A Breeders Guide to choosing

a British Shorthair kitten

I have been breeding British Shorthairs for more than 15 years, and with the help of my fellow Breeders listed on this group, I will try to provide some guidance and help for you when choosing a British Shorthair kitten.

So welcome to our site Hopefully the next few paragraphs will help you make a decision, these days it's very easy to look on the Internet for a kitten  and the most popular way.  It's good to start this way as most reputable breeders will give you lots of information about the breed. Using  email as a first point of contact means that you can ask all the questions you need, and if the breeder has available?  pictures of any kittens she/he has available, you can then decide if a British is for you,

  Once you have decided that it's a British that you would like, it's important to remember that this new member of your family will be around for at least 12 years if not more.

So the next step is to find the right breeder, and if you're reading this page then you have come to the right place. The breeders on this site pride themselves in the knowledge that their kittens  are bred following the British Shorthair Breed Standards and are bred for personality and type.

This is not a business venture for our breeders but a labour of love. Our advice is too find a breeder that you feel comfortable with; visit the house if possible and if it's viable, and meet the mums and dads.

  Obviously this is what the British Shorthair Breeders Group is all about – to help you find your new little furry friend.

What do I look for once I have selected a breeder?”   

Here are a few guidelines to help you.

Expect to travel  –You should not expect a pedigree kitten to be available just around the corner. It doesn’t work like that!  Before you start out have set in your mind what colour or colours you're looking for and of course which sex of kitten. It might be that what you want is not readily available and you might have to wait, or travel. It might be that the nearest kitten is available is not the colour you have in mind.  If you just want a British Shorthair kitten for looks and temperament and don’t mind what colour or sex, then your search could be made easier. Please do check out our Photo Gallery, which might help with your decision.  All colours and patterns of British Shorthair cats share the same look, but not always the same temperament.

Firstly if you have access to a computer contact the breeder, explain what it is you are looking for and  ask for any photo's they have of available kittens. Please remember as hobby breeders most of us have jobs or families to look after so a swift reply is not always possible, it's always a good tip to send the same email the next day.  If you don't have access to a computer telephone the breeder and again please try and pick a good time. This will allow you to ask all the questions you want about the litter of kittens available.  It will also give the breeder a chance to get to know you and ask some questions about where her precious baby will be living.  It works both ways!

If you are happy and the breeder is happy, arrange to visit the breeder to view the kitten/s.  The earliest at which kittens should be viewed is between 5-6 weeks of age as by this time they are running around and eating, using the litter tray and developing personalities,  and by now they have that wonderful AWASH!!! factor. 

Any earlier than this and there isn’t a lot to see. The first few weeks of a kitten's life is very important to it's development, but the risk of infection being passed to the kittens from handling by strangers is  real.

 As the risk of infection is very real we ask that you do not visit more than one breeder on the same day – cross infection can be lethal.  Please be respectful of the breeder and their kittens. 

Most kittens are indoor reared.  This means that they are well adjusted and should be used to normal family noises, i.e. television, hoovers, door-bells, visitors,  etc. Some breeders have beautiful catteries outside and often place kittens outside once they have had their first injection. These kittens are often just as well adjusted as kittens reared in the house, so do not be put off by this, by the time they are ready to come to you they will have had their fair share of investigating shelves, humans, plugs, wires, baths and especially toilets, (please keep lids down in the early days).....................................etc.  These kittens often take a few days to  settle in a new home as they are used to a domestic environment.

It's important that a kitten is handled often during its development and this is the main thing to bear in mind when choosing a kitten. A happy, well-socialised kitten will settle into a new home far easier than one that which hasn’t been handled or had lots of company.

When you first visit a breeder, you should look for a kitten to be friendly, and at 6 weeks you should be looking at what your cat will look like when it reaches maturity. Always ask to see the mum and dad if the breeder has the stud boy,(it's not unusual for the breeder to only have mum.)

You want a kitten with dry clean eyes, (the Colourpointed variety  often have sleep in the eye, this is easily removed and is not a sign of a problem). They should be running around with their littermates, and don't be too hasty and put off by a kitten who does not come forward often this is the most loving of the litter. Once you collect your kitten you will see they have grown at a rate of knots and have become very tall,almost lanky looking, this is a normal part of their development.  They are like children and seem to grow in fits and starts.

Often a breeder will know more about the development stages of their own lines, and will be able to guide you. Owners of British Shorthair cats have to learn to be patient as they are very slow to mature and reach full beauty.

If the cats and kittens are healthy, happy and sociable and you are happy with their surroundings that’s fine.

Kittens will be available to go to their new homes at 13 weeks of age.  By this time they will be fully vaccinated against cat ‘flu and enteritis (this is the minimum requirement of The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy).  Some breeders offer vaccination against leukaemia and Chlamydia.  The breeder should  provide a Pedigree Certificate with each kitten, usually this is a four or five-generation pedigree although G.C.C.F. only stipulate a three-generation. Most hobby breeders also provide a diet sheet and a starter pack ensuring that the kitten has some stability once it arrives at its new home.

Most breeders offer 6 weeks' free insurance.  Registration documents may also be provided.

Cost of kittens vary across the country.  The southern areas can be more expensive than the northern areas but you will find more breeders in the northern areas of the country.  When purchasing a kitten try if funds permit to take two.  Most breeders will reduce the price for two kittens, and it does bring some advantages.  Twice the fun, twice the cuddles, someone for the kitten to play with when you are busy, company for each other when you are out so no guilt trips on your part, and more than one cat for the family to enjoy.  It really is worth seriously considering.

Please remember there are two types of breeders, most are hobby breeders who show cats and breed to support their hobby of showing, and there are breeders who breed as a business. The people listed on this site pride themselves in being hobby breeders, and as hobby breeders we like to think that we have the health and well being of our babies first. We  hope that this has helped you in your search for your new kitten – if you need any further help, information or advice (even when you have got your new companion) please feel free to contact any of us on the  British Shorthair Breeders Group.  Finally please do not forget the breeder of your kitten – they would love the occasional telephone call or photograph to let them know that all is well with the baby they reared for you.

Thank you !

CopyrightBritish Shorthair

Website Design

Copyright

 Jeanette Camm

British Shorthair Breeders Group. 

July 2002

Breeders Group. 

July 2002