Collection: Personalised British Shorthair Gifts

Often referred to as a cuddly teddy bear, the British Shorthair has a round, appealing face and a thick, dense coat. Their looks and appealing nature make them an ideal feline candidate for all sorts of households and they get on well with other cats and friendly dogs.

The record for the world’s loudest purr is held by a British Shorthair cat called Smokey, a record he claimed in 2011 with a purr that registered 63.7 decibels which is around the same level as a lawn mower!

The British Shorthair is thought to date back to the earliest cats in the British Isles which were introduced by the Romans to control vermin. These cats bred with native wild cats and as a result, a domestic shorthaired cat evolved.

Fast forward several centuries to 1870 and the British Shorthair becomes more formally accepted and recognised. The Second World War all but obliterated the breed but thanks to the efforts of a few enthusiasts using Persian, Burmese and Russian blood crossed with what was left of native stock, the breed was saved.

Most British Shorthairs can trace their ancestry back to a male called Brynbuboo Little Monarch who was the first British Shorthair to win the Grand Champion title with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. Now recognised by the American Cat Association and the Cat Fanciers Association, this breed has worldwide recognition and is consistently one of the most popular breeds topping the popularity stakes since 1997 in terms of numbers registered with the GCCF.

The British Shorthair is a friendly and affectionate cat who is kind and tolerant and makes an excellent family pet in lots of different home environments. They are quite a self-contained and placid breed so don’t need endless attention and can be left alone.