Page 70 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

68 C A T AL OG OF BREED S

Short, dense Small ears set Large, round
black coat wide apart golden eyes
with no white
Large, powerful markings
body Short,
strong
neck

Massive
head with
full cheeks

Firm, Medium-short,
round paws strongly
boned legs
Tail tapers
slightly

BRITISH SHORTHAIR—SOLID

A CAT THAT COMBINES GOOD LOOKS WITH AN EASYGOING TEMPERAMENT

Place of origin UK Originally developed from the best The British Shorthair has a short, dense coat
Date of origin 1800s examples of ordinary British domestic cats, that comes in a variety of colors and has a
Breed registries CFA, FIFe, the British Shorthair was one of the first deep pile and firm texture.
GCCF, TICA
pedigree cats to appear in shows during the In temperament, this cat is as calm and
Weight range 9–18lb (4–8kg)
late 19th century. In the following decades friendly as its chubby-cheeked, placid
Grooming
the Shorthair was all but eclipsed by expression appears to suggest. It can be kept
longhaired cats, particularly the Persian, equally well as a town or country cat. Strong,
Colors and patterns but survived by a narrow margin to enjoy a but not athletic or hyperactive, a British
All solid colors.
revival from the mid-20th century onward. Shorthair prefers to keep its paws on the
A descendant of cats that worked for their ground and is perfectly happy to stay
living, keeping down vermin on farms and indoors and commandeer the sofa. However,
homesteads, the British Shorthair is now it also enjoys time outside and readily uses
something of a blueprint for the perfect the hunting skills that made its ancestors
fireside cat. The breed is highly popular in such an asset in the past.
Europe and is steadily gaining a following Quietly affectionate, the Shorthair likes
in the US, where it is less well-known. to stay near its owner. Although alert to
Many decades of careful selection have what is going on in the household, this cat
produced a well-proportioned cat of superb it is not overdemanding of attention.
quality. Powerfully built, the British British Shorthairs generally have robust
Shorthair has a medium to large, tightly knit health and can be long-lived. They are easy
body carried on sturdy legs. The massive, to care for, since the thick coat does not mat
round head, broad cheeks, and large, open or tangle and regular combing is all that is
eyes are characteristic features of the breed. required to keep it in good condition.