One of the largest breeds of cat, this British favorite has been developed in a variety of attractive colors.
Although the British Shorthair is the most even tempered of cats, this variation is a reminder of its wild tabby-patterned ancestors. Brown tabbies were among the first British Shorthairs to appear in cat shows in the 1870s, and red and silver versions became popular early on in the breed’s history.
This cat now comes in a wide range of additional colors, with three traditional tabby patterns: classic (or blotched) tabby, with markings arranged in broad whorls; mackerel, with narrower markings; and spotted. In the Patched Tabby, the coat has a second ground color.
Origin: UK, 1800s
Breed registries: CFA, FIFe, GCCF, TICA
Weight range: 9–18 lb (4–8 kg)
Grooming: Weekly
Colors and patterns: All traditional tabby patterns with many colors, including silver variations; patched tabby in various colors, including silver variations.