Let's speak British!

HISTORY OF BRITISH

​

The end of the 19th century marks the appearance of this English cat. The cat of  Cheschire  (1865), by Lewis Caroll strangely resembles him. It was only at the end of the 19th century that the English judge Harrison Weir, passionate about cats, selected the most beautiful subjects among these short-haired farm cats. He exhibited them at the Crystal Palace in London in 1871: first public appearance resulting in the highest award with the nomination of a blue cat  tabby  short-haired to the highest place on the podium.

​

He then proposed to call them "British  Shorthair  "Literally the" short-haired Briton "as opposed to the"  foreign  »(Persians and Orientals).  The identity of the british  shorthair  is then acquired.

In 1901, the first breed club, the “British Cat Club” was created.  At the beginning of the 20th century, there are already black, blue, white, tortoiseshell and  tabby. Although considered too commonplace at this time, the British Did not reach  its letters of nobility only in 1930 by becoming the fashionable cat.

​

Unfortunately the Second World War severely tested the breed. At the end of the war, there were hardly any British left. The English then decide,  to save the race, to marry the survivors to Persians who, at the time, had less flattened noses.  The British gain from this hybridization a more compact bone structure, hair density and roundness.  Those  weddings also show up long-haired cats. Long ignored or hidden, they were recognized in France on April 16, 2000 by the Official Book of Feline Origins LOOF.

In 1950, the breed was recognized in the USA. At the same time, the population of these cats is expanding and the selection of different colors is seen to grow.  In 1970, the  FIFé  decides to regroup the British and Carthusian races and to judge them with the standard of the British. Some hybrid lines still survive today when such marriages were banned in 1977.  In 1979, the breed was officially recognized by the  FIFé  in Europe.  The United States allowed the British to compete in the Championship from 1980.

​

Since the late 1980s, the British  Shorthair  are present everywhere. They are sometimes rare on display but in 1996, at the World Championship, which took place in Holland, there were no less than 78 British.  Today, the British comes in many colors, the latest rarities being the dress  mink  (a French creation), the color  cinnamon  (cinnamon) and color  fawn  (fawn).

​

HIS CHARACTER

​

With a calm temperament, this good big teddy bear is a sociable and balanced cat. Although affectionate, yet he is not a lap cat  .

​

Originally the British is a cat which is more next to you, than on top of you.  It is a cat that does not like to be held in the arms because it is difficult to bear to have its paws in the air.  However, with the introduction of new colors, and new patterns, the contribution of other races has left its mark.  than  some  breeders  have  know  to select.

​

Today we therefore find certain lines worshiping the knees and claiming to be cradled in the arms!  This behavior makes him an endearing companion, always present without being intrusive and without ever a touch of nervousness, aggression or panic.  It's a Zen cat!

​

It is a curious and intelligent animal. His robustness and self-confidence make him a balanced individual who will spend his time observing those around him calmly.

Few situations make him stress, he adapts perfectly to his environment and his entourage, patiently: the famous phlegm  British!  It is not necessary, however  to confuse this apparent calm with apathy. He knows how to impose himself gently, and if a decision has to be made, he wins.

​

Little noisy, it is an easy going companion. Mixture of attachment and independence, sometimes distant with strangers, he adores children and is sociable with his fellows or dogs, he fits perfectly into family life. He nevertheless remains very attached to his master.

​

Reassuring and stress-relieving, it is the perfect accomplice and companion for both a family and a single person.

​

HIS LOOK

​

Of rural origin, this big teddy bear has kept its solid and powerful appearance. A single glance gives us a strong impression of robustness.

​

Its main feature is its jowls, which its large head sunk into its shoulders only strengthens.  

Fur care:

​

Although some Britons particularly enjoy water, this cat does not need to be bathed.  A simple weekly brushing is enough. Brushing should be intensified during the hair renewal period to avoid tangling of the undercoat and loss in the environment.

​

General morphology:

​

Females weigh between 3 and 4 kg, males between 5 and 6 kg with some exceptions up to 8 kg.  However, in our British neighbors, we were able to observe a more powerful morphology with more massive and probably heavier individuals.

​

Colors:

The British offers a choice of colors,  all colors are allowed as long as the eye color matches the color of the dress.

​

Penalties:

​

The perfect cat does not exist, certain flaws sometimes arise. The standard penalizes some of these defects. However, the individuals presenting them are nonetheless British, but breeders must select kittens free of these characteristics for reproduction in order not to perpetuate these anomalies in the breed.

Thus, the dress too long or too flexible in a  shorthair, a lack of undercoat or density, a flat head, a broken nose too important, too present phantom marks, white spots in the fur of the plain, an appearance too close to the Persian or the exotic, are they penalizing faults, making the individual presenting them a superb pet cat, but closing the doors to cat shows.

To sum up, the British  shorthair  is a big round teddy bear.  It is  emanates from this sympathetic and calm cat, power and gentleness.

the  Puss in Boots  of our childhood !!!!