British Shorthair myths: what's true and what isn't

The British Shorthair is one of the best-known breeds in the world, and it has collected plenty of stereotypes along the way. Some have a real basis, some are only half true, and a few can even lead you astray if you rely on them when choosing a kitten. Here are the most common ones.

“British Shorthairs are lazy and don't play”

British Shorthairs really are considered a calm breed, but calm isn't the same as lazy. Kittens and young cats play eagerly and for a long time, and adults enjoy short, regular games: hunting a wand toy, chasing a ball, working a puzzle feeder. A British Shorthair just rarely stages midnight races across the wardrobes or demands play every minute. Even a few minutes of play twice a day makes a real difference to how lively it stays. If nobody plays with the cat, it can indeed become sluggish and put on weight, but that comes from lifestyle, not from the breed's character.

“A British Shorthair doesn't love you if it won't sit in your arms”

Many British Shorthairs genuinely dislike being held for long or carried around. But their affection shows in other ways: the cat greets you at the door, follows you from room to room, settles next to you on the sofa and falls asleep peacefully when you're around. That's love, British style: tactful and undemanding. If you respect the cat's boundaries and never force anything, many British Shorthairs eventually come to your lap on their own, although of course nobody can guarantee it.

“A real British Shorthair is always blue”

The blue British Shorthair is indeed the breed's most famous look, and blue cats are what first made it a star at shows. Yet, depending on the association, the standards recognise dozens of colours: black, cream, lilac, chocolate, white, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolour, silver and golden chinchillas, colourpoints. A kitten of any recognised colour is just as much a British Shorthair as a blue one. Colour is a matter of taste, not a measure of quality.

“Short coat means hardly any shedding”

A British Shorthair's coat is short but very dense, with a thick undercoat. So these cats shed quite noticeably, especially seasonally: in spring and autumn you'll find more fur on furniture and clothes. Indoor cats often shed more or less all year round. Regular brushing, once a week and more often during a moult, significantly reduces the amount of fur around the house, as well as the amount the cat swallows while grooming.

“British Shorthairs are hypoallergenic”

There's no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat. The main cat allergen, a protein called Fel d 1, is produced by the sebaceous and salivary glands. When a cat grooms, it spreads the protein over its coat, and from there it ends up on furniture, fabrics and in the air. Cats of every breed produce it, and the amount can vary many times over from one cat to another, even within the same breed. Intact males are known to produce more Fel d 1 than neutered cats, but even a neutered cat isn't completely safe for someone with an allergy. If someone in your family has allergies, talk to an allergist before choosing a kitten and be sure to spend time with cats of the breed in person.

“British Shorthairs and Scottish Straights are the same breed”

They really are easy to mix up: Scottish cats have plenty of British Shorthairs in their pedigrees, and Scottish Straights share similar round features. But these are different breeds with different standards and histories. Scottish cats descend from Susie, a folded-ear cat found in 1961, and their families include folded-ear cats. So when choosing a kitten, go by the papers and the pedigree rather than looks, and ask the breeder directly which breed the kitten actually belongs to.

“The bigger the British Shorthair, the better”

British Shorthairs are sturdy, heavy-boned cats, and adult males can be quite large. But size should come from build, not fat. The plush coat hides extra pounds very well, so owners often don't notice their cat gaining weight. Excess weight raises the risk of a number of diseases, so judge your cat's shape with your hands: you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat. Don't compare your cat with internet “record holders”: every cat has its own build, and your vet can help work out the ideal weight for yours.

Want to learn more about the breed? Start with our article “British Shorthair personality” and the breed page. You can check the site to see whether any kittens of this breed are available right now, and if not, join the waiting list.