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.

I have three

A poorly bred blue called Poppy who despite her crap breeding is very beautiful. She's most definitely queen bee in this house and very attached to me.

Then there's Honey, a cream self who is very aloof until she wants affection. She's a cats cat though and smooths the relationship between Poppy and Oscar.

Oscar is a chocolate tabby bi-colour point most definitely bred for beauty not brains. He's very affectionate but totally attached to me or anyone who has food whilst they still have the food.

I totally love the breed but they do moult an awful lot, especially Oscar who gets a winter coat and has only just finished shedding it for this year.

I have a BSH silver spot and I LOVE HIM TO DEATH.

He is 8 months old so into his teenager-hood so I can’t tell exactly how he will be as an adult but so far so good. I got a BSH becase 1) I have always wanted one and 2) their breed characteristics suited the life I can offer a cat.

I got a pedigree and I expected that the generations of indoor kept breeding queens would have bread a beautiful but stupid not very ‘cat like cat’, but he is an amazing cat and has killer instincts.

BSH are meant to be friendly, chilled out and content but not great lap cats and this describes mine to a tee. He is a lovely creature. Very interested in me and what I’m doing but prefers to sit next to me, not on me. He does come onto my bed for a snuggle and kisses at night but then he settles down on the end of the bed.

BSH are not meant to be vocal, and mine hardly ever is.

BSH are not meant to be very agile, but mine is defying this and is a super climber. I thought he would be a low-down skulking cat but he is a high-rise bird watcher. Getting less and less good at it as he gets heavier but he love love loves climbing up tall things.

BSH are meant to be the only cat breed that will eat and eat so they can get really fat but so fat so you have to watch their food intake but I haven’t ever needed to limit mine and he is still skinny (probably cos he is growing still).

I haven’t experienced any negative behaviours – he is super clean, always used his litter tray, uses his scratch posts, plays with his toys not with the house etc. He does have every cat toy known to man but I strongly suspect he does big fat nothing whilst I am out of the house as I always get greeted with a yawn and a stretch and then he goes onto “KILL CHASE KILL” mode for a few hours and I play with him. He hasn’t ever bitten or scratched (I don’t play with hands) but he generally plays with ‘claws in’ anyway.

Mine will play ‘fetch’ quite well and bring back his toy (ball, feather) to be thrown again. This isn’t 100% reliable but quite often. He will bring toys to me if he wants to play.

He doesn’t like being picked up but will tolerate it, like he doesn’t struggle or bite but he would much rather you didn’t.

I don’t actually brush him because he really hates it (have tried every brush style there is!) and he moults white hairs quite badly.

Oh, he is super chillaxed and isn’t scared of things like loud noises.

He is bonded to me and will choose to sit next to me in preference to other people. Maybe because I feed him!

Oh, and he looks amazing… so beautiful and like a cuddly teddy cat.

Get one 

@TheCatOfAthenry here is a picture of my boy looking dignified, and not so much!

Thanks all, we've decided to go for it in later 2018!

I researched other breeds too, and decided that even if I don't get a lap cat in a BSH, I still have my lovely Cookie for that.

Really helpful posts here - much appreciated!

If you would like a super affectionate blue cat, could I recommend a tonkinese? Every single one I have met is a total sap. Ours adores us all and is always on our lap/in our beds. Loves the kids too - very chilled, no problematic peeing. He is gorgeous. They also love other animals - he has a friend who visits our garden and he couldn't be less territorial - just wants to play. I considered a bsh but was really put off by tales of aloofness. So glad I got a tonk now.

I know you've already decided to get one (excellent decision!) but am going to show off my dream boy anyway. I chose a BSH because they're not meant to be "talkers" - my boy laughs in the face of this generalisation and never shuts up :D
He is super chilled, will tolerate pretty much anything, likes to snuggle in bed and will, contrary to the breeds typical nature, sleep on my lap.
He plays like a demon and is very agile for such a large cat. He also eats like a damn horse. I think they're the most beautiful cats going and wouldn't be without one.

Renard, what a beauty!

They're all so lovely!

We're considering getting a female, having one litter at 24 months and keeping them all (and spaying/neutering all!) It always broke my heart giving them away as a child and I'm loving the idea of having a cat family.

Lucky enough to be able to afford insurance and the basic vaccines/chips/neutering for all. Wouldn't do any shows or sales, just cuddles.

I'll do my research and continue to get lovely rescue moggies too, of course.

I don't know about BSHs, but most other breeders will only sell a pedigree if you undertake to have it spayed / neutered and don't have any kittens.

Just to bear in mind.

Here's a picture of mine:

@BerylStreep I'm lucky enough to know of a reputable breeder who provides an option.

I may need to register as a breeder myself, but I have 2 feasible sources.

Even if not, I'm happy to just have the one floof ball. Yours is lovely!

Great decision!

I've had my BSH for one week today and he is absolutely gorgeous.

He will walk over me but not sit on me, trots around the house after me to see what I'm doing, lies down up against me either on the sofa or in bed.

Hilarious and agile at play. He loves to be brushed!?!!!

@FrogsLegs31 his face is fabulous!

Lordy his eyes are fabulous Frogs. They look like they have magically powers!

@FrogsLegs31 hansom chappy!

How old is he?

He's three, not quite fully grown yet and just wonderful!

I wasn't so sure of that at 5am when he was trying to catch my feet through the duvet though!

There is a BSH local to me who is adored by everyone who meets him. He has a reputation on our road for just letting himself in to people's houses and demanding attention. We never feed him but often I am in the middle of doing something indoors and he will have just let himself in and will sprawl out across my feet. He loves being petted and held, purring away and won't leave until I physically shut him out of the house.
It's not ideal that he has claimed our home ( and a number of neighbours) as his territory as we are planning on getting another cat ourselves. He has a gps tracker so obviously has a reputation for wandering off.

Ooh Fudge, next time you see him check which tracker he is wearing as I'd like to get one!

Our neighbours tried to adopt our Burmese and we had to resort to putting a tracker on her. There was a beep function, so she would beep like a bomb about to go off, and you would hear their backdoor open and she would suddenly appear, miaowing. It bloody pissed me right off.

It was a Loc8te, but to be honest I wouldn't recommend it. It didn't have a very good range, and worked on a system of beeps that got louder the closer you were. I think the GPS ones might be better even though they are more expensive.

We have a 4 year old Blue Cream BSH girl. She is a big example and has all the characteristics typical of the breed. She can't climb, which is handy as she can't get on the kitchen worktops and doesn't stray far from our garden/driveway. She tolerates our toddler, is not keen on our 6 year old (he is too noisy I think!) but our 11 year old is her absolute favourite.

She hates being picked up (only exception being our eldest!) but does sit on my lap in the evenings. She is quite laid back, although she does moan quite a lot and she is good hunter.

She has totally nailed the death stare!!!

Love all these. I have 2 Bsh -one brown tabby, Arthur-he's about a year & the other is Regina & she's 3. I let them out despite seeking an indoor breed but
I don't think they stray far & adore getting in the garden. Would be interested in the gps though

One poos about 5 times a day, it's crazy! Temperament wise, she's aloof & hisses at Arthur all the time. Also really whingy growls if you pick her up but friendly to the big humans & both like to sit on our knees. Arthur is just like a puppy & follows us around. Both liked to be brushed but the cream one has so much hair to shed she may break the vacuum!

Echoing all the PP.

I have a silver spotted BSH, he is THE BEST CAT EVER.

Had moggies who I loved beyond words for 20 years. I've had this one for almost 2 years, and honestly, he's such a dude!

Never bitten or scratched, he's like a teddy bear.
A real solid, heavy boy, affectionate and clever.

I love him so much ❤️

Get one 😉

Our 3yo bsh escaped last night & managed to scale the front wall of our house to climb in our bedroom window! Top right in pic. How???!! From a breed that supposedly don't clim!

If you want a pedigree blue cat will be a lap cat I can recommend Russian Blues. Intelligent and gentle and they have the most amazing green eyes.

I think no-ones told mine she doesn't climb and doesn't jump. She jumps and then uses those massive back legs and paws to scrabble upwards. But that house scaling is truly impressive.