英国短毛猫有悠久的历史，但直到20世纪初才引起人们的宠爱。该猫体形圆胖，四肢粗短发达，被毛短而密，头大脸圆，大而圆的眼睛根据被毛不同而呈现各种颜色。该猫温柔平静，对人友善，极易饲养。
英国短毛猫的祖先们可以说是“战功赫赫”，早在2000多年前的古罗马帝国时期，它们就曾跟随凯撒大帝到处征战。在战争中，它们靠着超强的捕鼠能力，保护罗马大军的粮草不被老鼠偷吃，充分保障了军需后方的稳定。从此，这些猫在人们心中得到了很高的地位。就在那个时候，它们被带到了英国境内，靠着极强的适应能力，逐渐演变成为英国的土著猫。它不仅被公认为捕鼠高手，那英俊外形也被更多人所喜爱。
到了19世纪的末期，英国的育种专家们在这些土著猫中选出最美丽的猫咪，开始了漫长的培育工作，最终这个被称为英国短毛猫的品种诞生了。1871年，英国短毛猫参加了伦敦的水晶宫博览会，此品种也从此开始被命名。
1901年，英国猫俱乐部成立了，那时的英国短毛猫还是体型大而结实的蓝色毛种，很像法国的卡尔特猫，后来由于它们的后代越来越像，甚至不分彼此。所以FIFE（英国最大爱猫协会）决定将这两个品种合二为一。
第二次世界大战之后，更多毛色的英国短毛猫也陆续被各国的猫会所承认，它们走进了千家万户，成为人们生活中的伴侣。
1970年后，他们的体型越来越小，毛色的种类也越来越丰富，所有的风格都开始朝优雅变化。到了1977年，FIFE又重新更改了规定，将这两个品种分离并且禁止继续将它们杂交。
性格特点 英国短毛猫大胆好奇，但非常温柔，适应能力也很强，不会因为环境的改变而改变，也不会乱发脾气、更不会乱吵乱叫，它只会尽量爬到比较高的地方，低着头瞪着那双圆圆的大眼睛面带微笑地俯视着你，就好像《爱丽丝梦游仙境》中提到的那只叫做“路易斯”的猫一样，不用语言，只用那可爱的面部表情就抓住了你的心，再也无法改变你对它的爱。
身体特征
乳黄色英短(小猫)
外型 ：由中型至大型。其骨架及肌肉很发达，短而肥的颈与及阔而平的肩膊相配合。头部圆而阔， 最大的特征是支耳的距离很接近。
毛色：共有十五种品种被承认，其中最著名的是蓝色系的英国短毛猫。最近在欧洲也出现点状类型的猫种。
毛质：短而密的绒毛， 富有弹性，可将全身紧密地包。
毛种：短毛种
眼睛：圆而大，颜色以毛色为准。
目色：依体毛而有不同
发源地：英国
特征：头部又宽又圆，双耳间距较小。眼睛大而圆，颈子粗又短。尾巴的长度大约是身长的3分之2。
据说在很早以前罗马人带入英国的猫就是英国短毛猫的祖先。这些猫由人饲养，负责抓老鼠，成为充分适应生活环境的英国土著猫。后来经过改良血统，才变成英国土产的短毛种。
在英国本地很早就获得认可，1901年，还出现其猫种之理想形象呢！
它原是一种体型相当大又结实的蓝猫，过了1970年代，毛色和外型都开始改变。体型越来越小，毛色的种类也变得丰富，所有的改变都朝向优雅的风格。
但是，此猫体内毕竟还保留狩猎的本性；其骨架粗壮、肌肉发达，被抓到的猎物根本无法逃脱。丰厚的体毛很适合在英国的寒冷天气下生存；即使没有人饲养，它还是能生存得很好。
若不提及它的天性，其实它的个性还算温和，也相当稳重；既不会闹情绪，也不会恶作剧。平日颇安静，照顾上也不太麻烦。
橙眼白色猫
白色英国短毛猫有3种，以眼睛颜色为区别。橙眼和蓝眼白猫之差异在于 橙眼白猫并没有先天耳聋。但像其他白色猫一样有晒黑的危险。
特征：在某些白猫中，“畸趾”发生率很高，“畸趾”意思是“多趾”。虽然，在展示时会被视为一个严重缺陷，但不致引起残疾、健康，是可爱的伴侣。
蓝眼白色猫
蓝眼白色英国短毛猫往往先天耳聋，没什么能力当好母亲且现今较为稀有。
特征：除眼睛颜色外，在其他方面和别的白色英国短毛猫同，蓝眼睛在12周大时便更明显.. 附注 第一只蓝眼白色英国短毛猫出现于1980年代早期。当时很受欢，常成为展示会上的优胜者。
怪眼白色猫
怪眼白色英国短毛猫是从橙眼英国短毛猫的繁殖计划中培育而成的。
附注 有一只橙眼及一只蓝眼，因此外貌奇特，有人说头上有深斑纹者不会患耳聋之疾。
品种标准外
虎斑英短
型：由中型至大型。其骨架及肌肉很发达，短而肥的颈与及阔而平的肩膊相配合。头部圆而阔，最大的特徵是支耳的距离很接近。
毛色：共有十五种品种被承认，其中最著名的是蓝色系的英国短毛猫。最近在欧洲也出现点状类型的猫种。
毛质：短而密的绒毛，富有弹性，可将全身紧密地包。
毛种：短毛种
眼睛：圆而大，颜色以毛色为准。
目色：依体毛而有不同
特征：头部又宽又圆，双耳间距较小。眼睛大而圆，颈子粗又短。尾巴的长度大约是身长的3分之2。
Compared to most shorthair breeds, British Shorthairs are relatively calm cats when they mature. They are easygoing in nature and talk infrequently. Very affectionate, they become quite attached to the people they own. British Shorthairs are easily trained and very adaptable. They seem to get along well with all human members of the household, regardless of age, but are usually not fond of being carried. Pets of all kinds have been kept with British Shorthairs, including dogs of all sizes, rabbits, and birds. British Shorthairs are not known for being acrobats and can tend to be clumsy at times. No breed specific, health related problems plague the British Shorthair.
These are sturdy, dense-coated, purring, teddy bear cats with large round eyes. Another thing that draws people to the British Shorthair is their size. Although they are not huge like the Maine Coon, they are a medium to large cat. They are a slow maturing breed and do not reach their full size until three years of age. Mature males avergae nine to seventeen pounds, and mature females average seven to twelve pounds. Although most people think of them as being blue cats, they come in a number of colors and patterns. Not every blue cat is a British Shorthair. It is still considered one of the minority breeds in CFA.
Probably the oldest English breed of cat, the British Shorthair can trace its ancestry back to the domestic cats of Rome. This breed was first prized for its physical strength and hunting ability. Today, the most they usually hunt is for their own food bowls. British Shorthairs may have started out as street cats in the United Kingdom, but with plenty of hard work from breeders all over the world, the British Shorthair has become a force to be reckoned with on the CFA show bench, having been recognized as a breed in May 1980. They are now beautiful, much-loved cats internationally.
As mentioned previously, British Shorthairs have no specific breed-related diseases. When choosing a British Shorthair for your family, pricing usually depends on type, applicable markings, and parentage. Achievements which can be found in the pedigree include CFA titles such as GC (Grand Champion), GP (Grand Premier), NW (National Winner), BW (Breed Winner), and RW (Regional Winner). There is also the coveted award of DM (Distinguished Merit), which means that a female has produced five CFA Grand Champions/Premiers, and a male has produces fifteen CFA Grand Champions/Premiers.
Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. The experts seem to agree that kittens first start bonding with humans around the age of twelve weeks. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations, have been weaned, and have had the time to become well-adjusted. Most breeders require that they remain safely indoors and that they be spayed/neutered. Due to the breeders’ diligence in placing cats, rarely does a British Shorthair need to be rescued from a shelter. CFA and most breeders disapprove of declawing and tendonectomy surgery. With proper care, these cats will live a long, healthy, and joyful life and bring happiness to their family. For more information, please contact the Breed Council Secretary for this breed.
