| Origin | Rome |
| Weight | 7 – 17 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 20 years |
Appearance
Due to their round face and dense, furry coat, the British Shorthair is often referred as the “teddy bear” cat. They are medium to large sized, with males noticeably larger than females. With broad, deep chest and short legs, the British Shorthair appears to be solid and stocky.
Their ears are small, set far apart and rounded at the tips. The large, round eyes are also set far apart and vary in colors between blue, orange, green and copper. Their coat is short but dense, hence it’s super plushy. The coat color varies widely and can be in almost any combination, however silver and blue are the most widely recognized.
Temperament
The British Shorthair is said to be the perfect household companion if you like a breed that’s undemanding. They like to keep a low profile and are quiet and even-tempered, especially when they’re first introduced. When they get over their initial reserve, however, they become extremely faithful companions.
Give your British Shorthair all the love and attention they need and they will repay you with their loyalty and affection.
They can make great apartment cats, being alert and playful but not hyperactive or destructive. However, they are not lap cats. The British Shorthair dislike being picked up and they detest being kissed too. They get along with other members in the home, including children and dogs as long as the proper introductions are made.
History
The British Shorthair originated from a common street cat once called the European Shorthair. This breed, whose appearance is much different from the Brits you’ll see today, came to Great Britain some 2,000 years ago, courtesy of the Roman Empire.
These cats were adaptable and could live in a household as a pet or run wild in the streets. Many British Shorthairs did, in fact, take to the streets to breed with native cats. Although a street cat, the breed later became one of Britain’s first pedigreed cats.
