Personality:
- Reserved, but become devoted pets after overcoming initial shyness.
- Placid, no-nonsense nature.
- Very hardy, healthy breed.
History:
Breed was originally introduced to England by the Romans. When Rome fell and trade with Britain ceased, cats on the British Isles bred within a limited gene pool, resulting in cats with unique characteristics. The breed almost became extinct during World War II, but outcrossing with Persians helped to re-establish the breed. Considered a rare cat in the United States until 1980 when they were recognized for championship by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
Body Type:
- Medium- to large-sized, well-balanced cat with a broad chest and powerful body.
- Head is round with full cheeks and medium-sized, round-tipped ears.
- Eyes are large, round, and correspond to coat color.
Coat:
- Coat is short, dense, and plush.
- Eighteen colors are available including white, black, cream, black smoke, blue smoke, tabby patterns, tortoiseshell, calico, blue-cream and bi-color.
Health and Wellness:
- Genetically linked physical problems have not been reported.
What you should know:
- Dislike being picked up unless body and all four feet are well supported.
- Since blue is the most popular color, there may be a waiting period before a kitten of this color is available.
- Choose a kitten from a reputable breeder who has raised your kitten under foot (not in a cage) to ensure your pet will be easy to handle and people-oriented.
