Got a British Shorthair? Check your pet with Pawcode
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Cats
British Shorthair
The teddy-bear cat with a plush blue coat.
The British Shorthair is a sturdy, round-faced cat best known in its blue-grey ("British Blue") form. Descended from Roman working cats and later refined in Victorian England, it has a dense, crisp coat and a famously calm, easygoing temperament.
OriginUnited Kingdom
SizeMedium to large
Life span12–17 years
Weight4–8 kg (9–18 lb)
CoatShort, dense, plush "crisp" coat
Temperament & personality
- Calm
- Easygoing
- Loyal
- Reserved
British Shorthairs are undemanding companions that prefer to sit near you rather than on you. They are not big lap cats and often dislike being carried, but they are deeply loyal, tolerant and quiet — a good match for calm households and people who want an independent yet affectionate cat.
At a glance
Activity level1 / 3
Affection2 / 3
Shedding2 / 3
Grooming needs1 / 3
Vocalness1 / 3
Scale: low to high (1–3)
Grooming & care
The dense coat needs weekly brushing, rising to two or three times a week during spring and autumn moults when the plush undercoat sheds heavily. The breed is prone to weight gain, so measured feeding and interactive play are important to keep them fit.
Common colours
- Blue (grey)
- Black
- White
- Cream
- Silver tabby
- Colourpoint
Good with
- Families
- Children
- Other pets
- First-time owners
- Apartment living
Health tendencies to watch
Every breed has predispositions. These are things worth discussing with your vet — not diagnoses.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) occurs in the breed
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — responsible breeders DNA-test
- Tendency toward obesity if free-fed
- Dental care helps prevent gingivitis common in flat-faced lines
Informational only. Pawcode is not a veterinary service and does not replace professional advice.
Fun facts
1
The Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland is often depicted as a British Shorthair
2
It was one of the very first breeds shown at the world's first cat show in 1871
3
Their coat is so dense it stands away from the body rather than lying flat
Frequently asked questions
Do British Shorthairs like to be held?
Most prefer companionship on their own terms and dislike being picked up, but they happily stay close and are very affectionate in a low-key way.
Why are British Shorthairs usually grey?
The solid blue-grey is the breed's signature colour and the most popular, but they come in many colours and patterns including tabby, colourpoint and bicolour.
Similar breeds
British Shorthair EMS colour codes
Only the varieties FIFe actually recognises for each breed.