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Facts and Health Care Problems about British Shorthair Cats

Article Summary: Article reveals an introduction to the British Shorthair cat breed - behavior, characteristics, health problems and grooming needs.

To many, the British Shorthair is a the epitome of a lazy feline, one who loves to relax. This misrepresentation owes itself to the plump body of the British Shorthair. In actual fact, the British Shorthair is actually a cat that was common in farms and is acknowledged for its skill in trapping and hunting mice and other small rodents.

History - Bred in the nineteenth century, the British Shorthair was a favorite in many households until distinct breeds began popping up in the mide twentieth century. 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 - Offering many different selections of color, one color in particular was so in demand; it was the only shade and color credited by cat associations for years to come. 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.

The British Shorthair has a roundish head and wide cheeks as well as a thick and relatively short tail. 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 - Referred to as the "four feet on the ground" cat, the British Shorthair is not one for constant offerings of affection. This breed behavior is highly content to go about its day doing its own thing. The British Shorthair is not suitable for those who desire friendly felines as this breed is not as socially inclined. This breed is truly happy when the food bowl is filled and his activities are his to control. No play time or cuddle time is required to keep this self-contained cat happy.

Since this breed does not demand much of an owner's time, it is the perfect addition to the family of someone who doesn't have a lot of time to spend at home.

British Shorthair Cat Health Problems - With a long ancestry and lineage, the gene pool diversity of the breed is generally healthy, although there is a problem one should take note of.

Type A Blood is the common blood type of domestic cats; however, the British Shorthair is known to possess the rare Type B Blood type. This problem can cause complications if surgery is ever required. It is important to have your Shorthair tested by a veterinarian and if the blood type is rare, have the veterinarian make a note of it in its records to avoid any complications that could arise in the future.

It is easy to care for and groom your British Shorthair. 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.upublish.info

About the Author:
Moses Wright
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.