According to the Canadian Cat Association (CCA) standards, the British Shorthair is a chubby, well balanced, powerful cat with a medium to large body, thick neck, and massive head. It's charming face has full cheeks, a medium broad nose, and large wide-set eyes usually of a copper or orange colour.
British Shorthair cat is self-possessed and undemanding. This breed is a delight to own, being intelligent, affectionate and not temperamental, a quiet, unobtrusive cat. They have quiet voices and although not “lap cats” they will sit contentedly beside humans. British Shorthair is an affectionate cat that will seek out and enjoy attention, but quietly and without overwhelming demands.

Regarding the role of the British Shorthair cats as part of a household, The Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) describes them as always in quiet control of his or her environment, supervising everyone and everything that happens in the family. A larger sized cat that prefers to be on the ground, Brits are not known for acrobatics or speed. However, they are steadfast companions to the entire family and definitely look before they leap. When gracelessness is observed, the British Shorthair is duly embarrassed; quickly recovering with a “Cheshire Cat smile”.

According to F. M. Rowley in her book “British Shorthair Cat”, unlike many other breeds, the origin of the British Shorthair cats is not lost in legends and myths. Its ancestral stock traces directly back to the domestic cats taken from Egypt to Rome, and later to Britain. Most likely, the ancestors of modern British Shorthair cats arrived to Britain after the 2nd century AD when Roman colonization in Britain was well established.

The Cat Fancier's Association (CFA), the world's largest cat registry, confirms that the British Shorthair is a comparatively rare cat in the United States. Around 1980 it was recognized for championship competition by CFA stimulating much needed interest in the breed. Recognized world-wide, many fine “Brits” are still imported today from England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia to help widen the gene pool for breeders in the United States.
The British Shorthair is gaining in popularity every year as it is bred and exhibited by an increasing number of enthusiastic fanciers.
Because of its easy-going nature and intelligence, it has become a favorite of animal trainers, for use in Hollywood films and television commercials.