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Facts and Health Care Problems about British Shorthair Cats

By: Moses Wright

Many people are not aware that British Shorthairs are descended from farm cats and have excellent skills in hunting small rodents and pests. This is due in part to the size and indolent features of the breed. It appears lazy and this is in contrast with its natural abilities in hunting.

History - Created in the nineteenth century, the British Shorthair became a very popular cat to own, that is until the mid twentieth century, when other unique breeds began to emerge. Not wanting this beautiful, historical cat to become extinct, a couple of dedicated cat lover's worked perilously to ensure its survival. It wasn't until the late twentieth century, that these wonderful cats were introduced in the United States, where cat fanciers became enthralled with their unusual personality and size.

Appearance - There are a variety of colors and one shade was so popular; it quickly became the only color recognized by cat associations for many years. British Blue was the name of the color of choice, but after World War II, this distinct color of British Shorthairs almost became nonexistent.

In order to preserve this gorgeous shade of blue, dedicated cat lover's bred the remaining blue shorthairs with Blue Persians. This created an increase in the gene pool and literally saved the specific shade from utter elimination. Additional colors from which to choose include orange eyed or blue eyed white, red or silver tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, bi-colors, and point.

Unique features of British Shorthair are a circular shaped head with broad cheeks and a tail that appears short and thick. The British Shorthair, also known for its stockiness, is a large specimen of cat weighing in at a substantial nine to eighteen pounds.

British Shorthair Cat Behavior and Characteristics - It is not a cat that demands incessant attention and affection. This breed behavior is highly content to go about its day doing its own thing. So, if you're looking for a cat that is affectionate and sociable and will curl up in your lap for a lazy afternoon, the British Shorthair is definitely not for you. You are ale to easily satisfy the breed's emotional needs by keeping its food bowl filled and the cat can look after its own entertainment. There is little need to cuddle or entertain this breed in order to keep them content.

As the British Shorthair doesn't need constant attention, it is a good choice for a family with limited time on their hands.

British Shorthair Cat Health Problems - With the British Shorthair having so many ancestors contributing to the gene pool, this large breed is very healthy overall, with only one flaw that requires consideration.

The average blood type of a domestic cat is Type A Blood; however, the British Shorthair is known to possess the rare Type B Blood type. This problem can cause complications if surgery is ever required. You should have your local vet check you British Shorthair's blood type to ascertain if it is a rare blood type, to decrease the chances of confusion late on.

The grooming aspect of caring for your British Shorthair is quite simple. With the texture of their coat being rough and thick, a once a week combing should be sufficient to remove loose hairs and particles of dirt.

If your short on time, but still want a cat, the unassuming, self contained personality of a British Shorthair is definitely worth looking in to. It's sure to be a perfect fit.

Article Source: http://www.newagelivingarticles.com

Moses Wright likes to help fellow cat owners learn more about their cat breed whenever he is free. You can find more resources on cat illnesses symptoms, list of cat breed facts and information on his web site.

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