The British Shorthaired cat is the largest of the shorthaired breed and I believe the oldest British breed.

They are alert with a superb expression, stocky, muscular & powerful cats, with short strong legs, broad chest and large head. They have a lovely short compact coat, which I like to describe as "Plush". They are quiet & even tempered, with few health problems. 

The breed was developed in Europe going back as far as Roman times where they used them to guard their food stores and keep out vermin, as well as being domestic companions but it was Harrison Weir who almost single handedly developed the British breed and he organised the first British cat show in 1871, when the British Blue was the only colour available then.

But the British now come in a variety of a colours as diverse as: white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, tortoiseshell, blue-cream and the latest cinnamon & fawn, with white added they become bi & tri colours. Patterned cats include the tortie, tabby, spotted, colourpointed and tipped. Eye colour varies from gold - copper in the selfs (one coloured coat), which include Smokes, bi & tri colours and blue tabby & spotted to green in the tipped, hazel - green in the silver tabby and spotted, blue in the colourpointed and British whites have orange or blue or both (odd eyed).

*Tabby cats are often mistakingly thought of as being a particular breed of cat but it is the coat pattern that is known as "tabby". The tabby pattern can occur in all breeds of domestic cats*

British Shorthairs make ideal family pets, little grooming is needed (a good weekly brush is sufficient) they are intelligent and loyal and as they are slow to mature, they enjoy playing well past their kittening stage. They also look good for many years and are generally long lived. They seem to fit into any normal household environment, given enough items to keep them amused, they can quite happily live indoors, but with the British, you do get back what you put in, given plenty of love and affection they will re-pay you many times over.

The British do enjoy company, even though they are quite independant, they could be sat on the other side of the room to you for a few hours having one of their 'thinking about things' times but your company is appreciated this is why it is kinder to have two kittens together if the new owner is away from the home for most of the day.

GCCF Standard of Points for the British Shorthair

The British Shorthair cat is compact, well balanced and powerful, showing good depth of body, a full broad chest, short legs, rounded paws, tail thick at base with rounded tip. The head is round with a good width between small ears, round cheeks, firm chin, large round and well opened eyes and a short broad nose. The coat is short and dense. A muscular cat with an alert appearance and in perfect physical condition.

Head - Round face with full cheeks and good breath of skull with round underlying bone structure. The head should be set on a short thick neck.

Nose - The nose itself should be short, broad and straight. In profile, a rounded forehead should lead to a short straight nose with a nose break that is neither too pronounced nor too shallow.

Chin - A strong, firm and deep chin is essential. Any deviation from this to be considered a fault. The bite MUST be level, the tip of the chin to line up with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane.

Ears - Small, rounded at the tips. Set far apart, fitting into (without distorting) the rounded contour of the head. External ear to be well covered with fur, internal furnishings not to be excessive.

Eyes - Large, round and well-opened. Set wide apart with no tendency to Oriental shape. No squint.

Body - Cobby type with short level back. Low on legs with broad deep chest. Equally massive across the shoulders and the rump. Medium to large, but not rangy.

Legs & Paws - Short strong legs. Paws round and firm. Toes carried close, five on each forefoot (including dew-claw) and four on each back foot.

Tail - Should be thick and of medium lengh, thicker at the base with rounded tip.

Coat - Must be short, dense and crisp. A soft and / or overlong and fluffy coat is incorrect.