British Shorthair
Cat Library
Origin:United Kingdom
Energy level:high
Coat length:short
Personality:affectionate, sociable
History
The origins of the British Shorthair most likely
date back to the first century AD, making it one of
the most ancient identifiable cat breeds in the world.
These cats were imported by the Romans who kept them to keep the
camps clear of snakes, mice and insects.
These cats then interbred with the local European wildcat
population. Over the centuries, their naturally isolated
descendants developed into distinctively large, robust cats with a
short but very thick coat, to better withstand conditions on their
native islands. Based on artists' representations, the modern
British Shorthair is unchanged from this initial type.
Appearance
The British Shorthair is a relatively powerful-looking large cat, having a broad chest, strong thick-set legs with rounded paws and a medium-length, blunt-tipped tail. The head is relatively large and rounded, with a short muzzle, broad cheeks (most noticeable in mature males, who tend to develop prominent jowls) and large round eyes that are deep copper orange in the British Blue and otherwise vary in colour depending on the coat. Their large ears are broad and widely set.