Many of us choose to have a cat as a companion because we are looking for a loyal animal that has an air of distinction. Some Breeds may not fit into that mold but that is not the case with the British Shorthair. As a matter of fact, they have a lot of British reserve and they can be a wonderful companion, even though they don’t demand your attention at all times. Perhaps that is why they are one of the more popular breeds worldwide.
The British Shorthair is a product of Britain, as the name would suggest. He is also quite a popular cat in movies as well, as the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland was tailored after this particular breed. They came about hundreds of years ago during the Victorian era and the standard was kept for quite some time, although they did experience a lot of problems during the world wars at the early part of the 20th century. After the Second World War, the breed began to take off again and today, they are popular both in England and in the United States.
You would expect that a cat from England would be stereotypically reserved and you would be pleasantly surprised with the personality of the British Shorthair. It tends to be relatively easy going, which is why it is found in many households. This particular breed is perfectly happy to be nearby, but they don’t necessarily need to dominate your attention at all times. They also tend to mellow out as they get older and an adult shorthair can be more of a couch potato than an active cat. That is why it is important to watch how much you feed this particular breed, because they can gain weight quickly.
The British Shorthair is a relatively healthy breed so you are not likely to see any serious health problems that are breed-specific. Like any cats, however, you may experience some health problems that are specific to their upbringing or perhaps their family line. Some of the more common problems that are associated with this breed include heart disease and gingivitis.
Since gingivitis is one of the more common problems with the British Shorthair, it is important to ensure that their teeth are taken care of on a regular basis. You should begin brushing them from the time that they are a kitten and get them accustomed to the process. It would also benefit if you brush them on a weekly basis to remove any loose hair and to help keep their coat healthy.
The British Shorthair is a breed that has an air of distinction that you will absolutely love. Make this cat a part of your family and you will find that they are by your side at all times.