British Shorthair vs American Shorthair

American and British Shorthairs are two of the most popular breeds of cat and both come from humble beginnings. Both breeds are known for their stocky appearance and plush, dense coat. Yet, there are quite a few distinguishing factors that make the American Shorthair and British Shorthair unique.

British Shorthair

History:

The British Shorthair is one of the oldest cat breeds, but its history still isn’t fully known. It is thought that Romans introduced cats to British Isles over 2000 years ago. These working cats were used to control vermin in their territories. As time passed, the Roman cats interbred with the local feline population.

The breed’s popularity surged during the Victorian era when it began to be featured in early cat shows. In the late 19th century, Harrison Weir, often considered the “father of the cat fancy,” developed a breed standard for the British Shorthair, which played a pivotal role in its recognition as a breed. Despite suffering a decline in numbers during World War II, dedicated breeding programs restored the breed. Today, the British Shorthair is celebrated for its sturdy structure, plush double-coat, round features, and notably easy-going temperament.

Appearance:

British Shorthairs are considered one of the largest cat breeds in the cat fancy. They have a stocky build, a large teddy bear face, and a thick, plush coat.  All coat colours and patterns are accepted in the British Shorthair breed standard, however, the breed is best known for its plush, blue coat.

Personality:

If you are looking for a laid-back and easygoing cat, consider the British Shorthair. Known for its gentle nature, the British Shorthair gets along well with both young children and other pets, particularly when introduced early.

While the British Shorthair will enjoy spending time with their human companions, they are not overly demanding and are often content to sit by your side rather than on your lap. Their even-tempered nature and adaptability make them relatively low maintenance in terms of their emotional and social needs.

Health:

The British shorthair is an overall healthy breed. However, there can be a higher incidence of the following inherited diseases.

American Shorthair

History:

The American Shorthair has a rich history rooted in North America. Originally known as the “Domestic Shorthair” until 1966, the American Shorthair traces its lineage back to the cats that accompanied early European settlers to America, providing invaluable service in controlling rats and other vermin.

Appearance:

American Shorthairs are medium to large in size, with a muscular build. Known for their strikingly diverse coat colours and patterns, American Shorthairs cats also have a well-deserved reputation for their easy-going nature and long lifespan.

Temperament:

Their balanced temperament makes them suitable companions in a variety of home environments, and their sociable but non-demanding personality has endeared them to cat lovers everywhere. Despite their hunting past, American Shorthairs are indoor cats and enjoy the company and comforts of home life with their human companions.

Health:

American Shorthairs are an overall healthy breed, but there is a higher incidence of the following:

Obesity can become an issue in some American Shorthair which can have a serious impact on the health and welfare of the cat. interactive toys.

British Shorthair vs American Shorthair

This list has been compiled from breed standards from the Cat Fanciers Association, Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, and the Coordinating Cat Council of Australia. The breed standard is a set of guidelines that describes the ideal physical characteristics of each cat breed.

Cat breeders breed according to the breed standard set out by their cat council. There may be some slight variations between cat councils. For example, the American Burmese has a different breed standard to the European Burmese.

Conclusion

Overall, the British Shorthair is a stockier breed with a thick plush coat and a huge, round head. The American Shorthair is well-built, but less stocky than the British Shorthair with a narrower and slightly longer face.

The personality of both British Shorthair and American Shorthair is similar, however, the American Shorthair is slightly more energetic than its British counterpart. Both breeds make exceptional family pets.

British Shorthair vs Scottish Fold

The British Shorthair is a separate breed from the Scottish Fold and do not have folded ears. Both breeds have a similar teddy-bear face, but the Scottish Fold has curled ears. Some kittens in a Scottish Fold litter may be straight-eared, these are known as Scottish Straight.

Resources

Cat Fanciers Association British Shorthair breed standard

CFA American Shorthair breed standard

Governing Council of the Cat Fancy British Shorthair breed standard

Coordinating Cat Fancy of Australia American Shorthair breed standard

Australian Cat Federation British Shorthair breed standard

Australian Cat Federation American Shorthair breed standard