The British Shorthair is a natural breed that has not been altered to suit a breeder's whims, it is healthy and sound in mind and body. Not susceptible to illnesses and even-tempered, it will make an excellent pet for children and old people. The most popular colour is probably the Blue, followed by the Silver Tabby and the spotted varieties. Basically, this is a strong, sturdy shorthaired cat; it is active, graceful, intelligent and curious. British Shorthairs are less expensive than most other breeds. It may be possible to obtain, for nothing, a cat that resembles this breed, but one is never sure that the kitten comes from sturdy, reliable stock. With a pedigree kitten from a reliable breeder, it should be possible to have a healthy, trouble free pet that could be with the family for 20 years, barring accidents.
Grooming
Daily grooming is advisable to remove dead hairs, together with lots of hand stroking, which the cat will love. However, a weekly combing is sufficient to keep a British Shorthair looking neat and trim, and therefore anyone who leads a very busy life would find a shorthaired cat to be the best choice.
Origin and history
Records of pedigree cats have been kept for less than 100 years, but it is well known from history books, literature of the day and art forms that these cats have been around for centuries. They were some of the first to be shown at the end of the nineteenth century, when shows first started in the United Kingdom, and they are generally regarded as being native to the British Isles, although some of the strains may have been imported by the Romans. All the earliest known cats were short-haired, even on the show bench. Longhaired cats have been known in Europe only since the sixteenth century. Both the British and American Shorthairs are therefore breeds recognized by the American associations.
Shorthaired cats are bred in Europe and closely resemble the British Shorthair. Often breeding stock is imported from the United Kingdom and the standards set for the breed and its colour varieties are very similar to those in Britain. Only the Chartreuse in France is said to differ because of its distinct history, but in recent years, the British Blue and the Chartreuse have become almost indistinguishable.
Grooming
Daily grooming is advisable to remove dead hairs, together with lots of hand stroking, which the cat will love. However, a weekly combing is sufficient to keep a British Shorthair looking neat and trim, and therefore anyone who leads a very busy life would find a shorthaired cat to be the best choice.
Origin and history
Records of pedigree cats have been kept for less than 100 years, but it is well known from history books, literature of the day and art forms that these cats have been around for centuries. They were some of the first to be shown at the end of the nineteenth century, when shows first started in the United Kingdom, and they are generally regarded as being native to the British Isles, although some of the strains may have been imported by the Romans. All the earliest known cats were short-haired, even on the show bench. Longhaired cats have been known in Europe only since the sixteenth century. Both the British and American Shorthairs are therefore breeds recognized by the American associations.
Shorthaired cats are bred in Europe and closely resemble the British Shorthair. Often breeding stock is imported from the United Kingdom and the standards set for the breed and its colour varieties are very similar to those in Britain. Only the Chartreuse in France is said to differ because of its distinct history, but in recent years, the British Blue and the Chartreuse have become almost indistinguishable.
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