The British Shorthair is a medium-sized to large cat.  They are heavily muscled and have heavy boning.  They have a rounded, thick appearance.

As a powerful cat, all components of this breed should be well developed. The British Shorthair has a broad chest, muscular neck, strong jaws and a well developed muzzle. The legs are thick and strong and a plush but not fluffy tail that ends in a round or blunt tip

The coat of the British is thick and dense.  You would describe the coat as plush.  The coats are often described as crisp or cracking, referring to the way the coat breaks over the contours of the cat's body.  It  becomes much longer and thicker during the winter. The texture of the coat is relatively hard, as it is meant as protection for the cat.

When you pick up a British, you should always support her back end. British should not have their hind end drag down their abdomen, as this can make them uncomfortable and insecure.

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Eyes are large, round and widely set and can be a variety of colors, though the copper or gold eyes of the British blue are the best known. Their heads are round with full, chubby cheeks.

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The British Shorthair is a very pleasant cat to have as a companion.  They are easy going and placid. The British is a fiercely loyal, loving cat and will attach itself to every one of her family members.

While the British loves to play, they don't need hourly attention. The British also plays well by herself, and thus is a good companion for single people or  people who work, as they are very happy to simply laze around the house while their owner is out. They do not get destructive or need other animals for company, though they do enjoy having another British Shorthair or a cat with similar temperament around. They like attention and enjoy being petted.
Some do not mind being cuddled, but most prefer to keep four paws on the ground and be patted rather than picked up.

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A daily brushing is important, especially during seasonal changes when the coat is thickening or thinning. Even this Shorthair cat can get knots in her coat if she isn't brushed regularly.

The British tolerates being left alone. She is affectionate but also spends time just sleeping in the sun. The British is an easy cat to care for and makes a wonderful, quiet companion.

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The British Shorthair, while originally coming from the farms and streets of Britain, is also considered to be the first cat of the cat fancy. The "father" of this breed is Harrison Wier, who is thought of as the first professional cat breeder. He is known in cat fancy history as the "Father of the Cat Fancy." Not only was he the first professional breeder, but he also determined the rules for the first cat show, which was held in Britain in 1871.

As if this were not enough, Harrison took the humble street cat of Britain and, through an intensive breeding program, transformed it to the pedigreed breed that he named the British. The British fell in love with their new now-pedigreed breed. When the Persian was introduced into Britain, it nudged out the British for the most popular breed temporarily. During the Second World War, as in the First World War, the British Shorthair breed was decimated, but it always reemerged into the top ranks of popularity. Today, the British shorthair is accepted in cat registries worldwide. At one time, it was known as the British Blue, but since it comes in a variety of colors, it is called either the British or the British Shorthair.