Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Name | British Shorthair |
| Origin | UK |
| Size | 7 to 17 pounds 22 to 25 inches |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years |
| Coat | Short and very dense white, black, blue, red, cream, smoke, silver, golden, cameo, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, and bicolor |
| Temperament | Affectionate, easy-going, and calm |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Training Difficulty | Easy |
| Health Issues | Generally Healthy |
| Grooming Needs | Moderate |
| Price | $800–$3,000 |
Introduction: British Shorthair
The British Shorthair cat is sweet, affectionate and a cuddly teddy bear like pet. They are medium to large in size with dense coat and a unique rounded face. With its distinctive traits it is renowned all over the world with many famous public persona keeping them as their pet. In this article we will uncover the magnificent world of the British Shorthair breed.
History and Origin
Talking about the history the British Shorthair’s roots indicates to ancient times as its ancients is believed to have appeared the streets of ancient Rome. Later in 19th century they began to take shape on Britain which we all know as the British Shorthair. They were used to control the growing population of mouse and rodents in houses and ships. After on in the mid 20th Century the breed had gained immense popularity through its unique traits.
Physical Appearance
The British Shorthair is renowned for its unwavering physical traits like muscular build with strong legs. It has round and a bit chubby face which is featured with large and affectionate eyes and small ears which are pointed outwards to each other. They also have a very dense thick coat which is not double coated and they are low shedding animals. They come in various other different patterns and colors. Their coats are non hypoallergic which may be issue for some people.
Temperament and Personality
The British Shorthair is popularly renowned for its calming and peaceful personality in nature. They can be best companionship for any type of family without being cringy and needy as they enjoy every moment of companionship. They are very intelligent and quick leaners which makes them easy to pet for first time owners as well. A]When it comes to their vocal activities they tend to become less vocal than other breeds and prefers to communicate through gestures and body language.
Exercise and Activity Needs
The British Shorthair are not as active as other breeds but still they need regular exercises and playtime. Walking outdoors and playing puzzles and providing it toys are some of the best activities for its proper health physically and mentally. Providing them open places indoors as they like to roam around is also very important.
Grooming and Care
The British Shorthair is a low shedding breed despite of their dense coat which makes the grooming mush easier. Weekly brushing its fur is a good option to maintain its coat health and avoid it from falling. Regular cleaning like cleaning ears, trimming nails and brushing its teeth is very necessary.
Some helpful tips:
- In order to ensure its silky coat it is recommended to use high quality slicker brush.
- Do not over wash their coat as it can damage and degrade the cat’s coat quality.
- Bathing once a few months with high quality shampoo is much better for their coat’s and overall health.
- Clean their ears, trimming nails, brushing their teeth with high quality toothpaste are some major cleaning activities.
Health and Common Concerns
The British Shorthair generally is a healthy cat with a very long life span of 12-20 years and some even living past them. Even though of their good health they can be prone to some health issues like dental problems, obesity, heart diseases etc. Regular cleaning and checkup to vet can minimized or nullify these health risks.
Some helpful tips:
- Taking your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups at least once every 14 weeks is recommended.
- Feed them nutritious condense foods like meat, fish, milk, authentic cat foods etc.
- Never neglect the hydration of your cat.
- Giving them necessary vaccines to fight various bacteria and allergies is necessary.
- Socializing and interacting with them by playing is an important activity for their mental health as well as physical health.
- Proper sanitation and clean environment is a must for minimal risk of bacterial diseases.
- If any sudden sickness you should immediately seek help from respective professionals.
Training and Socialization
The British Shorthair is an intelligent cat and are also quick leaners which makes them easy to train through proper reinforcements. Early training and socialization is very necessary as it can be stubborn in its adult age. It is very friendly with people around it and can be friendly with other pets too if socialized at a very young age. Early socialization helps them to remove any fear and shyness from various environments and animals.
Some helpful tips for training and socialization:
- Teach your pet to sit, stay, heel, walk on stairs, jump etc. which is essential for its safety.
- Teaching your pet what to eat, what not to eat and where to excrete, where not to is essential for cleanliness as well as pet’s safety.
- Teaching the pet to recognize family and strangers is an important activity which can be done by playing with it.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, The British Shorthair is a popular dog loved and adored my millions of people around the globe for its unwavering personality and traits. It makes an excellent companion to any family of any type and individuals as well. Due to their high intelligence and quick learning traits they are very easy to train and are good choice for first time pet owners as well. If you consider brining one home than with proper care and grooming it surely can bring joy and happiness in your family and life making it a great companion.
Image Source: Getty Images
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