The British Shorthair, probably the oldest English breed of cat, traces its ancestry back to the domestic cat of Rome. This breed was first prized for its physical strength and hunting ability, but soon became equally recognized and valued for its calm demeanor, strength and loyalty to people.

The British Shorthair is a fairly rare cat in the United States, but “Brits” are gaining in popularity every year. Because of its easy-going nature and intelligence, it has become a favorite of animal trainers, for use in Hollywood films and television commercials.

The British Shorthair has a short plush coat with a luxurious feel that is very easy to groom. Although first known as the British Blue, due to the breed’s original color, their coats now come in a wide variety of colors.

A British Shorthair is always in quiet control of his or her environment, supervising everyone and everything that happens in the family. He is compact, confident and powerful. Females are smaller than males and this breed takes a full 3-5 years to reach adulthood.

A larger sized cat that prefers to be on the ground, Brits are not known for acrobatics or speed. However, they are devoted companions to the entire family and definitely look before they leap. When clumsiness is observed, the British Shorthair is embarrassed, but quickly recovers with a “Cheshire Cat smile.”