British Shorthair the cat with a happy smile

The chubby-faced British Shorthair with her chipmunk cheeks and happy smile is famous as the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. A dignified, affectionate cat, she is sometimes referred to as the Winston Churchill of the cat world, roaming her household dominion with all four feet on the floor.

Peep into the past…
British Shorthair traces its ancestry back to the cats of Rome and is one of the oldest breeds of English cats. Once a hunter and protector of the barns, British Shorthair now embraces family life, preferring to snooze in comfort by the fire and to exchange hunting for playing with toy mice.
Beauty traits…
British Shorthairs are medium to large, compact, powerfully built cats with a broad, full chest, short strong legs and a short, thick tail tapering slightly to a rounded tip. The British Shorthair has a short, extremely dense plush coat with a crisp feel to it making you want to bury your hands in its luxurious pile. Large, round eyes ranging from deep gold through copper are set into the smiling face. In pointed cats, the eyes are blue while deep green eyes shine in the silvers. The Classic Blue remains the most popular colour; however, the breed comes in a rainbow of colours.
Powerful personality…
These genial British Shorthair cats are friendly and affectionate, enjoying attention in an undemanding manner. The happy-go-lucky males command respect but welcome attention from everyone while the more serious females are true ladies expecting proper form and etiquette from those whose attentions they accept. These loyal and devoted companions are not lap cats but want to be where you are, snuggling up beside you on the sofa. While not very active cats, they do have their mad moments. These intelligent cats are quiet and unobtrusive ruling their indoor kingdoms with a calm demeanor. They definitely look before they leap and do not engage in high-flying acrobatics. They are tolerant with children and dogs but do not like to be carried around, preferring to maintain their dignity with their feet firmly on the floor. They are quite content with their own company, quietly amusing themselves in your absence and waiting patiently for your return.
Easy to maintain…
Maintaining the British Shorthair’s coat in top condition is easy as the coat does not tangle. A quick comb through easily removes any loose dead hair. A little extra combing in the spring and fall ensures seasonal coat changes which do not leave any dead hair to turn into mats.
Thought for food…
These cats love food and with their sedentary ways can quickly gain weight so it is important to keep a careful eye on their portions to make sure they do not get fat. They are a heavy, solid cat ranging from 9 to 18 pounds but that weight should come from their massive muscular bodies, not from an excess of food. Encouraging them to play burns calories off while toning muscles. Teaser toys provide lots of gymnastic entertainment; training your cat to fetch adds running to their day; and chasing a laser light pen gives their muscles a real work out.
(Source: The International Cat Association (TICA), Harlingen, Texas)