Brown British Shorthair: The Cat Who Has Nickname Teddy Bear
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The brown British Shorthair is a round and soft cat with the appearance of a teddy bear and a sumptuous coat. He is an intelligent, majestic, and affectionate companion. He may seem slightly reserved to you at first, but as soon as he gets to know you, he will become your most devoted friend.
Care and health tips, breed history, maintenance level... Everything is in our blog post. Let's dive in.
Origin of the British Shorthair Breed
The British Shorthair is a breed of cat that originated in Great Britain in the 1880s. These cats are believed to have been imported from Egypt and brought over by the Romans when they invaded the country. This breed, which was called “British Blue” at the time, was created from ordinary domestic cats whose color was always the classic blue (i.e. gray). The British Blue quickly became a popular companion cat, especially at World's Fairs around the turn of the century. In the 1910s, the Persian was incorporated into the British Shorthair breeding program.
Breeding of this breed declined during World War I and World War II, however, so that by the 1950s there were only a few specimens left. The breed was revived through crossbreeding with domestic short-haired cats, Russians, Persians, and other cats.
The European and the British Shorthair originally had the same breed standard, but, in the early 1980s, the International Feline Federation (FIFe) decided to recognize them as two different breeds.
What is the character of the Brown British Shorthair?
The British Shorthair is a calm and taciturn cat, friendly and easy-going. He is sometimes described as an undemanding companion with a quiet voice and moderate activity level. The British Shorthair is not an overly affectionate animal, but it likes to be close to its owner. He gets along well with most people and other pets. British Shorthairs aren't the nervous or restless type - they're serene, laid-back companions who remain calm no matter what.
They are not very active cats, but they, too, have their crazy moments when they sometimes run around clowning around like kittens. British Shorthair kittens are quite playful. Brown British Shorthairs do not like to be carried; they prefer to keep their dignity by placing their feet firmly on the ground.
The size of the Brown British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a medium to large-sized cat with a thick, muscular body. He has short and strong legs, round and firm feet, and a tail whose end is rounded. His short and thick fur, broad and round head, full cheeks, large round eyes, and short nose give it a little air of a very soft teddy bear.
The Brown British Shorthair is a relatively large and heavy cat; it usually does not reach full maturity until it is three or five years old. An adult male weighs between 11 and 15 pounds, and a female between 7 and 11 pounds.
What maintenance for a British Shorthair?
The British Shorthair's short, dense, fluffy fur is easy to care for. A few brushings or combings per week are enough. However, if you have an outdoor cat, you will need to brush him more often in the spring when he sheds his winter coat.
They are pretty active at some hours of the day. They have "zoomies"; they run around the house and scratch furniture. You can use cat scratchers to prevent your cat from scratching your furniture when he has zoomies.
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The peculiarities of the British Shorthair
Like most Britons, the brown British Shorthair is dignified and fairly well-mannered. He is an intelligent cat who rarely engages in destructive activities. Although there are a few exceptions, most British Shorthairs are generally not one to curl up in welcoming laps. They do, however, like to hang out with you on the couch or hang around you – if they like you. Most of them prefer to sleep and relax in ther cat houses. Females tend to possess more integrity and have a more serious demeanor than males, who are more easy-going.
Hereditary diseases of the British Shorthair
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
British Shorthairs are generally healthy, but they tend to suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common form of heart disease in cats, and hemophilia B, an inherited bleeding disorder. Always ask for a written health guarantee, and never buy a cat from a dishonest breeder.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
As the British Shorthair has been crossed with the Persian, he can sometimes suffer from polycystic kidney disease. This disease causes kidney problems due to fluid-filled cysts or holes that gradually form. A genetic test can detect the presence of the gene responsible for this disease. So it's definitely worth asking breeders about the health status of their cats – good breeders should know that.
How to feed a British Shorthair?
As with many cat breeds, the most common health problem for the British Shorthair is obesity. Be careful if your cat has reached adulthood and spends a good deal of time on the bed or couch (and British Shorthairs are well known to love to relax). So feed your cat food approved by your veterinarian, with all the nutrients he needs. It is also essential to stimulate him physically by offering him many games and entertainment. You can click on this link to see cat trees and cat towers that can encourage your cat to play.
Five facts about the British Shorthair
Blue is the most popular color among British Shorthairs. This is the reason why many people still call them “British Blue”.
There is also a related breed with long hair, which is called the "British Longhair". He has the same characteristics as the Shorthair, except for the fur.
Children are no problem for this calm, laid-back cat, as long as they know how to behave around him. Teach your children to treat them with respect.
The British Shorthair does not like to be carried, he prefers his feet to remain on the ground.
Adult males sometimes behave a bit silly (and funny); they then happen to run all over the house and make noise. This type of behavior may come as a surprise to people accustomed to seeing calm, nonchalant cats.
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