de Bellissimo (N)
British Shorthairs
and Scottish Folds

BRITISH SHORTHAIR HISTORY

The British Shorthairs’ origins are those of the native working cats, the street and yard cats of Britain. The early British Shorthair and French Charteux were of similar type; many breeders think they were originally the same cat. Today, breeders have taken great care to produce two distinct breeds, to be judged separately. Ancestors of the British Shorthairs survived years of superstition and persecution in past centuries, when thousands of cats were killed. It is a marvel that this wonderful, sweet-tempered cat is still around for the whole world to enjoy.

Many shorthairs were shown at the Crystal Palace in 1895. They held the limelight for about a year at the show, until the Persian took over. British Shorthairs were to remain out of favor until the 1930s when a small number of dedicated breeders took and interest in them. Mr. Harrison Weir, of early cat fancy fame wrote, “ The ordinary garden cat has survived every kind of hardship and persecution. That he exists at all is a tribute to his strength and character and endurance”.

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Last updated: 8.September 2004