They were identified as a distinct breed in the late 19th century and participated in cat shows. How British Shorthair Cats Gained Popularityīritish Shorthair cats may have first arrived in Britain with the Romans, but the breed’s precise origins are a bit opaque. Image Credit: SunRay BRI Cattery RU, Shutterstock A British Shorthair cat even participated in the first cat show in the UK back in 1871. They were considered regular old cats until the late 1800s, when Harrison Weir, the father of modern cat shows, advocated identifying them as a distinct breed. Others point to British street cats as the breed’s ancestors.Įither way, they were initially sought after as working cats and eventually became popular pets.

These cats then crossed the English Channel with the Romans during their 43 CE invasion of the British Isles to become the ancestors of today’s British Shorthair cats. Some researchers suggest the ancestors of these cats were Egyptian felines brought to Europe by Romans. But the breed’s exact origins are difficult to pin down. The Earliest Records of Golden British Shorthair Cats in Historyīritish Shorthair cats are one of the oldest recognized breeds in the feline world. They are generally laid back and relatively mellow and were the 6th most popular breed in the US in 2021, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). Golden British Shorthair cats are orangish versions of this popular breed. Some have bicolor, calico and tabby patterned coats. While gray tends to be the color most associated with the breed, these cats can be found in several shades, including white, cream, smoke, and golden. They are rather large cats, and some large males can weigh up to 18 pounds. Golden British Shorthair cats are gorgeous, round kitties with large heads and big hearts.

Ticked tabby british shorthair