domestic shorthair, also called British Shorthair, breed of domestic cat often referred to as a common, or alley, cat; a good show animal, however, is purebred and pedigreed and has been carefully bred to conform to a set standard of appearance.
British Domestic cats, often called moggies, are random-bred cats that have been delighting pet owners in Britain for centuries. Experts believe Roman armies brought the first cats to the island nearly 2,000 years ago. These cats became regular features on British streets.
By far the most popular cat breed in the UK is the Domestic Short Hair. Although not a recognised breed, and often referred to as 'moggies', they can come in an array of colours, shapes and sizes due to their mixed parentage.
British Shorthair - Silver Tabby] The British Shorthair, Great Britain's working cat, is, today, a sturdy and muscular cat with a short, plush coat. The breed was developed in Europe from non-pedigree cats. The British Shorthair's origins are those of the native working cats - the street and yard cats of Britain.
The British Shorthair is considered one of the oldest cat breeds. It was first introduced to Great Britain (now the United Kingdom) by the Romans and is thought to share common ancestry with native wild cats of Britain. Food shortages during World Wars I and II brought the breed close to extinction.
Plain and simple—British Shorthairs are anything but lap cats. They are somewhat reserved felines—they value their space and privacy, and they will signal when they want to be left alone.
If you pick her up and place her on your lap, the average British Shorthair won't curl up and purr – she'll simply jump down and walk off. On the whole, they're not a touchy-feely breed, preferring a hands-off approach to showing affection.
Lying on the back or on the side
If you see your British Shorthair sleeping on their back or on the side, it means they trust you completely and feel safe and comfortable around you. Cats don't get into this pose around just anyone.
Larry (born c. January 2007) is a British domestic tabby cat who has served as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street since 2011. Larry is cared for by Downing Street staff and is not the personal property of the prime minister.
The British Shorthair is the pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat, with a distinctively stocky body, thick coat, and broad face.
The British Shorthair is well known for its sweet rounded face and characteristic “Cheshire Cat smile”. They might not be the cuddliest cat, but they love to stay near their humans and are very loving, loyal companions.
British Blue cats are known to be very placid and easy going so they prefer spending most of their time lounging around and napping, rather than being highly active. Are British Blue cats talkative? In general, they can be slightly chatty, especially when they want something and need to get your attention.
You might recognize the cat in many Whiskas brand ads as a British shorthair. The cat raised from the dead in Stephen King's Pet Sematary (“Winston Churchill”) was a British shorthair, as was “Arlene” in Garfield: The Movie and the “Cheshire Cat” in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, just to name a few.
"Moggy" is a good old Scottish slang word for "cat", supposedly derived from "mongrel".
The origin of the English word cat, Old English catt, is thought to be the Late Latin word cattus, which was first used at the beginning of the 6th century.
Larry – Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
Want to find a really famous, real cat in London? Behind the black iron gates of Downing Street, home of the British Prime Minister, you might be lucky enough to spot Larry the grey and white tabby cat. Larry has the official title 'Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office'.
The Sokoke Cat is the rarest domestic cat breed in the world, according to the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
The British Shorthair is an easygoing feline. She enjoys affection but isn't needy and dislikes being carried. She'll follow you from room to room, though, out of curiosity. British Shorthairs aren't lap cats, but they do enjoy snuggling next to their people on the couch.
While there are many cat breeds that are known for those meows, the British Shorthair is not one of them. These cats are more the strong and silent type, and their meows are infrequent. This is a cat that is sure of themself, goes with the flow, and doesn't feel the need to be chatty to get your attention.
Personality and Temperament
Very energetic and playful as kittens, British Shorthairs tend to calm down around the age of 1, and as they become older can become couch potatoes.
The average lifespan of the British Shorthair is a robust 12–20 years. The breed doesn't have many genetic or common medical conditions but, like any cat breed, some common health issues can affect them. Purchasing pet insurance for your British Shorthair kitten can help cover any unexpected medical bills.
British Shorthairs are easy-going and placid. They'll form strong bonds with their pet parents. If kept outside, they aren't likely to roam far. They're suited to being kept as an indoor cat but make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied.
Loyal and loving, the British Shorthair will bond with the whole family rather than just a singlespecial person. They are independent, adaptable, and understated and while they don't need loads of affection, but they are also just as happy sitting on your lap being stroked.