British Shorthair History, Personality, and Hidden Truths

British Shorthair: England's Round-Faced Old-Money Cat, and the Hidden Truths Behind That Jowl You Never Knew

• Old-Money Cat From England -- This breed originates from England. As the story goes, when the Romans invaded England, they brought Egyptian domestic cats with them, which then bred with local European wildcats, giving rise to the British Shorthair breed.

• Born With a Jowl -- With their large build and round face, British Shorthairs come with a jowl that we can't exactly take them in for a "jowl-reduction" treatment.

• The Cat That Inspired a Classic -- The author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland once said that the Cheshire Cat, the famous round-faced cat everyone knows, was modeled after and inspired by the British Shorthair.

• Once Nearly Extinct -- During World War I and II, huge numbers of this breed were lost, and as Persian cats grew more popular, the breed was nearly forgotten to the point of near-extinction.

• Breed-Specific Conditions -- British Shorthairs commonly have breed-specific conditions, including heart disease, polycystic kidney disease, hip dysplasia, and respiratory conditions.

The round-faced, jowly British Shorthair is an adorable and popular breed for many people, but they do have their own hidden breed-specific conditions. So before deciding to bring one home, don't forget to check whether you and your living space are truly ready to care for them.