British Shorthair Cat Characteristics, Info And Health Care Help
To many, the British Shorthair is a the epitome of a lazy feline, one who loves to relax. This misrepresentation owes itself to the plump body of the British Shorthair. In actual fact, the British Shorthair is actually a cat that was common in farms and is acknowledged for its skill in trapping and hunting mice and other small rodents.
History - Created in the nineteenth century, the British Shorthair became a very popular cat to own, that is until the mid twentieth century, when other unique breeds began to emerge. Not wanting this beautiful, historical cat to become extinct, a couple of dedicated cat lover’s worked perilously to ensure its survival. It wasn’t until the late twentieth century, that these wonderful cats were introduced in the United States, where cat fanciers became enthralled with their unusual personality and size.
Appearance - There are a variety of colors and one shade was so popular; it quickly became the only color recognized by cat associations for many years. British Blue was the name of the color of choice, but after World War II, this distinct color of British Shorthairs almost became nonexistent.
Enthusiasts of this breed, wanted to preserve conserve the unique blue hue, bred the remaining blue shorthairs with Blue Persians. It expanded the gene pool and stopped the particular hue from dying out. Additional colors from which to choose include orange eyed or blue eyed white, red or silver tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, bi-colors, and point.
Unique features of British Shorthair are a circular shaped head with broad cheeks and a tail that appears short and thick. The British Shorthair, also known for its stockiness, is a large specimen of cat weighing in at a substantial nine to eighteen pounds.
British Shorthair Cat Behavior and Characteristics - Referred to as the “four feet on the ground” cat, the British Shorthair is not one for constant offerings of affection. This breed behavior is highly content to go about its day doing its own thing. So, if you’re looking for a cat that is affectionate and sociable and will curl up in your lap for a lazy afternoon, the British Shorthair is definitely not for you. This breed is truly happy when the food bowl is filled and his activities are his to control. There is little need to cuddle or entertain this breed in order to keep them content.
Since this breed does not demand much of an owner’s time, it is the perfect addition to the family of someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to spend at home.
British Shorthair Cat Health Problems - With a long ancestry and lineage, the gene pool diversity of the breed is generally healthy, although there is a problem one should take note of.
The average blood type of a domestic cat is Type A Blood; however, the British Shorthair is known to possess the rare Type B Blood type. It is an issue of concern should an operation be needed one day. It is important to have your Shorthair tested by a veterinarian and if the blood type is rare, have the veterinarian make a note of it in its records to avoid any complications that could arise in the future.
The grooming aspect of caring for your British Shorthair is quite simple. With the texture of their coat being rough and thick, a once a week combing should be sufficient to remove loose hairs and particles of dirt.
If your short on time, but still want a cat, the unassuming, self contained personality of a British Shorthair is definitely worth looking in to. It’s sure to be a perfect fit.
To gather out more cat and feline tips and guide, you can go to Cat Facts, How to Choose Cat Breed Type, and Cat Breed Health Care.
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