abilities.
In 1871, the first organised cat show was arranged by Harrison Weir, founder of the Cat Fancy. This show, held at the Crystal Palace,
was won by a Blue Tabby British Shorthair owned by Harrison Weir.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, standards had been written for most basic colours seen today.
|
As with other pedigree breeds, World War 1 brought a serious decline in numbers of pure bred British available to breeders.
Cross breeding to unregistered domestics resulted in loss of type. Mating to Persians was
disallowed, so it took some time to regain the desired rounded features distinctive to the breed.
British Shorthairs were exported to the USA as early as 1900, with Silver Tabbies being the most popular colour. These
cats may have contributed to the development of the American Shorthair.
|
 |
The Standard for British Shorthairs places great emphasis on rounded outlines, calling for compact, cobby body, low on legs with broad, deep chest.
The head must have a round face with full cheeks and good breadth of skull with round underlying bone structure, set on a short, thick
neck. In profile, a rounded forehead leads to a short broad nose with nose break which is neither too pronounced nor too shallow.
Ears should be small, rounded at the tips and set far apart, fitting into the rounded contour of the head.
Eyes must be large, round, well opened and set wide apart, with no tendency to be
oriental in shape.
Legs are short and strong with paws round and firm. Tail is medium length, thicker at the
base with a rounded tip. Coat must be short, dense and crisp.
Recognised colours include all traditional Solids, Tabbies, Smokes, Silvers, Silver Tabbies
and Himalayan Pointed (except Cinnamon and Fawn). Also recognised are all traditional Bi-colours,
Harlequins and Vans (except Cinnamon and Fawn).
|
 |
The British Shorthair is a strong, healthy breed with no known genetic defects and generally lives to its early teens.
These cats are slow to mature and may not reach full size and development until around three years old.
Temperament is considered ideal for a family cat. The British is calm, confident, patient, and affectionate to its
friends - animal or human, usually adapting well to the company of children and to other pets.
|
CATZ Inc. recognises this breed for for full Championship status
 |  | |