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British Shorthair - Tabby Cats

A pretty grey tabby british shorthair British shorthair silver tabby cat lying against a dark background British shorthair silver tabby kitten against a dark background Cute british shorthair silver tabby cat lying against a dark background

History


The British Shorthair sits at the very beginning of the long tale of the domestic puss. The original specimens are thought to have been brought to Britain by the Romans in the 1st century AD. Other breeds have been included in the Shorthair mix over the centuries, notably crosses with Persians which created the British Longhair breed during World World One.

Originally, the British Shorthair and Russian Blue were judged to be the same breed of 'blue cats'. The two have since been recognized as separate breeds in their own right.

The British Shorthair breed suffered neglect in World War Two, and many breeding lines were lost. To bolster the numbers post-war, British Shorthairs were crossed with Russian Blues, Persians and some other breeds, and most of today's specimens are descended from those crosses.

This modern form of the British Shorthair gained championship status from The International Cat Association in 1979. It is now one of the most popular breeds of cat in the United Kingdom, although less common elsewhere.

Behaviour


The British Shorthair is both friendly and docile - a combination that makes it a great family house cat. They love spending as much time as possible with their owners, and like nothing better than a warm lap. They welcome everyone home with purrs, fuss and a lots of rubbing against your ankles. They tolerate other animals, and are very patient even with small children. One thing they dislike is being left alone all day.

Varieties


Comes in brown tabby, silver tabby and orange tabby with the range of tabby patterns.

Breed Details


  • Status: Common
  • Place of Origin: UK
  • Rough date of Origin: 1800s
  • Hair length: Shorthair
  • Activity Level: Medium
  • Vocalness: Medium
  • Child friendly: Good with children
  • Intelligence:
  • Playfullness: Relaxed
  • Grooming Requirements: Less than once per week
  • Weight: 4.0 - 8.0kg
  • Size: Large
  • House Cat or Outdoor Cat: House Cat
  • Pet Compatibility:
  • Social Needs:

British Shorthair - Tabby Pictures

Strike a pose
British shorthair tabby cat laying down
British Shorthair Tabby
Enjoying the sun ☀️
Meerkat
Summertime living ain't easy
Fresh fur
Black smoke and silver tabby
Lazy day
Hovis chilling out in the sunshine

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