Excalibur Boy George | Excalibur British Shorthairs presents
Physical Description of a British Shorthair
by: Pamela A. Barrett, © 1996 |
The British Blue Shorthair is a very
sturdy and strong cat. Their body shape is almost square, since
they are almost as broad as they are long in length. Like a bull
dog, a British Blue Shorthair has thick, short legs on a heavily
muscled body. With broad shoulders and powerful hips, the British
is affectionately referred as the body builder or bull dog of
the cat fancy.
While the male British is noticeably
larger, broader and rounder than the female, both male and female
British Shorthairs are an imposing cat presence. Growing very
slowly, a British Blue Shorthair does not reach full maturity
until four to five years of age.
The head of a British Shorthair is very
massive, broad, and round. Chubby cheeks give the British Shorthair
a chipmunk appearance, and large, brilliant copper eyes are prominent
facial features. Medium to small sized ears with rounded tips
are set wide apart on the domed tophead. A snub nose on a short
wide muzzle, with firm, slightly rounded chin emphasizes the roundness
to the head and powerful jaw.
The coat of a British Shorthair is unique.
No other breed of cat has the thick plush, well bodied coat of
the British. With the texture and density of lush rich velvet,
a British Shorthair feels like a sheered lamb or a rich Persian
carpet.
The thick, naturally protective short
hair of a British seldom sheds if living quarters are kept cool
and hand grooming (petting) is done on a regular basis. British
Shorthairs don't like water, but will accept the indignity of
a bath provided it is done with tender loving care.
The blue color of a British Shorthair
can range from a pale light silver to a dark charcoal, with the
lighter shades being preferred. The color should be solid and
even throughout the body, with ghost tabby rings on the tail allowed
only in immature specimens. A blue British Shorthair must have
deep copper eyes that are large and round, giving the British
a sweet, open expression.
Just because the British Shorthair is a big, massive cat, it does not mean it is a fat cat. A British Shorthair should be the same width at the shoulder as at the hips. Their body should not pouch-out or cave-in. They should have a firm tummy, that does not sag or wiggle. Sound muscular body type is obtained through sound genetics, quality food, and plenty of exercise.
