British Shorthair

[TheCatOfAthenry]

Hi all, some of you may recognise me as the slave of Cookie and Biscuit. For those unfamiliar with me, I've included a picture.

I've always been a rescue cat person, but must admit I'm tempted by a stocky blue British Shorthair.

It'd probably be next year or later, but just wondering if anyone could comment on the breed?

I'm also feeling guilty because I've always had rescues. Opinions would be welcome. I'd delighted adopt a rescued stud or queen, but can't seem to find them in Ireland.

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

I had a British Shorthair.

His name was Nelson. I had to leave him behind when I left my exH. Still upsets me now.

He was really friendly. Have numerous photos of him snuggled up with baby DS. Lovely, lovely cat. Loud purr. Got him from a breeder who couldn't show/sell him because his eyes weren't quite right. Bullshit, he had the eyes of a Greek god.

I think all blue cats should be called Desmond. Des for short.

[Glitterywillows]

My bsh sadly passed away a few weeks ago, she was absolutely wonderful she didn't like to be picked up but she was a character. I rescued her when she was 6 and she died at 14. I miss her every day it is still very raw. But British Shorthairs are a wonderful breed.

[Madbengalmum]

Hi, they are a lovely looking breed, i had a shorthaired cream, but very aloof personalities can can be prone to nervous behaviour. A nice cat though.

[Glitterywillows]

My mia

[Tootsiepops]

I have a British blue. She is very independent and absolutely not a lap cat. She does come in to bed for cuddles though.

She hates is not overly fond of my toddler.

[TheCatOfAthenry]

All very interesting - and Mia is beautiful.

On one hand, I do prefer a snuggly cat. On the other hand, that's hard to predict anyway. Cookie was affection starved in the rescue and is (very slightly) more independent now. Biscuit was more nervous but now follows me around like a puppy.

[Toddlerteaplease]

The rescue mine came from has a Gorgeous BSH up for rehoming. Apparently he's lovely and bone idle. Mia is gorgeous.

[winchesterfan]

I have 2 British Shorthairs. One, Peanut, is very aloof, doesn't like to be touched but he follows me everywhere.
The other, Dobby, is always demanding strokes and cuddles.
Neither likes to be picked up.

Peanut is the ginger one (photo was when he a kitten)
Dobby is the white one

[TheCatOfAthenry]

@Toddlerteaplease if they were in Ireland I'd adopt him/her like a shot!

[WellWhoKnew]

I have a Blue British Shorthair and he is also called Nelson.

He is notably permanently perplexed by life.

He puts on a demeanour which means everyone wants to adopt him. Vets, catteries even friends have offered.

He sleeps with his arse pointing at my face. This constitutes a cuddle.

He mouths "meow" because he's too bone idle to actually use his vocal chords. I know this because he can holler "let me out" when he wants out NOW.

When you brush his fur backwards he changes colour. It's like having a fury etch-a-sketch.

He's not a lap cat. He sits on me to demand food (see meowing problem above) but otherwise he sleeps at the top of the stairs (daytime).

He can not half eat. Unless he decides he does not like that. That being something he loved last week.

He has cost me the price of a medium sized car in vet bills over the years. He is a notorious hypochondriac.

I wouldn't swop him for the world. He makes me smile daily.

[Toddlerteaplease]

op, if you pay my petrol and ferry money I'll deliver him!

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

My Nelson wasn't blue, BTW. He was black.

Proper handsome. Like hanging out with a mini panther.

[TravellingFleet]

I have a BSH - as others have said, life has to be on her terms. She likes her routine, she will sit on you at her choice (we have cuddles and Dreamies every evening) but you mustn't move, she absolutely will not be picked up. Apparently they were bred as ratters and she is big and strong with a big prey instinct - she looks adorable but is a farm cat at heart, I think.

[TheCatOfAthenry]

Wow, he is beautiful @Toddlerteaplease. How old is he?

And you have Persian cats. What's their temperament like? (I love longhairs).

I'm mildly concerned by the reports of aloofness on here. Cookie is currently on my lap, washing Biscuit who is asleep beside us.

I could just get another beautiful rescue moggie. And I love hand rearing kittens. I like older cats too, but my two are young and playful so that could be restrictive.

So much thinking.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I think he's 11 but is in good health. Persians are generally sweet and affectionate. Very docile and not very bright. (Well mine are) it's taken a long time to gain their confidence but they are very affectionate. They follow me round the house and sleep on my bed. They aren't to keen on being picked up but will tolerate it. They really are no trouble and are incredibly well behaved. The only issue I've ever had is Fatty occasionally peeing on the sofa. They are not very active and are completely un cat like. They can't climb di never go on the units.

[dinosaurbum]

I have a BSH, we rehomed him from a lovely family, that had a severely disabled child, a toddler and 6 other cats, so unfortunately the cats where be rehomed.

I think he isn't a usual BSH do to living with so many other cats.

He occasionally does want to come for cuddles, and has the most amazing purr! He is really good with our toddler too, and our puppy!!

Although he did do a protest poo in his dinner bowl when we was on holiday and, dog was with the sitter and retired FIL was coming to keep him company and let him out (he goes outside and always has, and brings us lots of presents)

Not sure if if was in protest at the dog or FIL, I think probably latter...

[McSnuff]

I used to have two British Shorthairs, just have the one now. Both of them were/are massive snugglers; they'd fight to sit on my lap. One of them was very clingy but our old boy now is less so, but still wants to sit on me or lie on me.

One of them was aloof at the start, for about three days, then hopped up onto the sofa and settled on my lap and that was it.

They are lovely, big, strong cats and I'd have another.

[legolammb]

I have a blue and cream BSH - she's my baby (despite being 9). Very chatty and talks back to you. She loves being around us and watches me in the kitchen. She jumps on the bed for a cuddle after breakfast at the weekend and tries to sleep on the bed but always picks somewhere silly to lie and gets kicked off. Will climb onto your lap for a cuddle, more so in the cold weather, but doesn't like being picked up. She comes and meets us by the door when we come in from work. Very greedy though, she's a little chubster despite my best efforts

[Lonecatwithkitten]

This is my posh arrogant boy colour point half British short hair, who quite frankly one of the nastiest cats around.
I have to warn all visitors not to touch him as he can turn and bite really badly.
The whole house exist around his whims he beats up the other pets ( cat and dog) if we are late or even not quick enough with his meals we get protest wees.
After discussing him with clients there are a surprising number of BSH out there who are like this. All acquired as kittens with good upbringings.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

There are blue/grey moggies about. I've had 2 solid grey DSH cats - both lovely temperaments, fewer health risks than purebreds and both regularly mistaken for British Blues. Worth registering an interest at your local rescue centre?

[TheCatOfAthenry]

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats that's a great idea!

A local breeder did contact me about a beautiful friendly 6month old with a dodgy looking but healthy tooth who can't do shows, because I made it clear I want a pet. She also was ill as a baby but everything is good now. They'd only want the spaying and vaccination fee so if she's as sweet as she looks on the video it'd be a dream!

I'm still thinking. DP was nervous about first and second cats (but now loves them) so I might be kinder to wait a bit?

[TheCatOfAthenry]

Waiting until next year anyway - we've agreed that Biscuit is still so young and if I get another this year, I'm going to end up an animal hoarder!

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

That's probably a sensible decision.

Cookie and Biscuit are gorgeous!

[BerylStreep]

Have you considered Burmese? Beautiful breed with very loving temperaments. Intensely interested in absolutely everything you do. Very intelligent

[TheCatOfAthenry]

@BerylStreep how common are blue Burmese cats?

Shallow I know and I'm normally a cat personality person, but I'm finding the whole blue thing hard to resist!