British Shorthair
A round, calm cat with chubby cheeks, copper eyes and a thick, plush coat.
- Size
- Medium to large
- Weight
- 7 to 17 lb (3 to 8 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12 to 17 years
- Coat
- Short, very dense and plush
- Colors
- Blue is classic, plus many others
- Origin
- Great Britain, one of the oldest English breeds
What does a British Shorthair look like?
Everything about the British Shorthair is round: the head, the cheeks, the eyes and the stocky, cobby body. The ears are small and set wide. The coat is so dense it feels like plush, and the classic color is a solid blue-gray called British Blue, usually with copper or gold eyes.
British Shorthair personality
British Shorthairs are calm, steady and independent. They are affectionate but usually prefer sitting next to you over being held.
How to care for a British Shorthair
Brush weekly, more in the shedding season. They are prone to weight gain, so keep them active.
How do I know if my cat is a British Shorthair?
A gray cat with copper eyes and a big round face is most likely a British Shorthair. A Russian Blue is slimmer, with a more pointed face, larger ears and green eyes.
A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.
Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.
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