The British Shorthair is an attractive and muscular breed that is quite popular. When it comes to intelligence, most experts describe them as having an average to moderate level compared to other cats. While they don’t usually appear on lists of the “smartest” breeds, many owners find their British Shorthairs to be clever in their own way — especially when it comes to learning routines, problem-solving skills, and showing a loving, warm temperament.
Top 3 Ways British Shorthair Show Their Intelligence
1. They Are Good at Problem-Solving
Unfortunately, the British Shorthair doesn’t make many top 10 smartest cat lists on the internet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent. Many users report that their British Shorthair excels at problem and puzzle-solving. These cats often make short work of even high-level cat puzzles. Most cat fanciers rate the British Shorthair as a moderately intelligent breed.
2. They Are Trainable
Many British Shorthair owners report that their cat is easy to train to do several tricks. Many owners can train their cats to come when called and to fetch sticks or balls (sometimes by color!), and some cats can even give high-fives. Other favorite “tricks” to teach this breed are walking on a leash.
3. They Have a Calm Demeanor
The British Shorthair cat breed is extremely calm and gets along well with children and other pets, especially if your cat spends time socializing with them as a kitten. They often form strong bonds with other cats and even dogs, and they usually like the attention that children provide. This calm attitude helps them look wise compared to many other breeds.
Other Interesting Facts About the British Shorthair
- The British Shorthair is generally considered a healthy breed, with a life expectancy of 12–20 years.
- British Shorthair cats are large and can often weigh up to 16 pounds when fully grown.
- British Shorthair cats don’t usually like being carried around, and they won’t usually sit on people’s laps. However, they will follow their primary caregiver from room to room and usually stay within a few feet of them.
- Due to their short coat, the British Shorthair is easier to groom than many other breeds, only requiring a weekly brushing with a slicker brush.
- While the short hair is harder to see on furniture, the British Shorthair is not a hypoallergenic breed, and their fur, urine, and saliva can still cause an allergic reaction in people with allergies.
- The British Shorthair can get cold quickly when the temperature drops because they don’t have the soft undercoat that many other breeds have to help keep them warm.
- The British Shorthair often has solid gray fur (called blue) and yellow eyes, but they can come in many different patterns and colors.
- The British Shorthair is possibly Great Britain’s oldest cat breed, originating from local shorthair feral cats that mated with cats brought by the Romans.
- The British Shorthair first arrived in the United States in the early 1900s, but the Cat Fanciers Association didn’t recognize them as a unique breed until 1980.
- Despite their name, British Shorthair cats are popular pets worldwide.
What Are the Smartest Cat Breeds?
While there is no standardized test of feline intelligence, many of the internet’s top 10 smartest cat breed lists claim that the Abyssinian breed is the smartest cat. Other common breeds on these lists include the Balinese, Bengal, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Havana Brown, Korat, Savannah, Siamese, and Singapura.
Summary
The British Shorthair cat is a calm, affectionate cat breed with moderate intelligence. They have good problem-solving abilities and usually make short work of cat puzzles and other activities that test the mind. They can be trained, and owners can even teach them how to walk on a leash. Their calm and friendly disposition toward other animals and people also helps them seem wiser and smarter than other cats.
Featured Image Credit: OksanaSusoeva, Shutterstock
Top 3 Ways British Shorthair Show Their Intelligence
