ABOUT THE BREED

The British Shorthair is the pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat, with a distinctively chunky body, dense coat and broad face. They are known to have “teddy bear” looks with their large, round expressive eyes and compact, well-balanced, powerful bodies.

The British Shorthair is known for their placid, kind and affectionate nature. Our ChubbyBuddies are mellow and easygoing, making them excellent family pets. They enjoy affection but are at the same time full of British reserve, making them undemanding companions. They are well-suited to life with families with children, and are proven to be dog-friendly cats. They love attention from children who treat them politely and with respect.

living with a british shorthair

Living with a British Shorthair is great fun as they are gentle, intelligent, docile and extremely endearing! They bond closely to their owners and quickly become a part of the family, sharing their affection equally amongst all family members (furry ones included). They are not especially active as adults, preferring to spend much of their time taking it easy. Their independent natures thrive when left alone as they are content with their own company, quietly amusing themselves in your absence and waiting patiently for your return, making the breed suitable for those who work long hours or spend a significant amount of time away from home. You can expect your ChubbyBuddy to be good tempered, with a stable personality and predictable patterns of behaviour.

PET CARE AND MAINTENANCE

British Shorthairs are cats with moderate activity levels. Their even-tempered personalities and immaculate manners are those of a proper governess, not a soccer hooligan, and their equilibriums are rarely disturbed by other pets. When properly socialised, they welcome guests confidently, and is a great breed of cat for people who have the time to spend with one.

As pets go, cats are relatively low maintenance compared to dogs which need companionship, walking, etc. However, like any pet, they do need care and attention, and some cats need more care than others. Do you want to spend a lot of time with your pet, do you want it to be demanding, or do you have limited time? Cats can fit into busy, modern lifestyles more easily than dogs, as they are pretty independent, can be left alone much more easily and are more suitable for smaller flats or houses. Cats are also often chosen by people who have busy and stressful lifestyles and who want some companionship when they go home to relax.

• Be patient. While males are noticeably larger, broader and rounder than the females, both males and females are an imposing cat presence. Growing very slowly, a British Shorthair does not reach full maturity until four to five years of age.

• Be realistic. If you’re not likely to have the time or inclination to groom a cat on a daily basis, don’t even think of getting a cat with a long coat. In addition, if you are extremely house-proud, you may not want lots of hair everywhere. A shorthaired cat is a much easier option, as most cats are fanatical about their coats and keep them in immaculate condition.

• Be observant. Because they are prone to put on weight very easily, keeping a close eye on a British Shorthair’s waistline is all important. They are very intelligent cats and need enough stimulation to prevent them from becoming couch potatoes.

• Grooming is really easy. The fur of British Shorthairs is short, close-lying, and lustrous, and it is dense enough to protect against the elements. A weekly combing is usually all that is necessary to keep the fur clean and healthy.

• Be committed. Due to the large gene pool of the breed and few overall health problems, the average life expectancy of a British Shorthair may well exceed 15 when properly cared for and fed an appropriate, good quality diet.