Meet the British and American Shorthair

The two breeds of Shorthair parted ways with the founding of British colonies in North America, though their foundation is the same; cats the Romans brought to the British Isles during their rule there.

Best of Breed GC, BW, NW CASTLKATZ PEEVES OF CHLOEADORES, Blue British Shorthair Male
Photo: © Chanan

The British Shorthair is the smaller, more compact of the two. The “Blue” color (actually a silvery gray) is so popular it has its own designation, the “British Blue.”

Fans will know what kept this cat so popular over the centuries; their personality. Mellow, unflappable, clever, and devoted, the Shorthair breeds not only influence many of our mixes today, they have embedded themselves in the public consciousness as embodiments of the wise and dignified cat psyche.

Best of Breed GC, BW, NW KAROL KOMMANDER, Silver Tabby American Shorthair Male
Photo: ©

The rounded eyes and broad forehead give them their distinctive look. While they resemble stuffed animals, they prefer a lot of head-to-head contact and gentle petting over extravagant scoops into our arms. Dignity, don’t you know.

The downside of this ubiquitousness is that many people don’t realize that they are a distinct breed. So many of their mixed offspring carry the big round head and thick plushy coat that a number of households hold a bit of Shorthair but don’t know it. Shorthairs are the opposite of flashy, so perhaps that suits them just fine.

Once we experience the “Shorthair personality” though, that’s different. That laidback calm can quickly turn to play, though they usually bring some gravity to everything they do. They are whimsical without being goofballs.

One of their most endearing traits is how they are not necessarily a lap cat, yet they will follow us from room to room and set up observation posts where we are. Shorthairs are always “there” but rarely “on.” They love attention but do not demand the spotlight.

Shorthairs are the vodka of the cat world. They are low key and mix with anything. Kids, dogs, or an operatic career; these are the kinds of things Shorthairs take in stride. Quick to give the benefit of the doubt to other living things, Shorthairs have the complete Beta package. Everyone is a friend they haven’t met yet.

While they are adept at being part of every background, Shorthairs do not fade into any of them. They will spend all day coming up with a new blitz strategy on a toy mouse, but will not insist that we see it as soon as we come home. They would rather have it seemingly come out of nowhere during a play session. Saying, “That one is ready for the major leagues!” will satisfy the Shorthair that we appreciate them properly.

Because beneath that solid exterior is a great big muffiny heart. Happy to be with us at all times, Shorthairs should never be taken for granted. Every time that big head drifts near our hand, we should give them a good rub and tell them that they are marvelous. They don’t ask for much more than that.

Because they were early ship and farm cats, Shorthair genes can appear in any random cat population, and they come in a great many colors. If we have a rounded, plushy cat who takes life as it comes and is ever in the corner of our eye, we are experiencing the Shorthair magic.

In a cat civilization, they are our cornerstone. They are the cats we try to describe to our friends, and can only convey our delight by exclaiming that they are just wonderful, that’s all. It’s not anything in particular that they do; it’s how they do it.

In shelters, look for the big head and short neck, a short coat so densely packed we want to sink our fingers in it, and a calm entreaty in their expression. Shorthairs tend to sit near the front of their cages and stubbornly hope someone will notice them. If we do, we might hear their little soft voice or get a lifted paw.

They fit in anywhere.

Want a Shorthair? Find an ethical breeder who cares about their cats, or explore these resources for American Shorthair Rescue and British Shorthair Rescue. Use Petfinder.com to see if there’s one nearby, just waiting for a home.

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