Cat breed guide
British Shorthair
The British Shorthair has a short, dense, crisp coat that CFA says is controlled with a quick weekly combing. It is calm and quiet, patient with children although it may withdraw during loud activity, and GCCF says it suits life as an indoor only companion.
British Shorthair at a glance
- Adult weight, male
- 5.5 to 8.5 kg
- Adult weight, female
- 4.5 to 6.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 14 to 20 years
- Coat
- short, dense, well bodied, firm to the touch, with a crisp, resilient texture
Ratings
Petboost editorial ratings from 1 to 5, drawn from the breed standard text under Sources. A breed with no basis in the sources for a rating shows none.
- Grooming effort
- Energy
- Good with children
- Suits an apartment
5 means it needs the most grooming
5 means it needs a lot of exercise
5 means it suits a family best
5 means it copes best in a small home
Next steps
- Find a local groomer or daycarePet businesses near you that take bookings online.
- Cat age in human yearsFrom a formula, not the seven-to-one rule.
Sources
- Petboost breed reference data, adult weight ranges (breed list snapshot).
- CFA, British Shorthair breed profile, http://cfa.org/breed/british-shorthair/, read 5 Oct 2026
- GCCF, British, https://www.gccfcats.org/getting-a-cat/choosing/cat-breeds/british/, read 5 Oct 2026
General information about the breed, not veterinary advice. Speak with your vet about your own pet.